A fastening system for an article of footwear includes an upper having inner and outer layers with a fastening mechanism disposed along the inner layer and a plurality of apertures defined along the outer layer. The fastening mechanism includes a fastening member rotatable in first and second directions and a plurality of fastening elements spaced from the fastening member and corresponding with respective apertures. The fastening elements are connected to the fastening member by a connecting element such that, when the fastening member is rotated in the first direction, the fastening elements are simultaneously rotated from a first position toward a second position. The fastening system is moveable between a loosened configuration, in which the fastening elements are in the first position and aligned within respective apertures, and a tightened configuration, in which the fastening elements are in the second position and offset with respect to respective apertures.

A fastening system for an article of footwear includes an upper having inner and outer layers with a fastening mechanism disposed along the inner layer and a plurality of apertures defined along the outer layer. The fastening mechanism includes a fastening member rotatable in first and second directions and a plurality of fastening elements spaced from the fastening member and corresponding with respective apertures. The fastening elements are connected to the fastening member by a connecting element such that, when the fastening member is rotated in the first direction, the fastening elements are simultaneously rotated from a first position toward a second position. The fastening system is moveable between a loosened configuration, in which the fastening elements are in the first position and aligned within respective apertures, and a tightened configuration, in which the fastening elements are in the second position and offset with respect to respective apertures.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure defining a central plane that extends through a toe end and a heel end, a plurality of retainers arranged along the upper and intersected by the central plane, and a cord including a first segment and a second segment. The cord is configured to engage the plurality of retainers to adjust a tightness of the footwear, such that at least one retainer of the plurality of retainers is not engaged by the cord.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure defining a central plane that extends through a toe end and a heel end, a plurality of retainers arranged along the upper and intersected by the central plane, and a cord including a first segment and a second segment. The cord is configured to engage the plurality of retainers to adjust a tightness of the footwear, such that at least one retainer of the plurality of retainers is not engaged by the cord.

This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.

This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.

Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base having an instep region; one or more lace-engaging components located at a first side of the instep region; and one or more lace-engaging components located at a second side of the instep region. A bladder at the instep region includes: (i) a tongue and/or instep chamber, (ii) a first sealed seam region extending along a first side edge of the bladder, and (iii) a second sealed seam region extending along a second side edge of the bladder. The tongue and/or instep chamber extends between the sealed seam regions. A lace may apply a force to the tongue and/or instep chamber of the bladder. This force may move fluid from the tongue and/or instep chamber to a heel and/or ankle support chamber of the bladder. The lace may extend through a lace-engaging opening provided in a seam of the bladder.

A lace tensioning device includes a housing component having an interior region, a first aperture, and a second aperture, and a spool component that is rotatably positionable within the interior region of the housing component. The spool component has a central cylindrical member and a lumen that extends through the central cylindrical portion. The spool component is rotatable within the interior region of the housing component to align one end of the lumen with the first aperture and to align an opposite end of the lumen with the second aperture to enable a lace to be inserted through the first aperture, the lumen, and the second aperture so that opposing ends of the lace are positioned exterior to the housing component. A knot may then be tied in the lace and the lace retracted to couple the lace with the housing component and spool component.

A lace tensioning device includes a housing component having an interior region, a first aperture, and a second aperture, and a spool component that is rotatably positionable within the interior region of the housing component. The spool component has a central cylindrical member and a lumen that extends through the central cylindrical portion. The spool component is rotatable within the interior region of the housing component to align one end of the lumen with the first aperture and to align an opposite end of the lumen with the second aperture to enable a lace to be inserted through the first aperture, the lumen, and the second aperture so that opposing ends of the lace are positioned exterior to the housing component. A knot may then be tied in the lace and the lace retracted to couple the lace with the housing component and spool component.