A shoe tongue structure includes a first shoe tongue and a second shoe tongue arranged such as to cover an opening of an upper extending frontward from a foot insertion part. The first shoe tongue includes a first front end fixed to an edge of the opening and extends rearward from the first front end toward the lateral side of the foot insertion part. The second shoe tongue includes a second front end fixed to an edge of the opening and extends rearward from the second front end toward the medial side of the foot insertion part. The first front end is positioned on the medial side with respect to the second front end.

A shoe tongue structure includes a first shoe tongue and a second shoe tongue arranged such as to cover an opening of an upper extending frontward from a foot insertion part. The first shoe tongue includes a first front end fixed to an edge of the opening and extends rearward from the first front end toward the lateral side of the foot insertion part. The second shoe tongue includes a second front end fixed to an edge of the opening and extends rearward from the second front end toward the medial side of the foot insertion part. The first front end is positioned on the medial side with respect to the second front end.

A rapid-entry shoe with a rotating tongue having an open configuration for ease of donning or doffing by a foot and also having a closed configuration for retention of the foot.

A rapid-entry shoe with a rotating tongue having an open configuration for ease of donning or doffing by a foot and also having a closed configuration for retention of the foot.

A footwear article includes (a) an upper having a tongue opening at a front thereof; (b) a gusseted tongue including a tongue panel positioned over the tongue opening and a pair of gussets attaching laterally opposite sides of the tongue panel to the upper; (c) a pair of tongue fasteners configured to selectively fasten and unfasten corresponding sides of the tongue panel to and from the upper; (d) a first lacing system on the upper and arranged for guiding lacing over the gusseted tongue and tongue fasteners when the sides of the tongue are fastened to the upper; and (e) a second lacing system on the tongue panel and arranged for guiding the lacing across the tongue panel clear of the tongue fasteners when the sides of the tongue panel are unfastened from the upper.

A footwear article includes (a) an upper having a tongue opening at a front thereof; (b) a gusseted tongue including a tongue panel positioned over the tongue opening and a pair of gussets attaching laterally opposite sides of the tongue panel to the upper; (c) a pair of tongue fasteners configured to selectively fasten and unfasten corresponding sides of the tongue panel to and from the upper; (d) a first lacing system on the upper and arranged for guiding lacing over the gusseted tongue and tongue fasteners when the sides of the tongue are fastened to the upper; and (e) a second lacing system on the tongue panel and arranged for guiding the lacing across the tongue panel clear of the tongue fasteners when the sides of the tongue panel are unfastened from the upper.

An article of footwear including a shell, a liner and laces. A shell upper extends from the shell sole and defines a shell opening. The liner can be received into the shell through the shell opening. A liner upper extends from the inner sole and defines a liner opening. A tongue includes a first portion connected to the liner proximate the liner opening, and a second portion that can extend through the shell opening. At least part of the second portion can be connected to the shell exterior surface proximate the shell opening while the liner is positioned within the shell. The laces are connected to the shell proximate the shell opening and extend across a portion of the shell opening. The laces contact the second portion of the tongue to press the second portion of the tongue against the shell exterior surface.

An article of footwear including a shell, a liner and laces. A shell upper extends from the shell sole and defines a shell opening. The liner can be received into the shell through the shell opening. A liner upper extends from the inner sole and defines a liner opening. A tongue includes a first portion connected to the liner proximate the liner opening, and a second portion that can extend through the shell opening. At least part of the second portion can be connected to the shell exterior surface proximate the shell opening while the liner is positioned within the shell. The laces are connected to the shell proximate the shell opening and extend across a portion of the shell opening. The laces contact the second portion of the tongue to press the second portion of the tongue against the shell exterior surface.

A last for forming an upper of an article of footwear includes an exterior surface, where the exterior surface includes a plurality of three dimensional structural surface components disposed over at least 50% of the exterior surface of the last.

A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.