An article of footwear includes an upper and cable routed along the upper and operable between a tightened state and a loosened state. A first strap includes a first plurality of bands each extending from a first end attached at a first side of the upper to a second end attached to a portion the cable on a second side of the upper. A second strap includes a second plurality of bands each extending from a first end attached at the second side of the upper to a second end attached to another portion of the cable on the first side of the upper. The first plurality of bands of the first strap are interweaved with the second plurality of bands of the second strap and are operable to move through the second plurality of bands when the cable is moved between the tightened state and the loosened state.

An article of footwear has an upper including a body and a unitary support frame attached to the body. A sole structure may be attached to and underlie the upper. The unitary support frame may support the body over the sole structure, and the body may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure and an ankle opening in communication with the foot-receiving cavity. The unitary support frame may define a medial peak at a medial side of the article of footwear and a lateral peak at a lateral side of the article of footwear and may extend forwardly and downwardly from the medial peak and the lateral peak.

An article of footwear having an upper secured to an outsole in combination having three toe pockets, the first toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a big toe of a wearer, and the second toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a second toe of the wearer, and the third toe pocket having a configuration to receive within the remaining third toe, fourth toe and fifth toe of the wearer.

A fastening device for connecting identified openings, including: an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, the main body member having a first end portion and a second end portion at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; first and second tip end members located at the first end portion and second end portion of the body, respectively, the first and second tip end members each adapted to fit through one of the identified openings; and a first deformable interference portion located between the main body member and the first tip end member, and a second deformable interference portion located between the main body and the second tip end member; where the first and second deformable interference portions are each normally located in a rest state where they define an outer dimension that prevents their passage through one of the identified openings. Other embodiments, features and methods are also described.

A fastening device for connecting identified openings, including: an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, the main body member having a first end portion and a second end portion at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; first and second tip end members located at the first end portion and second end portion of the body, respectively, the first and second tip end members each adapted to fit through one of the identified openings; and a first deformable interference portion located between the main body member and the first tip end member, and a second deformable interference portion located between the main body and the second tip end member; where the first and second deformable interference portions are each normally located in a rest state where they define an outer dimension that prevents their passage through one of the identified openings. Other embodiments, features and methods are also described.

An article of footwear having an upper secured to an outsole in combination having three toe pockets, the first toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a big toe of a wearer, and the second toe pocket having a configuration to separately receive within a second toe of the wearer, and the third toe pocket having a configuration to receive within the remaining third toe, fourth toe and fifth toe of the wearer.

Climbing shoe comprising: a shoe-upper shaped to accommodate and substantially cover the entire foot of the user; a polymeric-material sole fixed to the bottom of the shoe-upper so as to cover the front part of the bottom of said shoe-upper; and a sagittal tensioning band made of elastomeric material, which connects the toe of the shoe-upper directly to the rear part of the shoe-upper, in the area above the Calcaneus of the user's foot, passing underneath the sole; the sagittal tensioning band being substantially Y-shaped, so as to extend longitudinally along the tarsus-phalangeal portion of the bottom of the shoe-upper while remaining underneath the sole, and then forking into two branches that extend obliquely along the two lateral sides of the shoe-upper, up to reach the rear part of the shoe-upper.

A method includes: (a.) providing a fabric comprising a first surface and a second surface; (b.) placing the fabric on a support structure adapted to permit gas circulation through at least a portion of a surface of the support structure, wherein the fabric is placed such that the first surface of the fabric faces the surface of the support structure and such that the fabric is arranged at least in part over a raised or embossed portion of the support structure; (c.) providing at least one coating comprising a first coating surface and a second coating surface opposite the first coating surface; (d.) placing the coating at least partially on the second surface of the fabric, such that the first coating surface faces the fabric; and (e.) applying a gas pressure differential between the second coating surface and the first surface of the fabric.

A closure system for footwear is provided. The footwear has an outsole, an upper defining a tongue opening, and a closure assembly configured to selectively close the tongue opening. The closure assembly includes an elastic connector, a closure panel, and one or more stretchable faux laces. The elastic connector is anchored to the upper or the outsole inside the article of footwear. The closure panel bridges the tongue opening and has first and second ends; the first end is attached to the elastic connector and disposed within the upper and the second end is disposed outside the upper and releasably affixed to the upper. The faux lace is joined to the upper and the closure panel. The elastic connector is disposed within the upper and hidden from view from an exterior of the footwear when worn by a wearer.

An article of footwear has an upper including a body and a unitary support frame attached to the body. A sole structure may be attached to and underlie the upper. The unitary support frame may support the body over the sole structure, and the body may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure and an ankle opening in communication with the foot-receiving cavity. The unitary support frame may define a medial peak at a medial side of the article of footwear and a lateral peak at a lateral side of the article of footwear and may extend forwardly and downwardly from the medial peak and the lateral peak.