articles of footwear may include self - adjusting studs that adjust to various types of conditions , environmental changes , and applied forces . the self - adjusting studs may have a first portion and a second portion of different levels of compressibilities and / or retractabilities that compress and extend based on the type of surface on which the wearer is walking or running this footwear with self - adjusting studs may easily transition between surfaces of varying hardness without causing damage to the surface , but also providing the wearer with the necessary amount of traction on each type of surface . wearers will enjoy the benefit of being able to move on various surfaces without the need to change their footwear multiple times to accommodate the wearer &# 39 ; s varying traction needs on different surfaces .