Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component

An article of footwear having an upper, wherein the upper includes a medial side, a lateral side, and a forefoot region, the upper comprising:

• a knitted component having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• wherein the knitted component has a thickness measured between the inner surface and the outer surface;
• wherein the knitted component includes a plurality of tubular structures that define a plurality of protruding areas of the knitted component;
• wherein the protruding areas extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer;
• wherein the protruding areas define at least one second area of the knitted component;
• wherein the thickness at the second area is less than the thickness at the protruding areas;
• wherein the second area has a length measured across the outer surface between adjacent ones of the protruding areas;
• wherein the second area has a width measured across the outer surface between adjacent ones of the protruding areas;
• wherein the length is greater than the width;
• wherein the plurality of tubular structures includes a first tubular structure with an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure;
• and
• wherein the first tubular structure of the knitted component extends continuously around a perimeter of the inlaid strand.