Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim (across the open space) is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an upper-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite the upper-facing surface, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending from the outer perimeter boundary rim (e.g., the ground-facing surface and/or the upper-facing surface) and across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells across the open space at least at the forefoot support area, wherein a plurality (e.g., at least a majority) of the open cells have curved perimeters with no distinct corners.

An article of footwear may have a sole including an outer member having an outer surface and an inner surface disposed closer to a wearer's foot than the outer surface. The outer member may include at least a first flex groove formed as an elongate recess in a first flex groove region, causing both the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer member to curve upward. The sole may include a reinforcing member disposed closer to the wearer's foot than the outer member, and may be relatively more rigid than the outer member. The reinforcing member may include a first bridge portion disposed in the first flex groove region and joining the first portion and the second portion together. The lateral width of the first bridge portion may be less than the lateral width of the first portion, and less than the lateral width of the second portion.

A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements of a first group are associated with a lateral side of the sole structure. Traction elements of a second group are associated with a medial side of the sole structure. Traction elements of the second group include medial rotational traction elements that have a plurality of stud elements arranged in a circular grouping. Stud elements may be aligned laterally across the sole structure with traction elements of the first group. Stud elements may be aligned longitudinally across the sole structure to be arranged in different configurations along an outside medial side or an inside medial side.

A traction stud comprises: a carrier comprising a post, a hollow defined by the post that opens at a distal end of the post, and a multi-pronged flange at a proximal end of the post; and a tip bonded in the hollow and extending past the distal end of the post. The carrier may be metal and/or the tip is ceramic. The multi-pronged flange may comprise two or more prongs, each prong having a first face, a second face, a thickness, and one or more holes extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the first and second faces are substantially perpendicular to the post. Outsoles comprise the traction studs and boots and/or overshoes comprise the outsoles. The traction studs are securely retained by polymeric material of the outsoles. The studs penetrate and/or grip slippery surfaces such as ice and packed snow.

A cleat for footwear. The cleat includes a base layer that attaches to the outsole of the footwear, a cushioning layer and a traction element layer. The traction element layer is attached to the base layer solely by the cushioning layer. Each of the cleat layers provides friction with the ground when the cleat engages the ground. The durometer of the base layer and the durometer of the traction element layer are greater than the durometer of the cushioning layer. When a user steps on a surface wearing a shoe outfitted with these cleats, the resilience of the cushioning layer at once both lessens the impact of the traction elements on the ground surface and lessens the reaction force on the user's foot transmitted through the shoe's outsole. The user's comfort is thereby enhanced.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outer sole component with a co-molded flex modifier component. The outer sole component is formed of a first mold material, such as a rubber mold material. The flex modifier component includes a fiber material and a second mold material. The second mold material may be mold compatible with the first mold material. The sole structure may be formed by co-molding an outer sole component blank or pre-form (e.g., rubber mold material), and a flex modifier component, e.g., in a hot press molding process using a molding system having a mold cavity configured to form the outer sole component. The flex modifier component may be formed (e.g., cut or stamped) from a sheet of flex modifier material, such as a thermoplastic extruded hot melt film sandwiched between fusion bonded non-woven fiber fabric material impregnated with a styrene-coated polymer.

A method for securing studded shoes by using the effect of inertia, wherein a studded shoe, comprising a structure of stud and receptacle combination, the stud including a ground-engaging part. The stud and the receptacle are adapted to be secured together by a threaded connection comprising a bolt (6, 8) on one of the components of the stud and a threaded socket (5, 7) on the receptacle, both adapted such that said bolt (6, 8) can be driven into said threaded socket (5, 7). A securing means of the components serves to become inter-engaged at least when the bolt (6, 8) is fully driven into the threaded socket (5, 7) to resist unscrewing of the components. The securing means comprises at least one locking accessory that fastens in the counterclockwise direction, in an arrangement such that the direction of torque formed by the direction of the inertia in wearer's shoe sole and the center of the threaded connection, and the relative number and/or position of the threads of the threaded connection determine the position and locking direction of the stud relative to the receptacle.

A spike is operable to be removably coupled to an article of footwear. The spike includes a first portion that is substantially rigid. The spike also includes a second portion that is resilient.

A sports shoe includes an instep and a rigid outer sole, the sole having a front portion including a first plurality of studs, a central portion, and a rear portion including a second plurality of studs. The rear portion includes a thickened portion with a flat outer surface on which the second plurality of studs is located, the thickened portion raising the rear portion relative to the front portion; the central portion includes an inwardly curved outer profile.