Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes an insole and an outsole. The outsole includes a ground-contacting surface and an inner surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole from the ground-contacting surface. The outsole further includes a first elongated aperture extending through the outsole and between the ground-contacting surface and the inner surface. A midsole is disposed between the insole and the outsole and includes a second elongated aperture at least partially aligned with the first elongated aperture. A window is disposed between the midsole and the outsole and extends over the first elongated aperture and the second elongated aperture. A bladder is disposed between the insole and the midsole and is visible through the window.

Abstract: A method of forming includes the steps of: placing a first mold member and a second mold member in contact with one another; injecting a first material into a first recess in the first mold member to form a first portion of a midsole while the first mold member is maintained at a temperature below an ambient temperature; removing the first portion of the midsole from the first recess; positioning the first portion of the midsole in the second recess in the third mold member of the second mold assembly; placing a second material into the second recess in contact with the first portion of the midsole; placing the third mold member and the fourth mold member in contact with one another; and subjecting the second material and the first portion in the second mold assembly to heat and pressure to form a midsole.

Abstract: A sole system for an article of footwear comprising: an outsole layer and an insole layer, each of which include a vertically extending opening, a midsole layer disposed between the outsole and insole layers and including a bottom surface, a top surface, and an opening that extends vertically through the midsole layer to define a cavity therein, the cavity opening having a first dimension at the bottom surface substantially corresponding to the outsole layer opening and a second dimension at the top surface substantially corresponding to the insole layer opening; and a bladder element having a top and a base, wherein a portion of the bladder element is secured within the midsole cavity such that the top extends into at least a portion of the insole layer opening and the base extends into the outsole layer opening, wherein the bladder element and the midsole cavity include corresponding shapes and dimensions.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The article of footwear comprises an upper with a first size and an outsole with a second size that is different from the first size. A midsole of the article of footwear may be configured with an upper portion that fits the first size of the upper and a lower portion that fits the second size of the outsole.