A method of making a shoe includes printing a midsole having a platform and a lattice structure. The platform and lattice structure are integrally formed by printing a first surface of the platform to conform to a sole of a foot of a user and, in association therewith, printing the lattice structure on a second surface of the platform opposite the first surface of the platform. The method also includes positioning the midsole substantially within an outsole such that the lattice structure is substantially facing the outsole and the platform is substantially facing an upper.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate. The first plate overlies at least a portion of a forefoot region of the second plate. The first plate and the second plate are fixed to one another rearward of the forefoot region. The first plate is configured to slide longitudinally relative to the forefoot region of the second plate in a first portion of a flexion range during dorsiflexion of the sole structure, and to interfere with the second plate during a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range.

Disclosed are systems, methods, procedures and devices incorporating a variety of impact absorbing structures (IAS) and/or buckling structure arrays into shoes, sneakers and/or other footwear, which can greatly enhance wearer comfort, improve shoe durability, improve athletic performance, reduce cost of manufacture and/or minimize impact forces to the foot, legs and/or lower body. Included herein are various types of footwear, foot coverings, lower extremity garments and related orthopedic sleeves and/or orthotics.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.

A three-layered shoe construction having an outsole with a first flexible area and a second flexible area located in the vicinity of both the forefoot area and the hind foot area, the second flexible area being more flexible than the first flexible area, and further including a cavity housing a plurality of protrusions therewithin; a dual density midsole having a first density in the forefoot area and a second density in the hind foot area, the second density being greater than the first density; and an insole having a top face which includes a plurality of raised projections forming a geometric pattern that starts in the vicinity of the midfoot area and spirals outwardly towards both the toe area and the heel area, the plurality of raised projections increasing in size as they approach the toe and heel areas. The specific construction associated with the outsole, midsole and insole enhance flexibility, cushioning, comfort and breathability.

Sole structures for articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include a sole structure having a relatively soft and lightweight foam midsole component partially covered by at least one more rigid and/or dense cage (protective) component(s) and/or other protective component(s). The sole structures may include a first portion configured to support at least a heel and midfoot area of a wearer's foot, and an exposed outer edge of this first portion may include a billows structure that extends continuously from a medical midfoot or forefoot area of the sole structure to a lateral midfoot or forefoot area. This billows structure may include fewer than five billow outer ridges connected by billow interstitial areas located between adjacent billow outer ridges. Billow thickness at a rear end of the first portion may be larger than the thickness at a front end of the first portion.

An upper for an article of footwear includes a first upper panel, a second upper panel, and an extruded component. The extruded component is disposed along a border between the first upper panel and the second upper panel. The extruded component joins the first upper panel to the second upper panel.

In one embodiment, an article of footwear includes a first braided layer and a second braided layer. The first braided layer passes along an upper surface of a midsole while the second braided layer passes along a lower surface of the midsole. In another embodiment, an article of footwear includes a first braided layer and a second braided layer. The first braided layer passes along an upper surface of a plate while the second braided layer passes along a lower surface of the plate. In another embodiment, an article of footwear includes a unitary braided component that includes a first layer and a second layer.

An upper for an article of footwear includes a first upper panel, a second upper panel, and an extruded component. The extruded component is disposed along a border between the first upper panel and the second upper panel. The extruded component joins the first upper panel to the second upper panel.