Abstract: Footwear includes structural features that may provide one or more of the following features or functions: (a) help “lock” the wearer to the ground under torsional forces induced in the leg/foot (e.g., by a golf swing or other activities); (b) help provide stable support, e.g., at the medial heel and/or lateral forefoot areas; (c) help support and prevent undesired distortion of the footwear upper, e.g., when torsional forces are applied; and/or (d) help provide a very stable and secure feel and fit by securing across the instep portion of the foot, e.g., in a forward lateral-to-rear medial direction (e.g., between medial heel and lateral forefoot sidewall supports).

Abstract: A sole structure includes an outsole having an outsole body defining an inner body surface and an outer body surface opposite the inner body surface. The outsole has a plurality of traction elements each extending from the outsole body away from the inner body surface. Each of the traction elements includes a base coupled to the outsole body surface. Each of the traction elements includes a tip spaced apart from the outer body surface and has a pitch defined by a vector. The pitch of each of the plurality of traction elements varies as a function of a distance from the central axis to a respective traction element.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a toe box and a forefoot portion adjacent the toe box. The forefoot portion has a first region having a first stiffness. The article of footwear also includes a transition region including an elastomeric transition layer disposed on and partially covering the first region. The transition region has a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness. The article of footwear further includes a toe cap disposed on and partially covering the elastomeric transition layer at the toe box.

Abstract: A sole structure includes an outsole having an outsole body defining an inner body surface and an outer body surface opposite the inner body surface. The outsole has a plurality of traction elements each extending from the outsole body away from the inner body surface. Each of the traction elements includes a base coupled to the outsole body surface. Each of the traction elements includes a tip spaced apart from the outer body surface and has a pitch defined by a vector. The pitch of each of the plurality of traction elements varies as a function of a distance from the central axis to a respective traction element.

Abstract: Footwear includes structural features that may provide one or more of the following features or functions: (a) help “lock” the wearer to the ground under torsional forces induced in the leg/foot (e.g., by a golf swing or other activities); (b) help provide stable support, e.g., at the medial heel and/or lateral forefoot areas; (c) help support and prevent undesired distortion of the footwear upper, e.g., when torsional forces are applied; and/or (d) help provide a very stable and secure feel and fit by securing across the instep portion of the foot, e.g., in a forward lateral-to-rear medial direction (e.g., between medial heel and lateral forefoot sidewall supports).

Abstract: Articles of footwear (e.g., for long jump/triple jump events, etc.) may include a sole structure having: (a) a first impact force attenuating component (e.g., foam) that includes top and bottom surfaces (and may be engaged with an outsole member, such as a cleated sole member); (b) a rigid plate component that includes top and bottom surfaces, wherein the bottom surface of the rigid plate component is engaged with the top surface of the first impact force attenuating component; and (c) a second impact force attenuating component (e.g., foam) that includes top and bottom surfaces, wherein the bottom surface of the second impact force attenuating component is engaged with the top surface of the rigid plate component. The rigid plate component may be the stiffest component in the sole structure (e.g., resistant to bending about an axis extending in the medial side-to-lateral side direction).

Abstract: Articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include an upper/foot-covering member having medial and lateral strap tensioning components located on opposite sides of the ankle area. A securing system is provided that includes: (i) a first strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening to the medial ankle side (where it may be secured), and (ii) a second strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening and to the lateral ankle side (where it may be secured). The first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations.

Abstract: Articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include an upper/foot-covering member having medial and lateral strap tensioning components located on opposite sides of the ankle area. A securing system is provided that includes: (i) a first strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening to the medial ankle side (where it may be secured), and (ii) a second strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening and to the lateral ankle side (where it may be secured). The first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations.