Provided herein are various embodiments for a boot for releasable engagement with a binding having a downwardly facing ledge and a toe strap. The boot preferably contains a sole, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The boot preferably also contains a heel retaining device extending rearwardly from the heel portion of the boot and having an upwardly facing engagement surface at the top of the device which engages with the downwardly facing ledge of the binding to prevent vertical movement of the boot relative to the binding while allowing forward horizontal movement of the boot relative to the binding.

In one example, a ski boot dynamic support strap includes a band configured to be connected to a ski boot, and a restraint element configured to be connected to the band. The restraint element includes a wall having an upper edge, and a lip that is connected to the upper edge of the wall and extends away from the wall. The lip and the wall collectively form an engagement portion that includes an undercut area, and the engagement portion is sized and configured to accommodate a portion of an upper edge of a tongue of a ski boot liner in the undercut area.

A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.

A binding for snowboard includes a base structure and a heel support pivotally mounted to the base structure for movement between an open position for allowing a user to insert or remove their boot from the binding and a closed position for securing the users boot in the binding. An adjustable foot strap is attached to the base structure and a tensioning system is attached to the heel support and the adjustable foot strap for applying a tensioning force to the adjustable strap when the heel support is moved to the closed position and for releasing the tensioning force from the adjustable foot strap when the seal support is moved to the open position.

A binding for snowboard includes a base structure and a heel support pivotally mounted to the base structure for movement between an open position for allowing a user to insert or remove their boot from the binding and a closed position for securing the users boot in the binding. An adjustable foot strap is attached to the base structure and a tensioning system is attached to the heel support and the adjustable foot strap for applying a tensioning force to the adjustable strap when the heel support is moved to the closed position and for releasing the tensioning force from the adjustable foot strap when the seal support is moved to the open position.

An improved highback adjustment system for a splitboard boot binding. A captive strut is mounted on the spine of the highback, the strut having a forward lean adjustor block such that rotation or sliding of the block lengthens or shortens the strut. The combination provides a broadly adjustable range of forward lean bias in small increments and the block is readily disengaged and stowed on the highback when not needed. Advantageously, the mechanism that can be operated and adjusted without tools, even with gloved hands, a significant benefit in winter conditions, and does not jam with snow. Methods of use of the improved forward lean adjustor and highback are also disclosed.

An adjustable ski binding adapter apparatus that adapt a snowboard boot for use with alpine ski bindings. The ski binding adapter apparatus includes a back support pivotally coupled to a sole plate, where the back support pivots to aid in stepping into the ski binding adapter apparatus. The sole plate is adjustable for length. Adjustable strap assemblies are coupled to the sole plate and the back support and snugly encircle and restrain the boot in the ski binding adapter apparatus. The back support and the sole plate are configured to conform to ski boot standards and attach to a conventional ski binding.

An adjustable ski binding adapter apparatus that adapt a snowboard boot for use with alpine ski bindings. The ski binding adapter apparatus includes a back support pivotally coupled to a sole plate, where the back support pivots to aid in stepping into the ski binding adapter apparatus. The sole plate is adjustable for length. Adjustable strap assemblies are coupled to the sole plate and the back support and snugly encircle and restrain the boot in the ski binding adapter apparatus. The back support and the sole plate are configured to conform to ski boot standards and attach to a conventional ski binding.