An article includes a receptacle defining an interior void and an adjustment element attached to the receptacle. The adjustment element includes bladder defining one or more chambers each having a compressible component disposed therein. The adjustment element is operable between a contracted configuration providing the receptacle with a first size and an expanded configuration providing the receptacle with a second size different than the first size by adjusting a pressure within the one or more chambers.

An article includes a receptacle defining an interior void and an adjustment element attached to the receptacle. The adjustment element includes bladder defining one or more chambers each having a compressible component disposed therein. The adjustment element is operable between a contracted configuration providing the receptacle with a first size and an expanded configuration providing the receptacle with a second size different than the first size by adjusting a pressure within the one or more chambers.

A shoe bottom cleansing apparatus is configured to be carried by a first shoe. The shoe bottom cleansing apparatus includes a main body and an attachment strap. The main body is configured to clean a bottom of a second shoe. The attachment strap is configured to detachably secure the shoe bottom cleansing apparatus to the first shoe. The attachment strap includes a guide configured to facilitate consistently positioning the shoe bottom cleansing apparatus relative to the first shoe.

Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps. In one representative embodiment, a shoe includes: (a) a sole; (b) an upper, extending above the sole, that includes a front section, a left side, a right side, a rear section, and a tongue that originates from the front section and extends rearwardly between the left side and the right side; (c) a left elastic strap that extends from a left side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the left side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the left side of the upper; and (d) a right elastic strap that extends from a right side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the right side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the right side of the upper, with the left elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the left side of the tongue and the right elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the right side of the tongue.

Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps. In one representative embodiment, a shoe includes: (a) a sole; (b) an upper, extending above the sole, that includes a front section, a left side, a right side, a rear section, and a tongue that originates from the front section and extends rearwardly between the left side and the right side; (c) a left elastic strap that extends from a left side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the left side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the left side of the upper; and (d) a right elastic strap that extends from a right side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the right side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the right side of the upper, with the left elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the left side of the tongue and the right elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the right side of the tongue.

A tennis shoe kit that includes a tennis shoe with a wide lower side, a tongue opening, a lower vamp, a hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a plurality of eyelet holes formed on opposite sides of the tongue opening, at least two replaceable tongues each with a complementary hook and loop connector pad attached to its lower edge configured to connect to the hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a set of manually attachable eyelets configured to be selectively attached to the eyelet holes, and at least two elastic bands with ornamental features printed or attached to its outer surface, each band is configured to extend entirely around the outside surface of the outsole of the tennis shoe.

A tennis shoe kit that includes a tennis shoe with a wide lower side, a tongue opening, a lower vamp, a hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a plurality of eyelet holes formed on opposite sides of the tongue opening, at least two replaceable tongues each with a complementary hook and loop connector pad attached to its lower edge configured to connect to the hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a set of manually attachable eyelets configured to be selectively attached to the eyelet holes, and at least two elastic bands with ornamental features printed or attached to its outer surface, each band is configured to extend entirely around the outside surface of the outsole of the tennis shoe.

An outsole for an athletic shoe that includes a heel section and a forefoot section. The heel and forefoot sections are on the outer surface of the outsole. The forefoot section includes a tread pattern that provides first and second ground friction forces. The first ground friction force promotes rotation in a first rotational direction about a rotation point of the forefoot section. The second ground friction force restricts rotation in a second rotational direction about the rotation point. The second rotational direction is opposite of the first rotational direction and the second ground friction force is greater than the first ground friction force.

A rapid-entry and rebounding fit shoe having one or both of a rapid-entry heel element and a rapid-entry tongue element and both snap back for fit. The rapid-entry shoe directs a user's foot into or otherwise accommodates a user's foot with respect to, a shoe opening, and thereafter secures a rear portion of rapid-entry shoe about a user's heel as well as forefoot.

A rapid-entry and rebounding fit shoe having one or both of a rapid-entry heel element and a rapid-entry tongue element and both snap back for fit. The rapid-entry shoe directs a user's foot into or otherwise accommodates a user's foot with respect to, a shoe opening, and thereafter secures a rear portion of rapid-entry shoe about a user's heel as well as forefoot.