Abstract: Footwear and footwear structures are provided as well as methods for forming composite components for footwear or footwear structures. In forming the structures, two material layers are overlaid such that the two material layers are in contact with one another. The two material layers are heated to a forming temperature and are then vacuum-formed together to form a composite material layer in a three-dimensional form of the footwear structure. A provided footwear structure includes an upper and a sole assembly attached to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first material layer made of a thermoplastic, and a second material layer attached to the first material layer. The first material layer includes a recessed area including a flat support portion, and is transparent or translucent. The second material layer includes a portion that is positioned on a surface of the recessed area, and a color of the second material layer indicates a location and/or a function of the second material layer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a sole assembly and a cushioning arrangement disposed within the sole assembly. The cushioning arrangement includes a cushioning element, and a stiffening spring at least partially surrounding the cushioning element. The spring has a stiffness greater than the cushioning element. The athletic shoe can include a sole assembly having cushioning arrangements provided across a width of the sole assembly. In a preferred arrangement, similar cushioning assemblies are disposed on medial and lateral sides of the shoe, with three additional cushioning assemblies provided between the lateral and medial assemblies. Each of the lateral and medial assemblies can include a stiffening spring that at least partially surrounds at least one cushioning element.