Abstract: A footwear upper has a unitary knit structure with a knit outer face layer, a knit inner face layer, and a knit intermediate layer integrally knit to define forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions of the footwear upper. The knit intermediate layer is disposed between the knit outer face layer and the knit inner face layer at a plurality of first zones and absent from or present in a lesser amount or a lesser density in a plurality of second zones, the first zones alternating with the second zones in a longitudinal direction, and the unitary knit structure having a greater modulus of elasticity in the longitudinal direction in the first zones than in the second zones, and a greater breathability in the second zones than in the first zones. A method of manufacturing the footwear upper is disclosed.