Adaptable cast elastomer outsole tooling

A method for co-molding articles of footwear comprising:

• providing a carrier mold a top surface with a sunken central portion and a non-sunken perimeter portion, and at least one perimeter sidewall contoured into a closed unit that defines a midsole geometry, wherein an internal surface of the at least one perimeter sidewall cooperates with the sunken central portion of the top surface to form a recess;
• providing a tray mold having a top surface with a substantially planar perimeter portion, and a perimeter edge of a size and shape to removably fit within the recess such that the perimeter edge contacts the internal surface of the at least one perimeter sidewall of the carrier mold, wherein the top surface includes one or more cavities each bounded by at least one cavity sidewall;
• applying a first material to at least one of the one or more cavities of the tray mold;
• positioning the tray mold within the recess of the carrier mold such that the perimeter edge of the tray mold contacts the internal surface of the at least one perimeter sidewall of the carrier mold;
• and
• applying a second material to the recess of the carrier mold while the tray mold is positioned therein.