Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper has a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction that includes at least one gore region located in a heel region of the article of footwear. The gore region provides a contoured configuration to the knitted component. In a method of manufacturing, a knitted component may include a first gore region and a plurality of second gore regions, with the first gore region being located in a heel area of the article of footwear and the second gore regions being located adjacent to the sole structure.

Abstract: The Improved Sock is made of yarns knitted into a foot and calf, with graduated compression on an individual's foot from the foot to the calf. The yarns can include wool and alpaca fibers. A substantial proportion of wool and/or alpaca are on the inside of the sock so as to be in direct contact with the skin and wound. The Improved Sock provides absorption and wicking of inflammatory mediators, bacteria and biofilm and necrotic exudate from the foot and leg. The Improved Sock has AgNP shapes electrostatically bonded to the yarn. At least 30% of the mass of the AgNP shapes attached to the fibers have a shape selected from the group consisting of truncated triangular plates (a triangle with the corners rounded off), triangular prisms, discs and combinations of two or more of them. The Improved Sock functions as a unique wound dressing with the sock in direct contact with the wound.

Abstract: Novel gels and gel composites for direct contact with the body and capable of substantially preventing the generation moisture from said body in extreme cold weather use.

Abstract: A long-legged sock is provided that includes a cuff section and a calf section incorporating a first elastic thread together with a basic thread. Also provided is an ankle section incorporating the first elastic thread and a second elastic thread together with the basic thread; an instep area incorporating the second elastic thread and a third elastic thread together with the basic thread; and a foot section incorporating the third elastic thread together with the basic thread.

Abstract: A forward lean sock, that is particularly suited to snowboarding is provided. The snowboarding sock includes a woven sock body having a leg section and a foot section joined by a heel and front arch. The heel includes a Y-heel construction that provide an enhanced pouch of material at the heel to remove tension at the opposing front arch so that bunching is minimized in a forward lean position. The toe section can include reduced padding or a flat weave with no padding to provide more freedom of toe movement for the wearer.

Abstract: Moisture control characteristics are imparted to the sock of the present invention by body yarn knit in successive courses throughout the leg and foot. A hydrophobic yarn is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn in partial courses extending throughout the sole, and hydrophilic yarn is knit in plated relationship with the body yarn in partial courses extending throughout the instep whereby moisture generated by the foot of the wearer is wicked and transported from the sole and into the instep to be evaporated therefrom. Cut free ends extend from the endmost stitch loops in wales along the juncture of the sole and the instep while cut free ends of the hydrophilic yarn extend from endmost stitch loops in wales along the juncture of the sole and instep so that the endmost stitch loops at opposite ends of the partial courses of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns are formed in adjacent wales and are not knit in plated relationship with each other in the same courses.