A ventilation apparatus for an article of footwear has a hollow air pump chamber, one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and an air intake channel with a one-way valve coupled through an opening into the air pump chamber. Action of stepping down on the air pump chamber deforms the walls and increases pressure in the air pump chamber, and forces air out of the air pump chamber through the one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and action of lifting weight off the air pump chamber causes the deformed walls to return toward original form, decreasing pressure in the air pump chamber and drawing air in through the air intake channel.

A ventilation apparatus for an article of footwear has a hollow air pump chamber, one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and an air intake channel with a one-way valve coupled through an opening into the air pump chamber. Action of stepping down on the air pump chamber deforms the walls and increases pressure in the air pump chamber, and forces air out of the air pump chamber through the one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and action of lifting weight off the air pump chamber causes the deformed walls to return toward original form, decreasing pressure in the air pump chamber and drawing air in through the air intake channel.

Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a porous midsole the method including: a cotton-beating step (S1) of forming a midsole base (10) having porous voids 16 by mixing low melting fibers (12) and high melting fibers (14); and a thermoforming step (S2) of bonding and fixing the high melting fibers into a compressed state by the melt adhesive strength of the low melting fibers (12) by compressively thermoforming the midsole base (10) at a melting point temperature of the low melting fibers (12).

An article of footwear is provided that includes a sole structure and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes an exterior layer and a base layer, and the exterior layer includes a biodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer.

An article of footwear is provided that includes a sole structure and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes an exterior layer and a base layer, and the exterior layer includes a biodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer.

A ventilation apparatus for an article of footwear has a hollow air pump chamber, one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and an air intake channel with a one-way valve coupled through an opening into the air pump chamber. Action of stepping down on the air pump chamber deforms the walls and increases pressure in the air pump chamber, and forces air out of the air pump chamber through the one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and action of lifting weight off the air pump chamber causes the deformed walls to return toward original form, decreasing pressure in the air pump chamber and drawing air in through the air intake channel.

A ventilation apparatus for an article of footwear has a hollow air pump chamber, one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and an air intake channel with a one-way valve coupled through an opening into the air pump chamber. Action of stepping down on the air pump chamber deforms the walls and increases pressure in the air pump chamber, and forces air out of the air pump chamber through the one or more one-way air valves positioned through the top wall of the air pump chamber, and action of lifting weight off the air pump chamber causes the deformed walls to return toward original form, decreasing pressure in the air pump chamber and drawing air in through the air intake channel.

The present invention is a composite sole used in footwear. The composite sole comprises of two components, a foot support that suspends the foot and a structural chassis. The foot support is a flexible material that attaches to the perimeter of the structural chassis and conforms to the foot. The structural chassis provides rigidity and the foot support provides sufficient strength to suspend the foot during rigorous physical activity. The chassis and foot support performs similarly to that of a trampoline; however, its function has a plurality of features not found in a trampoline. The structural chassis is designed to provide a multitude of physical and performance characteristics in the heel, arch, forefoot and toe area to assist in pronation, plantar support, energy return, upper shoe comfort, toe-off and cushion at impact. The structural chassis has air vents, allowing air to enter and the foot support includes perforations allowing this air to ventilate the underside of foot.