A plate is used for a sole that forms a part of a shoe. The plate includes a mid- and rear-foot support portion in a shape extending from a position superimposed on a rear end portion of a metatarsal bone of a wearer of the shoe in a thickness direction of the sole to a position superimposed on a heel bone of the wearer, the mid- and rear-foot support portion supporting a midfoot portion and a rear foot portion of the wearer. The mid- and rear-foot support portion is in a shape convex upward in a cross-section in a foot width direction.

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The composite plate has a molded three-dimensional shape to provide additional stiffness to the golf shoe, particularly in the rear foot region of the shoe. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-engaging surface and an upper surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface. A first cushion is disposed proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and includes a first fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a second fluid-filled chamber attached to the first fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the first fluid-filled chamber and the upper. A second cushion is disposed proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure and includes a third fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a fourth fluid-filled chamber attached to the third fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the third fluid-filled chamber and the upper. The second cushion is fluidly isolated from the first cushion.

A sole for a running shoe comprising a sole tip, a heel edge and a midsole having a base surface delimiting the midsole against the vertical direction (V) and a top surface delimiting the midsole in the vertical direction, wherein the midsole has a heel region (FB), a midfoot region (MFB) and a forefoot region (VFB) and an elastic plate. The elastic plate extends at least from the forefoot region into the midfoot region, and in the forefoot region and/or in the midfoot region has a first curvature with a vertex curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole in the direction of the top surface of the midsole. The elastic plate is formed so the first curvature is elastically bent in the direction of the base surface by the forces acting during treading and/or rolling movement, and the first curvature returns to its original shape during push-off, or wherein the elastic plate in the forefoot region and/or in the midfoot region has a first curvature curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface of the midsole and having a vertex. The elastic plate is configured such that the first curvature is elastically bent in the direction of the top surface by the forces acting during treading and/or during rolling movement, and the first curvature returns to its original shape during push-off.

The present invention relates to a method for adapting a property, particularly an energy return, of a shoe comprising the steps of placing the shoe in a sealable chamber, sealing the sealable chamber, applying a pressurized gas to the shoe for a time period, such that molecules of the gas are migrated into a midsole of the shoe; and relieving at least a part of the gas from the chamber.

A sole structure for an article of footwear that includes an upper. The sole structure can include an outsole having a ground-engaging surface. The midsole member can be disposed between the outsole and the upper, and can include a pocket extending from a heel region to a forefoot region. A sole plate can be disposed within the pocket. The sole plate can have a uniform thickness and can extend from the heel region into the forefoot region. A cutout portion can be formed in each of the midsole member and the outsole in an arched section of the sole structure. A cushion layer can be disposed over the sole plate and within the pocket.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a plate having a top surface facing the upper and a bottom surface formed on an opposite side than the top surface, the plate extending from a first end in a forefoot region to a second end in a heel region. A first cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the forefoot region and a second cushioning element is attached to the bottom surface of the plate in the heel region, the second cushioning element being separated from the first cushioning element by a first gap formed in a mid-foot region. One or more fluid-filled bladders are each at least partially surrounded by the first cushioning element in the forefoot region and have a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the plate.

A sole for an article of footwear includes a cored midsole defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The cored midsole defines apertures extending diagonally from the top surface of the cored midsole to the bottom surface of the cored midsole.

A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure defining a footbed and a ground-engaging surface and including a chassis extending from an anterior end of the sole structure to a posterior end of the sole structure, and a bladder supported within the chassis and extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end exposed at the posterior end of the sole structure, the bladder including a first curved portion in the forefoot region and a substantially flat portion at the posterior end of the sole structure.