Abstract: A segmented sole for an article of footwear comprises a forefoot region, a heel region, and a segmentation zone disposed between the forefoot and heel region. The segmentation zone includes a plurality of segments separated from each other and from the forefoot and heel by a plurality of sipes, cuts, or gaps. The segmented sole produces bending along a segmentation axis disposed along an arch of a wearer of an article of footwear including the sole, allowing for arch support and natural foot movement.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an elastic membrane suspended within an interior of an upper of the article of footwear and spaced above the sole, such that a wearer's foot contacts the membrane and is cradled by the membrane as the membrane is stretched toward an underlying midsole. In some examples, the 5 membrane may contact the midsole for a discrete length of a contact area, e.g., selected by the manufacturer. In some examples, a void between the membrane and the sole is filled, at least in part, with a selected filler material. In some examples, the membrane comprises a material having tailored stretch characteristics.

Abstract: A rate dependent tether for securing a shoe to a user, and footwear incorporating the rate dependent tether. The rate dependent tether may include a tube filled with a shear-thickening material and at least one cable or ribbon. In conditions of normal, low, or no intense activity by the user, the rate dependent tether's deformation resistance is low allowing the rate dependent tether to be extended to allow insertion or removal of the foot. At active levels, for example, participating in sporting events or intense activities, the rate dependent tether's deformation resistance is high preventing the rate dependent tether from loosening and securing the shoe on the user. The rate dependent tether may be connected to a saddle. A rate dependent insole for footwear, a support impregnated with a shear-thickening fluid, a rate dependent footcone, and rate dependent bands are also described.

Abstract: A shoe system including a shoe upper with a bottom side having an aperture extending to a cavity. The shoe system also includes a selectively removable outsole which includes a bottom for contacting the ground, and a top for engaging with the bottom of the shoe upper. The top side of the outsole further includes a projection which is sized and shaped to extend through the aperture and into the cavity when the outsole is in a first orientation, which is misaligned with respect to the shoe upper. The projection is also sized and shaped to fit within the cavity but no longer back through the aperture when the outsole is in a second orientation, which is aligned with respect to the shoe upper. In the second orientation, the projection within said cavity prevents disengagement of the outsole from the shoe upper.

Abstract: A shoe system including a shoe upper with a bottom side having an aperture extending to a cavity. The shoe system also includes a selectively removable outsole which includes a bottom for contacting the ground, and a top for engaging with the bottom of the shoe upper. The top side of the outsole further includes a projection which is sized and shaped to extend through the aperture and into the cavity when the outsole is in a first orientation, which is misaligned with respect to the shoe upper. The projection is also sized and shaped to fit within the cavity but no longer back through the aperture when the outsole is in a second orientation, which is aligned with respect to the shoe upper. In the second orientation, the projection within said cavity prevents disengagement of the outsole from the shoe upper.

Abstract: A shoe system including a shoe upper with a bottom side having an aperture extending to a cavity. The shoe system also includes a selectively removable outsole which includes a bottom for contacting the ground, and a top for engaging with the bottom of the shoe upper. The top side of the outsole further includes a projection which is sized and shaped to extend through the aperture and into the cavity when the outsole is in a first orientation, which is misaligned with respect to the shoe upper. The projection is also sized and shaped to fit within the cavity but no longer back through the aperture when the outsole is in a second orientation, which is aligned with respect to the shoe upper. In the second orientation, the projection within said cavity prevents disengagement of the outsole from the shoe upper.

Abstract: A shoe system including a shoe upper with a bottom side having an aperture extending to a cavity. The shoe system also includes a selectively removable outsole which includes a bottom for contacting the ground, and a top for engaging with the bottom of the shoe upper. The top side of the outsole further includes a projection which is sized and shaped to extend through the aperture and into the cavity when the outsole is in a first orientation, which is misaligned with respect to the shoe upper. The projection is also sized and shaped to fit within the cavity but no longer back through the aperture when the outsole is in a second orientation, which is aligned with respect to the shoe upper. In the second orientation, the projection within said cavity prevents disengagement of the outsole from the shoe upper.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is generally directed to a sole assembly comprising a plurality of traction elements disposed on a ground-facing surface of the sole assembly, and wherein the sole assembly is configured to provide a rocker effect. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a sole assembly that includes a spring system based on a semi-rigid polymer shaped to provide the rocker effect. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to a golf shoe with a sole profile having a geometric shape that provides a roll-over effect according to rocker shoe technology and wherein the sole profile is optimized to convey the benefits of rocker shoe technology to golf specific activities.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed to a sole unit for an item of footwear having a forefoot region, a midfoot region and a rearfoot region. The mid foot region includes a balancing structure having a curved surface profile that rotates around (i) an axis for fore-aft pivoting or balancing and/or (ii) an axis for lateral-medial pivoting or balancing, when the item of footwear is under a normal load of a user.