Described are shoes, in particular a sports shoe, wherein at least a portion of an upper of the shoe includes a first layer and a functional second layer, wherein the functional second layer is directly printed onto the first layer.

A footwear article is provided comprising an upper and a wear guard. In at least one example, the wear guard may include an overlay formed with bellows positioned along a lacing structure of the footwear article, wherein the wear guard is a different material than the upper of the footwear article.

An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a restrictive fabric portion. The restrictive fabric portion includes elastic and restrictive strands. A restrictive-side resistance index is greater than an elastic-side resistance index, when a tensile load is applied to the restrictive fabric portion in a direction of stretching the elastic and restrictive strands, where the restrictive-side resistance index is a ratio of an increase in tensile stress to an increase in rate of stretch of the restrictive strand, in a range in which a rate of stretch of the restrictive fabric portion is greater than a predetermined value, and the elastic-side resistance index is a ratio of an increase in tensile stress to an increase in rate of stretch of the elastic strand, in the range in which the rate of stretch of the restrictive fabric portion is greater than the predetermined value.

A flexible, protective water sport footwear has a stretchy, flexible material configured to form at least one pair of booties that covers an entirety of a person's feet and ankles when worn; and a plurality of puncture resistant, non-stretchy protective materials attached in a pattern to at least one of an inner and outer side of the at least one pair of booties, the pattern providing coverage of a majority of the person's sole, toes, and arch, wherein a comfort and flexibility of the at least one pair of booties is preserved because the pattern provides gaps being occupied by the flexible material, the gaps at least being between the person's toes and arch, and along the person's Achilles tendon.

Articles of footwear having an upper including a dynamic fit heel portion and a main body. The dynamic fit heel portion may include a lower heel counter and an upper heel collar. The upper heel collar may define at least in part, a foot-receiving chamber. An expandable joint may be provided between the lower heel counter and the upper heel collar. A material forming the expandable joint may have a higher flexibility and a higher stretch than the lower heel counter and the upper heel collar. The lower heel counter, the upper heel collar, and the expandable joint may be configured to align with portions of a heel and ankle of a wearer so as to provide a flexible heel and ankle fit.

An article of footwear may include a sole assembly and an upper, positioned above the sole assembly, formed from a stretchable material such as a stretchable canvas. The upper may include stitching, with a stretchability of the stretchable canvas being maintained in an area of the upper where the stitching extends. The stitching may include, for example, double needle cover stitching.

A footwear article configured to accommodate an orthotic device. The footwear article includes a sole and a body. The sole and body extend around and form an interior space sized to receive the user's foot and the orthotic device. The body includes an elastic section configured to expand when the footwear article is worn by the user to increase the size of the interior space to accommodate the user's foot and the orthotic device. The stretching action further applies a force on the user's foot to maintain the position of the orthotic device relative to the foot.

A shoe having an upper and a sole connected to the upper. The upper has, at least in part, a knitted material forming its outer surface. To ensure sufficient longitudinal elasticity in the forefoot region and a good fit, along with efficient production, the knitted material consists of a first knitted material layer produced from a first thread, wherein the first material layer has arranged on it a second knitted material layer produced from a second thread. The second material layer at least partially covers the first material layer. In the region of the front half, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, and/or in the heel region of the shoe, the second material layer runs, at least in part, in strip form in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the shoe so as to form a number of strips running parallel to one another.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.