The present invention is directed to a footwear accessory comprising a pad and sleeve that extends from sides of the pad. The pad having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the pad is wider at the proximal end in comparison to the distal end. The left and right sides of the pad tapers slightly inwards from the proximal end towards the distal end. The sleeve of the pad is configured to be snugly worn in the foot, such that when the foot accessory is worn, the pad is positioned over the bridge of the foot.

A footbed for use in footwear is provided. The footbed assembly includes a resilient, flexible material (e.g. EVA or PU foam) that extends the entire length of the footbed. a heel plate made from a material that is more rigid (plastic, carbon fiber) than the resilient foam attaches to the flexible material. The shape of the resilient footbed defines a geometry that provides support and comfort to the user by reducing peak pressures, improving cushioning, and enhancing foot support. The resilient foam and heel plate defines the shape of the midfoot R2 and rearfoot R1 of the footbed while the resilient flexible foam continues forward to define the shape of the forefoot R3 region of the footbed.

Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable medium for foot differentiation scoring pertaining to an individual's differences in their two feet. A method includes receiving, from sensors of a scanning device, pressure and/or other measurement data corresponding to feet of a user. The method further includes preprocessing the pressure and/or measurement data. The method further includes generating, based on the preprocessed pressure and/or measurement data, a foot differentiation score based on differences between a left foot and a right foot of the user. The foot differentiation score may assign or correspond to a numerical rating based on how different the user's left foot and right foot are from each other.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A skate boot includes a boot shell having first and second opposite side portions cooperating to define a foot receiving opening therebetween. The first and second side portions have a facing portion extending from the foot receiving opening. A band having a first end portion is received in the boot shell and attached to the boot shell at or adjacent the second side portion. The band extends across an interior of the boot shell and is slidingly received through an opening defined in the first side portion so as to have a second end portion of the band extending outside of the boot shell. The second end portion of the band defines an aperture for receiving a lace.

A skate boot includes a boot shell having first and second opposite side portions cooperating to define a foot receiving opening therebetween. The first and second side portions have a facing portion extending from the foot receiving opening. A band having a first end portion is received in the boot shell and attached to the boot shell at or adjacent the second side portion. The band extends across an interior of the boot shell and is slidingly received through an opening defined in the first side portion so as to have a second end portion of the band extending outside of the boot shell. The second end portion of the band defines an aperture for receiving a lace.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A footwear last (1) comprising a hind foot section and a forefoot section joined by a midfoot section. The forefoot section is defined by a three reference points which define a reference point circumference (9, FIGS. 1 and 2). The hind foot section is equivalent to a predetermined shoe (20) size (37) while the forefoot section is equivalent to a shoe (20) size (37) between 2 and 3 sizes larger than said predetermined shoe (20) size (37) using the Paris point system. An article of footwear made using said last (1) comprises an upper (22), a midsole (30, FIG. 6) and an outer sole (40). The upper (22) has an outer layer (21) and an inner layer, which inner layer comprises an elastic panel (25) arranged to cover the first and/or fifth metatarsophalangeal joint of a user. The midsole (30) has a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is arranged to line the footbed of the shoe (20) and the second layer is arranged to provide a shock absorbing layer. The outer sole (40) is secured to the upper (22) on assembly to complete the article of footwear. FIG. 3 A footwear last (1) comprising a hind foot section and a forefoot section joined by a midfoot section. The forefoot section is defined by a three reference points which define a reference point circumference (9, FIGS. 1 and 2). The hind foot section is equivalent to a predetermined shoe (20) size (37) while the forefoot section is equivalent to a shoe (20) size (37) between 2 and 3 sizes larger than said predetermined shoe (20) size (37) using the Paris point system. An article of footwear made using said last (1) comprises an upper (22), a midsole (30, FIG. 6) and an outer sole (40). The upper (22) has an outer layer (21) and an inner layer, which inner layer comprises an elastic panel (25) arranged to cover the first and/or fifth metatarsophalangeal joint of a user. The midsole (30) has a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is arranged to line the footbed of the shoe (20) and the second layer is arranged to provide a shock absorbing layer. The outer sole (40) is secured to the upper (22) on assembly to complete the article of footwear.

Disclosed is footwear including an upper surrounding a wearer's foot; a supporter disposed below the upper and supporting the foot; and a walking assister mounted to a mounting groove of the supporter to be adjacent to a metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot and shaped like a torsion spring to generate elasticity in a lengthwise direction of the supporter.