Abstract: A knitted component may include a knit element that has an auxetic portion configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component may also include a tensile strand inlaid within at least one of a course and a wale of the knit element, where the tensile strand extends through the auxetic portion, and where the tensile strand is selectively securable to the knit element via a securement device. The securement device may be spaced from the auxetic portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a base layer and one or more tensile strands. The sole structure includes an auxetic element operable to expand in two orthogonal horizontal directions in response to a tension applied in one of the directions. Each tensile strand has at least one end secured in fixed position relative to a peripheral region of the sole structure.

Abstract: A pre-tensioned article and method of making an article of footwear involving pre-tensioning a sole structure during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of apertures that provide an auxetic effect. In further embodiments, the upper may also be pre-tensioned in a similar manner as the sole structure.

Abstract: A knitted component may include a knit element that has an auxetic portion configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component may also include a tensile strand inlaid within at least one of a course and a wale of the knit element, where the tensile strand extends through the auxetic portion, and where the tensile strand is selectively securable to the knit element via a securement device. The securement device may be spaced from the auxetic portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure with an auxetic structure. The auxetic structure includes an aperture. The sole structure also includes an aggregate that is received in the aperture. The auxetic structure is resiliently deformable between a neutral position and a deformed position. The auxetic structure can move auxetically between the neutral position and the deformed position. The aperture deforms as the auxetic structure moves between the neutral position and the deformed position. The aggregate includes a plurality of particles that support the foot as the auxetic structure deforms between the neutral position and the deformed position.

Abstract: A material that includes at least one layer made of an auxetic structure and articles of footwear having soles comprising the materials. When the material is under tension, it expands in both the direction under tension and in the direction orthogonal to the direction under tension. The articles of footwear have soles that have at least one layer made of a material that has a pattern of apertures to provide the auxetic structure. The apertures are surrounded by sole portions that can rotate or pivot to change the size of the apertures. An outer covering can be mated with an outsole structure formed by the auxetic structure. The outer covering includes features that mate with the apertures in the outsole structure. The outer covering is elastic and can stretch to accommodate expansion of the auxetic structure.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear can include provisions for providing auxetic behavior in the sole structure. The sole structure can comprise multiple layers that may each have different types of auxetic material. The outsole can include at least one auxetic portion joined to one non-auxetic portion. Similarly, the midsole can include at least one auxetic portion joined to one non-auxetic portion. Apertures formed in the auxetic portions of the outsole can extend through at least part of the midsole.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure with an auxetic structure and a filler. The auxetic structure includes an aperture. The filler is received in the aperture. The auxetic structure is configured to deform auxetically. The sole structure is configured to deform between a neutral position and a deformed position. The aperture is configured to deform as the sole structure deforms between the neutral and deformed positions. The auxetic structure includes a first material and the filler includes a second material. The second material is softer than the first material.

Abstract: An article of footwear and a sole structure including an auxetic sole assembly are described. The auxetic sole assembly includes an auxetic layer and a base layer. The auxetic layer is made of an auxetic material and includes a plurality of apertures. Portions of the base layer are disposed within the apertures of the auxetic layer. Upon the application of force, portions of the base layer extend upwards through the apertures of the auxetic layer to form a plurality of protuberances. The plurality of protuberances can be used for proprioception.

Abstract: An article with a sole structure including a midsole component and an outer sole member are described. The sole structure includes a set of holes arranged in an auxetic configuration that permit the sole to expand in an auxetic manner. The set of holes extends through the midsole component and the outer sole member and both the midsole component and the outer sole member are exposed on an outer surface of the sole structure.

Abstract: A pre-tensioned article and method of making an article of footwear involving pre-tensioning a sole structure during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of apertures that provide an auxetic effect. In further embodiments, the upper may also be pre-tensioned in a similar manner as the sole structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a base layer and one or more tensile strands. The sole structure includes an auxetic element operable to expand in two orthogonal horizontal directions in response to a tension applied in one of the directions. Each tensile strand has at least one end secured in fixed position relative to a peripheral region of the sole structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a knitted component configured to stretch. The knitted component includes a knit element that includes an auxetic portion configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component also includes a tensile strand formed with the knit element. The auxetic portion has an area when in the first position. The tensile strand engages the knit element proximate the auxetic portion. The tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component.

Abstract: A material that includes at least one layer made of an auxetic structure and articles of footwear having soles comprising the materials. When the material is under tension, it expands in both the direction under tension and in the direction orthogonal to the direction under tension. The articles of footwear have soles that have at least one layer made of a material that has a pattern of apertures to provide the auxetic structure. The apertures are surrounded by sole portions that can rotate or pivot to change the size of the apertures. An outer covering can be mated with an outsole structure formed by the auxetic structure. The outer covering includes features that mate with the apertures in the outsole structure. The outer covering is elastic and can stretch to accommodate expansion of the auxetic structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a knitted component configured to stretch. The knitted component includes a knit element that includes an auxetic portion configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component also includes a tensile strand formed with the knit element. The auxetic portion has an area when in the first position. The tensile strand engages the knit element proximate the auxetic portion. The tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component.

Abstract: A vacuum formed knit sole system for an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component is described. The article of footwear includes a knitted component including a lower portion forming the knit sole system and an upper portion forming a portion of the upper of the article of footwear. A method of vacuum forming the knitted component using an insert member to form the knit sole system is also described. The insert member can be used to form the shape of the knit outsole, including the shape of cleat members, as well as remain within the interior of the upper to reinforce the knit sole system.

Abstract: A material that includes at least one layer made of an auxetic structure and articles of footwear having soles comprising the materials. When the material is under tension, it expands in both the direction under tension and in the directional orthogonal to the direction under tension. The articles of footwear have soles that have at least one layer made of a material that has a pattern of apertures to provide the auxetic structure. The apertures are surrounded by sole portions that can rotate or pivot to change the size of the apertures.

Abstract: A knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and is configured to stretch. The knitted component includes a knit element that includes an auxetic portion configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component also includes a tensile strand formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element. The auxetic portion has an area when in the first position. The tensile strand engages the knit element proximate the auxetic portion. The tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include an outer member that has a first ground engaging member extending downward from the outer surface of an outer member. Ground engaging members, or cleats, may be auxetic structures that can increase their dimensions in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of applied force or tension. Ground engaging member shapes may include various polygonal features. The first ground engaging member may have a three-pointed star-shaped pyramidal structure. The outer member may have an inner surface with apertures that correspond with the ground engaging members of the outer surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an auxetic sole structure that includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures may include ten sides in an initial configuration, and the number of sides may increase in a second configuration when a force is applied. Adjoining members of the sole structure are hingedly connected, so that they can rotate with respect to each other in the plane of the sole structure. The rotation allows the auxetic sole structure to expand when tension is applied.