Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to cycling shoes, and in particular to indoor cycling shoes, having an outer shoe body configured to receive an inner, removable upper. Advantageously, in some implementations the outer shoe body does not include shoe components that become wet during use and are slow to dry, such as fabric (synthetic leather, real leather, Nylon mesh, etc.), padding, or an insole The functionality of these components is instead provided by the removable and easy to dry upper.

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 is provided and includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface. The midsole has a footbed, a bottom surface, and a series of channels extending therethrough. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a series of pins each having a post extending through corresponding ones of the series of channels between a first end and a second end. The first end extends into the cavity outward from the bottom surface of the midsole and the second end extends into the interior void outward from the footbed of the midsole. The article of footwear also includes a resilient member that engages the first end of each of the series of pins and biases the series of pins toward the interior void.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically altering a height of a sole assembly of an article of footwear uses an actuator having a retraction assembly and a traction assembly. A wedge is moved to different positions within a groove formed in the sole assembly. A user evaluates the performance of the footwear with the wedge at different positions while performing an activity. The user evaluations help determine an optimal height of the sole assembly.

Abstract: Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole and a stability element. The sole may have a receiving channel extending from a sole bottom surface toward a sole top surface. The receiving channel may have a first groove at an outer perimeter of the receiving channel and a second groove at an inner perimeter of the receiving channel. The stability element may have a first tongue protruding from an outer perimeter of a body of the stability element and a second tongue protruding from an inner perimeter of the body of the stability element. In an exemplary aspect, the first groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the first tongue of the stability element, and the second groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the second tongue of the stability element as the stability element is maintained, at least in part, within the receiving channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically altering a height of a sole assembly of an article of footwear uses an actuator having a retraction assembly and a traction assembly. A wedge is moved to different positions within a groove formed in the sole assembly. A user evaluates the performance of the footwear with the wedge at different positions while performing an activity. The user evaluations help determine an optimal height of the sole assembly.

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: 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: A metatarsal-phalangeal joint strength measuring device is provided and includes a base plate, a first toe plate, and a first force sensor associated with the first toe plate. The base plate receives a heel of a foot and defines a longitudinal axis extending between a first edge and a second edge. The first toe plate receives at least one toe of the foot, is movable relative to the base plate, and measures a load applied to the first toe plate.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface. The midsole has a footbed, a bottom surface, and a series of channels extending therethrough. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a series of pins each having a post extending through corresponding ones of the series of channels between a first end and a second end. The first end extends into the cavity outward from the bottom surface of the midsole and the second end extends into the interior void outward from the footbed of the midsole. The article of footwear also includes a resilient member that engages the first end of each of the series of pins and biases the series of pins toward the interior void.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole and a stability element. The sole may have a receiving channel extending from a sole bottom surface toward a sole top surface. The receiving channel may have a first groove at an outer perimeter of the receiving channel and a second groove at an inner perimeter of the receiving channel. The stability element may have a first tongue protruding from an outer perimeter of a body of the stability element and a second tongue protruding from an inner perimeter of the body of the stability element. In an exemplary aspect, the first groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the first tongue of the stability element, and the second groove of the receiving channel is configured to receive the second tongue of the stability element as the stability element is maintained, at least in part, within the receiving channel.

Abstract: Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.

Abstract: Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.

Abstract: A ventilation system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ventilation system may be configured to direct air from outside the article of footwear to the inside of the article of footwear. The ventilation system may include a sole layer and a sockliner configured to lie on top of the sole layer. One or more paths may be formed within the sole layer to provide a pumping mechanism during the normal course of providing cushioning for the user. The paths may be activated by forefoot or heel based pressure to force air from the exterior of the article of footwear to a sockliner directly above the sole layer. An air inlet extending through a sidewall of the sole layer may allow outside air to enter the path within the sole layer. An opening in the sockliner may allow air inside the path to enter inside the article of footwear.

Abstract: A ventilation system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ventilation system may be configured to direct air from outside the article of footwear to the inside of the article of footwear. The ventilation system may include a sole layer and a sockliner configured to lie on top of the sole layer. One or more paths may be formed within the sole layer to provide a pumping mechanism during the normal course of providing cushioning for the user. The paths may be activated by forefoot or heel based pressure to force air from the exterior of the article of footwear to a sockliner directly above the sole layer. An air inlet extending through a sidewall of the sole layer may allow outside air to enter the path within the sole layer. An opening in the sockliner may allow air inside the path to enter inside the article of footwear.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an image and measurements of a foot is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing holding a plate with a top surface to allow a user to stand on the apparatus. Within the interior of the housing is a compact mirror assembly arrangement that includes a plurality of mirrors to reflect the image of the foot from the top surface of the plate to at least one camera within the interior of the housing. The compact mirror assembly includes a top-facing mirror running along the longitudinal direction of the housing at an angle to the bottom surface. The top-facing mirror reflects the image of the foot from the top surface towards an angled mirror. The angled mirror is perpendicular to the bottom surface and is angled facing the top-facing mirror. The angled mirror reflects the image of the foot reflected from the top-facing mirror towards the camera.

Abstract: A ventilation system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ventilation system may be configured to direct air from outside the article of footwear to the inside of the article of footwear. The ventilation system may include a sole layer and a sockliner configured to lie on top of the sole layer. One or more paths may be formed within the sole layer to provide a pumping mechanism during the normal course of providing cushioning for the user. The paths may be activated by forefoot or heel based pressure to force air from the exterior of the article of footwear to a sockliner directly above the sole layer. An air inlet extending through a sidewall of the sole layer may allow air to enter the path from outside the article of footwear. An opening in the sockliner may allow air inside the path to enter inside the article of footwear.

Abstract: Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.

Abstract: Heat press platens for a shoe customization/decoration system and a method of using the same are disclosed. The platens may be quickly interchanged to allow the same equipment to be used to dye shoes of different sizes. The platens individually accommodate a pair of assembled shoes and are shaped to: reduce print sizes, maintain symmetry and flatness of the shoe, and accommodate a range of shoe sizes. The size and shape of the platens enable one shoe to be fitted on one side of a platen and another shoe to be fitted on the opposite side. The platens position the shoes so that they are mirror images of each other. This positioning allows a single print, including mirror images of the same design, to be applied to two shoes at the same time.