Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole. The footwear also includes at least one lobe between the upper and the outsole that extends laterally beyond a heel area of the upper and meets the sole at the lobe's edge that is laterally farthest away from the upper so that the lobe is exposed such that when viewed from above, in a direction perpendicular to the sole, the lobe is at least partially visible beyond the sides of the heel. The footwear may include a heel plate that extends laterally beyond the heel area of the upper. Further, the lobe may be a fluid-filled air bladder.

Abstract: Support elements for footwear or other products include: (a) a base member having first and second major surfaces; and (b) an extending arm having a free end for engaging a portion of a footwear structure. The extending arm may engage and further support a heel-supporting portion or other structural portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as a footwear upper); (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member; and (c) a lateral-reinforcing member that includes an extending arm engaged with at least one of the foot-covering member or the foot-supporting member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes the steps of providing an upper having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, a heel portion, and a pocket positioned beneath the forefoot portion; placing the upper on a last; inserting a first midsole portion into the pocket; and securing an outsole assembly to the upper, the outsole assembly comprising a second midsole portion and an outsole secured to a lower surface of the second midsole portion. The second midsole portion and the outsole are visible from an exterior of the article of footwear and the first midsole portion is not visible from an exterior of the article of footwear.

Abstract: Support elements for footwear or other products include: (a) a base member having first and second major surfaces; and (b) an extending arm having a free end for engaging a portion of a footwear structure. The extending arm may engage and further support a heel-supporting portion or other structural portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as a footwear upper); (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member; and (c) a lateral-reinforcing member that includes an extending arm engaged with at least one of the foot-covering member or the foot-supporting member.

Abstract: Support elements for footwear or other products include: (a) a base member having first and second major surfaces; and (b) an extending arm having a free end for engaging a portion of a footwear structure. The extending arm may engage and further support a heel-supporting portion or other structural portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as a footwear upper); (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member; and (c) a lateral-reinforcing member that includes an extending arm engaged with at least one of the foot-covering member or the foot-supporting member.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole. The footwear also includes at least one lobe between the upper and the outsole that extends laterally beyond a heel area of the upper and meets the sole at the lobe's edge that is laterally farthest away from the upper so that the lobe is exposed such that when viewed from above, in a direction perpendicular to the sole, the lobe is at least partially visible beyond the sides of the heel. The footwear may include a heel plate that extends laterally beyond the heel area of the upper. Further, the lobe may be a fluid-filled air bladder.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, a heel portion, and a pocket positioned beneath the forefoot portion. A first midsole portion is received in the pocket. An outer sole assembly is secured to the upper. The outer sole assembly is visible from an exterior of the article of footwear and the first midsole portion is not visible from an exterior of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes the steps of providing an upper having a forefoot portion a midfoot portion a heel portion and a pocket positioned beneath the forefoot portion; placing the upper on a last; inserting a first midsole portion into the pocket; and securing an outsole assembly to the upper, the outsole assembly comprising a second midsole portion and an outsole secured to a lower surface of the second midsole portion. The second midsole portion and the outsole are visible from an exterior of the article of footwear and the first midsole portion is not visible from an exterior of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: A mold assembly for soles of an article of footwear includes a first portion having a recess formed therein and a second portion engageable with the first portion. A removable insert is positioned within the recess of the first portion and has a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture defines an exterior surface of a sidewall for a first sole formed by the mold assembly. The second aperture defines an exterior surface of a sidewall for a second sole formed by the mold assembly. The first portion, the first aperture, and the second portion define a first cavity for a first sole to be formed in the mold assembly. The first portion, the second aperture, and the second portion define a second cavity for a second sole to be formed in the mold assembly.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, a heel portion, and a pocket positioned beneath the forefoot portion. A first midsole portion is received in the pocket. An outer sole assembly is secured to the upper. The outer sole assembly is visible from an exterior of the article of footwear and the first midsole portion is not visible from an exterior of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole assembly, and a support assembly positioned in the sole assembly and including a plurality of pillars. Each pillar includes an outer layer and an inner layer of cushioning material contained with the outer layer.

Abstract: Support elements for footwear or other products include: (a) a base member having first and second major surfaces; and (b) an extending arm having a free end for engaging a portion of a footwear structure. The extending arm may engage and further support a heel-supporting portion or other structural portion of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as a footwear upper); (b) a foot-supporting member (such as a footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering member; and (c) a lateral-reinforcing member that includes an extending arm engaged with at least one of the foot-covering member or the foot-supporting member.