An eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology include a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user's foot.

An eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology include a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user's foot.

The Overshoe Walking Correctors (OWCs) are a medical walking device to go over a user's feet and shoes and changes the shape in the base of their current walking shoes for correcting gait. They need only be used by the obese and overweight population, who suffer limited mobility in their skeletal joints, due to the burden of weight they are carry on their bodies. The device was designed by Gail McGonigal an Occupational Therapist, who discovered the concept after falling on concrete severely bruising but not breaking her hip, due to a daily intake of oral calcium. She was only able to walk in rocker shoes containing no weight bearing capacity. Gail immediately understood how this concept will help the obese population improve their mobility in gait. She has designed the Overshoe Walking Correctors for all overweight people to wear, so they will feel no more pain in gait. The device is designed to have immediate and positive affects on their health, so the overweight population are encouraged to increase their physical mobility, while reducing the amount of sedentary sitting they perform on a daily basis. The intention is to relieve the pressure on acute medical services in all western populations, where obesity is a leading cause of chronic health issues needing constant attention by the medical practioners in acute care hospitals.

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.

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.

A footwear for covering a foot of a user, the footwear including first and second side coverings, top and rear coverings, wherein the first and second side coverings, top and rear coverings form a continuous covering attached to a sole of the footwear, leaving an opening through which the foot penetrates at an ankle of the user, wherein the opening having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge of the first side covering and a second side edge of the second side covering, each of the first and second side edges connecting one end of the front edge and one end of the rear edge and each of the coverings including a wall substantially extending at an angle normal to the sole at the periphery; a seam disposed from the first side wall to the second side edge and a closure mechanism disposed along the seam.

A footwear for covering a foot of a user, the footwear including first and second side coverings, top and rear coverings, wherein the first and second side coverings, top and rear coverings form a continuous covering attached to a sole of the footwear, leaving an opening through which the foot penetrates at an ankle of the user, wherein the opening having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge of the first side covering and a second side edge of the second side covering, each of the first and second side edges connecting one end of the front edge and one end of the rear edge and each of the coverings including a wall substantially extending at an angle normal to the sole at the periphery; a seam disposed from the first side wall to the second side edge and a closure mechanism disposed along the seam.

A system for securing shoes to the feet using a one or two pull shoe closure arrangement. Each embodiment of the system uses a squared-cord arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The various embodiments arrange either one or two draw straps connected to one or more squared-cord portions to draw in and tighten the sides of the squared-cord arrangement. A single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation where it is drawn back and secured on the heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull two parallel shorter draw straps laterally to points of securement on the sides of the shoe. Further alternate embodiments pull a draw strap longitudinally along a midline at the top of the shoe to a point of securement back onto the squared-cord arrangement.

A system for securing shoes to the feet using a one or two pull shoe closure arrangement. Each embodiment of the system uses a squared-cord arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The various embodiments arrange either one or two draw straps connected to one or more squared-cord portions to draw in and tighten the sides of the squared-cord arrangement. A single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation where it is drawn back and secured on the heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull two parallel shorter draw straps laterally to points of securement on the sides of the shoe. Further alternate embodiments pull a draw strap longitudinally along a midline at the top of the shoe to a point of securement back onto the squared-cord arrangement.

Sports boot including a shell and a liner, the shell extending upward so as to at least partially surround the lower leg of a user and including at least one tightening device configured to tighten the lower leg of the user. The tightening device includes the following: a first strap portion attached to the shell using a first anchoring mechanism; a second strap portion; mechanisms configured to pair the first strap portion with the second strap portion; adjusting mechanisms configured to adjust the length of the first strap portion or the length of the second strap portion; and a second anchoring mechanism configured to optionally connect the second strap portion to the shell.