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.

A medical shoe having an overmolding layer with a non-uniform density is provided. The medical shoe may include a midsole configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the midsole. The midsole may include a foot receiving portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and a frame receiving portion opposite the foot receiving portion. The frame may include an overmolding layer extending from a side of the frame opposite the midsole so as to form a ground contacting surface. The overmolding layer may have a non-uniform density. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.

A medical shoe having an overmolding layer with a non-uniform density is provided. The medical shoe may include a midsole configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the midsole. The midsole may include a foot receiving portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and a frame receiving portion opposite the foot receiving portion. The frame may include an overmolding layer extending from a side of the frame opposite the midsole so as to form a ground contacting surface. The overmolding layer may have a non-uniform density. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.

A medical shoe having a plurality of outsole projections is provided. The medical shoe may include a sole assembly configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the sole assembly. The sole assembly may include a midsole portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and an outsole portion including the plurality of outsole projections extending from the midsole portion. The frame may include a plurality of through holes corresponding to the plurality of outsole projections. The plurality of outsole projections may extend through the plurality of through holes so as to form a ground contacting surface. The plurality of outsole projections may also be provided in a symmetrical pattern. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.

A medical shoe having a plurality of outsole projections is provided. The medical shoe may include a sole assembly configured to support a foot, and a frame surrounding the sole assembly. The sole assembly may include a midsole portion forming a substantially planar surface for supporting the foot and an outsole portion including the plurality of outsole projections extending from the midsole portion. The frame may include a plurality of through holes corresponding to the plurality of outsole projections. The plurality of outsole projections may extend through the plurality of through holes so as to form a ground contacting surface. The plurality of outsole projections may also be provided in a symmetrical pattern. The sole assembly may be secured to the frame by a self-locking fit between the sole assembly and the frame.

A shoe has an upper (2a, 2b) that is provided on a midsole (1) to form an internal space for accommodating a toe between the midsole (1) and the upper (2a, 2b). The upper includes an upper body 2a fixed to 1, a movable toe portion 2b that can be connected to an end portion of a toe side of the upper body 2a and is freely rotatable around the end portion so as to approach the upper body 2a, and a pair of fixtures (3a to 5a, 3b to 5b) provided on outer surfaces of the upper body 2a and the movable toe portion 2b, wherein the inner space can be opened outside the shoe at the toe side by rotating the movable toe portion 2b, and the internal space can be kept opened at the toe side by fixing the rotated movable toe portion 2b on the outer surface of the upper body 2a by the fixtures (3a-5a, 3b-5b).

A shoe has an upper (2a, 2b) that is provided on a midsole (1) to form an internal space for accommodating a toe between the midsole (1) and the upper (2a, 2b). The upper includes an upper body 2a fixed to 1, a movable toe portion 2b that can be connected to an end portion of a toe side of the upper body 2a and is freely rotatable around the end portion so as to approach the upper body 2a, and a pair of fixtures (3a to 5a, 3b to 5b) provided on outer surfaces of the upper body 2a and the movable toe portion 2b, wherein the inner space can be opened outside the shoe at the toe side by rotating the movable toe portion 2b, and the internal space can be kept opened at the toe side by fixing the rotated movable toe portion 2b on the outer surface of the upper body 2a by the fixtures (3a-5a, 3b-5b).

Footwear for infants including a sole, a heel support extending above the sole and around a rear portion of the footwear, sidewalls attached to the sole and disposed along the sides of the footwear for supporting the sides of the infant's foot when held within the footwear. A front portion disposed in the front of the footwear and pivotable about the front of the footwear. The footwear can be configured in an open configuration when the front portion is pivoted about the front of the footwear and away from the sidewalls and a closed configuration when the front portion is pivoted about the footwear and toward the sidewalls thereby securing the foot of an infant therein. Two folds in the shoe can include opposing magnetic closure parts disposed thereon. The folds can include an upper-most fold, a middle fold, and a lower-most fold.

Footwear for infants including a sole, a heel support extending above the sole and around a rear portion of the footwear, sidewalls attached to the sole and disposed along the sides of the footwear for supporting the sides of the infant's foot when held within the footwear. A front portion disposed in the front of the footwear and pivotable about the front of the footwear. The footwear can be configured in an open configuration when the front portion is pivoted about the front of the footwear and away from the sidewalls and a closed configuration when the front portion is pivoted about the footwear and toward the sidewalls thereby securing the foot of an infant therein. Two folds in the shoe can include opposing magnetic closure parts disposed thereon. The folds can include an upper-most fold, a middle fold, and a lower-most fold.

A universal open-backed footwear strap having a strap having an adjustable fastener and a first connector mechanism. A second connector mechanism disposed on a sole of an open-backed shoe, wherein the second connector mechanism is selectively engageable with the first connector mechanism. The first connector mechanism and second connector mechanism create a strong enough attachment between the strap and the shoe such that they will not separate during use. The adjustable fastener can then be used to tighten the strap around a top of a user's foot to secure the shoe, eliminating the typical instability of open-backed shoes to allow the user to move more quickly and confidently, and to dance. The strap can be made available in a variety of materials and colors so as to match any shoe. Different length straps will allow for use with different shoe types and foot sizes.