| abstract |
An article of footwear, such as a shoe, includes an upper and a sole. The upper may be formed from an outer layer and a floating textile layer associated with one or more portions of the outer layer. In response to equal tension applied to each of the floating textile layer and the outer layer along the same orientation axis, the floating textile layer has an apparent elongation that is less than the apparent elongation of the outer layer. The difference in apparent elongation of the outer and floating textile layers can increase the durability and functionality of the upper. |