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.

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.

A footwear item including a main textile element including a main textile bootie having a sole portion secured, at least partially, to at least one sole element, the main textile element also including one or more hot-melted textile portion(s). The sole portion includes a first through-opening, and the main textile element includes at least a first additional textile part of unitary textile construction with the main textile bootie and in connection with the first through-opening. The first additional textile part may project into or out of the foot-accommodating volume of the main bootie and potentially reinforce the attachment with the sole element.

A customizable footwear system including a footwear having a smooth, water-impermeable washable material covering a major surface area of an upper region of the footwear, and a smooth, water-impermeable outer sole extending along a lower region of the footwear and abutted against the washable material, and a plurality of orifices passing through the outer sole in such a manner that fluid and debris is channeled downwardly from the washable material, through the outer sole and out from a bottom-most surface of the outer sole.

The present disclosure provides an item of footwear with removable modular sole member that allow customization of the footwear with respect to traction, cushioning, support, fit, performance and/or aesthetic functions and features. It is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear which can be customized to be utilized for varying conditions and/or occasions. Another object of the invention is to provide a footwear with relatively simple means for quickly and firmly securing an interchangeable sole with effective elements which do not adversely affect the appearance or comfort of the footwear.

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.

A rapid-entry shoe having a heel counter to prevent inward deflection of a rear portion of the upper, but the heel counter having a vertical slit to permit downward deflection of the rear portion of the upper, so as to expand a perimeter of an opening of the shoe to receive a foot and thereby facilitate donning and doffing of the rapid-entry shoe.

An adjustable shoe includes an adjustable upper with independent components which can be adjusted longitudinally, laterally, and vertically to accommodate foot size variations including swollen or asymmetrical feet. In some embodiments, an adjustable upper includes at least one connecting member which may be arranged to selectively adjust at least one of an independent toe portion, side panel, and heel portion.

Heel Strap is disclosed. A shoe apparel accessory ornamental design heel strap having a V-shape, a left attachment loop opening on left extended end, a right attachment loop opening on right extended end, the left attachment loop opening and right attachment loop opening of the heel strap extending substantially horizontally from the back of the heel area to a horizontal stretch forward direction from the heel area, and outside stitching and inside stitching. In some embodiments, (1) the heel strap, front elastic band in the form of a V-shape with ends that are attached to, or formed with, the environmental clips that forms no part of the claim.

The present invention provides footwear capable of changing between a flip-flop and a sandal. The structure of a flip-flop which includes a sole having a top section, a bottom section, a forefoot section, a heel section, and a sidewall section. Also, a forefoot cover having V-shaped straps is positioned and extends over at least a part of the forefoot section and is attached to the top section of the sole. A horizontal recess is formed in the heel section of the sole for receiving therein a horizontal strap, which is removably placed in the horizontal recess. The horizontal strap is moveable by the user between a first stored position in the recess, and a second in-use raised position, wherein the horizontal strap extends above the horizontal recess and covers the bridge of the user's foot in order to convert the flip-flop to a sandal for securing the foot more securely.