An article of footwear having a sole structure and an upper, the sole structure including a first cushioning member positioned in a heel region of the sole structure and a second cushioning member positioned in a forefoot region of the sole structure. A gap extends between the first cushioning member and the second cushioning member in a midfoot region of the sole structure, and one or both of the first cushioning member or the second cushioning member are a supercritical foam with pockets of nitrogen gas therein.

Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating the articles are provided. One exemplary method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, the foamable material; maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material; optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure; and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.

The invention generally relates to removable outsole cushion attachments and shoe covers that are cushioned and disposable. The removable outsole cushion attachments and shoe covers can be used by healthcare professionals and others to achieve comfort and eliminate or at least reduce the fatigue associated with standing for long periods of time.

Described herein is a shock absorbing apparatus configured for use in a sole or insole for footwear. The device is generally provided in a raised structure equipped with air flow holes, a gripped bottom, and a smooth top.

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 forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot 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 shoe sole assembly having a hindfoot section and a forefoot section including an inner sole having a shock absorbing material, a load-bearing outer sole configured to receive the inner sole, and a heel piece including a recess configured to receive at least part of the hindfoot section of the load-bearing outer sole. The recess is upwardly open and open towards the forefoot section. A shoe includes an upper and the shoe sole assembly. A method of manufacturing a shoe includes the steps of forming the load-bearing outer sole based on a lower side of a last, fastening part of the hindfoot section of the load-bearing outer sole to the heel piece, which has a recess which is upwardly open and open towards the forefoot section, and fastening the upper to the upper surface of the load-bearing outer sole.

A shoe sole assembly having a hindfoot section and a forefoot section including an inner sole having a shock absorbing material, a load-bearing outer sole configured to receive the inner sole, and a heel piece including a recess configured to receive at least part of the hindfoot section of the load-bearing outer sole. The recess is upwardly open and open towards the forefoot section. A shoe includes an upper and the shoe sole assembly. A method of manufacturing a shoe includes the steps of forming the load-bearing outer sole based on a lower side of a last, fastening part of the hindfoot section of the load-bearing outer sole to the heel piece, which has a recess which is upwardly open and open towards the forefoot section, and fastening the upper to the upper surface of the load-bearing outer sole.

Compression molded foam articles are provided having a closed cell foam structure comprising a plurality of cells having an anisotropic cell shape. The disclosed compression molded foam articles can be used as components or parts of a variety of articles, including articles of footwear and athletic equipment. Methods are disclosed for making the disclosed compression molded foam articles from a foamed preform having an elastomeric closed cell foam with substantially isotropic cell shape. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a chassis having a first side defining a footbed and a second side disposed on an opposite side from the first side, a first bladder attached to the second side of the chassis and including at least one first chamber defining a first polar axis oriented in a first direction, and a second bladder attached to second side of the chassis and including at least one second chamber defining a second polar axis oriented in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

The disclosure id directed to an article of footwear including an upper and the sole structure, to the sole structure, and to a method for manufacturing the sole structure and a method for manufacturing the article of footwear. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber and an outsole that at least partially surrounds the chamber.