An outsole construction having an integral display layer. The outsole
includes a main body and a plurality of lugs extending from the main body
to define a plurality of ground engaging elements. The display layer is
disposed at the surface of the main body such that it is visible in the
main body of the outsole and is spaced away from the surface of the lugs
such that it is not visible on the surface of the lugs. The display layer
may include a printed pattern, such as a camouflage pattern. The present
invention also provides a method for manufacturing an outsole including
the general steps of(a) providing a mold defining a main body and a
plurality of lugs extending from the main body,(b) placing a permeable
display layer in the mold and(c) injecting sole material into the mold.
In this method, the permeability of the display layer and/or the
viscosity of the sole material may be selected so that the display layer
lies along the surface of the main body of the sole but not the surface
of the lugs.