Skate

1. A skate boot comprising:

a skate boot having a shell, the shell having:

a first non-lasted three-dimensional sub-shell, the first sub-shell including a first material having a first density, the first sub-shell having a shape defining a first heel portion, a first ankle portion extending from the first heel portion, a first lateral portion, a first medial portion, and a first sole portion connected to the first lateral, medial and heel portions;

a second molded three-dimensional sub-shell, the second sub-shell being interior to the first sub-shell, the second sub-shell being bonded to the first sub-shell either fastenerlessly or through a chemical fastener, the second sub-shell including a second material having a second density less than the first density, the second sub-shell having a monolithic shape defining a second heel portion, a second ankle portion extending from the second heel portion, a second lateral portion, a second medial portion, and a second sole portion integrally connected with the second lateral, medial and heel portions; and

a ground-engaging assembly disposed on an underside of the skate boot.

2. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the second sub-shell is directly connected to an inner surface of the first sub-shell.

3. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first material has a first stiffness and the second material has a second stiffness, the second stiffness being less than the first stiffness.

4. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second material is a EPP foam.

5. A skate as a recited in claim 1 , wherein the second material is a foam.

6. A skate as recited in claim 5 , wherein the first sub-shell and the second sub-shell are joined to one another via at least one of a chemical fastener and a mechanical fastener.

7. A skate as recited in claim 5 , wherein the first sub-shell and the second sub-shell are bonded to one another with adhesive.

8. A skate as recited in claim 5 , wherein the first sub-shell has a contoured inner surface and the second sub-shell has a contoured outer surface complimentary with the inner surface of the first sub-shell.

9. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first sub-shell is ornamented.

10. A skate as recited in claim 5 , wherein the first sub-shell has an inner surface and the second sub-shell has an outer surface, the inner surface covering an entirety of the outer surface.

11. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second sub-shell is of variable thickness.

12. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sub-shell and the second sub-shell is of a shape in at least one portion of the shell to provide reinforcement in that portion.

13. A skate as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a third sub-shell interior to and adjoining the first sub-shell.

14. A skate as recited in claim 5 , wherein the first material is a plastic or a composite material.

15. A skate as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first material is a plastic and the second material is a thermoplastic foam.

16. A skate as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

a toe cap connected to the shell for protecting toes of a wearer of the skate;

a tongue connected to the toe cap;

a facing connected to the lateral and medial portions of the shell;

a liner disposed within the shell.

17. A skate as recited in claim 16 , wherein the skate boot is an ice skate and the ground-engaging assembly includes a blade adapted for skating on ice.

18. A skate as recited in claim 16 , wherein the facing is more flexible than the skate shell.

19. A method of manufacturing a non-lasted skate boot shell, the method comprising:

(i) forming a first three-dimensional sub-shell without using a last including forming a first heel portion, a first ankle portion extending from the first heel portion, a first lateral portion, a first medial portion, and a first sole portion connected to the first lateral, medial and heel portions, the first sub-shell having an inner surface;

(ii) molding a second three-dimensional sub-shell, separately from the first sub-shell, including forming a second heel portion, a second ankle portion extending from the second heel portion, a second lateral portion, a second medial portion, and a second sole portion integrally connected with the second lateral, medial and heel portions, the second sub-shell having an outer surface registerable with the inner surface of the first sub-shell;

(iii) placing the second sub-shell within an interior of the first sub-shell such that the outer surface of the second sub-shell registers with the inner surface of the first sub-shell; and

(iv) securing the second sub-shell to the first sub-shell either fastenerlessly or through a chemical fastener.

20. A method of manufacturing a non-lasted skate boot shell as recited in claim 19 , wherein the first sub-shell is formed of a first material having a first density and the second sub-shell is formed of a second material having a second density, the second density being less than the first density.

21. A method of manufacturing a non-lasted skate boot shell as recited in claim 20 , wherein the second material is a foam.

22. A skate having a skate boot with non-lasted skate boot shell manufactured according to the method of claim 21 .

23. A method of manufacturing a non-lasted skate boot shell as recited in claim 19 , wherein the second sub-shell is injection molded.

24. A method of manufacturing a non-lasted skate boot shell as recited in claim 19 , wherein the second sub-shell is directly secured to the first sub-shell.

25. A method of manufacturing a non-lasted skate boot shell as recited in claim 19 , wherein the second material is EPP foam.

26. A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the first material is a plastic or a composite material.

27. A method as recited in claim 19 , further comprising:

placing a third sub-shell within an interior of the second sub-shell such that an outer surface of the third sub-shell registers with an inner surface of the second sub-shell; and

securing the third sub-shell to the second sub-shell.