A shoe includes: an upper; a tightening tool disposed above an instep of a wearer and capable of applying, to the upper, tightening force for drawing portions and on the both sides in a foot width direction of the upper; and an arch support part provided such that tightening force applied to a first side portion in a foot width direction of the upper can be transmitted to the arch support part. The tightening force transmitter has stretchability in foot girth directions set higher than that of the arch support part.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure that may conform to various anatomical features of a foot. The tubular structure has a tunnel, and a tensile strand runs through the tunnel. Applying tension along the tensile strand may cause the tubular structure to conform more closely to one or more anatomical features. The geometry, or path, of the tubular structure on the article may be customized.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure that may conform to various anatomical features of a foot. The tubular structure has a tunnel, and a tensile strand runs through the tunnel. Applying tension along the tensile strand may cause the tubular structure to conform more closely to one or more anatomical features. The geometry, or path, of the tubular structure on the article may be customized.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention relates to a shoe that includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole, in which the upper includes an upper main body that covers the forefoot portion, a portion of the midfoot portion, and the heel portion of the wearer, and a tongue that covers a portion of the midfoot portion, the tongue is connected to the upper main body in a front end portion or in the front end portion and portions of side portions, and the front end portion of the tongue is located such that the path length from a rear end portion of the shoe is a range of 35% or more and 50% or less based on a center line passing from the rear end portion to a front end portion of the shoe. This provides a shoe that has good fittability to the foot and good contact with the foot, and that is easy to put on.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention relates to a shoe that includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole, in which the upper includes an upper main body that covers the forefoot portion, a portion of the midfoot portion, and the heel portion of the wearer, and a tongue that covers a portion of the midfoot portion, the tongue is connected to the upper main body in a front end portion or in the front end portion and portions of side portions, and the front end portion of the tongue is located such that the path length from a rear end portion of the shoe is a range of 35% or more and 50% or less based on a center line passing from the rear end portion to a front end portion of the shoe. This provides a shoe that has good fittability to the foot and good contact with the foot, and that is easy to put on.

Footwear or other foot-receiving devices include various conforming fit, stability, and/or “locked down” feel features. The uppers (or foot-covering components) for such articles of footwear (or other foot-receiving devices) may include one or more of: (a) an upper shell defining an interior chamber, wherein the upper shell includes a plantar support surface and sidewalls extending from an outer perimeter of the plantar support surface; (b) a bootie component (e.g., formed as a sock or sock-like garment) received in the interior chamber; (c) one or more foot wrapping bands; and/or (d) an interior midsole within the bootie component. The bootie component and/or the foot wrapping band(s) may be secured to the upper shell at a location inside an outer perimeter of the plantar support surface of the upper shell and beyond the bight line between the sidewalls of the upper and the plantar support surface.

Footwear or other foot-receiving devices include various conforming fit, stability, and/or “locked down” feel features. The uppers (or foot-covering components) for such articles of footwear (or other foot-receiving devices) may include one or more of: (a) an upper shell defining an interior chamber, wherein the upper shell includes a plantar support surface and sidewalls extending from an outer perimeter of the plantar support surface; (b) a bootie component (e.g., formed as a sock or sock-like garment) received in the interior chamber; (c) one or more foot wrapping bands; and/or (d) an interior midsole within the bootie component. The bootie component and/or the foot wrapping band(s) may be secured to the upper shell at a location inside an outer perimeter of the plantar support surface of the upper shell and beyond the bight line between the sidewalls of the upper and the plantar support surface.

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.

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 article of footwear includes an upper having a body with a first side and a second side, and a closure system for the upper. The closure system includes a first anchoring cable loop fixed at the first side, a flap, a flap cable loop, and a lace. The flap is fixed to the second side and extends across the body to a free end at the first side. The flap has an aperture extending through the flap. A flap cable loop extends from the free end. The flap cable loop is configured to extend from the free end through the first anchoring cable loop, and from the first anchoring cable loop back to the flap and through the aperture in the flap from an inner side to an outer side of the flap. A lace extends through the looped end of the flap cable at the outer side.