A waterproof boot comprises a bootie, such as a hiking boot, and a boot upper comprising a varying diameter tube of waterproof material. The boot upper may have a bottom opening that is sealed between an outer gasket and an inner gasket affixed to the bottom of the bootie. The boot upper may also have a top opening that allows a wearer to insert a leg through the top opening of the boot upper and into the bootie. The boot upper may extend more than three inches over the top of the bootie to provide an extended waterproof shield that prevents water from entering into the top of the bootie. The boot upper may include a gusset and a zipper and/or a horizontal Velcro strip and Velcro receiving area to enlarge (or contract) the top opening of the boot upper to allow the wearer to pull the boot upper over a calf of the wearer and improve the fit and comfort of the boot upper.

A waterproof boot comprises a bootie, such as a hiking boot, and a boot upper comprising a varying diameter tube of waterproof material. The boot upper may have a bottom opening that is sealed between an outer gasket and an inner gasket affixed to the bottom of the bootie. The boot upper may also have a top opening that allows a wearer to insert a leg through the top opening of the boot upper and into the bootie. The boot upper may extend more than three inches over the top of the bootie to provide an extended waterproof shield that prevents water from entering into the top of the bootie. The boot upper may include a gusset and a zipper and/or a horizontal Velcro strip and Velcro receiving area to enlarge (or contract) the top opening of the boot upper to allow the wearer to pull the boot upper over a calf of the wearer and improve the fit and comfort of the boot upper.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-engaging surface and an upper surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface. A first cushion is disposed proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and includes a first fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a second fluid-filled chamber attached to the first fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the first fluid-filled chamber and the upper. A second cushion is disposed proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure and includes a third fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a fourth fluid-filled chamber attached to the third fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the third fluid-filled chamber and the upper. The second cushion is fluidly isolated from the first cushion.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-engaging surface and an upper surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface. A first cushion is disposed proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and includes a first fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a second fluid-filled chamber attached to the first fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the first fluid-filled chamber and the upper. A second cushion is disposed proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure and includes a third fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a fourth fluid-filled chamber attached to the third fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the third fluid-filled chamber and the upper. The second cushion is fluidly isolated from the first cushion.

A method of manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear includes cutting a pattern of openings at least partway through a midsole with a cutting tool driven by an embroidery machine. An article of footwear includes a midsole defining a pattern of openings extending at least partway through the midsole. An inner surface of the midsole is contoured and the midsole includes upwardly-extending sidewalls. At least some of the openings extend relatively nonparallel with one another through the sidewalls and splay away from one another along longitudinal axes of the openings.

A method of manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear includes cutting a pattern of openings at least partway through a midsole with a cutting tool driven by an embroidery machine. An article of footwear includes a midsole defining a pattern of openings extending at least partway through the midsole. An inner surface of the midsole is contoured and the midsole includes upwardly-extending sidewalls. At least some of the openings extend relatively nonparallel with one another through the sidewalls and splay away from one another along longitudinal axes of the openings.

A method providing for making and using a soft-shelled foot covering, by placing a foot within a covering such as a sock, placing the foot with the foot covering within an outline pattern, and manipulating various straps of the outline pattern, such as an inside heel strap, an outside heel strap, an inside ball-of-the-foot strap, an outside ball-of-the-foot strap, a center toes strap, an inside big toe strap, and an outside little toe strap around the foot and other straps, thereby keeping the straps in place and securing the pattern to the foot.

A method providing for making and using a soft-shelled foot covering, by placing a foot within a covering such as a sock, placing the foot with the foot covering within an outline pattern, and manipulating various straps of the outline pattern, such as an inside heel strap, an outside heel strap, an inside ball-of-the-foot strap, an outside ball-of-the-foot strap, a center toes strap, an inside big toe strap, and an outside little toe strap around the foot and other straps, thereby keeping the straps in place and securing the pattern to the foot.