Abstract: A sole structure may include at least one plate. The at least one plate may include a first portion located in a forefoot region of the sole structure and a second portion located in a rearfoot region of the sole structure. At least one compressible midsole component may be coupled to the at least one plate. A linkage rod couples the first and second portions and is configured to bias the first and second portions away from one another during bending of the sole structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a predetermined removable area forming a hole that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam using the container. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.

Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.

Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a suspended stud assembly attached to a sole is disclosed. The suspended stud assembly includes a base portion attached to the sole of a shoe. A set of suspension arms connect a plurality of studs to the base portion. This arrangement allows the studs to move independently of the sole and of each other to provide greater traction capabilities to the article of footwear.

Abstract: Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: A method and kit for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming apparatus that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The article of footwear is placed within the steaming apparatus to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a suspended stud assembly attached to a sole is disclosed. The suspended stud assembly includes a base portion attached to the sole of a shoe. A set of suspension arms connect a plurality of studs to the base portion. This arrangement allows the studs to move independently of the sole and of each other to provide greater traction capabilities to the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include one or more harnesses to restrain a wearer foot from transverse movement within an upper during a rapid sideways maneuver. One harness may be located in a lateral forefoot region. Another harness may be located in medial region and may include a midfoot and/or a hindfoot region.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear that includes an upper that secures the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes an outsole having a plurality of cleats and a groove. The groove includes a first internal surface and a second internal surface. The first and second internal surfaces move away from each other as the sole assembly flexes in a first direction, and the first and second internal surfaces abut each other to limit movement of the sole assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include one or more harnesses to restrain a wearer foot from transverse movement within an upper during a rapid sideways maneuver. One harness may be located in a lateral forefoot region. Another harness may be located in medial region and may include a midfoot and/or a hindfoot region.

Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.

Abstract: Foot-supporting elements for articles of footwear or other products may include: (a) a first diagonally-oriented plate that extends from a lateral heel location of an article of footwear to a medial forefoot location of the article of footwear; and (b) a second diagonally-oriented plate that extends from a medial heel location of the article of footwear to a lateral forefoot location of the article of footwear. These foot-supporting elements may be utilized in foot-receiving devices that may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as an upper); and (b) a foot-supporting element engaged with the foot-covering member.