Nike patents shoe with waterproof skin layer under the knit upper
Nike describes a shoe design where a thin, waterproof skin layer is sandwiched between the knitted upper and the sole. This layer is attached directly to the knit material and extends to cover exposed parts of the underfoot area. The setup aims to keep water out while maintaining the flexible structure of the knitted shoe.
In the filing’s own words
An article of footwear may have a knitted component with an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion. At least one sole structure may be secured to the underfoot portion of the knitted component. A first knit surface of the underfoot portion may face toward a foot-receiving void, while a second knit surface may comprise a first thermoplastic material. A skin layer may be located between and directly coupled to the sole structure and the second knit surface.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An article of footwear, comprising: a sole structure; and an upper secured to the sole structure, the upper comprising: a knitted component, comprising: an underfoot portion at least partially defining a foot receiving void comprising a first knit surface and a second knit surface, the first knit surface facing towards the foot receiving void and the second knit surface facing towards the sole structure; and a skin layer joined to the second knit surface of the knitted component, wherein a portion of the skin layer is positioned between the second knit surface and the sole structure, and wherein a portion of the skin layer is exposed on the underfoot portion that is not covered by the sole structure and provides waterproofing characteristics to an underfoot portion of the upper.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- Article of footwear having a skin layer between a knitted component and a sole structure
- Patent number
- US12751519B2
- Application number
- 19272302
- Filed
- Jul 17, 2025
- Granted
- Oct 6, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 38
Classified under
A43B 13/125 Human necessitiesA43B 13/04 Human necessitiesA43B 13/12 Human necessitiesA43B 13/32 Human necessitiesA43B 23/0255 Human necessitiesA43B 23/026 Human necessitiesMore from Nike in Clothing & sport
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.