A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate having a first surface. The first plate includes a forefoot region at an anterior end, a heel region at a posterior end, and a mid-foot region. The sole structure further includes a second plate having a second surface opposing the first surface of the first plate. The second plate has a first end attached to the forefoot region of the first plate and a second end that is spaced apart from the first surface of the first plate. A cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and has a first side attached to the first surface of the first plate and a second side attached to the second surface of second plate. The cushion extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.

The present invention relates to a composite sports article. The composite sports article includes: a first component and a second component which was produced by means of an additive manufacturing technique. The first component and the second component are bonded to each other by a first bonding agent and there is a form-fitted bond between the first bonding agent and the second component and/or the first component and the second component are bonded to each other in a form-fitted manner via a first bonding agent.

A system for improving blood circulation, the system comprising a control unit comprising a processor and at least one article of footwear wherein one or more of the at least one articles of footwear together or alone comprise: one or more actuators coupled to and controlled by the control unit; one or more electrically-conductive paths; one or more sensors integrated into the at least one article of footwear and coupled to the processor, for providing measurement signals to the control unit; and the system further comprising an electrical power supply for supplying electrical power to the one or more sensors by means of the one or more electrically-conductive paths.

A method of manufacturing a shoe upper according to the present invention includes: three-dimensionally forming an upper member; pre-heating the upper member such that a portion-to-be-reinforced of the three-dimensionally formed upper member is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of thermoplastic resin powder; adhering the thermoplastic resin powder to the upper member so as to at least cover the portion-to-be-reinforced of the pre-heated upper member; further heating the upper member to which the thermoplastic resin powder is adhered and melting the thermoplastic resin powder adhered to the upper member; and hardening the melted thermoplastic resin powder to firmly adhere the reinforcing portion to the upper member.

A shoe includes a sole, an upper and a strap. The upper is attached to the sole. The strap extends in a width direction of the shoe. The strap includes a proximal end fixed to the upper and a distal end located on an opposite side of the proximal end in the width direction of the shoe. One of the upper and the strap includes at least one first engaging portion, whereas the other of the upper and the strap includes at least one second engaging portion that is engaged with the at least one first engaging portion while extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shoe where the distal end is held against the upper.

A moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes a shoe-shaped inner sleeve defining a foot space and having an inclined annular top edge inclining downwardly from a front side to a rear side thereof, and an outer sock body including a main sock body portion that is sleeved on the shoe-shaped inner sleeve, an insertion portion higher than the inclined annular top edge, and an annular sewing portion extending from the insertion portion to the foot space and fixed to the shoe-shaped inner sleeve. The insertion portion defines an insertion opening communicating with the foot space, and has opposite front and rear ears, and two side portions connected between the front and rear ears.

The present invention relates to a footwear customization device or accessory that converts footwear to many different styles and colors. The device or accessory includes an add-on device for existing footwear, and is in the form of a footwear topper device. The device can be secured around the ankle of a wearer and around the shank of the footwear under the outsole. The straps of the device are secured around the bottom of the outsole near the shank or heel portion, and wrap around the ankle of a wearer for securing to the footwear. The device enables an adjustable fastening mechanism that allows the footwear to be kept effectively secured to the feet while providing customization to the upper portion of the footwear.

An upper for an article of footwear may be at least partially formed with a knitted component. The knitted component may include a first knitted portion and a second knitted portion, where the first knitted portion at least partially forms at least one of a medial side, a lateral side, and a toe area of the upper, and where the second knitted portion forms a tongue area of the upper. The second knitted portion may include a first end and a second end where one of the first end is secured to the first knitted portion via a common knit structure.

Described is a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe. The shoe can include a sole and a shoe upper. The shoe upper can include (a.) a lateral portion; (b.) a medial portion; and (c.) intermediate portion between the lateral portion and the medial portion. The intermediate portion can include a cupped portion uncoated by a first coating portion on the lateral portion and a second coating portion on the medial portion. When the shoe upper is separate from the sole at least a majority of the cupped portion may be cupped above surrounding areas of the shoe upper.

An upper for an article of footwear is disclosed. The upper can include a plurality of layers, such as an inner layer, a middle knit layer, and an outer layer. Each of the plurality of layers can provide different functionalities to the upper. The combination of the inner layer, middle knit layer, and the outer layer can be effective at transferring a load from the underfoot region to a position above the biteline.