a foldable shoe, comprising: a sole extending between a toe end and heel end, the sole comprising a toeroom region proximate the toe end and a heel region proximate the heel end and a midfoot region defined between the toeroom region and heel region, the toeroom region comprising a strap spanning the width of the shoe in a toe-lever region of the toeroom region, the heel region comprising at least one strap retainment recess, configured to alternately: receive the strap and retain the strap against slipping off of the sole and mitigate stress concentrations against breakage under the tensile strength of the strap and bending strength of the sole, when the shoe is folded; and define the compression strength of the sole in the heel region, such that the shoe is configured to alternately: receive a foot of a user with a ball of the user's foot retained in the midfoot region with a stretchable upper portion of the shoe that is independent of the strap; and fold into a retainment orientation, with the heel region retained in a parallel offset orientation to the toeroom region with the strap, with the upper portion contained between the toeroom region of the sole and the heel region of the sole, with the strap traversing under the sole in the heel region and retained in the strap retainment recess.

An apparatus for carrying foldable footwear that comprises a drawstring pouch having a side pocket that reversibly adjusts between undrawn and drawn states. When undrawn, the pouch is characterized by an opening at the top of the pouch that is dimensioned and configured for receiving a pair of foldable shoes in an interior of the pouch. When drawn, the pouch is characterized by a drawstring arranged on the upper portion sealing off the opening, thereby concealing the interior of the pouch. The apparatus further comprises a collapsible tote bag removably inserted in the side pocket, where the tote bag is configured to reversibly convert between unfolded and folded states. When unfolded, the tote bag is characterized by an interior portion that receives a pair of unfolded shoes, where the interior portion further includes a storage pocket. When folded, the tote bag is completely contained within the second pocket.

A shoe comprising an upper forming an interior portion for a foot, the interior portion including toe and heel cavities, is provided. The shoe further comprises a midsole having toe and heel ends and inner and outer sides. The midsole is stitched to the upper thereby forming a bottom to the interior portion. Heel and toe outsole patches are respectively stitched onto the midsole. An insole is affixed to the bottom of the interior portion. A spacing between the heel and toe outsole patches extends from the inner to the outer side and occupies a position intermediate the toe and heel ends thereby permitting the shoe to fold about an axis running through the spacing. The shoe folds between an extended state, in which the shoe is worn, and a folded state in which a portion of the upper comprising the toe cavity is tucked into the heel cavity.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a unitary midsole having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion. A bottom surface of the unitary midsole defines a groove extending from a medial side to a lateral side of the unitary midsole, and a top surface of the unitary midsole defines a slit disposed over the groove and extending from the medial side to the lateral side. The unitary midsole forms a living hinge at the groove and the slit, with the living hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion are selectively pivotable relative to one another at the living hinge between a first orientation and a second orientation. The groove is wider in the first orientation than in the second orientation, and the slit is wider in the second orientation.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a unitary midsole having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion. A bottom surface of the unitary midsole defines a groove extending from a medial side to a lateral side of the unitary midsole, and a top surface of the unitary midsole defines a slit disposed over the groove and extending from the medial side to the lateral side. The unitary midsole forms a living hinge at the groove and the slit, with the living hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion are selectively pivotable relative to one another at the living hinge between a first orientation and a second orientation. The groove is wider in the first orientation than in the second orientation, and the slit is wider in the second orientation.

A separable footwear article may comprise an outsole oriented at the bottom of the footwear and configured for ground contact, the outsole comprising a first material; an upper portion releasably coupled to the outsole with thread using chain stitching, the upper portion comprising a second material different from the first material; and an insole removeably disposed adjacent the upper portion and the outsole, the insole comprising a third material different from the first material and the second material; wherein the outsole, the upper portion, and insole are capable of being separated by releasing the thread and hand pulling the thread from the footwear article.

Foldable slippers, comprising: a front part of the shoe, which includes the sole plate and an arched or herringbone upper piece connected to the sole plate; a rear part of the shoe, the sole plate of which is connected to the front part of the shoe by means of a folding middle section. This allows it to fold or unfold relative to the front part of the shoe. The shoe has a simple structure, a small foldable design which is unfolded when in use and then able to store after use. It is durable and convenient to carry and use. This product not only is more inexpensive, but also easier to use and manufacture.

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.