An article of footwear comprising: an elastomeric outsole main body having a plurality of cavities defined therein; and a plurality of elastomeric traction element inserts and wherein, as to each of the inserts, the insert is attached to the outsole within one of the cavities and is softer than main body portions defining the cavity in which the insert is attached, and the insert includes a plurality of outwardly extending traction elements, the cavity within which the insert is attached to the outsole is surrounded by perimeter regions that are integral elements of the main body, two of the perimeter regions forming a channel, the traction elements of the insert are parallel to one another and substantially span the channel, at least a portion of the traction elements of the insert, when in an undeformed condition, extend outward beyond the main body portions defining the cavity in which the insert is attached, and in response to a shear force imposed by a playing surface as a result of activity by a human wearer of the article, the traction elements of the insert are deformable so as to be contained within a volume defined by the playing surface and portions of the main body defining the cavity in which the insert is attached. an elastomeric outsole main body having a plurality of cavities defined therein; and a plurality of elastomeric traction element inserts and wherein, as to each of the inserts, the insert is attached to the outsole within one of the cavities and is softer than main body portions defining the cavity in which the insert is attached, and the insert includes a plurality of outwardly extending traction elements, the cavity within which the insert is attached to the outsole is surrounded by perimeter regions that are integral elements of the main body, two of the perimeter regions forming a channel, the traction elements of the insert are parallel to one another and substantially span the channel, at least a portion of the traction elements of the insert, when in an undeformed condition, extend outward beyond the main body portions defining the cavity in which the insert is attached, and in response to a shear force imposed by a playing surface as a result of activity by a human wearer of the article, the traction elements of the insert are deformable so as to be contained within a volume defined by the playing surface and portions of the main body defining the cavity in which the insert is attached. the cavity within which the insert is attached to the outsole is surrounded by perimeter regions that are integral elements of the main body, two of the perimeter regions forming a channel, the traction elements of the insert are parallel to one another and substantially span the channel, at least a portion of the traction elements of the insert, when in an undeformed condition, extend outward beyond the main body portions defining the cavity in which the insert is attached, and in response to a shear force imposed by a playing surface as a result of activity by a human wearer of the article, the traction elements of the insert are deformable so as to be contained within a volume defined by the playing surface and portions of the main body defining the cavity in which the insert is attached.