An article of footwear comprises an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a side portion that has a first material composition at an exterior surface of the side portion. The exterior surface has a first coefficient of friction. The sole structure has a second material composition at an exterior surface of the sole structure that underlies the side portion of the upper. The exterior surface of the sole structure has a second coefficient of friction. The first coefficient of friction is substantially equal to the second coefficient of friction.

Textile composites for garments including footwear uppers and footwear comprising the same that provide protection from flame and liquid water whilst at the same time being lightweight and flexible for the wearer. The textile composite comprises a microfiber outer layer; a nonwoven layer, and in some embodiments a porous polymeric membrane on a support layer.

The present disclosure provides for composite textiles that can include a coating layer that is compatible with textiles such as those comprising polyolefins. The coating layer, as well as the precursor coating layer composition, the coating mixture, or resin composition used to form the coating layer, include a mixture of a polyolefin resin and a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV). It is believed that the use of the coating layer in the disclosed composite textiles can promote better bonding between other components or materials used in articles, such as articles of footwear or articles of clothing, while resisting or preventing creasing and bagging. This allows the use of cost-effective materials such as polyolefins in the composite textiles that have adequate physical and mechanical properties, while also having sufficient chemical bonding properties.

A method for producing a water-tight, water-vapour-permeable segment, having a three-dimensional contour, for a shoe shaft, an item of clothing or a rucksack or for producing a shoe shaft, an item of clothing or a rucksack, the segment being free of connection points in its surface, and the method for producing the segment being a thermoforming process in which the two-dimensional flat structure obtained is completely laminated in its entirety, the segment being free of connection points in its surface. Also, a water-tight, water-vapour-permeable segment of a three-dimensional functional laminate for introduction into a shoe or shoe shaft, an item of clothing or a rucksack, the segment being dimensionally stable under its own weight, of a single piece and free of connection points in its surface.

A manufactured shearling material comprises a leather layer and a knitted wool layer laminated together. The leather layer may be made by grinding up waste/scrap leather and adhering it to a backing, and giving texture (or texturizing) a surface to give the surface a particular feel (e.g., a suede feel). The scrap leather may be from various animals, including cows, sheep, etc. The knitted wool layer may comprise recycled wool clippings organized together to simulate the fur surface of natural shearling, and the wool clippings may be combined with one or more additional materials (e.g., fur, cotton, polyester, Tencel, silk, etc.) at various blends (e.g., 80/20 blend of wool and Tencel) to control the feel, aesthetics, and/or functionality, etc. of the knitted wool layer. Furs, hair, or other materials other may be utilized instead of the recycled wool clippings. An additional layer may be provided on top of the leather, with such additional layer being a synthetic recycled fabric.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole body having a proximal surface and a distal surface. Proprioceptive elements may extend in the hole in the midsole body, and translate toward the proximal surface in the holes upon a force directed along a central axis of the hole at a distal end of the proprioceptive elements. In various embodiments, the holes may angle relative to vertical from the proximal surface to the distal surface, the holes may be defined by perforations and the proprioceptive elements may be integral portions of the midsole body, or the midsole body may have a plurality of annular holes at the proximal surface, and a plurality of annular recesses in the distal surface, and a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in a different annular hole of the plurality of annular holes. Methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are described.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide for composite structures including a bonding layer that adheres a substrate (e.g., including a polymeric composition such as rubber) to a material (e.g., including a polymer such as polyurethane). The adhesion of the substrate to the material through the bonding layer can include chemical bonds such as, but not limited to, siloxane linkages, silanol linkages, silyl linkages, or any combination thereof in the bonding layer.

The pressing of an article is achieved with a closed-loop feedback press. The closed-loop feedback press is effective to measure an amount of pressure applied and adjust the pressure to achieve a prescribed amount of compression on the article. Further, the press may leverage a closed-loop feedback system to maintain a consistent temperature of one or more platens. The press is able to adjust a pressure applied one or more times during a pressing operation to accelerate a temperature change in the pressed article while reducing the pressure applied as the temperature approaches a target temperature to limit unintentional deformation and bleeding of the pressed material of the article.

Disclosed is a process for creating an elastic film or sheet by calendaring a composition, including a polymer and a fabric. The composition may include a polymer, a cotton, or a combination of both. The calendared composition can form tough, flexible films and sheets. The film and sheet can have optical and physical properties that make them suitable as a replacement for some PVC films. Also disclosed is a composition for calendaring including a fabric and a polymer.

The invention relates to a catalytic and/or reactive unit, preferably in the form of a protective material with catalytic and/or reactive properties, particularly with the function of protecting from chemical and/or biological harmful and/or poisonous substances, preferably in the form of a textile protective filter material, as well as a method for producing same. The catalytic and/or reactive unit is particularly suitable for producing protective equipments and/or protective objects, and filter and filter materials of all types.