Article Of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component With Body And Heel Portions

An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper including a knitted component, the knitted component including:

• a body portion forming a substantial majority of the upper, the body portion extending through a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and at least partially into a heel region of the article of footwear, the body portion being formed of unitary knit construction with a plurality of courses extending along a first knitting direction;
• and
• a heel portion forming a portion of the upper that extends above body portion, the heel portion extending through the heel region and including a cuff that defines a throat opening within the upper for receiving a foot, the heel portion being formed of unitary knit construction with a plurality of courses extending along a second knitting direction;
• wherein the body portion and the heel portion are joined along adjacent edges extending along each of a medial side and a lateral side of the upper to form the knitted component;
• and
• wherein the first knitting direction and the second knitting direction are disposed in different directions at the adjacent edges joining the body portion and the heel portion.

An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper including a knitted component formed of multiple knitted component portions, the knitted component including:

• a foot region forming a substantial majority of the upper, the foot region extending through a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear, the foot region including an instep area that extends between a medial side and a lateral side of the upper, wherein the foot region includes a body portion of the knitted component and at least a portion of a heel portion of the knitted component;
• an ankle region forming a portion of the upper that extends above the foot region, the ankle region including a cuff that defines a throat opening for providing access to a void within the upper for receiving a foot, wherein the heel portion of the knitted component comprises a substantial majority of the ankle region;
• wherein the heel portion of the knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction such that the cuff extends substantially continuously around the heel region of the upper between the medial side and the lateral side;
• and
• wherein the body portion and the heel portion are joined along adjacent edges to form the knitted component.