An article of footwear includes an upper having a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component also includes an external surface. Moreover, the footwear includes a sole structure that is coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes an intermediate member with a first surface. The first surface is attached to the external surface of the knitted component. The sole structure also includes at least one stiffener that is attached to the intermediate member. The intermediate member is disposed between the stiffener and the external surface of the knitted component.

An adjustable heel support member includes a base portion and an extended portion. The extended portion comprises a lateral portion, a medial portion and a rearward portion. The heel support member further includes a fastening member that can be used to adjust the lateral portion, the medial portion and the rearward portion to resize the heel support member. In some cases, the fastening member may be an elastic ring.

An adjustable heel support member includes a base portion and an extended portion. The extended portion comprises a lateral portion, a medial portion and a rearward portion. The heel support member further includes a fastening member that can be used to adjust the lateral portion, the medial portion and the rearward portion to resize the heel support member. In some cases, the fastening member may be an elastic ring.

A powder application apparatus for an at least partially meltable powder to be applied onto a feeding element for producing reinforcing elements comprises a powder container. In the area of an outlet of the powder container a template for defining a basic shape of a reinforcing element to be produced is provided. Further, a closing device for opening and closing the outlet is provided. For producing reinforcing elements having different stiffness, barrier elements in particular connected with the template are provided. The barrier elements reduce the powder supply to the feeding element such that a reinforcing element with areas of different material thickness are created. A method for producing such a reinforcing element.

A powder application apparatus for an at least partially meltable powder to be applied onto a feeding element for producing reinforcing elements comprises a powder container. In the area of an outlet of the powder container a template for defining a basic shape of a reinforcing element to be produced is provided. Further, a closing device for opening and closing the outlet is provided. For producing reinforcing elements having different stiffness, barrier elements in particular connected with the template are provided. The barrier elements reduce the powder supply to the feeding element such that a reinforcing element with areas of different material thickness are created. A method for producing such a reinforcing element.

A heel liner preventing heel rubbing and sliding comprises a heel liner body, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the heel liner body are respectively provided with a gripping surface and an adhesive fixing surface; the gripping surface comprises a pin array arranged stepwise in ascending order; the pin array and the heel liner body are inclined at a specific angle; the pin array comprises a lower pin array, a middle pin array and a upper pin array; the configuration of the lower end of the heel liner body is matched with the that of the heel of a human body. The disclosure is ease to use, good fitness, and nice comfort, such that the adaptation to various shoe types and foot shapes may be truly realized, and that the problems such as foot rubbing and lack of fit may finally be solved.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The knit upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The knitted element has at least a first area and a second area. The first and second areas are mutually exclusive. The first area is of a first knit structure having a first gauge, and the second area is of a second knit structure having a second gauge. The first gauge is larger than the second gauge. The first area extends within the one or more regions such that the first area provides increased rigidity to the upper in such regions.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The knit upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The knitted element has at least a first area and a second area. The first and second areas are mutually exclusive. The first area is of a first knit structure having a first gauge, and the second area is of a second knit structure having a second gauge. The first gauge is larger than the second gauge. The first area extends within the one or more regions such that the first area provides increased rigidity to the upper in such regions.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The shoe further includes a lateral stiffening member coupled to the upper in a lateral vamp region a medial stiffening member coupled to the upper in a medial vamp region. The sole has a sole member and a molded chassis. The molded chassis has at least a midfoot region, the midfoot region extending upwardly above a portion of the upper. The lateral stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and the sole member and is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region. The medial stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and the sole member and is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The shoe further includes a lateral stiffening member coupled to the upper in a lateral vamp region a medial stiffening member coupled to the upper in a medial vamp region. The sole has a sole member and a molded chassis. The molded chassis has at least a midfoot region, the midfoot region extending upwardly above a portion of the upper. The lateral stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and the sole member and is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region. The medial stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and the sole member and is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region.