Abstract: An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an inner bootie that fits into and is strapped into an external shell to form the article of footwear. The inner bootie may have specially-treated regions that together allow the bootie to slip readily into the external shell and to be held firmly in place. When the inner bootie is in place in the external shell, cable loops woven into the lateral side and the medial side of the inner bootie protrude from corresponding openings in the external shell. A lace may then be laced through the cable loops to fasten the throat opening of the external shell over a wearer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear in which certain regions of the upper may be slippery, such that it is more difficult for a person to firmly grasp the article of footwear. The eyestays in the article of footwear are biased towards the lateral side of the footwear. The article of footwear also has an outer sole with ridges at, for example, the back of the heel, the ball-of-the foot regions on the lateral and medial sides, respectively, of the article of footwear, and at the toe region. The ridges are angle downward, such that the wearer of the footwear may have increased traction by digging the ridges into the ground or into a playing surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

Abstract: Flexible cleats for flexible footwear (e.g., with natural motion sole structures) include a cleat structure that generally has the appearance of a cleat that has been separated into individual component parts by one or more flex grooves formed into the sole structure. Such structures provide additional flexibility at the areas of the cleats so as to avoid a “stiff” feeling in certain areas and/or during certain activities. The flexible cleats may be arranged around one or more intersections of flex grooves provided in a sole member, optionally in the form of an array of sole pods provided at least in a forefoot area of the sole member.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: Golf shoes include one or more of the following: (a) a foot stabilizer system that interacts with a shoe securing system to securely engage and/or wrap around a foot of a wearer; (b) a natural motion sole, optionally including flex grooves that allow a weight transfer from back-to-front and/or from side-to-side; (c) a six cleat configuration (e.g., four cleats in a forefoot region, two cleats in a heel region, and no cleats located directly under a big toe); (d) a forefoot moderator plate positioned to moderate or reduce user feel of the forefoot cleats; (e) a lateral half heel counter extending from a rear heel area to a lateral midfoot or lateral forward heel area of the shoe; and/or (f) one or more medial, forefoot, sidewall traction elements at or near a big toe area of the sole.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) an upper; (b) a sole structure including a midsole and an outsole, the outsole having a plurality of polygonal lugs arranged about a base surface of the outsole. The outsole may include one or more regions wherein the characteristics of a portion of the lugs within a region differ from the characteristics of a portion of the lugs in another region. The lugs may differ, for example based on size, construction and/or spacing between the lugs. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.

Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, may include: (a) an upper including an opening through which a leg of a wearer extends, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from a front portion of the leg opening at least to a heel area of the upper; (b) a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening and optionally tightening the shoe on the foot; and (c) a sole structure engaged with the upper. The foot insertion opening widely opens the side and/or rear area of the shoe to allow for easy insertion and removal of a foot. Such uppers can be particularly useful for hightop athletic footwear, boots, or other footwear that extends up to or at least partially over a wearer's ankles.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a groove that separates the sole assembly into first and second portions. Moreover, the article of footwear includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends through the sole assembly and across the groove between the first portion and the second portion. The article of footwear also includes an adjustment device that is operably coupled to the first end and the second end. The adjustment device is configured to move at least one of the first end and the second end to selectively adjust tension of the flexible cord between a first tension level and a second tension level. The first portion is more rotatable about the groove relative to the second portion at the first tension level as compared to the second tension level.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly defines a ground engaging surface. The sole assembly also includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an opening. The opening is open at the ground engaging surface and extends in a depth direction from the ground engaging surface. The article of footwear also includes a reinforcing tube that is fixedly coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sole assembly. The article of footwear further includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends at least partially through the reinforcing tube and across the opening between the first portion and the second portion. The cord is configured to bias the first portion toward the second portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly defines a ground engaging surface. The sole assembly also includes a first portion and a second portion that are separated by an opening. The opening is open at the ground engaging surface and extends in a depth direction from the ground engaging surface. The article of footwear also includes a reinforcing tube that is fixedly coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sole assembly. The article of footwear further includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends at least partially through the reinforcing tube and across the opening between the first portion and the second portion. The cord is configured to bias the first portion toward the second portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a groove that separates the sole assembly into first and second portions. Moreover, the article of footwear includes a flexible cord including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends through the sole assembly and across the groove between the first portion and the second portion. The article of footwear also includes an adjustment device that is operably coupled to the first end and the second end. The adjustment device is configured to move at least one of the first end and the second end to selectively adjust tension of the flexible cord between a first tension level and a second tension level. The first portion is more rotatable about the groove relative to the second portion at the first tension level as compared to the second tension level.

Abstract: A traction device for a prosthetic running foot having a curved profile and mechanisms for attaching the traction device to the prosthetic running foot are provided. The traction device includes a sole portion for traction and a midsole for improved rollover. The traction device has fasteners (e.g., clamps) that attach to the top of the prosthetic running foot or a cavity that removably receives the toe of the prosthetic running foot. The traction device also has a strap that removably couples to a clip permanently or removably attached to the top surface of the prosthetic running foot.

Abstract: Golf shoes include one or more of the following: (a) a foot stabilizer system that interacts with a shoe securing system to securely engage and/or wrap around a foot of a wearer; (b) a natural motion sole, optionally including flex grooves that allow a weight transfer from back-to-front and/or from side-to-side; (c) a six cleat configuration (e.g., four cleats in a forefoot region, two cleats in a heel region, and no cleats located directly under a big toe); (d) a forefoot moderator plate positioned to moderate or reduce user feel of the forefoot cleats; (e) a lateral half heel counter extending from a rear heel area to a lateral midfoot or lateral forward heel area of the shoe; and/or (f) one or more medial, forefoot, sidewall traction elements at or near a big toe area of the sole.

Abstract: Golf shoes include one or more of the following: (a) a foot stabilizer system that interacts with a shoe securing system to securely engage and/or wrap around a foot of a wearer; (b) a natural motion sole, optionally including flex grooves that allow a weight transfer from back-to-front and/or from side-to-side; (c) a six cleat configuration (e.g., four cleats in a forefoot region, two cleats in a heel region, and no cleats located directly under a big toe); (d) a forefoot moderator plate positioned to moderate or reduce user feel of the forefoot cleats; (e) a lateral half heel counter extending from a rear heel area to a lateral midfoot or lateral forward heel area of the shoe; and/or (f) one or more medial, forefoot, sidewall traction elements at or near a big toe area of the sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure.