Abstract: Soles for articles of footwear including a mechanically anisotropic three-dimensional mesh. The mechanically anisotropic three-dimensional mesh can include one or more mechanically anisotropic regions with a first lattice shear modulus measured in a first direction and a second lattice shear modulus measured in a second direction opposite to or orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second lattice shear moduli are different to provide the three-dimensional mesh with mechanically anisotropic properties. The mechanically anisotropic three-dimensional mesh can be three-dimensionally printed.

Abstract: Shoes, in particular sports shoes, that comprise an upper and a heel element arranged to at least partially overlap with at least a part of the upper. The heel element is configured to envelop at least a part of a heel of a wearer of the shoe and is movable with respect to the upper. The movable arrangement between the heel element and the upper allows the wearer to adjust the fit of the shoe.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, such as a running shoe, the sole including a midsole and a reinforcing frame, wherein at least a first part of the reinforcing frame substantially surrounds an outer boundary of the midsole in one or more of: a lateral side region, a medial side region, a heel region, and a toe region of the midsole thereby defining an open space such that a part of the midsole is received in the open space.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a bootie configured to enclose a wearer's foot, and a midsole secured to the bootie. The article of footwear further includes a knit upper secured on the bootie. The knit upper covers an exterior surface of the bootie and the midsole.

Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

Abstract: Soles for articles of footwear with a three-dimensional mesh having a bottom surface defined at least partially by a plurality of nodes having a platform with a top platform surface connected to a bottom platform surface with a side surface a plurality of struts for the three-dimensional mesh directly connected to the top platform surface. In some embodiments, the side surface of two directly adjacent nodes defining the bottom surface are not connected to each other at the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom platform surface of two or more adjacent nodes can merge to form a continuous integrally formed surface at the bottom surface of the three-dimensional mesh.

Abstract: Articles of footwear and methods of making articles of footwear including one or more continuous threads wound around anchor points. The winding of the one or more continuous threads forms a thread pattern that imparts desired characteristics to components of the article of footwear. Thread lines of the thread pattern may be bonded together. In some embodiments, thread lines may be bonded with a bonding layer.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing an article of apparel includes a plate with a plurality of projections. The system also includes a winding head with a plurality of adjacent thread guides. The thread guides among the plurality of thread guides are configured to simultaneously dispense respective continuous threads. The system also includes an actuator configured to move the winding head over the plate to wind the continuous threads around the plurality of projections on the plate.

Abstract: A shoe has an upper and a sole structure connected to the upper. A stability structure is positioned between a midsole and an outsole. The stability structure has a plurality of rods extending in a length direction from at least a midfoot region toward a toe end. At least one connection bar connects at least two of the plurality of rods in a forefoot region of the shoe, the connection bar extending in a width direction being transverse to the length direction a contact cycle with the ground and configured to control movement of the sole structure in the medial-lateral direction.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

Abstract: Improved soles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided that includes a midsole with randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The sole further includes an element having a higher deformation stiffness in at least one direction than the expanded material. The material of the midsole at least partially surrounds the element.