A closable drainage system for a sole of a shoe, the closable drainage system including a drain configured to communicate between sole top and bottom surfaces of the sole, the drain having opposing drain upper and lower faces; at least one drainage aperture element disposed within the drain, the drainage aperture element defining a drainage channel which communicates between the drain upper and lower faces; and a movable member overlaying the drain upper face, the movable member movable over the drain upper face to provide open and closed conditions of the drainage channel; whereby in the open condition, the movable member disposes to allow passage through the drainage channel and correspondingly, between the sole top and bottom surfaces; and whereby in the closed condition, the movable member disposes to preclude passage through the drainage channel and correspondingly, between the sole top and bottom surfaces.

A shoe with an upper that is at least partially rendered impermeable, including a sole; an insole; an upper assembly, which at least comprises a breathable lining, a breathable upper, and, interposed between at least part thereof, a layer that is waterproof and is fixed hermetically below the insole, the upper assembly being associated with the insole; and a region providing a waterproof seal of the insole to the sole, the sealing region substantially surrounding the breathable or perforated portion that is free for perspiration.

A closable drainage system for a sole of a shoe, the closable drainage system including a drain configured to communicate between sole top and bottom surfaces of the sole, the drain having opposing drain upper and lower faces; at least one drainage aperture element disposed within the drain, the drainage aperture element defining a drainage channel which communicates between the drain upper and lower faces; and a movable member overlaying the drain upper face, the movable member movable over the drain upper face to provide open and closed conditions of the drainage channel; whereby in the open condition, the movable member disposes to allow passage through the drainage channel and correspondingly, between the sole top and bottom surfaces; and whereby in the closed condition, the movable member disposes to preclude passage through the drainage channel and correspondingly, between the sole top and bottom surfaces.

A shoe component includes a base structure which is substantially shaped so as to reproduce at least partially the sole of a foot of a user, the base structure having an upper surface which is designed to be directed toward the foot and a lower surface which is opposite the upper surface, the component comprising one or more through holes and one or more blind holes provided in the base structure. The one or more through holes are in communication with one or more of the one or more blind holes through one or more channels provided in the base structure.

The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear effective to regulate the temperature of the feet of a wearer. In an embodiment, the article of footwear includes an upper and an insole with a thermal effect membrane. The thermal effect membrane contains a plurality of system-reactive components selectively engaged heat and/or moisture. In an embodiment, the printed coating includes a cooling agent, a phase change material, and a heat dissipation material. The bottom of the sole structure of the article of footwear further includes a multiple openings in the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot regions. The multiple openings promote airflow into the interior of the upper. In operation, the article of footwear is effective to delay/diminish the rise in skin temperature (compared to footwear lacking the membrane and/or openings), increasing wearer comfort.

An intelligent fabric includes: a base layer provided with vent holes and a thermal insulation layer arranged on the base layer and moved relative to the base layer; a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature information; and a controller connected to the temperature sensor and the thermal insulation layer, and configured to control the thermal insulation layer to be moved relative to the base layer in accordance with the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor, to switch the thermal insulation layer between a state where the thermal insulation layer covers the vent holes completely and a state where the thermal insulation layer does not cover the vent holes, or among the above two states and a state where the thermal insulation layer covers a portion of the vent holes.

A ventilation apparatus including a pump, a switching unit, and a fluid diffuser is provided. The pump attached to the footwear pumps fluid into and exhausts fluid from a cavity of the footwear. The switching unit in communication with the pump selectively changes modes of operation of the pump. The fluid diffuser connected to the pump within the cavity of the footwear includes a feed pipe for transferring the fluid pumped from the pump to the cavity of the footwear during a pump mode of operation and to transfer the fluid in the cavity of the footwear to an ambient environment external to the footwear during an exhaust mode of operation, for ventilating the footwear. In one or more embodiments, the fluid diffuser includes a diffusing member with one or more openings and/or a fluid distribution channel member for transferring the fluid to and from the cavity of the footwear.

A cycling shoe, including a sole as well as an upper that rises from the sole; the surface of the upper includes a plurality of recesses adapted to reduce the form drag of the upper hit by the air during the execution of the pedalling motion.

A shoe component includes a base structure which is substantially shaped so as to reproduce at least partially the sole of a foot of a user, the base structure having an upper surface which is designed to be directed toward the foot and a lower surface which is opposite the upper surface, the component comprising one or more through holes and one or more blind holes provided in the base structure. The one or more through holes are in communication with one or more of the one or more blind holes through one or more channels provided in the base structure.