A shoe may include an upper portion constructed from a continuous textile (e.g., a knit textile) that includes an elastic region and a structural region. The elastic region may be positioned about a perimeter of an opening into a cavity configured to receive a wearer's foot, and the elastic region may be configured to secure the shoe to a wearer's foot. The elastic region may have a first elasticity that is greater than a second elasticity of the structural region. In an unworn configuration, the elastic region may cause a tread surface of a sole of the shoe to have a continuous curvature. In a worn configuration, substantially all of an intermediate section of the tread surface may contact a surface on which the shoe is placed. The elastic region may improve the performance of the shoe, including the comfort and durability.

An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

An easy removal prevention footwear apparatus includes a footwear, a medial opening, a lateral opening, a first elastic band, a second elastic band, and a fastener. The footwear delineates a general configuration of a shoe. A first proximal end of the first elastic band is internally connected to the footwear. A second proximal end of the second elastic band is internally connected to the footwear, opposite of the first proximal end. The medial opening and the lateral opening traverse into a counter section of the footwear. A first distal end of the first elastic band slidably traverses through the lateral opening. A second distal end of the second elastic band slidably traverses through the medial opening. The first distal end and the second distal end are tensionably attached to each other by the fastener thus configuring two different securing loops between the footwear and the user's foot.

An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.

A custom fitted shoe for diabetic patients including a custom insole and a custom upper, both manufactured from a whole-foot impression, the custom upper featuring a widened toe box, extra cushioning in the big toe, pinky toe, and heel regions, and elastic in the ankle region, and dual fastening system including elastic laces and removable Velcro fastening system; the custom insole feature toe wells and toe separation ridges to prevent toes from contacting and rubbing against one-another.

An upper of an article of footwear including a dynamic material configured for topographic transformation to alter at least one of a fit, an insulation, or a ventilation, of the article of footwear.

An athletic training shoe has an outsole and an upper shoe portion. The portion of the outsole adjacent the front foot cavity has a plurality of molded cleats. The portion of the outsole adjacent the heel cavity is arched up and away from the cleat portion. About the circumference of an opening of the upper shoe body are cushioned hemispherical protuberances, acting as an ankle stabilizer for a wearer of the shoe. This ankle stabilizer can be inserted in the shoe upper or integral therewith.

Described is a shoe upper for a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, wherein the shoe upper is laceless and comprises: (a.) a lateral portion; (b.) a medial portion; and (c.) at least an elastic intermediate portion between the lateral portion and the medial portion, wherein the stiffness of at least one of the lateral portion and the medial portion is at least 2 times higher than the stiffness of the elastic intermediate portion.

An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper has a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction that includes at least one gore region located in a heel region of the article of footwear. The gore region provides a contoured configuration to the knitted component. In a method of manufacturing, a knitted component may include a first gore region and a plurality of second gore regions, with the first gore region being located in a heel area of the article of footwear and the second gore regions being located adjacent to the sole structure.

A system for securing shoes to the feet using a one or two pull shoe closure arrangement. Each embodiment of the system uses a squared-cord arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The various embodiments arrange either one or two draw straps connected to one or more squared-cord portions to draw in and tighten the sides of the squared-cord arrangement. A single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation where it is drawn back and secured on the heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull two parallel shorter draw straps laterally to points of securement on the sides of the shoe. Further alternate embodiments pull a draw strap longitudinally along a midline at the top of the shoe to a point of securement back onto the squared-cord arrangement.