Footwear (1) with retention system (2) comprising an upper (4) delimiting an inner space; the retention system (2) is positioned at least partially in the inner space and comprises at least one constraint element (10A, 10B, 10C) designed to be positioned at the top instep area or at the side/heel area of the foot of the user, the at least one constraint element (10A, 10B, 10C) being designed to pass from a loose condition to a tightened condition and vice versa. The retention system (2) further comprises a cord (14) slidably coupled to the at least one constraint element (10A, 10B, 10C), tensioning means (22) connected to a first portion (15) of the cord (14) and designed to be handled by the user for pulling the cord (14) into a tensioned condition to bring the at least one constraint element (10) in the tightened condition and locking means (24) for locking the cord (14) in tensioned condition.

Footwear (1) with retention system (2) comprising an upper (4) delimiting an inner space; the retention system (2) is positioned at least partially in the inner space and comprises at least one constraint element (10A, 10B, 10C) designed to be positioned at the top instep area or at the side/heel area of the foot of the user, the at least one constraint element (10A, 10B, 10C) being designed to pass from a loose condition to a tightened condition and vice versa. The retention system (2) further comprises a cord (14) slidably coupled to the at least one constraint element (10A, 10B, 10C), tensioning means (22) connected to a first portion (15) of the cord (14) and designed to be handled by the user for pulling the cord (14) into a tensioned condition to bring the at least one constraint element (10) in the tightened condition and locking means (24) for locking the cord (14) in tensioned condition.

An alternative shoe-lacing device is provided. The device is primarily comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to and through the eyelets of a shoe. As a result, the arms are placed in tension such that both sides of the upper of the shoe are pulled together such that the shoe is secured around the foot of the user. The body may be further adorned with a removable decorative element which attaches to the body via reciprocating fasteners.

An alternative shoe-lacing device is provided. The device is primarily comprised of a body and at least one pair of arms, each with at least one eyelet fastener, which can be secured to and through the eyelets of a shoe. As a result, the arms are placed in tension such that both sides of the upper of the shoe are pulled together such that the shoe is secured around the foot of the user. The body may be further adorned with a removable decorative element which attaches to the body via reciprocating fasteners.

Uppers for articles of footwear (or foot-covering members for other foot-receiving devices) include: (a) an upper member including medial and lateral side portions, each side portion including at least one pair of slots spaced in a top-to-bottom direction and (b) a first strap portion that extends between and through each of the medial slots and the lateral slots such that the first strap portion is exposed between the pair of medial slots and between the pair of lateral slots and such that the first strap portion extends across the instep opening. One, two, or more other strap portions may be provided, e.g., that extend between additional pairs of medial and lateral slots and across the instep opening. A shoe lace may be provided to extend through and between areas defined by the strap portions and the pairs of medial and lateral slots.

Uppers for articles of footwear (or foot-covering members for other foot-receiving devices) include: (a) an upper member including medial and lateral side portions, each side portion including at least one pair of slots spaced in a top-to-bottom direction and (b) a first strap portion that extends between and through each of the medial slots and the lateral slots such that the first strap portion is exposed between the pair of medial slots and between the pair of lateral slots and such that the first strap portion extends across the instep opening. One, two, or more other strap portions may be provided, e.g., that extend between additional pairs of medial and lateral slots and across the instep opening. A shoe lace may be provided to extend through and between areas defined by the strap portions and the pairs of medial and lateral slots.

In one example, a ski boot dynamic support strap includes a band configured to be connected to a ski boot, and a restraint element configured to be connected to the band. The restraint element includes a wall having an upper edge, and a lip that is connected to the upper edge of the wall and extends away from the wall. The lip and the wall collectively form an engagement portion that includes an undercut area, and the engagement portion is sized and configured to accommodate a portion of an upper edge of a tongue of a ski boot liner in the undercut area.

In one example, a ski boot dynamic support strap includes a band configured to be connected to a ski boot, and a restraint element configured to be connected to the band. The restraint element includes a wall having an upper edge, and a lip that is connected to the upper edge of the wall and extends away from the wall. The lip and the wall collectively form an engagement portion that includes an undercut area, and the engagement portion is sized and configured to accommodate a portion of an upper edge of a tongue of a ski boot liner in the undercut area.

A pneumatic elastic band comprises an outer portion, an inflatable portion and a nozzle. The outer portion has a strip-shaped structure with elasticity. The inflatable portion comprises a plurality of expansion portions and a plurality of communication portions. Each of the communication portions is connected between two of the expansion portions adjacent to each other for defining a plurality of gaps. The nozzle is disposed on a surface of the outer portion and communicated with the inflatable portion. When a gas is guided into the inflatable portion through the nozzle, the plurality of expansion portions of the inflatable portion are inflated to fill the gaps and make the inflatable portion contract inwardly, so that the outer portion contracts inwardly and deforms, wherein when the gas is guided out of the inflatable portion, the inflatable portion is deflated and loosened to return to an uninflated state to loosen the shoe.

A fastener system for clothing and other personal items is disclosed. The fastener system uses a combination of materials to form elements that can be adapted to different fastening applications. A first component of the system includes two members. The first member has an aperture for accommodating a T-shaped attachment member and a button. The second member has a T-shaped attachment member that fits through the aperture and rotates sideways to prevent passing backward through the aperture. The second member also has a strap for securing the attachment member against the aperture by attaching the strap to the button. A second component of the system includes a button with an enlarged head and base, and a flexible washer that fits over the head of the button. Fabric of an article to be secured may be laid over the head of the button and secured around the head of the button using the washer.