Soles for sports shoes

A sole for a shoe comprising:

• a first component, a second component, and a third component, wherein the third component is separately formed from the first component and the second component;
• wherein the third component is combined with the first component and the second component to form at least a portion of the sole;
• wherein the first component comprises at least a first partial region of the sole, the second component comprises at least a second partial region of the sole, and the third component comprises at least a third partial region of the sole;
• wherein the first partial region comprises first expanded thermoplastic polyurethane in the form of first expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles, wherein adjacent first expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles are directly bonded to one another at their surfaces to form a granular but closed plastic foam structure, wherein the closed plastic foam structure of the first partial region of the sole is free of gaps passing therethrough;
• and
• wherein the second partial region comprises second expanded thermoplastic polyurethane in the form of second expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles, wherein adjacent second expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles are directly bonded to one another at their surfaces to form a granular but closed plastic foam structure, wherein the closed plastic foam structure of the second partial region of the sole is free of gaps passing therethrough;
• wherein the first and second partial regions comprise greater cushioning properties than the third partial region;
• wherein the third partial region is free from expanded thermoplastic polyurethane and is arranged along at least a portion of an outer rim of the sole;
• wherein the third partial region is stiffer than the first and second partial regions such that, under shear, the third partial region increases stability of the first and second partial regions;
• and
• wherein the first expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles are manufactured from at least one of a different steaming process or a different base material from the second expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles.

A sole for a shoe comprising:

• a first component and a second, separately formed, component, wherein the first component and the second component are combined to form at least a portion of the sole;
• wherein the first component comprises at least a first surface region of the sole, and the second component comprises at least a second surface region of the sole;
• wherein the first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles, each expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particle having an outer surface enclosing an internal foam structure, and wherein the first surface region comprises a closed plastic foam structure having adjacent expanded thermoplastic polyurethane particles directly bonded to one another at their surfaces, wherein the closed plastic foam structure of the first surface region of the sole is free of gaps passing therethrough;
• wherein the first surface region comprises greater cushioning properties than the second surface region;
• wherein the second surface region is free from expanded thermoplastic polyurethane and is arranged along at least a portion of an outer rim of the sole;
• and
• wherein the second surface region is stiffer than the first surface region such that, under shear, the second surface region increases stability of the first surface region.