A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A pair of shoes that includes a left foot shoe and a right foot shoe. Each of the shoes include an upper shoe portion and a sole coupled to the upper shoe portion. The sole provides an athletic positioning of a left big toe area of the left shoe at a lower position than a left heel area of the left shoe and at a lower position than an outer small toe area of the left shoe and wherein, from an inner edge to an outer edge of the left shoe, the left heel area has substantially no slope.

A method of differentially tuning a lower limb muscle in a human in need thereof is provided. The method includes placement of at least two calibrated, differential disturbances or protuberances under the human's feet thereby tuning a lower limb muscle.

A plate includes: a curved portion located in a forefoot region and shaped to curve toward a flat plane; a midfoot supporting portion located in a midfoot region; and a rear-foot supporting portion located in a rear foot region. The curved portion has a wide region including a wide portion of which dimension in a width direction is largest in the curved portion. The midfoot supporting portion has a narrow region including a narrow portion of which dimension in the width direction is smallest in the midfoot supporting portion. A ratio of a bending rigidity of the narrow region to a bending rigidity of the wide region is 0.4 or more and 0.85 or less.

A midsole may include an electrorheological (ER) fluid housing. The ER fluid housing may be located between top bottom surfaces of the midsole in at least a forefoot region of the midsole. The midsole may include a plate located over the ER fluid housing.

A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped or L-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole member connected to upper. The sole member includes a plurality of tubular structures. Each of the plurality of tubular structures is at least partially filled with a loose granular material.

A rocker shoe has a lower rocker surface extending across the plantar surface of the shoe sole from the heel and terminating short of the toe. A rocker shoe construction kit has a rigid or substantially rigid rocker piece having an upper surface for securing over a major portion of a lower plantar surface of the sole of a shoe upper and a lower surface of predetermined rocker shape, a cushioning layer for securing over the lower surface of the rocker piece, and a layer of tread material configured for securing over the lower surface of the cushioning layer and any exposed portion of the plantar surface of a shoe.