CPC A43B 23/0265 (2013.01) [A43B 3/0078 (2013.01); A43B 23/0215 (2013.01); A43B 23/0235 (2013.01); A43B 23/026 (2013.01); A43B 23/027 (2013.01); A43B 23/0275 (2013.01); B29D 35/146 (2013.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B29K 2995/007 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12)] | 20 Claims |
1. An article of footwear comprising:
a sole structure;
an upper coupled to the sole structure; and
a layer disposed only on the upper, wherein the layer includes a plurality of materials each having a different hardness than an adjacent material,
wherein the plurality of materials is arranged on the upper such that a stiffness of the upper is gradated from a toe portion of the upper to a heel portion of the upper, wherein a stiffness of the heel portion is greater than a stiffness of the toe portion, and wherein the layer has a continuous and even gradation that extends along the entire length of the upper.
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