Exemplary embodiments of an air bladder are provided that is configured to retain the shape of a front toe portion of a shoe. For example, an air bladder for a shoe is provided, including a top portion, a bottom portion, a central body having a hollow interior configured to be inflated, the central body shaped to conform to a front toe portion of a shoe, a recess provided at a lower portion of the central body diving the central body, a middle portion having a bottom portion fluidly connected with the top portion of the central body narrower than the central body, and a top wing portion fluidly connected to the top of the middle portion that is wider than the middle portion. A shoe insert can also be provided to which the air bladder can be secured to.

A shoe tree includes a front section and a rear section which is pivotably connected to the rear end of the front section. The front section has a vamp portion on the top thereof. A first recessed area is defined in the underside of the front section. The rear end of the front section has a first support face and a first opening which communicates with the first recessed area. The rear section is pivotably connected to the first support face. Two notches are defined in two lateral sides of the shoe tree and located between the front and rear sections. The two notches are narrowed and widened when the rear section is pivoted downward and upward relative to the front section. The front section is inserted into a shoe by push and pivoting the rear section, and then the rear section is inserted into the shoe.

A warming rack for holding footwear includes a base and an array of support posts supported by the base. The base defines a length extending between a first end and a second end and a width between a pair of opposing side edges. The array of support posts is configured to retain multiple articles of footwear above the base. Each support posts includes a first portion extending from a proximal end in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the base to a bend line, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first direction from the bend line to a terminal end. The second portion is configured to retain a corresponding article of footwear in a fixed position when the second portion is received by an interior void of the footwear.

Provided is an inflatable shoe insert for inserting in a shoe. The insert comprises first and second web plies that are sealed together at a plurality of seals that define an air chamber. The air chamber includes a front region having a toe expansion region uninterrupted by seals over an area so that when fully inflated, the front region expands to a height and medial-lateral width to support the shoe upper against collapsing. The air chamber further includes a retention portion having a region in which the seals are spaced closer together than in the toe expansion region so that when fully inflated, the retention portion expands to a medial-lateral width that is smaller than that in the toe expansion region, the retention portion having an anterior-posterior length that reaches the heel of the shoe to retain the front region in the toe box by pressure against the heel.

The present invention relates to a shoe insert that is inflatable or otherwise conformable to the interior of a shoe and provides protection against the shoe collapsing or otherwise becoming deformed during transport, shipment or handling. The shoe insert is capable of being inflated in a left or right orientation and can be provided with branding and other merchandising information.

An inflatable shoe insert assembly may have an elongated lower element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a tubular inflation chamber that is narrow and elongated and is configured to seal inflation fluid therein; a shoe-upper element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a shoe-upper inflation chamber configured to seal inflation fluid therein; wherein lower and upper inflation chambers are configured and dimensioned to fit together into a shoe and support each other in an installed position to cooperatively support and maintain the shape of the shoe upper.

An inflatable shoe insert assembly may have an elongated lower element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a tubular inflation chamber that is narrow and elongated and is configured to seal inflation fluid therein; a shoe-upper element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a shoe-upper inflation chamber configured to seal inflation fluid therein; wherein lower and upper inflation chambers are configured and dimensioned to fit together into a shoe and support each other in an installed position to cooperatively support and maintain the shape of the shoe upper.

A method of making a steaming apparatus for an article of footwear includes providing a set of sheets and applying a series of welds and cuts to the sheets. The resulting steaming apparatus can have a steaming chamber adjoined to a plurality of wing portions. The apparatus also includes provisions for securing the article of footwear within the steaming chamber such that a majority of the upper is subjected to steam. Articles of footwear may be placed in the steaming system to help customize the articles of apparel for a user's fit and comfort.

A method and kit are provided for the customization of footwear comprising an upper which is partially or totally made of thermoformable material. The method provides for selectively heating the portions made of thermoformable material of the footwear, while leaving the remaining portions of the footwear at a substantially unchanged temperature, and for applying to the thermoformable material portions a pressure sufficient to adapt their shape to the specific morphology of the user's foot. This allows to customize even footwear comprising delicate portions, which would be damaged if subjected to high temperatures. The method may provide for customizing a footbed, partially or totally made of thermoformable material, to the specific morphology of the user's foot sole. The kit is compact, preferably transportable and capable of autonomously carrying out all the steps of the method.

An apparatus for stretching footwear, wherein an inflatable bladder is inserted into the footwear at a desired location as determined by the user. The various embodiments of the apparatus allow for various areas of the footwear, including the instep, the vamp, the calf area or shaft, and other areas of the footwear to be uniformly expanded without causing damage to the footwear. In one embodiment, a bladder having a rounded peak is inserted into the toe-box of the footwear and inflated to a desired pressure. Alternatively, other embodiments may be inserted into the calf section of a footwear such as a boot to expand the material around the leg and calf of a user. An air valve allows for users to inflate the apparatus while said apparatus is inside of the footwear.