An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for efficiently and rapidly cleaning the bottom of a shoe. The system includes a base having a plurality of alternating, complementary shaped cleansing portions separated by grooves. The configuration of the cleansing portions provides for a sturdy and efficient device for cleaning the bottom of a shoe.

A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.

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.

An article of footwear and method of manufacturing includes a midsole, an upper, secured with respect to the midsole, forming an opening to admit a foot of a wearer, the opening being adjustable between a first segment of the upper and a second segment of the upper to secure the article of footwear to the foot of the wearer, and a slidable securing device. The slidable securing device is coupled between the first segment and the second segment of the upper, configured to slide along a length of track and secure the first and second segments together. A motorized lacing system engages with a lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The lace is secured to the slidable securing device, and when tension is placed on the lace, the lace causes the slidable securing device to slide along the track and secure the first and second segments together.

An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

A rapid-entry shoe includes an actuator arm, having a pivot point, and a closure system. Movement of the actuator arm from an uncollapsed position to a collapsed position opens the closure system and movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system, according to various embodiments.

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

According to an embodiment, a component for attachment to an article includes an upper component that is made of a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature and a flange member that is molded onto the upper component and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the upper component. The flange member extends laterally from a bottom end of the upper component so that a bottom surface of the flange member is flush with or positioned axially below a bottom surface of the upper component. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer material enables the flange member to be directly coupled to the article via heat welding and the like without substantially affecting the upper component.

A shoe closure device comprising: a housing including a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion; a shape memory shoe fastener; a first electrically-powered heater positioned above the shape-memory shoe fastener; a second electrically-powered heater positioned beneath the shape memory shoe fastener; a rechargeable battery positioned within the housing and electrically communicating with each of the first and second electrically-powered heaters; a controller electrically communicating with the rechargeable battery and positioned within the housing, the controller including a microprocessor, a battery charging control circuit, and a wireless charging receiver, the controller configured to heat the shape memory shoe fastener to return each of the shape memory polymer strips to the shape-recovered configuration to close a shoe; an actuator communicating with the controller to actuate the controller to heat the shape memory shoe fastener.