Abstract: A method of retail engagement includes receiving a worn article from a user in a retail establishment, where the worn article includes dirt or debris on an outer surface of the article. The method then includes robotically cleaning the worn article to at least partially remove the dirt or debris on the outer surface. The cleaning comprises contacting the shoe with a rotating brush, and at least one of the worn article or the rotating brush is robotically manipulated to cause the contacting. Finally, the outer surface of the article may be adorned with one or more adornments, where the one or more adornments are selected by the user.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component that includes a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone. Each of the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone may extend toward a collar area of the upper at least partially in a heel area of the upper. The second zone is located between the first zone and the third zone such that the second zone is located in a substantially central portion of the heel area. The second zone may include an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the first zone and also greater than an elasticity of the third zone.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method. The method may include placing an upper on a last, where the upper includes a lower perimeter edge secured to a lasting element, and where the last includes an opening for receiving the lasting element. The method may further include feeding the lasting element at least partially through an opening of the last and tensioning the lasting element to tighten the upper around the last by pulling the tensioning element at least partially through the opening.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component that includes a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone. Each of the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone may extend toward a collar area of the upper at least partially in a heel area of the upper. The second zone is located between the first zone and the third zone such that the second zone is located in a substantially central portion of the heel area. The second zone may include an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the first zone and also greater than an elasticity of the third zone.

Abstract: Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method. The method may include placing an upper on a last, where the upper includes a lower perimeter edge secured to a lasting element, and where the last includes an opening for receiving the lasting element. The method may further include feeding the lasting element at least partially through an opening of the last and tensioning the lasting element to tighten the upper around the last by pulling the tensioning element at least partially through the opening.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component that includes a first knitted zone, a second knitted zone, and a third knitted zone. Each of the first knitted zone, the second knitted zone, and the third knitted zone may extend from a collar area of the upper to a biteline of the upper, where the first knitted zone, the second knitted zone, and the third knitted zone are each located at least partially in a heel area of the upper, and where the second knitted zone is located between the first knitted zone and the third knitted zone such that the second knitted zone is located in a central portion of the heel area. The second knitted zone may include an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the first knitted zone and also greater than an elasticity of the third knitted zone.

Abstract: Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Abstract: Presented are manufacturing systems, methods, and devices for forming footwear using scrap or waste plastic materials. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, begins with receiving a batch of recycled plastic, which may include thermoplastic elastomers or ethylene-vinyl acetate, and grinding the batch of recycled plastic material. The ground recycled material is processed, for example, by adding a foaming agent that activates at elevated temperatures. The processed recycled material is placed into the internal cavity of a final mold that is shaped like a segment of the footwear, such as a unitary sole structure. To form the footwear segment, the processed recycled material is heated past the threshold activation temperature of the foaming agent such that the foaming agent causes the recycled material to expand and fill the internal cavity of the final mold. The formed footwear segment is then extracted from the mold.

Abstract: Presented are manufacturing systems, methods, and devices for forming footwear using scrap or waste plastic materials. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, begins with receiving a batch of recycled plastic, which may include thermoplastic elastomers or ethylene-vinyl acetate, and grinding the batch of recycled plastic material. The ground recycled material is processed, for example, by adding a foaming agent that activates at elevated temperatures. The processed recycled material is placed into the internal cavity of a final mold that is shaped like a segment of the footwear, such as a unitary sole structure. To form the footwear segment, the processed recycled material is heated past the threshold activation temperature of the foaming agent such that the foaming agent causes the recycled material to expand and fill the internal cavity of the final mold. The formed footwear segment is then extracted from the mold.

Abstract: Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Abstract: Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear may include a knitted component that includes a first knitted zone, a second knitted zone, and a third knitted zone. Each of the first knitted zone, the second knitted zone, and the third knitted zone may extend from a collar area of the upper to a biteline of the upper, where the first knitted zone, the second knitted zone, and the third knitted zone are each located at least partially in a heel area of the upper, and where the second knitted zone is located between the first knitted zone and the third knitted zone such that the second knitted zone is located in a central portion of the heel area. The second knitted zone may include an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the first knitted zone and also greater than an elasticity of the third knitted zone.