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.

An insole having a top sheet and a base layer with three pieces that include a base layer, a forefoot pad and a midfoot-to-heel support cushion. The mid-foot/heel surface has a raised medial arch and longitudinal curvilinear indentations, a flattened mid-foot area with a metatarsal mid-foot tear-drop raised area, and a surrounding the heel pod that cups the exterior back by a heel cup. A heel pad opening goes through the entirety of the thickness of base layer of the insole body and a heel pad is affixed to the bottom surface of the base layer. There is also a supersoft heel dome and a metatarsal raised dome on the top (foot contact) surface of the insole which would be directly above the heel pod and the metatarsal midfoot area, respectively.

An insole having a top sheet and a base layer with three pieces that include a base layer, a forefoot pad and a midfoot-to-heel support cushion. The mid-foot/heel surface has a raised medial arch and longitudinal curvilinear indentations, a flattened mid-foot area with a metatarsal mid-foot tear-drop raised area, and a surrounding the heel pod that cups the exterior back by a heel cup. A heel pad opening goes through the entirety of the thickness of base layer of the insole body and a heel pad is affixed to the bottom surface of the base layer. There is also a supersoft heel dome and a metatarsal raised dome on the top (foot contact) surface of the insole which would be directly above the heel pod and the metatarsal midfoot area, respectively.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

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 sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first sole plate with a foot-receiving surface, a ground-facing surface opposite the foot-receiving surface, and an opening in the ground facing surface extending at least partway through the first sole plate and from a lateral side to a medial side of the first sole plate in a forefoot region. The first sole plate has a first wall at a forward extent of the opening, a second wall at a rear extent of the opening, and at least one tensile member disposed in the opening. The tensile member has a forward end fixed to the first wall, a rear end fixed to the second wall. A midportion of the at least one tensile member is transversely offset from both the forward end and the rear end by a first offset distance when the sole structure is in an unflexed, relaxed state.

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a chamber having (i) an arcuate segment extending from a first transition to a second transition, (ii) a first plurality of elongate segments extending in a first direction from the first transition to a first terminal end, and (iii) a second plurality of elongate segments spaced apart from the first plurality of elongate segments and extending in the first direction from the second transition to a second terminal end. The bladder also includes a web area connecting the arcuate segment, the first plurality of elongate segments, and the second plurality of elongate segments and extending to a terminal edge spaced apart from each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end.

An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.

A bladder for an article of footwear includes a chamber having (i) an arcuate segment extending from a first transition to a second transition, (ii) a first plurality of elongate segments extending in a first direction from the first transition to a first terminal end, and (iii) a second plurality of elongate segments spaced apart from the first plurality of elongate segments and extending in the first direction from the second transition to a second terminal end. The bladder also includes a web area connecting the arcuate segment, the first plurality of elongate segments, and the second plurality of elongate segments and extending to a terminal edge spaced apart from each of the first terminal end and the second terminal end.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.