An article of footwear has an upper with tensioning components. The upper includes a fastening system with a tensioning device. The tensioning device may be utilized with a plurality of cables. The tensioning device is removably attached to the upper by a clasp element to facilitate entry of a foot into the article of footwear, or exit of a foot from the article of footwear. The tensioning device can allow the lengths of the cables to readily change in order to accommodate different foot shapes.

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 has an upper with tensioning components. The upper includes a fastening system with a tensioning device. The tensioning device may be utilized with a plurality of cables. The tensioning device is removably attached to the upper by a clasp element to facilitate entry of a foot into the article of footwear, or exit of a foot from the article of footwear. The tensioning device can allow the lengths of the cables to readily change in order to accommodate different foot shapes.

A lace product for threading into a shoe or garment including: a plurality of single eyelet laces, a spine, stitching securing each of the plurality of single eyelet laces to the spine such that the single eyelet laces cannot be separated from the spine with a force of less than 400 lbs.

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.

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.

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.

A footwear securement system employs a plurality of elastic, stretchable elongated tubes, each of which extend through opposed corresponding openings of the footwear. Retainers are slidably receivable on the tubes and releasably engageable against opposed sides of the footwear so as to secure the footwear to a wearer. The retainers are preferably lock washers. One end of each of the tubes is preferably tapered.

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 mechanism for an article of footwear, the fastening mechanism including a tensioning member having a member opening, a first tensioning element extending along a first side of an upper of the footwear, and a second tensioning element extending along a second side of the upper, opposite the first side. The first and second tensioning elements are operatively coupled with the tensioning member about the member opening. The fastening mechanism is configured to be moveable between a loosened configuration, in which the first and the second tensioning elements are tensioned to a first tension, to a tightened configuration, in which the first and the second tensioning elements are tensioned to a second tension that is greater than the first tension, when the tensioning member is rotated relative to the article of footwear.