Curable compositions are provided comprising: (a) an isocyanate-functional prepolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 4000 to 15,000; (b) a curing agent comprising a mixture of polyamines, wherein at least one polyamine has an amine equivalent weight of 125 to 250; and (c) an abrasion resistant additive comprising organic and inorganic particles. The isocyanate-functional prepolymer is (i) a reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyamine having primary and/or secondary amino groups; and/or (ii) a reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyol. Upon application of the composition to a substrate as a coating and after curing to form a coated substrate, the coated substrate demonstrates a coating loss of less than 0.33 cm.sup.3 after being subjected to 1000 cycles of a TABER Abrasion Test using S-42 sandpaper strips and two 1000 gram weights. Coated substrates and footwear components prepared from the compositions are also disclosed.

It is desired to teach an open footwear article where the upper surface contacting the foot is partially combined with, or wholly comprised of, a substantially rigid material that has some degree of open porosity. The purpose of said rigid, porous material serves to immediately absorb perspiration and/or water from the feet. Subsequent drying of the porous, rigid material occurs when the sandal is not in use as water/perspiration are evaporated from within the pores. The porous, rigid material also effects a massaging action while walking. It is the intent of this invention to capture a preferred combination of these two embodiments.

The decorative slipper 10 includes a pocket opening 70 for reception of a person's foot therein. Pocket 70 is comprised of two toe receiving sections, a first section 70a and a second section 70b. The flap 20 is movable to the first position 50 wherein the flap 20 covers the first face 12 and body of the slipper while exposing the second face 16, and the flap opening 40 is aligned with pocket opening 70. In order to align the wearer's foot with the second face 16, the wearer places his toe section in the second section 70b of pocket 70. The flap 20 is also movable to a second position 60 wherein, the flap 20 covers the second face 16 and body of the slipper while exposing the first face 12, and the flap opening 40 is aligned with pocket opening 70. In order to align the wearer's foot with the first face 12, the wearer places his toe section in the first section 70a of pocket 70. In this manner, the pocket 70 allows the wearer to use the same pocket 70 to walk in two different directions depending on whether animal face 12 is uncovered or animal face 16 is uncovered by movable flap 20.

An article of footwear including a tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioning system is adjustable and includes a first layer and a second layer that is moveable and extends over the first layer. The article can include elements that are capable of distributing tension over the article. The article may include a tensile element, guide elements, and one or more strap guides attached to an underside of the second layer.

In aspects of the invention, a footwear sole can include a sole member formed of a single unitary layer, wherein the sole member is formed of a compound including ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and rubber. The compound can further include a bulking agent. The compound can further include a foaming agent, a color master agent and a bridging agent. The sole member can include a top surface, the top surface including a plurality of apertures defined in a rear portion of the top surface. The plurality of apertures can define a tapered shape, and a first aperture of the plurality of apertures can have a depth that is less than a second aperture of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures can be arranged in a plurality of rows.

Curable compositions are provided comprising:

(a) an isocyanate-functional prepolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 4000 to 15,000;

(b) a curing agent comprising a mixture of polyamines, wherein at least one polyamine has an amine equivalent weight of 125 to 250; and

(c) an abrasion resistant additive comprising organic and inorganic particles. The isocyanate-functional prepolymer is (i) a reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyamine having primary and/or secondary amino groups; and/or (ii) a reaction product of a polyisocyanate and a polyol. Upon application of the composition to a substrate as a coating and after curing to form a coated substrate, the coated substrate demonstrates a coating loss of less than 0.33 cm.sup.3 after being subjected to 1000 cycles of a TABER Abrasion Test using S-42 sandpaper strips and two 1000 gram weights. Coated substrates and footwear components prepared from the compositions are also disclosed.

Footwear soles, footwear items and associated methods of manufacturing are provided. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole in a form of a single unitary layer composed of a composition having unique and beneficial qualities. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole wherein the composition comprising: ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and rubber. Some aspects of the invention provide a footwear sole wherein the composition comprising: EVA, rubber, and at least one agent selected from a bulking agent and a foaming agent. Some aspects of the invention provide a method of preparing a footwear sole composed of a single unitary layer, comprising: forming, by mixing while heating, a molten composition comprising: EVA, rubber, and at least one agent selected from a bulking agent and a foaming agent; inserting the molten composition to a mold; and forming the sole while curing the molten composition in the mold.

Disclosed herein are improved wearable devices with sports implements (e.g., hockey stick, tennis racket, golf club, etc.). A wearable device can be worn on any suitable part of a user's body (e.g., foot, leg, arm, etc.) or, alternatively, over a device (e.g., shoe) already worn on the user. The wearable device can be permanently affixed to a sports implement or, alternatively, can be adaptable with a sports implement selectable from a set of interchangeable sports implements. Such interchangeability can be provided by a coupling mechanism that is configured to detachably couple the wearable device to the sports implement. The coupling mechanism can include a receiver base integrated to a body of the wearable device and a complementary accessory base of the sports implement.

A shoe may include an upper portion constructed from a continuous textile (e.g., a knit textile) that includes an elastic region and a structural region. The elastic region may be positioned about a perimeter of an opening into a cavity configured to receive a wearer's foot, and the elastic region may be configured to secure the shoe to a wearer's foot. The elastic region may have a first elasticity that is greater than a second elasticity of the structural region. In an unworn configuration, the elastic region may cause a tread surface of a sole of the shoe to have a continuous curvature. In a worn configuration, substantially all of an intermediate section of the tread surface may contact a surface on which the shoe is placed. The elastic region may improve the performance of the shoe, including the comfort and durability.

An article of footwear including a tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioning system is adjustable and includes a first layer and a second layer that is moveable and extends over the first layer. The article can include elements that are capable of distributing tension over the article. The article may include a tensile element, guide elements, and one or more strap guides attached to an underside of the second layer.