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 separable footwear article may comprise an outsole oriented at the bottom of the footwear and configured for ground contact, the outsole comprising a first material; an upper portion releasably coupled to the outsole with thread using chain stitching, the upper portion comprising a second material different from the first material; and an insole removeably disposed adjacent the upper portion and the outsole, the insole comprising a third material different from the first material and the second material; wherein the outsole, the upper portion, and insole are capable of being separated by releasing the thread and hand pulling the thread from the footwear article.

An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion includes composite material including a photonic lattice. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.

An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion includes composite material including a photonic lattice. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.

A shoe including an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe includes a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is affixed to the upper forming a bottom to the interior portion. An insole is affixed to the bottom. An outsole patch includes a toe portion disposed on the toe end of the midsole and a heel portion disposed on the heel end of the midsole. The outsole patch includes an exterior contour providing clearance between the midsole and ground when worn. A region between the heel and toe portions of the outsole patch extends from the inner to outer sides occupying a position intermediate the toe and heel ends of the midsole, permitting the shoe to fold about the region. The insole is not stitched to the upper or midsole.

A shoe including an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe includes a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is affixed to the upper forming a bottom to the interior portion. An insole is affixed to the bottom. An outsole patch includes a toe portion disposed on the toe end of the midsole and a heel portion disposed on the heel end of the midsole. The outsole patch includes an exterior contour providing clearance between the midsole and ground when worn. A region between the heel and toe portions of the outsole patch extends from the inner to outer sides occupying a position intermediate the toe and heel ends of the midsole, permitting the shoe to fold about the region. The insole is not stitched to the upper or midsole.

a foldable shoe, comprising: a sole extending between a toe end and heel end, the sole comprising a toeroom region proximate the toe end and a heel region proximate the heel end and a midfoot region defined between the toeroom region and heel region, the toeroom region comprising a strap spanning the width of the shoe in a toe-lever region of the toeroom region, the heel region comprising at least one strap retainment recess, configured to alternately: receive the strap and retain the strap against slipping off of the sole and mitigate stress concentrations against breakage under the tensile strength of the strap and bending strength of the sole, when the shoe is folded; and define the compression strength of the sole in the heel region, such that the shoe is configured to alternately: receive a foot of a user with a ball of the user's foot retained in the midfoot region with a stretchable upper portion of the shoe that is independent of the strap; and fold into a retainment orientation, with the heel region retained in a parallel offset orientation to the toeroom region with the strap, with the upper portion contained between the toeroom region of the sole and the heel region of the sole, with the strap traversing under the sole in the heel region and retained in the strap retainment recess.

a foldable shoe, comprising: a sole extending between a toe end and heel end, the sole comprising a toeroom region proximate the toe end and a heel region proximate the heel end and a midfoot region defined between the toeroom region and heel region, the toeroom region comprising a strap spanning the width of the shoe in a toe-lever region of the toeroom region, the heel region comprising at least one strap retainment recess, configured to alternately: receive the strap and retain the strap against slipping off of the sole and mitigate stress concentrations against breakage under the tensile strength of the strap and bending strength of the sole, when the shoe is folded; and define the compression strength of the sole in the heel region, such that the shoe is configured to alternately: receive a foot of a user with a ball of the user's foot retained in the midfoot region with a stretchable upper portion of the shoe that is independent of the strap; and fold into a retainment orientation, with the heel region retained in a parallel offset orientation to the toeroom region with the strap, with the upper portion contained between the toeroom region of the sole and the heel region of the sole, with the strap traversing under the sole in the heel region and retained in the strap retainment recess.

An apparatus for carrying foldable footwear that comprises a drawstring pouch having a side pocket that reversibly adjusts between undrawn and drawn states. When undrawn, the pouch is characterized by an opening at the top of the pouch that is dimensioned and configured for receiving a pair of foldable shoes in an interior of the pouch. When drawn, the pouch is characterized by a drawstring arranged on the upper portion sealing off the opening, thereby concealing the interior of the pouch. The apparatus further comprises a collapsible tote bag removably inserted in the side pocket, where the tote bag is configured to reversibly convert between unfolded and folded states. When unfolded, the tote bag is characterized by an interior portion that receives a pair of unfolded shoes, where the interior portion further includes a storage pocket. When folded, the tote bag is completely contained within the second pocket.