Three-dimensional thermo-molding of footwear

A method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear, the method comprising:

• disposing an inflatable bladder around a last;
• disposing a skin over the inflatable bladder, the skin comprising:
• a base layer comprising a mechanically isotropic material layer comprising a mechanical material property that is the same in all directions, and comprising a low melting point thermoplastic polymer having a melting point of 200 degrees C. or less, and
• a grid layer comprising yarn comprising a low melting point thermoplastic polymer having a melting point of 200 degrees C. or less, the yarn defining a porous structure comprising open pores, and wherein the grid layer is disposed over the base layer;
• placing the assembled last, inflatable bladder, and skin within a cavity of a mold;
• heating the mold to a predetermined temperature;
• and
• inflating the inflatable bladder such that the skin is pressed outward from the last and against an interior surface of the heated mold cavity to cause the skin to take on the shape of the interior surface of the mold cavity onto which it is pressed, thereby forming an upper for an article of footwear.