A sole structure for an article of footwear, comprising: a reinforcing plate; the reinforcing plate including a first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221), the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) having a first end portion connected to a central portion of the reinforcing plate and a second end portion extending to an outer peripheral portion of the reinforcing plate; a cleat member associated with the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221); wherein the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) corresponds to a big toe of a foot and wherein the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) is capable of bending with the big toe, wherein the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) is formed from a first flex groove (131; 1431) that is oriented in an approximately longitudinal direction and a second flex groove (132; 1432) that is oriented in an approximately radial direction from the central portion of the reinforcing plate towards a medial side, the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) being narrower at its first end portion and widening towards its second end portion, a first end of the first flex groove (131; 1431) is disposed adjacent to the first end portion of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) and a second end of the second flex groove (132; 1432) is disposed adjacent to the first end portion of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221); a bending region of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) being provided where the first end portion of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) is adjacent to the central portion, and extending between the first end of the first flex groove (131; 1431) and the second end of the second flex groove (132; 1432), the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) being configured to bend with respect to the reinforcing plate at the bending region; and a normal bending axis extending perpendicularly from the bending region through the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221); wherein the cleat member is spaced apart from the normal bending axis. a reinforcing plate; the reinforcing plate including a first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221), the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) having a first end portion connected to a central portion of the reinforcing plate and a second end portion extending to an outer peripheral portion of the reinforcing plate; a cleat member associated with the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221); wherein the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) corresponds to a big toe of a foot and wherein the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) is capable of bending with the big toe, wherein the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) is formed from a first flex groove (131; 1431) that is oriented in an approximately longitudinal direction and a second flex groove (132; 1432) that is oriented in an approximately radial direction from the central portion of the reinforcing plate towards a medial side, the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) being narrower at its first end portion and widening towards its second end portion, a first end of the first flex groove (131; 1431) is disposed adjacent to the first end portion of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) and a second end of the second flex groove (132; 1432) is disposed adjacent to the first end portion of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221); a bending region of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) being provided where the first end portion of the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) is adjacent to the central portion, and extending between the first end of the first flex groove (131; 1431) and the second end of the second flex groove (132; 1432), the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221) being configured to bend with respect to the reinforcing plate at the bending region; and a normal bending axis extending perpendicularly from the bending region through the first flange portion (141; 1121; 1221);