A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole system with a plurality of cushioning units, each having multiple cushioning layers configured to work together as a system to absorb a compressive load, such as a dynamic compressive load due to impact with the ground, in stages of progressive cushioning according to the relative stiffness values of the layers. Various midsole systems disclosed include isolated cushioning units, linked cushioning units, sole layers having stanchions interfacing with the midsole system, midsole systems with sole layers having keyed and unkeyed portions overlying a bladder, and midsole systems with vertically-stacked cushioning units disposed in inverted relationship to one another.

An article of footwear including a sole and a first support member and a second support member positioned on the sole, where the first support member and the second support member are separated from each other, and where the first support member has a main body and a terminal end that extends at least partially below the main body of the first support member, and the second support member has a main body and a terminal end that extends at least partially below the main body of the second support member.

A shoe for golf including an upper, a midsole, and an outsole arranged to form an enclosure adapted to receive a foot of a wearer, and a toe area disposed at a front of the shoe and adapted to house toes of the wearer, where the toe area has an oblique shape delimited by an outer radius of the outsole of greater than zero.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member, and the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains, and a support plate is positioned between the upper and the sole.

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a first barrier layer formed of a first material, and a second barrier layer formed of a second material. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer cooperate to form a fluid-filled chamber having a first fluid-filled segment extending along an arcuate path, a second fluid-filled segment extending from a first end of the first fluid-filled segment to a first distal end along a first longitudinal axis, and a third fluid-filled segment extending from a second end of the first fluid-filled segment to a second distal end along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The first barrier layer and the second barrier layer may be joined together define a web area connecting each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a first cushioning layer, a second cushioning layer, and a third cushioning layer. The first cushioning layer has a central portion, and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The first cushioning layer, the second cushioning layer, and the third cushioning layer are stacked with the second cushioning layer directly overlying the peripheral portion of the first cushioning layer, and the third cushioning layer overlying the second cushioning layer and directly overlying the central portion of the first cushioning layer. The first cushioning layer has a domed lower surface extending away from the second cushioning layer and the third cushioning layer and substantially centered under the central portion.

Embodiments of an athletic shoe of the present invention generally include a cooperating rotor assembly and torque-dampening system, wherein the rotor assembly includes a substantially round rotor equipped with a plurality of cleat members and having a plurality of teeth about the outer circumference thereof, and the torque-dampening system includes a compressible device configured and adapted to interact with the rotor teeth. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an athletic shoe of the present invention are also provided.

Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

A method of forming an upper for an article of footwear includes providing a first material layer over a shoe last, providing a second material layer over the first material layer such that the first and second material layers adhere to each other at an interface between the first and second material layers, where one or both of the first material layer and second material layer is provided by spray forming a polymer material onto the last. The material layers are removed from the last and turned inside out such that the first material layer includes an exposed surface that forms an exterior surface of the upper.

An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper and a sole secured to the upper and including a stabilizing member extending outwardly from the upper, where the stabilizing member includes a groove that separates the stabilizing member into a medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member so that the medial balancing member and the lateral balancing member move independently of each other to provide balance and stability on different terrains. The medial balancing member and a lateral balancing member also include a slot and a plate inserted into each slot.