The soft boot and liner includes moisture transfer system that includes an inner fabric layer carefully selected from technically advanced fabrics. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, spacer fabrics and breathable membranes, in various orders. Encapsulation technology and waterproofing are used as well. The outer fabric layer is also capable of working with the other layers to promote the transfer of moisture. Frothed foams and flocking with fibers are further characteristics of the present invention. The moisture transfer system is incorporated into a soft boot or skate or as a removable liner for a shell boot. Numerous other modifications and applications are disclosed.

A moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes an upper unit and a shoe-shaped inner sleeve. The upper unit includes a top cut piece and a bottom cut piece. The top cut piece has a rear concave edge with two spaced-apart first ends, a peripheral edge with two spaced-apart second ends, and two rear mating edges each interconnecting one of the first ends and a respective second end. The peripheral edge of the top cut piece is sewn to a periphery of the bottom cut piece. The top and bottom cut pieces cooperate to define an interior space. The inner sleeve is disposed in the interior space. A connecting layer is fixed between an inner surface of the upper unit and an outer surface of the inner sleeve. A sole is fixed to a bottom portion of the upper unit.

A moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes an upper unit and a shoe-shaped inner sleeve. The upper unit includes a top cut piece and a bottom cut piece. The top cut piece has a rear concave edge with two spaced-apart first ends, a peripheral edge with two spaced-apart second ends, and two rear mating edges each interconnecting one of the first ends and a respective second end. The peripheral edge of the top cut piece is sewn to a periphery of the bottom cut piece. The top and bottom cut pieces cooperate to define an interior space. The inner sleeve is disposed in the interior space. A connecting layer is fixed between an inner surface of the upper unit and an outer surface of the inner sleeve. A sole is fixed to a bottom portion of the upper unit.

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include one or more specialized compartments designed to receive the components. The components can be installed in compartments after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the components can be used to perform different functions in a motorized tensioning system.

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include one or more specialized compartments designed to receive the components. The components can be installed in compartments after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the components can be used to perform different functions in a motorized tensioning system.

A moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes an upper unit, an inner sleeve unit, and an outsole unit. The upper unit defines an inner space having a top open end and a bottom closed end. The inner sleeve unit is fixedly disposed in the inner space, and includes a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe-like inner sleeve and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sheet. The moisture-permeable waterproof shoe-like inner sleeve has an inner sleeve bottom surface and defines a wearing space having a top open end and a bottom closed end. The TPU sheet has a top surface fixedly connected to the inner sleeve bottom surface by a high-frequency welding method. The outsole unit is fixedly connected to an underside of the upper unit.

A moisture-permeable waterproof shoe includes an upper unit, an inner sleeve unit, and an outsole unit. The upper unit defines an inner space having a top open end and a bottom closed end. The inner sleeve unit is fixedly disposed in the inner space, and includes a moisture-permeable waterproof shoe-like inner sleeve and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sheet. The moisture-permeable waterproof shoe-like inner sleeve has an inner sleeve bottom surface and defines a wearing space having a top open end and a bottom closed end. The TPU sheet has a top surface fixedly connected to the inner sleeve bottom surface by a high-frequency welding method. The outsole unit is fixedly connected to an underside of the upper unit.

An improved article of footwear is disclosed herein. The article of footwear includes an upper and a harness. The upper has a midfoot region, a forefoot region, a medial side, a lateral side, and an opening configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The harness extends between the midfoot region and the forefoot region, and includes a panel, a cable, and a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism tensions the cable against the panel to apply a compressive force to the foot of a wearer to secure the foot of the wearer in the upper. Consequently, the internal harness prevents the foot of a wearer from shifting or translating in the upper, such as during athletic activity like cutting.

An improved article of footwear is disclosed herein. The article of footwear includes an upper and a harness. The upper has a midfoot region, a forefoot region, a medial side, a lateral side, and an opening configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The harness extends between the midfoot region and the forefoot region, and includes a panel, a cable, and a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism tensions the cable against the panel to apply a compressive force to the foot of a wearer to secure the foot of the wearer in the upper. Consequently, the internal harness prevents the foot of a wearer from shifting or translating in the upper, such as during athletic activity like cutting.

An upper for an article of footwear may be at least partially formed with a knitted component. The knitted component may include a first knitted portion and a second knitted portion, where the first knitted portion at least partially forms at least one of a medial side, a lateral side, and a toe area of the upper, and where the second knitted portion forms a tongue area of the upper. The second knitted portion may include a first end and a second end where one of the first end is secured to the first knitted portion via a common knit structure.