Footwear includes an exterior upper component having a lace-engaging region with medial and lateral side edges. A medial lace engaging slot is defined through the exterior upper component at the medial side edge, and a lateral lace engaging slot is defined through the exterior upper component at the lateral side edge. A medial side foot wrapping band is fixed to a plantar support component and extends inside the exterior upper component toward the medial side edge of the lace-engaging region, and a lateral side foot wrapping band is fixed to the plantar support component and extends inside the exterior upper component toward the lateral side edge of the lace-engaging region. Each of the medial and lateral side foot wrapping bands includes a lace engaging element. A lace engages the medial lace engaging slot, the medial lace engaging element, the lateral lace engaging slot, and the lateral lace engaging element.

Footwear includes an exterior upper component having a lace-engaging region with medial and lateral side edges. A medial lace engaging slot is defined through the exterior upper component at the medial side edge, and a lateral lace engaging slot is defined through the exterior upper component at the lateral side edge. A medial side foot wrapping band is fixed to a plantar support component and extends inside the exterior upper component toward the medial side edge of the lace-engaging region, and a lateral side foot wrapping band is fixed to the plantar support component and extends inside the exterior upper component toward the lateral side edge of the lace-engaging region. Each of the medial and lateral side foot wrapping bands includes a lace engaging element. A lace engages the medial lace engaging slot, the medial lace engaging element, the lateral lace engaging slot, and the lateral lace engaging element.

An outsole for an athletic shoe that includes a heel section and a forefoot section. The heel and forefoot sections are on the outer surface of the outsole. The forefoot section includes a tread pattern that provides first and second ground friction forces. The first ground friction force promotes rotation in a first rotational direction about a rotation point of the forefoot section. The second ground friction force restricts rotation in a second rotational direction about the rotation point. The second rotational direction is opposite of the first rotational direction and the second ground friction force is greater than the first ground friction force.

A method for forming an article of footwear includes forming a knitted component. The knitted component may include a first knitted portion and a second knitted portion, where the first knitted portion at least partially forms at least one of a medial side, a lateral side, and a toe area of the upper, and where the second knitted portion forms a tongue area of the upper. The second knitted portion may include a first end and a second end where one of the first end is secured to the first knitted portion via a common knit structure.

An article of footwear may have a first upper component and a second upper component. A first strap section extends between the first upper component and the second upper component and across an instep-containing portion of the first upper component. A second strap section extends between the first upper component and the second upper component and across the instep-containing portion of the first upper component. A sole structure is engaged with at least one of the first upper component or the second upper component. A lock is engaged with at least one of the first upper component, the second upper component, the first strap section, the second strap section, or the sole structure, The lock releasably holds at least one of the first strap section or the second strap section in a tightened condition.

An article of footwear may have a first upper component and a second upper component. A first strap section extends between the first upper component and the second upper component and across an instep-containing portion of the first upper component. A second strap section extends between the first upper component and the second upper component and across the instep-containing portion of the first upper component. A sole structure is engaged with at least one of the first upper component or the second upper component. A lock is engaged with at least one of the first upper component, the second upper component, the first strap section, the second strap section, or the sole structure, The lock releasably holds at least one of the first strap section or the second strap section in a tightened condition.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for efficiently and rapidly cleaning the bottom of a shoe. The system includes a base having a plurality of alternating, complementary shaped cleansing portions separated by grooves. The configuration of the cleansing portions provides for a sturdy and efficient device for cleaning the bottom of a shoe.

An insole having a magnetic propulsion insert, provided with magnets or magnetic charges inside thereof, which provides a magnetic distracting effect in the midfoot and the hindfoot of a user. The insole formed by two sheets is merged in the fore third, known as the forefoot zone leaving the sheets in the midfoot zone and the hindfoot zone separated. The magnetic propulsion insert is a structure formed by a sheet which bends in its midpoint to create two separate surface and with identical magnetic charges. These generate a propulsion effect by the force or impulse produced by the magnetic charges. In the rear thirds of the insole, the top sheet has charges in its bottom surface, and in these two thirds the bottom sheet has the same charges as the top surface. This is to generate the propelling effect in the foot heel of a user.

An article of footwear may include an insert configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The insert may consist essentially of a casing configured to at least partially enclose a foot of a wearer and including a casing material and a high heat capacity material. The article of footwear may also include an outer assembly configured to receive the foot of the wearer when the foot is received within the insert.

An article of footwear may include an insert configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The insert may consist essentially of a casing configured to at least partially enclose a foot of a wearer and including a casing material and a high heat capacity material. The article of footwear may also include an outer assembly configured to receive the foot of the wearer when the foot is received within the insert.