A shoe upper comprising a knitted fabric has tubular portions having axial directions parallel to a tongue of the shoe upper, being knitted tubularly, and having shoelace holes. The tubular portions are filled with a filler so that the knitted fabric of the tubular portions is reinforced. The knitted fabric around the shoelace holes may be easily reinforced.

An article of footwear with an upper having a knitted component in an instep region extending between lateral and medial sides. Outer lace apertures and inner lace apertures are disposed along the instep area on the lateral and medial sides, where inner lace apertures are located more inward towards a middle of the upper than outer lace apertures. A lace extends through an inner lace aperture from an exterior surface on the medial side of the upper, along an interior surface of the upper, and then exits the upper through an outer lace aperture on the medial side. After exiting the outer lace aperture on the medial side, the lace extends across the instep area along the exterior surface of the upper and extends through an inner lace aperture on the lateral side.

An article of footwear with an upper having a knitted component in an instep region extending between a lateral side and a medial side. First lace apertures and second lace apertures are disposed along the instep area on the medial and lateral sides at first and second locations. A lace extends through an first lace aperture of the plurality of first lace apertures, from an exterior surface on the medial side of the upper, along an interior surface of the upper, and then exits the upper through a second lace aperture of the plurality of second lace apertures on the medial side. After exiting the second lace aperture, the lace extends across the instep area along the exterior surface of the upper and extends through a third lace aperture of the plurality of first lace apertures on the lateral side.