Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, where the midsole is located between the outsole and the upper. A wedge is located between the outsole and the midsole and is preferably made of a material that is less compressible than the midsole. A flexible cage is located on the exterior surfaces of the upper and midsole. In embodiments, the flexible cage is designed to limit the outward expansion of the midsole when the midsole is compressed under load, and thus effectively stiffen the midsole. The total compression of the midsole of the article of footwear is based, at least in part, on a desired orientation of the ankle, knee, and hip joints of a user.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The leno woven fabric includes zones having different stretch characteristics.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole, and an outsole, where the midsole is located between the outsole and the upper. A wedge is located between the outsole and the midsole and is preferably made of a material that is less compressible than the midsole. A flexible cage is located on the exterior surfaces of the upper and midsole. In embodiments, the flexible cage is designed to limit the outward expansion of the midsole when the midsole is compressed under load, and thus effectively stiffen the midsole. The total compression of the midsole of the article of footwear is based, at least in part, on a desired orientation of the ankle, knee, and hip joints of a user.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The leno woven fabric includes zones having different stretch characteristics.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The leno woven fabric includes zones having different stretch characteristics.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear includes: forming a foam layer; forming a preliminary upper by laminating an outer layer, an inner layer, and the foam layer intermediate to the outer layer and the inner layer; and molding the preliminary upper to a shape having a contour to substantially fit at least a portion of a foot to provide at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and an inflatable bladder disposed on the upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The weft yarns include an elastic material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear includes: forming a foam layer; forming a preliminary upper by laminating an outer layer, an inner layer, and the foam layer intermediate to the outer layer and the inner layer; and molding the preliminary upper to a shape having a contour to substantially fit at least a portion of a foot to provide at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The leno woven fabric includes zones having different stretch characteristics.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and an inflatable bladder disposed on the upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The weft yarns include an elastic material.

Abstract: An upper comprising a flexible layer configured to receive a foot, a bladder coupled to an outer surface of the flexible layer, and an inflation mechanism operatively coupled to the bladder for inflating the bladder such that the flexible layer is drawn toward the foot. The bladder extends from a lateral side in a heel region across a throat region to a medial side in the heel region. The bladder comprises a plurality of fluidly connected segments, each segment forming an angle with an adjacent segment.

Abstract: An upper comprising a flexible layer configured to receive a foot, a bladder coupled to an outer surface of the flexible layer, and an inflation mechanism operatively coupled to the bladder for inflating the bladder such that the flexible layer is drawn toward the foot. The bladder extends from a lateral side in a heel region across a throat region to a medial side in the heel region. The bladder comprises a plurality of fluidly connected segments, each segment forming an angle with an adjacent segment.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole and an upper. The upper includes an inner layer configured to receive a foot and an outer layer with a first portion more stretchable than a second portion. A strobel board is disposed above the sole and attached to the inner layer. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and attached to both a medial side and a lateral side of the strobel board. The inflatable bladder extends across a throat region of the upper and is operatively coupled with an inflation mechanism and release mechanism configured to inflate and deflate the inflatable bladder. A saddle is disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in lateral and medial quarter regions of the upper, but not extending into the throat region. The first portion of the outer layer covers the inflatable bladder at the throat region.

Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole and an upper. The upper includes an inner layer configured to receive a foot and an outer layer with a first portion more stretchable than a second portion. A strobel board is disposed above the sole and attached to the inner layer. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and attached to both a medial side and a lateral side of the strobel board. The inflatable bladder extends across a throat region of the upper and is operatively coupled with an inflation mechanism and release mechanism configured to inflate and deflate the inflatable bladder. A saddle is disposed between the inflatable bladder and the outer layer in lateral and medial quarter regions of the upper, but not extending into the throat region. The first portion of the outer layer covers the inflatable bladder at the throat region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear includes: forming a foam layer; forming a preliminary upper by laminating an outer layer, an inner layer, and the foam layer intermediate to the outer layer and the inner layer; and molding the preliminary upper to a shape having: a contour to substantially fit at least a portion of a foot to provide at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear.