Articles of footwear including a midsole having a winding wrapped around at least a portion of the midsole. A midsole may include a core and a winding wrapped around the core to form a plurality of loops. Each loop of the winding may include a portion extending across a top surface of the core and a portion extending across a bottom surface of the core. The loops of the winding may protrude from the top surface of the core and/or the bottom surface of the core. Methods of making a midsole having a winding are also discussed.

Nonslip shower footwear for preventing slippage in showers includes a first shoe that comprises a sole. The sole has a top layer and a bottom layer, which are mutually coupled along their respective perimeters to define an interior space that comprises a gel. A plurality of grips is coupled to and extends from the bottom layer. The grips are tackified to prevent slippage. A shell is coupled to the perimeter of the top layer. The shell and the sole define an internal space that is complimentary to the foot of the user. An entry is positioned in the shell proximate to a first end of the sole for insertion of the user's foot. A plurality of openings is positioned in the shell for water to flow into and drain from the internal space. The footwear includes a second shoe that is a mirror image of the first shoe.

A first flipper has a base, a deformable fin connected to the base, and a first spreader that imposes a first force on the fin that causes the fin to spread in response to relative movement between the first spreader and the fin caused by a first longitudinal deflection of the fin relative to the base. A second flipper has a fin and a foot coupling portion connectable to a foot holding portion of a boot to couple a foot in the foot holding portion to the flipper. A first system includes the flipper and the boot. Methods of using the flippers, the boot, and the system are also disclosed.

A first flipper has a base, a deformable fin connected to the base, and a first spreader that imposes a first force on the fin that causes the fin to spread in response to relative movement between the first spreader and the fin caused by a first longitudinal deflection of the fin relative to the base. A second flipper has a fin and a foot coupling portion connectable to a foot holding portion of a boot to couple a foot in the foot holding portion to the flipper. A first system includes the flipper and the boot. Methods of using the flippers, the boot, and the system are also disclosed.

An article of footwear has an upper with multiple components. The upper includes a fastening system, a shield, and a tongue. The shield and the tongue are each attached to the upper. The shield and the tongue may be readily moved to facilitate entry of a foot into the article of footwear, or exit of a foot from the article of footwear.

An article of footwear has an upper with multiple components. The upper includes a fastening system, a shield, and a tongue. The shield and the tongue are each attached to the upper. The shield and the tongue may be readily moved to facilitate entry of a foot into the article of footwear, or exit of a foot from the article of footwear.

Swim footwear having integral flippers and sound generators includes a first shoe comprising a sole that is pliable. A compartment is positioned in an interior space defined by the sole. An orifice, positioned in the sole, is fluidically connected to the compartment. A noisemaker is coupled to the sole within the orifice, such that air passing from the compartment through the noisemaker generates a sound. A shell that is coupled to the sole has an entry proximate to a back end of the sole. The shell and the sole define a cavity that is complimentary to the foot of the user. The entry is configured for insertion of the user's foot. A flipper extends from a front end of the sole. The flipper is in substantial parallelism with the sole. The footwear comprises a second shoe that mirrors the first shoe.

Swim footwear having integral flippers and sound generators includes a first shoe comprising a sole that is pliable. A compartment is positioned in an interior space defined by the sole. An orifice, positioned in the sole, is fluidically connected to the compartment. A noisemaker is coupled to the sole within the orifice, such that air passing from the compartment through the noisemaker generates a sound. A shell that is coupled to the sole has an entry proximate to a back end of the sole. The shell and the sole define a cavity that is complimentary to the foot of the user. The entry is configured for insertion of the user's foot. A flipper extends from a front end of the sole. The flipper is in substantial parallelism with the sole. The footwear comprises a second shoe that mirrors the first shoe.

A blank of flexible sheet material used to form and article of footwear upper and an article of footwear having a sole attached to the upper. According to one embodiment the blank of flexible sheet material includes a main bottom portion having a front toe area, a rear heel area and opposed sides, said main bottom portion being in the general shape of a foot sole. A front strap portion having an elongated shape extends outward from one of the opposed sides of the main bottom portion near the front toe area and having a free end, and a pair of heel-strap flaps extend outward from opposite sides of the main bottom portion near the rear heel area and configured to form an enclosed heel portion and a rear strap of the shoe upper. According to another embodiment the front strap is formed separately from the main bottom portion and pair of heel-strap flaps.

The present invention involves footwear that utilizes tread members having generally rectangular arrays of lugs and protuberances on the lugs. Grooves separate the lugs and provide flow paths from the interior area of a tread member to the exterior. Sipes are positioned between the protuberances and form flow paths from the interior area of the lugs to the grooves. The tread members are positioned at least at the forefoot portion and heel portion of the outsole.