Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an outer sole component with a co-molded flex modifier component. The outer sole component is formed of a first mold material, such as a rubber mold material. The flex modifier component includes a fiber material and a second mold material. The second mold material may be mold compatible with the first mold material. The sole structure may be formed by co-molding an outer sole component blank or pre-form (e.g., rubber mold material), and a flex modifier component, e.g., in a hot press molding process using a molding system having a mold cavity configured to form the outer sole component. The flex modifier component may be formed (e.g., cut or stamped) from a sheet of flex modifier material, such as a thermoplastic extruded hot melt film sandwiched between fusion bonded non-woven fiber fabric material impregnated with a styrene-coated polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a textile and applying heat and/or pressure to the textile using a texturing device to form a textured area of the textile. The textured area is spaced apart from a substantially smooth area of the textile. The method further includes forming at least part of an upper from the textile after applying the heat and/or pressure to the textile. The upper includes a cavity configured to receive a foot. The substantially smooth area is configured to define a reference boundary of the upper. The substantially smooth area and the textured area are each configured to be disposed at predetermined regions of the upper. Furthermore, forming the textured area includes forming a plurality of projection structures that project outward from the reference boundary at varying distances.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is attached to the sole structure. The upper defines a cavity that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper is at least partially defined by a textile. The textile includes a first area that is substantially smooth. The first area defines a reference boundary that conforms to the cavity. The textile includes a second area. The second area includes a plurality of projection structures that project away from the reference boundary and outwardly from the cavity at varying heights. The second area includes a plurality of recess structures that recess away from the reference boundary and inwardly toward the cavity. The plurality of projection structures and the plurality of recess structures are in an alternating arrangement across the textile.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Abstract: A composite panel portion of an upper may include a contouring element located between a backing and an outer panel. The outer panel conforms to the contouring element and the backing so as to form a raised contour.

Abstract: Footwear sole structures include: (a) a chassis member including a lateral side, a rear heel portion, and a medial side, wherein the chassis member includes an opening defined between the medial side and the lateral side; (b) an impact-attenuating member engaged with the chassis member, wherein the impact-attenuating member includes a lateral side arm and a medial side arm that extend toward a forefoot portion of the sole structure, and wherein the impact-attenuating member further includes a rear heel portion joining the lateral and medial side arms; and (c) an outsole element extending beneath the impact-attenuating member, wherein the outsole element extends around the rear heel portion of the impact-attenuating member and engages the rear heel portion of the chassis member.

Abstract: Footwear sole structures include: (a) a chassis member including a lateral side, a rear heel portion, and a medial side, wherein the chassis member includes an opening defined between the medial side and the lateral side; (b) an impact-attenuating member engaged with the chassis member, wherein the impact-attenuating member includes a lateral side arm and a medial side arm that extend toward a forefoot portion of the sole structure, and wherein the impact-attenuating member further includes a rear heel portion joining the lateral and medial side arms; and (c) an outsole element extending beneath the impact-attenuating member, wherein the outsole element extends around the rear heel portion of the impact-attenuating member and engages the rear heel portion of the chassis member.