An upper for an article of footwear may include a first area and a second area. The first area may be located on at least one of a lateral and a medial side of the upper, where the first area includes a plurality of first knit courses, and at least a majority of the first knit courses are at least partially formed by a first yarn. The second area may be located adjacent to the first area, where the second area extends through at least one of a lateral side and a medial side of a throat area of the upper. The second area may include a plurality of second knit courses and at least a majority of the second knit courses are formed by a second yarn. The second yarn may have a tenacity of at least 5 g/D. The first yarn may have a tenacity of less than 5 g/D, in some embodiments.

In example aspects, materials are repurposed for footwear manufacturing. That is, in some instances, materials in the footwear manufacturing supply chain are potentially subject to disposal. However, aspects of this disclosure sustainably repurpose those materials (that might otherwise be disposed of) to be used in footwear articles. In some aspects, the repurposed materials may be obscured with a concealing layer.

A sports shoe includes an upper wherein a majority by weight of the upper is made from a thermoplastic base material and a sole wherein a majority by weight of the sole is made from the same thermoplastic base material. The sole and the upper are individually fabricated and joined to each other. The thermoplastic base material includes at least one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane TPU, polyamide PA, polyethylene terephthalate PET, or polybutylene terephthalate PBT.

A midsole for an article of footwear including a three-dimensional mesh including interconnected unit cells and methods of making the same. The interconnected unit cells each include a plurality of struts defining a three-dimensional shape. The interconnected unit cells are connected at nodes having a valence number defined by the number of struts connected at that node. The valence number of the nodes may vary to provide customized characteristics to zones or portions of the midsole. The plurality of interconnected unit cells may be organized in a warped cubic lattice structure. The warped cubic lattice structure and the size/shape of interconnected unit cells may vary to provide customized characteristics to zones or portions of the midsole. The three-dimensional mesh may be customized based on a biometric data profile for an individual, or group of individuals. The midsole may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

A knit component may include a knit-in tensile area, which may include an opening at least partially bounded by a first intersecting portion and a second intersecting portion. A course of tensile material that is integrally knitted with the first intersecting portion via a knit stitch may include a float extending from the first intersecting portion, across the opening, to the second intersecting portion.

Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.

Tooling and components of an injection-molding system may be used to mold a foam article. The tooling and components may include features that control parameters of the injection-molding and foaming process, such as temperature, pressure, shot size, shot placement, and the like.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

An algae-elastomer composite including an elastomer matrix; algae; and a mixing additive sufficient to achieve a desired property. The algae can be present in a milled condition having a particle size value of between about 10 and 120 microns. The algae is mixed with the elastomer matrix in a dry condition having a moisture content of below about 10%. A method of preparing the algae-based elastomer composite is provided that includes the steps of: premixing an elastomer matrix; adding an algae filler; adding a mixing additive that includes a plasticizer; forming an elastomer-algae blend by blending the algae and elastomer to a temperature sufficient to be further mixed, wherein the temperature is about 10° C. higher than the temperature sufficient for the elastomer alone; adding and mixing a curing or vulcanizing agent for the elastomer dispersing the elastomer-algae blend; and heating and curing the elastomer-algae blend into a final form.

The present invention relates to an artificial leather and a method for producing the same. The artificial leather includes a substrate, a thermoplastic polyurethane fiber adhesive layer, a thermoplastic polyurethane fiber layer, a paste layer, and a surface layer. The paste layer has a thermosetting paste or a high solid-content paste, and the paste has a specific adhesive temperature. A bonding can be performed at low temperature in the method for producing the same, and the artificial leather made by the method for producing the same has excellent hand feeling and/or smoothness.