A restraining device configured to inhibit the removal of an article of footwear to which the restraining device is attached is provided. The restraining device will prevent footwear from being removed regardless of the type of fastening means used to secure the footwear to the foot of a wearer and whether the fastening means are fastened. In some embodiments, the restraining device is configured to be permanently attached to an article of footwear. In other embodiments, the restraining device is configured to be removably attached to an article of footwear. In some embodiments, the restraining device generally includes a ring-shaped member, a tightening means, and a locking mechanism. In other embodiments, the restraining device generally includes a restraining strap and a unique locking mechanism.

An expandable shoe (01) capable to grow with a wearer/user's feet comprising: an upper (18) together with an expanding sole (16) which are capable of automatically adjusting and adapting comfortably to a wearer's feet resulting in increased comfort, usability and postponed obsolescence; wherein the sole (16) having a plurality of flaps (14) growing upwards from the bottom surface of the sole (16) around the sole's (16) circumference; wherein the shoe (01) provided with adjustment mechanisms including plurality of cuts being positioned at different locations in the sole (16) having some and/or equal and/or more distance between the flaps (14) and wherein said cuts effectively vary length and width of the shoe (01) and vary interior size of the shoe (01) to provide a comfortable fit to a wearer/user.

An expandable shoe (01) capable to grow with a wearer/user's feet comprising: an upper (18) together with an expanding sole (16) which are capable of automatically adjusting and adapting comfortably to a wearer's feet resulting in increased comfort, usability and postponed obsolescence; wherein the sole (16) having a plurality of flaps (14) growing upwards from the bottom surface of the sole (16) around the sole's (16) circumference; wherein the shoe (01) provided with adjustment mechanisms including plurality of cuts being positioned at different locations in the sole (16) having some and/or equal and/or more distance between the flaps (14) and wherein said cuts effectively vary length and width of the shoe (01) and vary interior size of the shoe (01) to provide a comfortable fit to a wearer/user.

A customizable footwear system including a footwear having a smooth, water-impermeable washable material covering a major surface area of an upper region of the footwear, and a smooth, water-impermeable outer sole extending along a lower region of the footwear and abutted against the washable material, and a plurality of orifices passing through the outer sole in such a manner that fluid and debris is channeled downwardly from the washable material, through the outer sole and out from a bottom-most surface of the outer sole.

A customizable footwear system including a footwear having a smooth, water-impermeable washable material covering a major surface area of an upper region of the footwear, and a smooth, water-impermeable outer sole extending along a lower region of the footwear and abutted against the washable material, and a plurality of orifices passing through the outer sole in such a manner that fluid and debris is channeled downwardly from the washable material, through the outer sole and out from a bottom-most surface of the outer sole.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

In some embodiments, a footwear ensemble includes (i) a pair of socks, (ii) a pair of press-snap fasteners, (iii) a pair of shoes, and (iv) a pair of tethers. The pair of socks may include a first sock and a second sock, each of which may have a toe compartment and a leg opening opposite the toe compartment. The pair of press-snap fasteners may include a first press-snap connector and a second press-snap connector, each of which may be interchangeable and include a cap/socket portion and a stud/eyelet portion. The pair of tethers may include a first tether and a second tether, each of which may have an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may include a shoe-retaining mechanism that is configured to releasably secure a shoe in the pair of shoes.

In some embodiments, a footwear ensemble includes (i) a pair of socks, (ii) a pair of press-snap fasteners, (iii) a pair of shoes, and (iv) a pair of tethers. The pair of socks may include a first sock and a second sock, each of which may have a toe compartment and a leg opening opposite the toe compartment. The pair of press-snap fasteners may include a first press-snap connector and a second press-snap connector, each of which may be interchangeable and include a cap/socket portion and a stud/eyelet portion. The pair of tethers may include a first tether and a second tether, each of which may have an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may include a shoe-retaining mechanism that is configured to releasably secure a shoe in the pair of shoes.

In some embodiments, a footwear ensemble includes (i) a pair of socks, (ii) a pair of press-snap fasteners, (iii) a pair of shoes, and (iv) a pair of tethers. The pair of socks may include a first sock and a second sock, each of which may have a toe compartment and a leg opening opposite the toe compartment. The pair of press-snap fasteners may include a first press-snap connector and a second press-snap connector, each of which may be interchangeable and include a cap/socket portion and a stud/eyelet portion. The pair of tethers may include a first tether and a second tether, each of which may have an anchor end and a retention end. The retention end may include a shoe-retaining mechanism that is configured to releasably secure a shoe in the pair of shoes.