Article of footwear with enhanced durability features

An article of footwear, comprising:

• a sole structure;
• and
• a knitted upper secured to the sole structure, the knitted upper comprising:
• a first knit zone comprising:
• a first knit layer located on an outer-facing surface of the knitted upper,
• a second knit layer located on an inner-facing surface of the knitted upper, and
• a third layer of thermoplastic material substantially contained between the first knit layer and the second knit layer;
• and
• a second knit zone comprising:
• the first knit layer, the first knit layer comprising a first plurality of openings,
• the second knit layer, and
• a first plurality of inlaid yarns at least partially positioned between the first knit layer and the second knit layer, at least a portion of the first plurality of inlaid yarns being visible by way of the first plurality of openings in the first knit layer.

A method of manufacturing a knitted upper, the method comprising:

• forming at least a first knit zone and a second knit zone by knitting a first knit layer and a second knit layer on a knitting machine and inlaying one or more inlaid yarns within the first knit zone and the second knit zone, the one or more inlaid yarns inlaid between the first knit layer and the second knit layer, the one or more inlaid yarns comprising a thermoplastic material having a melting point;
• at the first knit zone of the knitted upper, applying one or more of heat and pressure such that the thermoplastic material of the one or more inlaid yarns rises to a temperature at or above the melting point of the thermoplastic material, wherein the one or more of heat and pressure are not applied to the second knit zone of the knitted upper;
• and
• cooling the knitted upper such that a third thermoformed layer is formed in the first knit zone, the third thermoformed layer substantially contained between the first knit layer and the second knit layer.