The present invention provides an outsole, comprising, at least one recess located at a ground engaging or outer surface of the outsole and having: (a) a depth of between 10% to 95% of the maximum thickness of the outsole; and (b) an area that covers between 10% to 95% of the entire ground engaging or outer surface of the outsole.

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.

An exercise apparatus includes a pair of step-up apparatuses wearable on feet of a user. Each step-up apparatus is configurable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration to simulate a selected motion when the user wearing the pair of step-up apparatuses travels by foot. One of the step-up apparatuses moves towards the expanded configuration while the other step-up apparatus moves towards the compressed configuration.

A sole assembly is provided including multiple compression units entrapped in a midsole and adjacent an outsole to efficiently distribute forces and to assist in correct foot motion during a gait cycle. The multiple compression units can be linked to one another to assist the foot in moving through an appropriate foot motion during a gait cycle. A heel compression unit can be linked to an arch compression unit, which can be linked to one or more forefoot compression units, which can be linked to a toe compression unit. The linking of the heel compression unit, the arch compression unit, and the forefoot compression unit to one another can resist torsional movement of the units between one another, thereby providing a more stable foot support, while still providing impact-attenuation and force distribution through the sole assembly.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate, a plurality of traction elements protruding from the sole plate, and a tension member extending through at least some of the plurality of traction elements. The tension member can move through at least some of the plurality of traction elements during dorsiflexion of the sole structure in a first flexion range. The tension member interferes with at least some of the plurality of traction elements during dorsiflexion of the sole structure in a second flexion range, which is greater than the first flexion range.

A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

A sole assembly is provided including multiple compression units entrapped in a midsole and adjacent an outsole to efficiently distribute forces and to assist in correct foot motion during a gait cycle. The multiple compression units can be linked to one another to assist the foot in moving through an appropriate foot motion during a gait cycle. A heel compression unit can be linked to an arch compression unit, which can be linked to one or more forefoot compression units, which can be linked to a toe compression unit. The linking of the heel compression unit, the arch compression unit, and the forefoot compression unit to one another can resist torsional movement of the units between one another, thereby providing a more stable foot support, while still providing impact-attenuation and force distribution through the sole assembly.

A midsole molding apparatus which enables production of a high-quality midsole is provided. The apparatus includes a through hole, which passes laterally through a midsole used for a shoe, to be integrally formed, preventing traces of forming the through hole from being left in the through hole and on the periphery of the through hole and a shaft mold crossing the inner space of upper and lower molds, forming extending portions such that the ends of the shaft mold extend beyond the boundary of the inner space, and seating the extending portions in press recesses of the upper and lower molds to seal the insides of the molds so as to prevent raw material from leaking from inside the molds when foaming and forming a midsole, to prevent parting lines and burrs from forming on the inner surface of the through hole passing laterally through the midsole.

Provided in the present invention is an outsole including a sheet body which includes a substrate sheet and a continuous body secured to the substrate sheet, and a shoe that has the continuous body having a certain shape and thereby being excellent in functionality.

An article of footwear has a sole assembly with a cushioning component and a shell that has a textile layer. The cushioning component is positioned in a cavity of the shell so that the cushioning component is supported on a lower surface by the shell and the upper surface of the cushioning component is uncovered by the shell at an opening of the shell. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes forming an at least partially textile shell so that the shell has a cavity with an opening. A cushioning component is positioned in the cavity of the shell so that a lower surface of the cushioning component is supported on an inner surface of the shell and is uncovered by the shell at the opening. The lower surface of the cushioning component is secured to the inner surface of the shell by radio frequency welding or adhesive.