Abstract: A footwear having a shock attenuating and cushioning sole is provided, including a base to which first and second wave elements are joined, each element including alternating crests and troughs. The crests are wide and can each form a ground contact surface, whereas the troughs can be narrower than the crests. Crests of one element are disposed adjacent the troughs of another element. The widths of the crests to those of the troughs can be in at least a 2:1 ratio. Forward and rearward ends of the elements are connected to the base, and the troughs intermittently join with the base to secure the elements between the ends and to impair lateral movement. Different groups of wave elements can be grouped together to form a forefoot section, a heel section and/or an arch section, with the sections separated from and compressible independent of the other sections.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a footwear component that may be customized based on consumer data and fitted with a footwear sole assembly to form part of footwear. The footwear sole assembly of the footwear can be tailored or customized for a particular consumer. The footwear component may be produced with additive manufacturing techniques, optionally allowing the footwear to be customized at or near a point of sale. In one embodiment, the density of the footwear sole assembly, or portions thereof, may be varied to align with the consumer data.

Abstract: A footwear having a shock attenuating and cushioning sole is provided, including a base to which first and second wave elements are joined, each element including alternating crests and troughs. The crests are wide and can each form a ground contact surface, whereas the troughs can be narrower than the crests. Crests of one element are disposed adjacent the troughs of another element. The widths of the crests to those of the troughs can be in at least a 2:1 ratio. Forward and rearward ends of the elements are connected to the base, and the troughs intermittently join with the base to secure the elements between the ends and to impair lateral movement. Different groups of wave elements can be grouped together to form a forefoot section, a heel section and/or an arch section, with the sections separated from and compressible independent of the other sections.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of designing an article of footwear for manufacture. The article of footwear may include a plurality of shapes formed from a common shape family, with at least one of the plurality of shapes being based on distorting or morphing of key shapes within the common shape family. The plurality of shapes may be arranged within a morphing zone, optionally according to a shape path within the morphing zone. The shapes, in one embodiment, may be lugs or traction features of a sole assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing an upper of the footwear by additively depositing material to form a fabric element having a plurality of threads, and incorporating the fabric element into the footwear. The plurality of threads of the fabric element may form at least one texture. Additionally or alternatively, the fabric element may be manufactured with a shape that conforms to a 3-D contoured surface.

Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing an article of footwear about a footwear last that is shaped to approximate a human foot for the type of footwear being manufactured. Layers of material may be deposited on or in proximity to first and second zones of the footwear last, which may be rotated relative to a nozzle that deposits the material. For instance, the material may be deposited on a substrate provided on the footwear last.

Abstract: A sole assembly including an outsole and a midsole that balances proprioception, flexibility, protection and running efficiency. The midsole can define a flexibility void in the arch region of the assembly. The outsole can include ground contacting wearing tread extending through the arch region adjacent the flexibility void, with the outsole minimized adjacent the flexibility void to enhance flexibility, along with the flexibility void, in the arch region. The sole assembly can include a 4 mm to 8 mm or other heel to toe drop to accommodate a variety of running and other activities. The sole assembly can be outfitted with shock pods of denser, more rigid material than the midsole to dissipate forces from the wearer to the midsole over a larger area. The midsole can include a non-supportive upwardly extending portion in the arch to provide a wearer with the false perception that the arch is supported to reduce fatigue.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing footwear includes providing a modular forepart and a modular rearpart, overlapping these parts along an overlap margin a preselected distance, and permanently joining the parts to selectively manufacture footwear of at least two different sizes, for example, a full size or a half size or some other partial size. The forepart and rearpart can be injection molded from one or more polymeric materials in a mold. The polymeric materials can be bonded to a sheet of material which can be at least partially retained in a three-dimensional, contoured shape by the polymeric material. The molded polymeric material can form a supportive and/or structural exoskeleton in an upper portion of the footwear. The exoskeleton can define one or more holes through which the sheet is visible to form one or more aesthetic regions on the upper. An article of footwear constructed with the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing footwear includes providing a modular forepart and a modular rearpart, overlapping these parts along an overlap margin a preselected distance, and permanently joining the parts to selectively manufacture footwear of at least two different sizes, for example, a full size or a half size or some other partial size. The forepart and rearpart can be injection molded from one or more polymeric materials in a mold. The polymeric materials can be bonded to a sheet of material which can be at least partially retained in a three-dimensional, contoured shape by the polymeric material. The molded polymeric material can form a supportive and/or structural exoskeleton in an upper portion of the footwear. The exoskeleton can define one or more holes through which the sheet is visible to form one or more aesthetic regions on the upper. An article of footwear constructed with the method is also provided.

Abstract: A heel accessory for a footwear article is adapted to engage a foot support, such that the wearer's legs can be stretched and the back of the wearer's heels can be comfortably rested on the foot support of a motorcycle. The heel accessory includes a base portion connected to the footwear article and a block portion extending from the base portion. The block portion includes an interface that is shaped to correspond to the foot support, such that the wearer's legs can be stretched and rested while riding.

Abstract: A high top athletic shoe has partial quarters terminating in spaced relationship to each other, in combination with a rear subassembly with inner and outer portions. The inner portion includes a substantially rigid lower counter portion and a soft, flexible Y-shaped upper rear portion forming a tendon engager, integral with but movable relative to the lower portion for flexing thereof between a forward foot-engaging position and a rearward foot entry position. The outer portion comprises a relatively rigid, U-support element pivotally mounted on both sides of the shoe, and movable between a lowered position beneath the counterpoint of the foot and spaced rearwardly of the inner portion, and an upper position snugly engaging the inner portion being retained in this latter condition by a connectable tensile strap extending around the U-support at the rear of the shoe.