Abstract: A sole for a footwear article is provided. In one example, the sole may have a bottom profile with a complex curve, the complex curve formed of a first curve at a heel region of the sole to provide a target landing angle of the sole, and a second curve at a ball region of the sole to provide a target exit angle of the sole. Each of the first curve and the second curve are a constant curve.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.

Abstract: Footwear articles for walking are provided. In one example, a footwear article may include a midsole with a lower surface of constant curvature extending from a heel of the midsole to a toe of the midsole, wherein the lower surface maintains the constant curvature throughout a stance phase of a walking gait. In this way, a smooth step-to-step transition and a smaller range of oscillation of the center of mass of the wearer is achieved, and energy expenditure during walking is reduced. In turn, a wearer of the footwear article may smoothly walk for extended periods of time with reduced fatigue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

Abstract: Footwear articles for walking are provided. In one example, a footwear article may include a midsole with a lower surface of constant curvature extending from a heel of the midsole to a toe of the midsole, wherein the lower surface maintains the constant curvature throughout a stance phase of a walking gait. In this way, a smooth step-to-step transition and a smaller range of oscillation of the center of mass of the wearer is achieved, and energy expenditure during walking is reduced. In turn, a wearer of the footwear article may smoothly walk for extended periods of time with reduced fatigue.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a cord structure including interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article, and further including an anchor cord extending along the portion of the footwear article and parallel to the loop line. The rand cord may couple to the anchor cord. In this way, the cord structure may be tensioned independently of other upper materials.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. In one embodiment, a footwear article comprises a first cord forming a first plurality of loops, a second cord forming a second plurality of loops, the second plurality of loops slippably-engaged and intertwined with the first plurality of loops to form at least a portion of an upper configured to at least partially enclose a foot, and a heel strap comprising a heel counter and a connection cord, the connection cord fixedly intertwined with at least the first cord, the heel strap is adjustable from a first position to a second position. In this way, the footwear article may be converted from a first type of footwear article into a second type of footwear article.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

Abstract: A footwear article, comprising a single-piece knit upper that includes a medial portion and a plurality straps. The footwear article may further comprise one or more openings formed into the knit upper, a perimeter of the one or more openings defined at least in part by an edge of the knit upper, and a pipe edging may be fixed to the edge of the knit upper defining the openings. Further, a sole may be coupled to the knit upper. In at least one example, the footwear article may additionally comprise a lacing system that includes a plurality of cords, and strap of the knit upper may have a separate cord section of the lacing system attached therein. A plastic overlay may be positioned over the cords of the lacing system that are attached to the knit upper, in at least one example.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expense.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. In one embodiment, a footwear article comprises a first cord forming a first plurality of loops, a second cord forming a second plurality of loops, the second plurality of loops slippably-engaged and intertwined with the first plurality of loops to form at least a portion of an upper configured to at least partially enclose a foot, and a heel strap comprising a heel counter and a connection cord, the connection cord fixedly intertwined with at least the first cord, the heel strap is adjustable from a first position to a second position. In this way, the footwear article may be converted from a first type of footwear article into a second type of footwear article.

Abstract: A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a cord structure including interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article, and further including an anchor cord extending along the portion of the footwear article and parallel to the loop line. The rand cord may couple to the anchor cord. In this way, the cord structure may be tensioned independently of other upper materials.

Abstract: Variable-density soles for articles of footwear and methods for constructing said soles are provided herein. In one embodiment, a variable-density sole for a footwear article comprises a first layer comprising a first density coupled to a bottom surface of an upper of the article of footwear; and a second layer comprising a second density greater than the density of the first layer, wherein the first layer is physically coupled to the second layer forming an interface between the layers. In this way, comfort of the article of footwear may be increased while decreasing the weight of the article of footwear. Further, forming the variable-density sole includes directly molding the first layer to a strobel board, stitching the strobel board to an upper, and injecting the second layer to the upper with the strobel board and the first layer. In this way, the production of a footwear article is simplified.