Described is a shoe fastener for use with a shoe having an upper, eyelets in the upper, and laces. The shoe fastener includes a zipper having a zipper clasp and a tape. The tape has a width on each side of the zipper clasp that is sized and shaped to accommodate tape eyelets in the tape on each side of the zipper clasp. Upon inserting the shoe fastener adjacent to the upper of the shoe, and threading the laces through the shoe eyelets and the tape eyelets to secure the fastener to the shoe, the shoe may be fastened and unfastened by operating the zipper clasp.

An article of footwear providing easy donning and doffing through a heel region. A heel cup is pivotably coupled with the footwear to articulate between an open configuration allowing easier access to a foot-receiving cavity and a closed configuration enclosing a heel region of the footwear. A tensioning strap extends from a first side of the footwear around the heel cup to an opposite second side of the footwear when the heel cup is in the closed configuration. The heel strap is effective to structurally secure the heel cup in the closed configuration. One or more tensioning strands may extend from the tensioning strap. The tensioning strands may be effective to convert force provided through the tensioning strap across a forefoot portion to generate a forefoot securing force through a lacing mechanism.

A shoelace accessory and method of using the same is characterized by a shoelace accessory that provides for one or more portions of material containing one or more grommets that may be fastened to one or more eyelets in a shoe, the shoelace accessory thereby replacing shoelaces in the shoe. In some embodiments, one or more joining and unjoining element, such as a zipper, may be provided in the shoe accessory's middle portion that may allow the shoe accessory to separate and create a gap that may accommodate the entry of a user's foot into the shoe, and that may allow the shoe accessory to close the gap and tighten the shoe accessory to the user's foot, thereby securing the shoe to the user's foot. When in use, the present invention may provide that the user may put on or take off a shoe with ease and safety, or otherwise perform tasks in a desired way.

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 reversible strap for an article of footwear is provided. The reversible strap includes a strap-end and a strap-body. The strap-body includes a first surface on one side thereof and a second surface on the other side thereof, such that the wearer can manually manipulate the strap-body to select between the two surfaces, which are visually distinguishable from each other. The strap-end detachably secures the strap-body to the article of footwear and can complement one or more visual markings on the strap-body.

An article of footwear includes an upper that has a body extending over at least a portion of a first side and a second side of the upper. A laceless fastening system includes a strap having an anchored end fixed at the second side and a distal end selectively remote from the upper. A first fastener is fixed to an outer surface of the body on the first side. The first fastener is less elastic than the body. A segmented second fastener is fixed to the inner side of the strap. The segmented second fastener includes a proximal segment and a distal segment closer to the distal end of the strap than the proximal segment and spaced apart from the proximal segment along the strap by an exposed portion of the strap. The segmented second fastener is less elastic than the strap.

The present invention generally relates to golf shoes having a lace tightening system. The shoe includes an upper, midsole, and outsole. The upper includes various lace guides that are separated by gaps. The lace is threaded through these guides and the lace can be tightened or loosened by a rotary dial mounted on the shoe. The lace tightening system can be used to close the instep region around the foot to secure the shoe and provide a comfortable fit using a power shroud, and the power shroud may have fiber-reinforced composite strips. The midsole provides cushioning to the shoe. The outsole preferably contains multiple traction members to provide good stability and ground contact. The shoes of this invention help provide the golfer with stability and balance.

Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.