Computer based systems and methods for designing (e.g., customization) of consumer products, articles of footwear, knit footwear uppers, and the like. In some embodiments, a user may generate and/or modify footwear designs using a footwear design interface. Additionally or alternatively, the footwear design interface may be configured to simulate the layout and/or operation of a knitting machine to provide the user with the impression of physically designing and/or manufacturing an article of footwear. In other embodiments, the system may disallow prospective footwear design changes based on limitations associated with inventory availability and the footwear design characteristics.

An article of footwear includes a motorized tensioning system, sensors, and a gesture control system. Based on information received from one or more sensors the gesture control system may detect a prompting gesture and enters an armed mode for receiving further instructions. In the armed mode the system may detect a variety of different control gestures that correspond to different tensioning commands.

The present invention generally relates to soles in particular midsoles for sports shoes. According to an aspect, an additively manufactured sole is provided. The sole comprises a lattice structure, the lattice structure comprising a plurality of cell elements. The sole further comprises a heel element, three-dimensionally encompassing the heel. Moreover, the sole comprises a base portion interconnecting the heel element and the lattice structure, wherein the base portion has an extension arranged to connect to a plurality of adjacent cell elements, wherein the plurality of adjacent cell elements is not positioned along an edge of the lattice structure.

The present invention generally relates to soles in particular midsoles for sports shoes. According to an aspect, an additively manufactured sole is provided. The sole comprises a lattice structure, the lattice structure comprising a plurality of cell elements. The sole further comprises a heel element, three-dimensionally encompassing the heel. Moreover, the sole comprises a base portion interconnecting the heel element and the lattice structure, wherein the base portion has an extension arranged to connect to a plurality of adjacent cell elements, wherein the plurality of adjacent cell elements is not positioned along an edge of the lattice structure.

A compressible footwear that may include a compressible sole and a compressible upper part that is mechanically coupled to the compressible sole. The compressible sole consisting essentially of multiple compressible cells that are made of a flexible material and have top openings and bottom openings. The multiple compressible cells span over at least a majority of the compressible sole and are configured to undergo a compression while substantially maintaining a thickness of the compressible sole.

Articles of footwear including footbed membranes and rigid or semi-rigid frames may be configured to suspend and support a wearer's foot during all stages of the gait cycle. Footbed membranes may be configured to suspend the wearer's foot with nothing underneath the footbed membrane, maintaining a gap between the footbed membrane and the frame during the entire gait cycle. Footbed membranes may be formed of elastomeric materials having less than a threshold percentage of elongation in response to loading, to maintain suspension of the wearer's foot. The outsole, frame, and footbed membrane may be integrated such that the components work together to support the wearer's foot during the gait cycle and in static conditions as well. Methods of making such articles of footwear may include sewing the footwear upper to the footbed membrane via a sew wall, without cementing the upper.

Articles of footwear including footbed membranes and rigid or semi-rigid frames may be configured to suspend and support a wearer's foot during all stages of the gait cycle. Footbed membranes may be configured to suspend the wearer's foot with nothing underneath the footbed membrane, maintaining a gap between the footbed membrane and the frame during the entire gait cycle. Footbed membranes may be formed of elastomeric materials having less than a threshold percentage of elongation in response to loading, to maintain suspension of the wearer's foot. The outsole, frame, and footbed membrane may be integrated such that the components work together to support the wearer's foot during the gait cycle and in static conditions as well. Methods of making such articles of footwear may include sewing the footwear upper to the footbed membrane via a sew wall, without cementing the upper.

A hidden drainage system for shoes, configured on the outsole of a shoe, in which the two sides of the outsole are provided with a plurality of curved sections that are curved inward; the top of the outsole is provided with a plurality of transverse drainage troughs and several longitudinal drainage troughs; each of the transverse drainage troughs extends along the direction of the width of the outsole, and both ends are communicated with each of the curved sections, so that the two ends of each of the transverse drainage troughs will not be exposed on the side face of the outsole; the longitudinal drainage troughs extend along the length of the outsole and are communicated with each of the transverse drainage troughs; thus, water entering the shoe will flow into each of the transverse and longitudinal drainage troughs, and be discharged from each of the transverse drainage troughs.

An article of footwear includes an upper defining a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear. The article of footwear further includes a sole structure coupled with the upper, the sole structure comprising a midsole defining a v-shaped notch; an outsole coupled with a bottom surface of the midsole, and a plate that is disposed between the midsole and the upper. The plate is coupled with the midsole in the forefoot region and the heel region, and a gap is formed between the plate and the midsole in the midfoot region, and at least one sole aperture is disposed within the sole structure.

Shoes have an upper which is highly breathable and made of air-permeable materials. A barrier is attached to the sole with a water-tight bond and circumscribes the shoes. The barrier is impermeable to wind and water. Optionally, the barrier is present only in a front section of the shoes, in which case the barrier terminal ends are bonded to to an outer surface of the shoe. The barrier extends upwardly from the sole about 0.5-6 inches. The barrier may be curved such that it extends over a front section of the shoe, optionally following the shape of the upper. The barrier provides significant protection from wind and water, but does not greatly impair breathability of the upper.