Athletic shoe

Abstract

An athletic shoe is disclosed having a two component traction system. The traction system includes an upper and an outsole. The outsole is coupled to the upper. The outsole includes at least a first traction portion and a second traction portion. Each of the first traction portion and the second traction portion define a portion of a bottom surface of the shoe. The first traction portion includes a plurality of first traction elements that provide the shoe with first traction characteristics. The second traction portion comprises a plurality of second traction elements that differ from the first traction elements in size, shape or density and provide the shoe with second traction characteristics different from the first traction characteristics. At least one of the first traction portion and the second traction portion is replaceable.

1 . An athletic shoe having a two component traction system, comprising:
 an upper;   an outsole coupled to the upper, the outsole comprising at least a first traction portion and a second traction portion, wherein each of the first traction portion and the second traction portion define a portion of a bottom surface of the shoe, wherein the first traction portion comprises a plurality of first traction elements that provide the shoe with first traction characteristics and the second traction portion comprises a plurality of second traction elements that differ from the first traction elements in size, shape, hardness, pattern or density and provide the shoe with second traction characteristics different from the first traction characteristics;   wherein at least one of the first traction portion and the second traction portion is replaceable.   
     
     
         2 . The athletic shoe of  claim 1 , wherein only the second traction portion is replaceable. 
     
     
         3 . The athletic shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first traction elements are lugs unitarily formed with a molded portion of the outsole that forms the first traction portion. 
     
     
         4 . The athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein each of the lugs comprises an elliptical portion and a pair of fins that extend from the elliptical portion. 
     
     
         5 . The athletic shoe of  claim 4 , wherein the pair of fins extend from opposing ends of the elliptical portion at an angle with respect to a major axis of the opposing ends and to the same side of the major axis. 
     
     
         6 . The athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of lugs comprises a first lug adjacent to a second lug, wherein each of the lugs comprises an elliptical portion, and wherein a fin extends between the elliptical portion of the first and second lug. 
     
     
         7 . The athletic shoe of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of lugs comprises a first lug adjacent to a second lug, a first pair of fins of the first lug extending from a first elliptical portion of the first lug towards the adjacent second lug, a second pair of fins of the second lug extending from a second elliptical portion of the second lug towards the adjacent first lug. 
     
     
         8 . The athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein the second traction elements are abrasive grains. 
     
     
         9 . The athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein the first traction portion comprises at least 30 lugs. 
     
     
         10 . The athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein the lugs have a height of less than or equal to about 6 millimeters. 
     
     
         11 . The athletic shoe of  claim 3 , wherein the second traction elements are recessed above the bottommost surface of the lugs. 
     
     
         12 . The athletic shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the outsole comprises at least one wear bar extending generally along an approximately longitudinal, superior/inferior extending central plane of the shoe, wherein a bottommost surface of the at least one wear bar is positioned below the second traction elements. 
     
     
         13 . The athletic shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first traction portion comprises a forefoot section and a heel section, each of which define a perimeter, wherein the second traction portion comprises at least one forefoot insert and at least one heel insert, wherein the at least one forefoot insert is positioned within the perimeter of the forefoot section and the at least one heel insert is positioned within the perimeter of the heel section. 
     
     
         14 . The athletic shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one forefoot insert comprises a first forefoot insert and a second forefoot insert spaced from one another on opposite sides of a phalangeal medial-lateral plane of the athletic shoe. 
     
     
         15 . A golf shoe having a two component traction system, comprising:
 an upper;   a permanent outsole portion permanently coupled to the upper, the permanent outsole portion comprising a base and a plurality of lugs unitarily formed with the base and extending downwardly from the base;   a replaceable outsole portion replaceably coupled to the upper, the replaceable outsole portion comprising a base and a plurality of traction elements unitarily formed with the base and extending downwardly from the base.   
     
     
         16 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of traction elements are abrasive grains. 
     
     
         17 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of traction elements are generally pyramid-shaped spikes. 
     
     
         18 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of traction elements are microfibers. 
     
     
         19 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the replaceable outsole portion is coupled to the upper by a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         20 . The golf shoe of  claim 19 , further comprising an insole board, wherein the upper is coupled to the insole board and the replaceable outsole portion is coupled directly to the insole board. 
     
     
         21 . The golf shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the permanent outsole portion comprises a forefoot section and a heel section, each of which define a perimeter, wherein the replaceable outsole portion comprises at least one forefoot insert and at least one heel insert, wherein the at least one forefoot insert is positioned within the perimeter of the forefoot section and the at least one heel insert is positioned within the perimeter of the heel section. 
     
     
         22 . The golf shoe of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one forefoot insert comprises a first forefoot insert and a second forefoot insert spaced from one another on opposite sides of a phalangeal medial-lateral plane of the golf shoe.