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NikePatent applicationClothing & sportInterest 6/10

Nike patents shoe with triangular side support for stability

Nike has filed a patent for a shoe design that adds a specific stabilizing element to the outside of the footwear. This component is made of a different material than the rest of the shoe and is shaped like a rounded triangle. It connects the upper part of the shoe to the midsole to provide extra support in the heel and mid-foot areas.

Why it mattersThis design aims to improve the structural stability of athletic shoes, which could benefit runners or athletes who need better lateral support during movement.

In the filing’s own words

An article of footwear comprising: an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer of the article of footwear, the upper include a lateral side and a medial side opposite the lateral side; and a sole structure connected to the upper, the sole structure comprising: a midsole coupled to the upper; and an outsole plate coupled to the midsole, the outsole plate including a ground engaging surface configured to contact a ground surface when worn by the wearer, wherein the outsole plate is disposed below the midsole; an outer stabilizing element connected to an outside surface of the lateral side of the upper.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An article of footwear comprising: a lateral side and a medial side disposed opposite the lateral side; a forefoot region, a mid-foot region, and a heel region; an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer of the article of footwear, the upper formed of a first material, and the upper including an outer side surface; and a sole structure connected to the upper along a bite line of the article of footwear, the sole structure comprising: a midsole coupled to the upper, the midsole comprised of a second material different from the first material, and the midsole including an outer side surface; and an outsole coupled to the midsole, the outsole including a ground-contacting surface, the outsole including a third material different from each of the first material and the second material, and the outsole including an outer side surface; and an outer stabilizing element including a fourth material different from each of the first material, the second material, and the third material, the outer stabilizing element coupled to an outer side surface of each of the upper and the midsole, wherein the outer stabilizing element is formed in a substantially rounded triangular shape to support the upper and the midsole of the article of footwear through each of the heel region and the mid-foot region.

Facts

Company
Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
Official title
ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN OUTER STABILIZING ELEMENT
Publication number
US20260272109A1
Application number
19563747
Filed
Mar 11, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

A43B 13/146 Human necessitiesA43B 1/0072 Human necessitiesA43B 13/04 Human necessitiesA43B 13/122 Human necessitiesA43C 15/16 Human necessities
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.