Article including an outer layer with areas of varying hardnesses

A sole structure comprising:

• an outer layer including:
• a substantially continuous first region;
• a second region comprising a plurality of resilient members, the plurality of resilient members being substantially discontinuous and each having a hardness that is at least 15 Asker C hardness greater than the Asker C hardness value of the first region;
• the first region extending from an upper surface of the outer layer to a lower surface of the outer layer, the plurality of resilient members also extending from the upper surface of the outer layer to the lower surface of the outer layer;
• the first region having a first exposed outer surface, the plurality of resilient members having a second exposed outer surface, the first exposed outer surface being flush with the second exposed outer surface such that the first exposed outer surface and the second exposed outer surface collectively define a ground-contacting surface;
• and
• a plate including at least one cleat, a portion of the at least one cleat extending from the ground-contacting surface.

A method of manufacturing a sole structure comprising:

• forming an outer layer having a first region that is substantially continuous and a second region including a plurality of resilient members that are substantially discontinuous:
• wherein forming the outer layer includes providing the resilient members with a hardness that is at least 15 Asker C hardness greater than the Asker C hardness value of the first region;
• wherein forming the outer layer includes extending the first region from an upper surface of the outer layer to a lower surface of the outer layer and extending the plurality of resilient members from the upper surface of the outer layer to the lower surface of the outer layer;
• wherein forming the outer layer includes providing the first region with a first exposed outer surface and the plurality of resilient members with a second exposed outer surface;
• wherein forming the outer layer includes aligning the first exposed outer surface with the second exposed outer surface such that (i) the first exposed outer surface is flush with the second exposed outer surface and (ii) the first exposed outer surface and the second exposed outer surface collectively define a ground-contacting surface;
• and
• extending at least one cleat through the outer layer such that a portion of the at least one cleat extends from the ground-contacting surface.