A footwear article is provided comprising an upper and a wear guard. In at least one example, the wear guard may include an overlay formed with bellows positioned along a lacing structure of the footwear article, wherein the wear guard is a different material than the upper of the footwear article.

Articles of footwear and methods of making articles of footwear including one or more continuous threads wound around anchor points. In some embodiments, thread lines of continuous thread(s) may extend tangential to an opening on a thread pattern or an upper. In some embodiments, thread lines of continuous thread(s) may define a portion of an upper and extend through a sole for an article of footwear. In some embodiments, thread patterns defined by the continuous thread(s) may be bonded to each other around a sheet to form an upper material for an upper.

Embodiments of the present instant disclosure relate to a puncture resistant sole for a footwear article. The puncture resistant sole includes an insole and outsole. The outsole includes a formation of cleat protrusions and first polymer composition. The cleat protrusions includes a second polymer composition and are removable. The first polymer composition and the second polymer composition each includes graphene sheets dispersed therein. The graphene sheets includes an X-ray diffraction pattern displaying no signature corresponding to graphite or graphite oxide. The insole includes a third polymer composition that includes the graphene sheets dispersed therein. The graphene sheets include an oxygen-containing functional group. The first polymer composition, second polymer composition, and/or third polymer composition includes a tensile strength of 50 lbs. per square inch or greater. The first polymer composition, second polymer composition, and/or third polymer composition comprises a thermal insulation value of at least 0.12 clo.

A method for manufacturing an integral shoe blank is provided. In the method, a reinforcement piece is woven by a flat knitting machine during a weave process, and the reinforcement piece is made unperceivable through a subsequent side overturning step when viewing from an exterior of a shoe. Thus, with the reinforcement piece, structural strength of the shoe blank is reinforced while better comfort is provided to the foot by a shoe manufactured from the shoe blank.

A method of producing a component for an article of footwear or apparel or a sporting goods accessory. The method of producing a component includes forming at least a first layer by braiding a first braided tube. Braiding may be performed with an empty braiding center. The method further includes arranging the first layer on a form.

A last is provided for shaping a shoe upper, such as a custom-made last tailored to a user's foot. Embodiments include a last for shaping a shoe upper including at least an outer peripheral portion comprising an aggregate of a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks being joinable together to form a portion of the last and shape the shoe upper, and separable from each other after being joined together. The plurality of blocks includes a first plurality of blocks which are identical to each other. Embodiments also include a method for producing a last for shaping a shoe upper, the method including forming the last by joining a plurality of blocks together to form an aggregate, the plurality of blocks including a first plurality of blocks which are identical to each other.

Aspects herein are directed to a reflective textile, and articles of apparel, uppers for an article of footwear constructed therefrom, comprising a reflective material dispersed between a first and second surface of the textile in a first zone. The first zone reflects a greater amount of light than a second zone of the textile. Other aspects herein are directed to a method of manufacturing a reflective textile or article having a portion comprising a reflective textile.

An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a restrictive fabric portion. The restrictive fabric portion includes elastic and restrictive strands. A restrictive-side resistance index is greater than an elastic-side resistance index, when a tensile load is applied to the restrictive fabric portion in a direction of stretching the elastic and restrictive strands, where the restrictive-side resistance index is a ratio of an increase in tensile stress to an increase in rate of stretch of the restrictive strand, in a range in which a rate of stretch of the restrictive fabric portion is greater than a predetermined value, and the elastic-side resistance index is a ratio of an increase in tensile stress to an increase in rate of stretch of the elastic strand, in the range in which the rate of stretch of the restrictive fabric portion is greater than the predetermined value.

A flexible, protective water sport footwear has a stretchy, flexible material configured to form at least one pair of booties that covers an entirety of a person's feet and ankles when worn; and a plurality of puncture resistant, non-stretchy protective materials attached in a pattern to at least one of an inner and outer side of the at least one pair of booties, the pattern providing coverage of a majority of the person's sole, toes, and arch, wherein a comfort and flexibility of the at least one pair of booties is preserved because the pattern provides gaps being occupied by the flexible material, the gaps at least being between the person's toes and arch, and along the person's Achilles tendon.

A surface structure for sports boots used for ball games having increased ball-contact properties where each boot has an upper part and a sole and the upper part has an outer surface used for shooting a ball, wherein at least a part of said ball shooting outer surface comprises a coating that has an adhesive substance covering said outer surface and a grained structure embedded in and kept by the adhesive. The grained structure comprises discrete granules of a resilient material, wherein between the adhesive and the outer surface of the upper part and between the adhesive and the granules a stable and durable bonding is provided, and the granules have outer surfaces that provide an improved contact with the ball when getting in contact with it.