Several sole components and a method of manufacturing those sole
components are disclosed. In general, each sole component includes a
fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing element extending around a portion
of the bladder. The reinforcing element is bonded to the exterior of the
bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some configurations,
the reinforcing element is die-cut from a sheet of polymer material, and
the reinforcing element may exhibit a layered configuration. In
manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing element may be located
within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded
to the reinforcing element during the molding process.