A shoe-opening spring includes a base with a medial edge and a lateral edge, a medial spring protruding upwardly from the medial edge of the base, and a lateral edge protruding upwardly from the lateral edge of the base. When the shoe-opening spring is present within a shoe and in a relaxed arrangement, the medial spring and the lateral spring may respectively exert medially and laterally outward forces against respective medial and lateral sides of the shoe. When the medial and lateral sides of the upper of the shoe are pulled together, for example, with a closure of the shoe, the shoe-opening spring may be placed in a tensed arrangement, in which state the shoe-opening spring may remain until the closure is released.

A shoe degradation sensor assembly includes a first sensor disposed in or proximate to a material layer of a shoe between a foot space and an outer surface of the shoe, and an electrical contact assembly operable to removably electrically connect the shoe degradation sensor assembly to a reader. The material layer changes in at least one physical property with degradation to the shoe, and the first sensor is configured to indicate the changing physical property of the material layer thereby indicating a degree of degradation to the shoe.

A shoe degradation sensor assembly includes a first sensor disposed in or proximate to a material layer of a shoe between a foot space and an outer surface of the shoe, and an electrical contact assembly operable to removably electrically connect the shoe degradation sensor assembly to a reader. The material layer changes in at least one physical property with degradation to the shoe, and the first sensor is configured to indicate the changing physical property of the material layer thereby indicating a degree of degradation to the shoe.

A heel pad for placement within a shoe and a method of use. The heel pad includes a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. In use, the heel pad is positioned in a heel section of the shoe. A longitudinal end of the heel pad is folded along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe. The folded longitudinal end of the heel pad is affixed to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe.

A heel pad for placement within a shoe and a method of use. The heel pad includes a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. In use, the heel pad is positioned in a heel section of the shoe. A longitudinal end of the heel pad is folded along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe. The folded longitudinal end of the heel pad is affixed to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe.

A pair of waterproof and breathable sea fishing trousers having a titanium alloy heat insulation layer essentially includes: an outer layer, a breathable membrane layer, a titanium alloy heat insulation layer, and an inner layer. The titanium alloy heat insulation layer is made of titanium alloy, tin, or aluminum alloy rubber, disposed between the breathable membrane layer and the inner layer, and can reflect body heat of the user. The user's body heat is accumulated in the inner layer and is released again to the user's body to keep the user warm, thereby avoiding the fisherman's temperature loss. Besides, the pair of fishing trousers is breathable and waterproof, making the fisherman feel comfortable to wear.

A heel pad for placement within a shoe and a method of use. The heel pad includes a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. In use, the heel pad is positioned in a heel section of the shoe. A longitudinal end of the heel pad is folded along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe. The folded longitudinal end of the heel pad is affixed to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe.

A heel pad for placement within a shoe and a method of use. The heel pad includes a pliable body, a filler element contained within the pliable body, and a malleable member fastened within the pliable body and extending along at least part of a length of the pliable body. In use, the heel pad is positioned in a heel section of the shoe. A longitudinal end of the heel pad is folded along an upper edge of the heel section of the shoe. The folded longitudinal end of the heel pad is affixed to an outer surface of the heel section of the shoe.

A shoe degradation sensor assembly includes a first sensor disposed in or proximate to a material layer of a shoe between a foot space and an outer surface of the shoe, and an electrical contact assembly operable to removably electrically connect the shoe degradation sensor assembly to a reader. The material layer changes in at least one physical property with degradation to the shoe, and the first sensor is configured to indicate the changing physical property of the material layer thereby indicating a degree of degradation to the shoe.

A boot including an outsole, an upper attached to the outsole, where the upper has a vamp portion including a first layer, a second layer, and a layer of plates disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The layer of plates are arranged in one or more rows across the vamp portion. The shape of the layer of plates conforms to a shape of the upper. And in the layer of plates, a first individual row of the one or more rows stretches with respect to a second individual row of the one or more rows. The location of the layer of plates may correspond to a region of the foot within the boot including the metatarsus. The location of another layer of plates may correspond to a region of the leg within the boot including a portion of the tibia.