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.

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.

A shoe lace replacement overlay system, including a shoe, wherein the shoe includes a shoe base, a shoe lace region, a notch area such that the notch area includes an elastic member, and first shoe replacement overlay attachments; and a shoe lace replacement overlay having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlay base having a first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet strips, a plurality of eyelets, an elastic member located substantially between the plurality of eyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes second shoe replacement overlay attachments such that the first shoe replacement overlay attachments and the second shoe replacement overlay attachments interact with each other in order to retain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe lace region.

A shoe lace replacement overlay system, including a shoe, wherein the shoe includes a shoe base, a shoe lace region, a notch area such that the notch area includes an elastic member, and first shoe replacement overlay attachments; and a shoe lace replacement overlay having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the top side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes a shoe lace replacement overlay base having a first edge and a second edge, a plurality of eyelet strips, a plurality of eyelets, an elastic member located substantially between the plurality of eyelet strips, and wherein the bottom side of the shoe lace replacement overlay includes second shoe replacement overlay attachments such that the first shoe replacement overlay attachments and the second shoe replacement overlay attachments interact with each other in order to retain the shoe lace replacement overlay on the shoe lace region.

A foldable shoe includes a first sole section to be located under the ball of a wearer's foot including a first outsole portion and a first toothed. The foldable shoe further includes a second sole section that is separate from the first sole section and is to be located under the heel of a wearer's foot, the second sole section including a second outsole portion and a second footbed. An upper section extends from the first sole section, and a hinge is connected to the first sole section and the second sole section and is configured to fold the foldable shoe from a first position, to be worn, to a second position, for storage.

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

A foldable footwear is disclosed, including a first insole, a second insole, and a third insole. At least one strap, toe box, or upper vamp affixed to the second insole. A sole defines a first channel and a second channel to define a first sole hingedly attached to a second sole. A third sole is hingedly attached to the second sole, wherein the first insole is disposed one the first sole, the second insole is disposed on the second sole, and the third insole is disposed on the third sol. The foldable footwear is constructed and arranged to fold along the first channel and the second channel. Alternatively, the foldable footwear may fold in half via a mid-channel positioned between the first sole and the second sole.

A foldable footwear is disclosed, including a first insole, a second insole, and a third insole. At least one strap, toe box, or upper vamp affixed to the second insole. A sole defines a first channel and a second channel to define a first sole hingedly attached to a second sole. A third sole is hingedly attached to the second sole, wherein the first insole is disposed one the first sole, the second insole is disposed on the second sole, and the third insole is disposed on the third sol. The foldable footwear is constructed and arranged to fold along the first channel and the second channel. Alternatively, the foldable footwear may fold in half via a mid-channel positioned between the first sole and the second sole.

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.