An improved method for fastening shoes with shoelaces having a first end and an opposing second end includes a spanning member having a hole to accommodate the first end, and a slot preferably sized for an interference fit with the second end. The first end is passed through the hole and knotted, preventing it from passing back through the hole. The second end is pulled to tighten the shoelace, knotted and anchored in the slot, maintaining the taut shoelace securely in place. With multiple holes and multiple slots, the tautness of a shoelace can be adjusted. The spanning member remains in place on a shoe when not in use, held by the knot in the first end. For convenience, a user may tie another knot in the second end, with a loop sized to receive a finger, for easily grasping the second end and sliding it into a slot.

A modular footwear having individual versatility is provided comprising an insole for primary support and a sole provided thereon. The footwear further comprises a heel provided on the insole having a heel counter provided on an upper periphery of the heel and wherein the insole defines a channel for receiving an attachment means to securely attach the footwear to the individual.

A modular footwear having individual versatility is provided comprising an insole for primary support and a sole provided thereon. The footwear further comprises a heel provided on the insole having a heel counter provided on an upper periphery of the heel and wherein the insole defines a channel for receiving an attachment means to securely attach the footwear to the individual.

A shoe fastening system designed to engage the eyelet holes of a shoe, comprising, an anchor, wherein the anchor has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has means to detachably engage with an eyelet of a shoe and the second end has a connection means, an attachment member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to securely fit within the connection means of the anchor and the second has a closed loop, a strap, wherein the strap is sized to fit through the closed loop of the attachment member and is a predetermined length and width, and a locking mechanism fitted to receive the strap and engage the strap to keep the strap at a specific length.

A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.

A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasably connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.

A retention system for footwear can include opposed closure elements and a tensioner configured to urge the opposed closure elements toward each other in response to a tensile force applied to the tensioner. Opposed first and second anchors can be spaced from the tensioner. A retainer can have opposed first and second retainer couplers. The first retainer coupler can operatively engage the first anchor and the second retainer coupler can operatively engage the second anchor such that a tensile load applied to one or both of the first and second retainer couplers urges the retainer toward one or both of the first and second anchors. Each of the retainer couplers can be operatively engaged with the tensioner such that a tensile load applied to the tensioner urges the first retainer coupler and the second retainer coupler into tension and thereby urges the retainer toward one or both of the anchors.

A retention system for footwear can include opposed closure elements and a tensioner configured to urge the opposed closure elements toward each other in response to a tensile force applied to the tensioner. Opposed first and second anchors can be spaced from the tensioner. A retainer can have opposed first and second retainer couplers. The first retainer coupler can operatively engage the first anchor and the second retainer coupler can operatively engage the second anchor such that a tensile load applied to one or both of the first and second retainer couplers urges the retainer toward one or both of the first and second anchors. Each of the retainer couplers can be operatively engaged with the tensioner such that a tensile load applied to the tensioner urges the first retainer coupler and the second retainer coupler into tension and thereby urges the retainer toward one or both of the anchors.

A lacing system for footwear (1) is disclosed, comprising one or more shoelaces (2, 3; 16). Each edge of the upper (12) carries two gripping points, one (7(2), 7(3); 17) fastened to said edge of the upper and apt to obtain the opening of the shoe (1) and one (6(2), 6(3)) fastened to the opposite edge of said upper (12) and apt to obtain the closing of the footwear (1).

A lacing system for footwear (1) is disclosed, comprising one or more shoelaces (2, 3; 16). Each edge of the upper (12) carries two gripping points, one (7(2), 7(3); 17) fastened to said edge of the upper and apt to obtain the opening of the shoe (1) and one (6(2), 6(3)) fastened to the opposite edge of said upper (12) and apt to obtain the closing of the footwear (1).