Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

The present invention is a system of footwear that is easily customizable and provides the wearer with a wide variety of removeable and interchangeable upper portions in various colors, patterns, shapes and styles, allowing the wearer to create numerous different shoe looks from the same, single pair of soles. The shoe design specifically comprises a base portion having numerous metal snaps with male connectors (ball heads) spaced at intervals along the sides. The corresponding female connectors are located on the undersides of the interchangeable uppers; the other side of the uppers, which can be seen while wearing the shoe, contains rounded metal caps.

Footwear, such as a sandal or shoe, and other articles having an attachment mechanism that is useful in attaching replaceable and interchangeable ornaments such as gems, jewels or other decorative ornaments and attachments. The footwear upper portion is easily changed out, but can incorporate various replaceable lacing strips and ornamental beads to enhance the beauty of the footwear, thereby making a lasting impression on users, especially to males.

An article of footwear, including one or more interchangeable upper portions, the upper portion including loops on a bottom portion of the upper portion, a sole, the sole having engagement points around a perimeter of the sole, wherein the engagement points in the sole allow the loops to be inserted and/or removed; at least two spring lock systems, the spring lock systems located in the perimeter of the sole, wherein the spring lock systems include a spring, a flexible shaft, a lock and a spring plate, the lock and the spring plate being located in the engagement points, wherein the loops of the one or more upper portions to the sole engage with the lock and spring plate to secure and/or release the loops in position; and two or more sets of buttons on the sole to release or engage the spring lock system.

An article of footwear includes an upper defining a throat configured to receive a foot. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure coupled to the upper. The article of footwear further includes a panel having a first side coupled to the upper for movement between an open position and a closed position. The panel exposes a portion of the throat in the open position and covers the portion of the throat in the closed position. The article of footwear also includes a strap having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end are disposed on a first side of the upper with a body portion of the strap disposed between the first end and the second end surrounding the upper.

The invention relates to a method for monitoring or visualizing the running speed (v) of an athlete (1). To determine the running speed of the athlete in an easy manner the proposed method comprises the steps: a) Providing a piece of garment (2) or a shoe (2′), which are worn by the athlete (1) during miming, wherein the piece of garment (2) or the shoe (2′) is provided with a coating (3) applied at an outer surface (4) of the piece of garment (2) or the shoe, wherein the coating (3) comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal, or wherein the piece of garment (2) or the shoe (2′) is made at least partially of a material, especially by a yarn, which comprises at least one thermochromic dye or at least one liquid crystal; b) Monitoring the color (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3) of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal during running of the athlete (1); c) Evaluating the running speed (v) of the athlete (1) on the basis of the actual color (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3) of the at least one thermochromic dye or liquid crystal. Furthermore, the invention relates to an athletic garment or shoe.

A footwear structure includes an upper provided with a mouth, a tip end and a front portion that is between the mouth and the tip end, a first lining housed inside the footwear structure, and a first through opening arranged on the front portion of the upper, and a first appendage externally arranged on the first lining at a position substantially corresponding to the first through opening, wherein the first appendage engages the first through opening and wherein the first appendage is accessible from the outside of the footwear structure.

Comfortable, protective, durable, and lightweight footwear with minimal component parts. Both the footwear and the method of constructing the same is streamlined.

An article of footwear comprises a sole structure, and an upper including a front section and a rear section. The front section is fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity. The rear section is operatively secured to the sole structure at least partially rearward of the front section, and includes medial and lateral wings. A medial set of magnets includes at least one front medial magnet secured to a medial side of the front section and at least one rear medial magnet secured to the medial wing. A lateral set of magnets includes at least one front lateral magnet secured to a lateral side of the front section and at least one rear lateral magnet secured to the lateral wing. The rear section is movable relative to the front section between an access position and a use position.

A shoe comprises a sole having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a top member having an outer surface and an inner surface and mounted on the sole. The top member and sole to together define a space for receiving a foot, and the top member further comprises an opening. A fastener is provided in the top member and extends from the opening and continues over the top member such that a portion of the top member is movable between a first position in which the space is substantially closed and a second position in which a portion of the top member is folded back from the sole to provide access to the space.