Footwear, including athletic footwear, opens very wide, e.g., by moving an ankle containing portion of a footwear upper laterally/sideways with respect to the sole structure or a base portion of the upper (e.g., rotate it to the lateral side). In effect, the ankle containing portion may move/rotate sideways with respect to the sole structure/base portion via a connecting member (e.g., moving akin to rotation on a hinge type structure) to open in somewhat of a clamshell fashion. The rear of the upper base portion in this open condition may appear somewhat as an open backed slipper or slide type shoe. These actions and features open the rear heel area of the upper wide and low to enable easy insertion of a foot into the interior chamber, generally from the rear of the footwear structure. One or more straps can be used to secure the upper to the foot.

An adjustable elastic heel strap having first and second elastic closure elements that cooperate to adjustably close the heel. The first elastic closure element is elastic and may be manufactured from a length of elastic webbing. The first elastic closure element may be arranged to engage the wearer's foot. The second elastic closure element is elastic and may be manufactured from an elastic cord. The second elastic closure element may include a cord lock that allows a wearer to selectively vary the effective length and elastic tension of the heel strap. The second elastic closure element may be disposed along the outside of the first elastic closure element to facilitate access. The heel strap may also include a heel pull that is affixed to the first elastic closure element. The heel strap may also include upper and lower retainers that retain and guide the elastic cord and the cord lock.

An adjustable elastic heel strap having first and second elastic closure elements that cooperate to adjustably close the heel. The first elastic closure element is elastic and may be manufactured from a length of elastic webbing. The first elastic closure element may be arranged to engage the wearer's foot. The second elastic closure element is elastic and may be manufactured from an elastic cord. The second elastic closure element may include a cord lock that allows a wearer to selectively vary the effective length and elastic tension of the heel strap. The second elastic closure element may be disposed along the outside of the first elastic closure element to facilitate access. The heel strap may also include a heel pull that is affixed to the first elastic closure element. The heel strap may also include upper and lower retainers that retain and guide the elastic cord and the cord lock.

A footwear securement system employs a plurality of elastic, stretchable elongated tubes, each of which extend through opposed corresponding openings of the footwear. Retainers are slidably receivable on the tubes and releasably engageable against opposed sides of the footwear so as to secure the footwear to a wearer. The retainers are preferably lock washers. One end of each of the tubes is preferably tapered.

A fastening device for connecting identified openings, including: an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, the main body member having a first end portion and a second end portion at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; first and second tip end members located at the first end portion and second end portion of the body, respectively, the first and second tip end members each adapted to fit through one of the identified openings; and a first deformable interference portion located between the main body member and the first tip end member, and a second deformable interference portion located between the main body and the second tip end member; where the first and second deformable interference portions are each normally located in a rest state where they define an outer dimension that prevents their passage through one of the identified openings. Other embodiments, features and methods are also described.

A fastening device for connecting identified openings, including: an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, the main body member having a first end portion and a second end portion at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; first and second tip end members located at the first end portion and second end portion of the body, respectively, the first and second tip end members each adapted to fit through one of the identified openings; and a first deformable interference portion located between the main body member and the first tip end member, and a second deformable interference portion located between the main body and the second tip end member; where the first and second deformable interference portions are each normally located in a rest state where they define an outer dimension that prevents their passage through one of the identified openings. Other embodiments, features and methods are also described.

A closure system for an article of footwear includes a closure mechanism, a securing element, and a cord that is configured to be operably engaged with an upper of the footwear. The closure mechanism is configured to be actuated to adjust the footwear from a loosened configuration to a tightened configuration, and the securing element is configured to be engaged with the closure mechanism to secure the footwear in the tightened configuration.

A closure system for an article of footwear includes a closure mechanism, a securing element, and a cord that is configured to be operably engaged with an upper of the footwear. The closure mechanism is configured to be actuated to adjust the footwear from a loosened configuration to a tightened configuration, and the securing element is configured to be engaged with the closure mechanism to secure the footwear in the tightened configuration.

An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.

An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.