A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

An active footwear suspension system is disclosed. The footwear system provides dynamic suspension using at least one or more variable resistance beams. At least one or more VRB from an anchor plate positioned forward of and/or aft of an arch section of the footwear, thus providing selectable suspension to the wearer. The selected rotation of the VRBs from a first position to a second position provides customized suspension between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance per zone.

A football shoe or football boot including a sole, an upper, a fastener to fasten the shoe or boot in place, and a layer of material that in situ is disposed between the fastener and an underlying foot or hose. The layer of material includes a ball control region with an outer ball control surface contactable with a football during kicking. The ball control surface lies rearwardly of a foremost region of the layer of material.

A first footwear comprises a first strap and a first fastener. The first strap comprises a first connector affixing the first strap to a foot side of the first footwear; and a first fastener disposed to the first strap. The second fastener is affixed to the first footwear. The first footwear and a second footwear are configured such that: the first footwear and the second footwear can fold together with the first footwear on the outside; and the first strap is repositionable to connect the first fastener to the second fastener.

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components such as a lighting apparatus. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include a chamber designed to receive the lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus can be installed in the chamber after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the lighting apparatus can include provisions for facilitating the installation of the lighting apparatus in the chamber, including a removable handle portion that can help guide the lighting apparatus within the chamber.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A disclosed shoe may include a non-weight bearing portion of the shoe. The shoe may also include a packet which may include particles of microporous desiccant material enclosed in the non-weight bearing portion of the shoe. The microporous desiccant material may absorb moisture, water, and odor within the shoe.

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components such as a lighting apparatus. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include a chamber designed to receive the lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus can be installed in the chamber after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the lighting apparatus can include provisions for facilitating the installation of the lighting apparatus in the chamber, including a removable handle portion that can help guide the lighting apparatus within the chamber.

A system, recharge apparatus, and method includes transmit coils positioned in a pattern to allow at least one of the transmit coils to establish a wireless link with a receive coil positioned in proximity of the recharge apparatus. A power source is coupled to the transmit coils and configured to selectively energize ones of the transmit coils to transfer power to the receive coil. An energy efficiency detection circuit is configured to detect an electrical response of each one of the transmit coils when energized by the power source, the electrical response indicative of an energy efficiency between the one of the transmit coils and the receive coil. The power source selectively energizes ones of the transmit coils, selected according to a statistical analysis of an historical record and the electrical response indicative of the energy efficiency meeting a minimum efficiency criterion for energy transfer to the receive coil.

The no ties shoe insole system provides a removable shoe insole having a storage compartment and method for retaining shoelaces therein. The no ties shoe insole may comprise a top portion, bottom portion, lace holes, and a plurality of hook and loop type fasteners strategically placed nearest the lace holes and inside the main shoelace storage compartment. The no ties shoe insole may be opened from the top, thereby revealing a convenient compartment for storing the original shoelaces inside the heel portion of the insole. This allows an efficient way for allowing shoes to have the ability to slide on and off without the need for tying the shoelaces.