The footwear includes a base having a toe portion, a heel portion opposing the toe portion, a base left and right side, and a bottom surface to engage the ground when worn by a user. The footwear additionally includes a base top surface opposing the base bottom surface, a toe box permanently coupled to the toe portion of the base at the top surface, and a counter permanently coupled to the heel portion of the base at the top surface. The footwear further includes a left and right support structure permanently coupled to the top surface of the base between the toe box and the counter on each side of the base, and a detachable left and right panel configured to detachably connect to the respective left and right support structure.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper that is attached to the sole. The upper has a first side and a second side that fit around a wearer's foot when the shoe is fit about the wearer's foot. The shoe also includes a strap or panel having a proximal end that is attached to one side of the shoe and a distal end that extends toward an opposite side of the shoe. A tension member is guided or directed about a path along the shoe and a tightening mechanism is operable with the tension member to effect tensioning of the tension member. The strap or panel includes a first guide and a second guide and the tension member is routed through both the first guide and the second guide of the strap or panel.

A fastening device is provided. The fastening device includes a case, a spool, a knob and a locking unit. When the knob is rotated relative to the case in a tightening direction, the spool is not affected by the locking unit and is allowed to rotate in the tightening direction for fastening the lace. When the knob is rotated relative to the case in a loosening direction, the spool is allowed to freely rotate in the loosening direction to release the lace. As the knob is engaged with the housing via an engagement between the mounted portion and the engaged portion, the housing, the locking unit, the knob and the spool are combined and restricted.

Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing an article of footwear having a sole and an upper coupled to the sole, the upper comprising a toe portion, a heel portion, and an open inner portion. The open inner portion is disposed between the toe portion and the heel portion and is void of any material that forms a portion of the upper. The open inner portion provides an opening in the upper that allows sliding the toes of a user's foot inwardly at an angle into the toe portion, whereafter the footwear and/or the heel of a user's foot can be rotated to engage the heel of the user's foot with the heel portion. The footwear optionally includes an open outer portion and a fastening mechanism which articulates to provide even pressure distribution across a user's foot for maximum comfort and stability.

Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing an article of footwear having a sole and an upper coupled to the sole, the upper comprising a toe portion, a heel portion, and an open inner portion. The open inner portion is disposed between the toe portion and the heel portion and is void of any material that forms a portion of the upper. The open inner portion provides an opening in the upper that allows sliding the toes of a user's foot inwardly at an angle into the toe portion, whereafter the footwear and/or the heel of a user's foot can be rotated to engage the heel of the user's foot with the heel portion. The footwear optionally includes an open outer portion and a fastening mechanism which articulates to provide even pressure distribution across a user's foot for maximum comfort and stability.

A device includes a cleat and a receiver. The cleat is mountable to a shoe and includes a front portion and a rear footing. The receiver is mountable to a support of an external device. The receiver includes a frame including a front portion and a rear portion, with the rear portion configured to removably slidably receive the rear footing of the cleat. The front portion of the receiver includes a catch element, which is pivotally movable relative to the frame while under a rotational biasing force in a first orientation, to permit slidable entry of, and retention of, the front portion of the cleat relative to the frame of the receiver.

A device includes a cleat and a receiver. The cleat is mountable to a shoe and includes a front portion and a rear footing. The receiver is mountable to a support of an external device. The receiver includes a frame including a front portion and a rear portion, with the rear portion configured to removably slidably receive the rear footing of the cleat. The front portion of the receiver includes a catch element, which is pivotally movable relative to the frame while under a rotational biasing force in a first orientation, to permit slidable entry of, and retention of, the front portion of the cleat relative to the frame of the receiver.