An article of footwear includes an upper and a closure mechanism. The upper has an opening at least partially located between a first and second portions of the upper. The opening is adjustable between open and closed configurations. The closure mechanism is moveable between unlocked and locked positions and includes a locking element coupled to the first portion of the upper and a projection coupled to the second portion of the upper. The projection is moveable in a first direction relative to the locking element to engage with the locking element, thereby moving the closure mechanism to the locked position and moving the upper to the closed configuration. The projection is moveable in the first direction relative to the locking element to disengage with the locking element, thereby moving the closure mechanism to the unlocked position and allowing the upper to return to the open configuration.

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.

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 shoe having a toe portion, a heel portion and first and second sides, the shoe including a sole, an upper and a closing mechanism extending from a top portion of the upper down along the first side of the shoe and then horizontally between the sole and the upper around the toe portion, around the second side and around the heel portion.

A shoe having a toe portion, a heel portion and first and second sides, the shoe including a sole, an upper and a closing mechanism extending from a top portion of the upper down along the first side of the shoe and then horizontally between the sole and the upper around the toe portion, around the second side and around the heel portion.

According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

An article of footwear includes a medial support member coupled to a medial portion and having a first rail, a lateral support member coupled to a lateral portion and having a second rail, a plurality of lace-receiving members disposed on and movable along the first and second rails to move the article of footwear between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a lace member extending between the plurality of first lace-receiving members and the plurality of second lace-receiving members, a grip member extending from an upper-most first lace-receiving member of the plurality of first lace-receiving members or from an upper-most second lace-receiving member of the plurality of second lace-receiving members, and a locking member configured for securing the article of footwear in the closed configuration. The locking member has a first side portion and a second side portion forming a notch therebetween configured to receive the grip member.

An article of footwear includes a medial support member coupled to a medial portion and having a first rail, a lateral support member coupled to a lateral portion and having a second rail, a plurality of lace-receiving members disposed on and movable along the first and second rails to move the article of footwear between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a lace member extending between the plurality of first lace-receiving members and the plurality of second lace-receiving members, a grip member extending from an upper-most first lace-receiving member of the plurality of first lace-receiving members or from an upper-most second lace-receiving member of the plurality of second lace-receiving members, and a locking member configured for securing the article of footwear in the closed configuration. The locking member has a first side portion and a second side portion forming a notch therebetween configured to receive the grip member.

A shoe comprises a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a top member having an outer surface and an inner surface and mounted on the sole. The top member and sole to together define a space for receiving a foot, and the top member further comprises an opening. A fastener is provided in the top member and extends from the opening and continues over the top member such that a portion of the top member is movable between a first position in which the space is substantially closed and a second position in which a portion of the top member is folded back from the sole to provide access to the space.