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.

An exemplary embodiment provides for a conversion kit for a shoe, changing the configuration from lace to strap configuration, wherein the kit contains a strap with hook and loop material attached to the shoe through a shoe lace aperture, a loop piece attached to the shoe through a shoe lace aperture where the strap passes through the loop piece and is pulled taught to secure the shoe to the wearers' foot.

A modular, customizable shoe assembly comprises a shoe shell including a shell attachment mechanism on a lower portion of the shoe shell and a pair of engagement members on an upper medial region of the shoe shell. The shoe assembly includes at least two different types of shoe soles which can be releasably connected alternatively to the shoe shell. Each of the shoe soles have a sole attachment mechanism adapted for releasable connection to the shell attachment mechanism. At least two different types of securement assemblies which can be releasably connected alternately to the shoe shell are provided and each of the securement assemblies are adapted for releasable connection to the pair of engagement members. The securement assemblies are arranged and designed to aid in securing the shoe to a wearer's foot. The shoe shell may also include a back heel mechanism on the rear of the shoe shell. A detachable loop piece having an upper loop is arranged and designed to detachably connect to the back heel mechanism.

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.

In one embodiment, an article of footwear including an upper is described. The upper includes a braid body and at least one component. The braid body includes at least one braided layer. A reinforcement element is attached to the braid body along a connection area using a connecting stitch. The component is attached to the braid body at the connection area using a zigzag stitch including a thread that passes through the component at a first location and passes through the reinforcement element and the braid body at a second location. The second location extends beyond the connecting stitch attaching the reinforcement element to the braid body.

Lacing systems for articles of apparel can include a first continuous lace element and a second continuous lace element, with each having a lace-receiving portion secured to the article of apparel, directly or indirectly, and a lacing portion that can engage with respective loop apertures of the lace-receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The articles of apparel can be articles of footwear and the lacing system can be provided to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include one or more specialized compartments designed to receive the components. The components can be installed in compartments after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the components can be used to perform different functions in a motorized tensioning system.

The present invention relates to a footwear customization device or accessory that converts footwear to many different styles and colors. The device or accessory includes an add-on device for existing footwear, and is in the form of a footwear topper device. The device can be secured around the ankle of a wearer and around the shank of the footwear under the outsole. The straps of the device are secured around the bottom of the outsole near the shank or heel portion, and wrap around the ankle of a wearer for securing to the footwear. The device enables an adjustable fastening mechanism that allows the footwear to be kept effectively secured to the feet while providing customization to the upper portion of the footwear.

Articles of footwear may include an upper formed from one or more upper parts, wherein at least one upper part defines an ankle-containing portion of the upper and at least one upper part (the same upper part or a different upper part) defines an instep-containing portion of the upper. The foot-insertion opening of the upper (which may include a closure system) may extend: (i) from a first side of an ankle-containing portion of the upper, (ii) around a rear heel or ankle area of the upper, (iii) along a second side of the ankle-containing portion of the upper, and (iv) to an instep-containing portion of the upper. One or more additional straps (e.g., an ankle strap, one or more interior bootie straps, etc.), fasteners, and/or locks may be provided to engage the upper/footwear with the wearer's foot.

An article of footwear may include an elastic membrane suspended within an interior of an upper of the article of footwear and spaced above the sole, such that a wearer's foot contacts the membrane and is cradled by the membrane as the membrane is stretched toward an underlying midsole. In some examples, the 5 membrane may contact the midsole for a discrete length of a contact area, e.g., selected by the manufacturer. In some examples, a void between the membrane and the sole is filled, at least in part, with a selected filler material. In some examples, the membrane comprises a material having tailored stretch characteristics.