Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a footwear strap and a footwear having the same. Among others, the footwear strap comprises a strap element and a rigid heel structural element; wherein the rigid heel structural element is disposed inside the strap element, and the rigid heel structural element comprises an upper rear portion; when the footwear strap is assembled to a footwear, the upper rear portion extends in a direction from the position where the footwear contacts the heel toward the position where the footwear contacts the toe, and inclines downward of the footwear; the upper rear portion has a convex curvature which is adapted to the shape of the heel so as to facilitate easily receiving the heel; when the footwear strap is assembled to the footwear, an inner lower portion of the convex curvature faces an opening of the footwear.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an article of footwear with a sole structure having at least one adjustability pod configured to adjust at least one of a length and a width of the sole structure.

Abstract: A shoe upper having a plurality of arms that expand the shoe opening when the topline of the upper is compressed toward the sole portion of the shoe.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bottom surface includes a recess defining a first opening in the peripheral surface. The sole structure for an article of footwear also includes an insert disposed within the recess and including a first material having a first gloss unit value and a second material disposed on an outer surface of the first material and having a second gloss unit value. The second material is at least partially disposed within the first opening.

Abstract: Footwear or other foot-receiving devices include various conforming fit, stability, and/or “locked down” feel features. The uppers (or foot-covering components) for such articles of footwear (or other foot-receiving devices) may include one or more of: (a) an upper shell defining an interior chamber, wherein the upper shell includes a plantar support surface and sidewalls extending from an outer perimeter of the plantar support surface; (b) a bootie component (e.g., formed as a sock or sock-like garment) received in the interior chamber; (c) one or more foot wrapping bands; and/or (d) an interior midsole within the bootie component. The bootie component and/or the foot wrapping band(s) may be secured to the upper shell at a location inside an outer perimeter of the plantar support surface of the upper shell and beyond the bight line between the sidewalls of the upper and the plantar support surface.

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: An orthotic insert for use within footwear, may include a support shell. The support shell may include a forward portion configured to underlie and support a plantar surface of a metatarsal head area of a foot of a user and a rear portion configured to underlie and support a plantar surface of a heel of the foot of the user. The rear portion may include a heel post to provide frontal plane stabilization to the foot of the user during use. The heel post may define a perimeter structure having a hexagonal or other geometric shape that extends in a downward direction from a bottom surface of the support shell and terminates in a substantially planar footwear engagement surface.

Abstract: A shoe including an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe includes a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is affixed to the upper forming a bottom to the interior portion. An insole is affixed to the bottom. An outsole patch includes a toe portion disposed on the toe end of the midsole and a heel portion disposed on the heel end of the midsole. The outsole patch includes an exterior contour providing clearance between the midsole and ground when worn. A region between the heel and toe portions of the outsole patch extends from the inner to outer sides occupying a position intermediate the toe and heel ends of the midsole, permitting the shoe to fold about the region. The insole is not stitched to the upper or midsole.

Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

Abstract: A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe, the sole comprising reinforcing members extending in a front half of the sole, wherein at least a first one of the reinforcing members further extends rearwardly beyond a midfoot area and into a heel area of the sole and wraps up to a posterior portion of an ankle region. A shoe, in particular a running shoe, comprising such a sole. A method for the manufacture of such items.

Abstract: An article of footwear, the article including a sole structure and an upper coupled to a top of the sole structure. The upper including an opening and a closure system, wherein the closure system includes at least one first sheet and a plurality of second sheets. The at least one first sheet and the plurality of second sheets being interleaved.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes a midsole, a cushion disposed in the midsole and including an inner portion, and an outsole including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and an upper surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-contacting surface and opposing the cushion, the outsole including a protrusion that extends in a direction away from the midsole to a greater extent than any other portion of the outsole and being aligned with the inner portion.

Abstract: Footwear uppers and articles of footwear including such uppers include: (a) a first lateral lace-engaging component; (b) a first medial lace-engaging component; and (c) a bladder. The bladder includes: (i) a tongue and/or instep chamber having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber, and (iii) a first fluid line placing the first heel and/or ankle support chamber in fluid communication with the tongue and/or instep chamber. A lace engages the first lateral lace-engaging component and the first medial lace-engaging component such that a first portion of the lace extends across the first surface. The lace may apply a force to the tongue and/or instep chamber, and this force may move fluid from the tongue and/or instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber to provide additional support for the heel and/or ankle.

Abstract: A footwear can include an outsole, a cupsole, a midsole, and an upper. The cupsole can include an inner surface and a lateral wall that forms a first receptacle. The cupsole can be composed of a first flexible material. The midsole can be arranged within the first receptacle of the cupsole. The midsole can be composed of a second flexible material. The midsole can include a top surface and a bottom surface. A portion of the lateral wall of the cupsole can extend beyond the top surface of the midsole when the midsole is arranged within the first receptacle of the cupsole and form a second receptacle. The upper can include a bottom plate coupled to the top surface of the midsole. A bottom portion of the upper can include the bottom plate of the upper and be arranged within the second receptacle.

Abstract: A cushioning element for an article of footwear includes a bladder having a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer joined together along a seam to define a chamber and a support element disposed within the chamber and having a support member and a plurality of flexible support legs each extending from a first end attached to the support member to a second end disposed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer within the seam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an upper for a shoe, comprising: a medial padding located in a medial portion of a heel area of the upper, wherein the medial padding comprises a first shape; a lateral padding located in a lateral portion of the heel area of the upper, wherein the lateral padding comprises a second shape; wherein the first shape differs from the second shape, wherein the lateral padding is arranged closer to a sole of the shoe than the medial padding, and wherein the lateral padding is arranged closer to a rear of the shoe upper than the medial padding.

Abstract: Footwear capable of changing between a flip-flop or a slide into a sandal includes a sole including a forefoot section, an arch section, and a heel section. The footwear further includes a forefoot strap positioned and extending over at least a part of the forefoot section and being secured to the forefoot section of the sole. The footwear further includes a compartment located in the arch section of the sole, wherein the compartment houses a horizontal strap capable of moving between a first stored position within the compartment and a second raised position outside of the compartment. The footwear further includes a flap portion of the sole, wherein the flap portion covers the compartment and is capable of being lifted to access the horizontal strap in the compartment.

Abstract: A shoe sole 1 includes a bottom part 20 and a deformation restraining part 30. The bottom part 20 includes: a rear bottom surface part 24 formed to extend from a rearfoot to a midfoot portion and to be, when the shoe sole is placed on a virtual surface S as a flat surface, in contact with the virtual surface S; and a toe portion 26 of which a height from the virtual surface S is set to 100% or greater and 250% or less with respect to a thickness in the rear bottom surface part 24. The deformation restraining part 30 is disposed in an edge part on a medial side and a lateral side of the bottom part 20 and extends from a forefoot to the midfoot portion along the bottom part 20. The deformation restraining part 30 has higher hardness than the bottom part 20.

Abstract: Embodiments of footwear, in particular, a shoe, sandal or boot, that have the unexpected benefit of reducing the pressure on the plantar surface of the foot while also reducing metabolic demand of walking while also gait speed and improving walking, running, hiking, as well as jumping, hopping, and other motion involving the ankle, lower leg and Achilles tendon, through integration of force-carrying mechanisms within footwear that manage the forces and energy associated with such motion by productively harvesting and storing energy during dorsiflexion motion and releasing and returning energy during plantar flexion and limiting range of motion that conduce towards ankle inversion and eversion. Such footwear may comprise a yoke connected to footwear at a pivot region in parallel to the axis of rotation of the ankle and a tension spring region suspended between the yoke and the posterior portion of the footwear sidewalls or sole.