A shoe may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may include a shell and first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints. Each of the sets may have one or more tensile restraints extending over and/or through a corresponding portion of the shell. The shell may be engaged with the sole structure and define an interior void configured to receive insertion of a user's foot. The first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints may be configured so that, upon securing of one or more structures to tighten the upper and connect the sets of tensile restraints, two linear axes of tension with anchors located in the forefoot and heel region extend diagonally across the article from one side to the other.

A shoe may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may include a shell and first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints. Each of the sets may have one or more tensile restraints extending over and/or through a corresponding portion of the shell. The shell may be engaged with the sole structure and define an interior void configured to receive insertion of a user's foot. The first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints may be configured so that, upon securing of one or more structures to tighten the upper and connect the sets of tensile restraints, two linear axes of tension with anchors located in the forefoot and heel region extend diagonally across the article from one side to the other.

A detachable lace tightening system for existing footwear, said footwear including a boot having first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot, a plurality of eyelet members are positioned on the opposing sides from a lower end to an upper end, a footwear tongue extending from boot between the opposing sides, the system comprising: a rotatable spool detachably secured to the tongue of the footwear, a braided nylon cable insertable into the guide members having a first end and a second end; the first and second ends extend outwardly from the guide members at the upper end of the opposing sides and the first and second ends are removably secured with respect to the rotatable spool; a tightening control knob upon said spool for winding the cable around the spool to place tension on the cable in a first direction, thereby pulling opposing sides of the footwear towards each other; and a releasable lock provided for preventing rotation of the spool in the second direction whereby releasing the lock permits the spool to rotate in the second direction to release the tension in the cable and allow removal of the boot.

A detachable lace tightening system for existing footwear, said footwear including a boot having first and second opposing sides configured to fit around a foot, a plurality of eyelet members are positioned on the opposing sides from a lower end to an upper end, a footwear tongue extending from boot between the opposing sides, the system comprising: a rotatable spool detachably secured to the tongue of the footwear, a braided nylon cable insertable into the guide members having a first end and a second end; the first and second ends extend outwardly from the guide members at the upper end of the opposing sides and the first and second ends are removably secured with respect to the rotatable spool; a tightening control knob upon said spool for winding the cable around the spool to place tension on the cable in a first direction, thereby pulling opposing sides of the footwear towards each other; and a releasable lock provided for preventing rotation of the spool in the second direction whereby releasing the lock permits the spool to rotate in the second direction to release the tension in the cable and allow removal of the boot.

A lace-receiving assembly includes a substrate, a first sheet, and a lace guide. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first sheet includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface is bonded to the first surface to define a channel extending between the substrate and the first sheet. The lace guide is disposed within the channel.

A lace-receiving assembly includes a substrate, a first sheet, and a lace guide. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first sheet includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface is bonded to the first surface to define a channel extending between the substrate and the first sheet. The lace guide is disposed within the channel.

Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In this example, the lace guide is deformable to assist in facilitating automated lace tightening. The lace guide can include a middle section, a first extension and a second extension. In this example, the lace guide can be configured to define a first route for a lace cable, the first route including receiving the lace cable along the first incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along the first outgoing lace axis. In this example, the lace guide can also deflect, in response to tension on the lace cable, resulting in defining a second route for the lace cable, the second route including receiving the lace cable along a second incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along a second outgoing lace axis.

Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In this example, the lace guide is deformable to assist in facilitating automated lace tightening. The lace guide can include a middle section, a first extension and a second extension. In this example, the lace guide can be configured to define a first route for a lace cable, the first route including receiving the lace cable along the first incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along the first outgoing lace axis. In this example, the lace guide can also deflect, in response to tension on the lace cable, resulting in defining a second route for the lace cable, the second route including receiving the lace cable along a second incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along a second outgoing lace axis.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A footwear article is provided herein. The footwear article may include a sole coupled to a cord structure. The cord structure may include interconnected bights in a vamp cord and a rand cord forming a loop line extending along at least a portion of the footwear article.