A tightening device for tightening a ski boot includes an elongate panel having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate panel is positioned about the ski boot's shell between opposing sides of the shell. A tensioning mechanism is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel. A tension member is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. At least one guide member is coupled with, or positioned on, the proximal end of the elongate panel adjacent to the tensioning mechanism. The tension member is coupled with the guide member to route or direct the tension member between the opposing sides of the shell and along a portion of the elongate panel.

Boot having an outer upper within which an inner comfort element is positioned, the outer upper having at least two portions movable in relation to one another, a tightener being provided to bring the two portions closer to one another in order to adapt the volume of the boot to the foot of the user, the tightener including an outer tractor, a first end of which is fixed to a first portion of the outer upper, and a second end of which is in relation with an actuator fixed to a second portion of the outer upper, the boot further including an inner tractor that is primarily positioned under the outer upper and are in relation with the same actuator.

A ski boot is provided of the type including a substantially soft inner liner, a substantially rigid outer shell and a cuff articulated to the shell, and further including a spoiler articulated to the shell and arranged between the inner liner and the cuff. The ski boot includes a locking device for selectively allowing or preventing rotation of the cuff relative to the shell and, at the same time, for selectively allowing or preventing the movements of the spoiler relative to the cuff, and consequently also relative to the shell.

An exemplary ski boot as described herein includes an outer shell, at least one guide member, a tensioning mechanism, and a tension member that is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The tensioning mechanism and the at least one guide member are coupled with the outer shell and the at least one guide member is operably coupled with the tension member to route or direct the tension member along a lace path about the ski boot's outer shell. The lace path includes an upper end, a lower end, and a midpoint positioned between the upper end and lower end. The tensioning mechanism is positioned near the midpoint of the lace path.

The inventive subject matter shown and described is directed to an item of footwear with a tensioning system, comprising: a shell for enclosing a foot and at least a portion of a lower leg; a pair of opposing edges generally aligned along the top of foot portion of the shell and/or a front lower leg portion, the edges generally aligning with a longitudinal axis of the foot and/or lower leg, the opposing edges defining opposite sides of the shell; a foot retraction system comprising a tension path and at least two anchor points disposed along the path on the opposite sides of the shell and supporting at least one tensionable cable section disposed along the path, at least one anchor point comprising a tensioning mechanism, the tensioning mechanism allowing for adjustable tensioning of the cable section, the anchor points being arranged on opposite sides of the shell that support the edges, at least one being on a lateral or medial side of a boot and not on the top of the foot and front of the lower leg, so that tensioning of the cable causes the opposing edges to converge together. The inventive subject matter is particularly suitable for use in boots for snow and skating sports or any other such sport where sliding movement of the foot or leg relative to the item of footwear is undesirable and where secure coupling of the item to the foot and leg facilitates transfer of power to a board, ski, skate blade, set of skate wheels, etc., that is coupled to the item.

The inventive subject matter shown and described is directed to an item of footwear with a tensioning system, comprising: a shell for enclosing a foot and at least a portion of a lower leg; a pair of opposing edges generally aligned along the top of foot portion of the shell and/or a front lower leg portion, the edges generally aligning with a longitudinal axis of the foot and/or lower leg, the opposing edges defining opposite sides of the shell.

Ski boot comprising a rigid shell which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user, and has a lower part structured to couple with a ski binding device; a rigid cuff which is shaped so as to surround the lower part of the leg of the user, and is pivotally jointed to the shell thus to be able to pivot about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot, and shell closing means adapted to selectively tighten the shell on the foot of the user; the shell comprising a substantially basin-shaped casing which is superiorly provided with a main opening from which the leg of the user comes out, and with a longitudinal slit that branches from said main opening and extends along the casing towards the front tip of the shell; the shell closing means being placed at the longitudinal fissure.

A ski boot is provided of the type comprising a substantially soft inner liner, a substantially rigid outer shell and a cuff articulated to the shell, and further comprising a spoiler articulated to the shell and arranged between the inner liner and the cuff. The ski boot comprises a locking device for selectively allowing or preventing rotation of the cuff relative to the shell and, at the same time, for selectively allowing or preventing the movements of the spoiler relative to the cuff, and consequently also relative to the shell.

A sports boot having a rigid shell base designed to hold the foot of a user, the shell base including a sole and two lateral sides extending from the sole and defining an upper recess therebetween. The boot includes a mechanism for tightening the shell base around the foot of the user, the tightening mechanism including a filiform element for tightening the sides towards one another, the filiform element being tightened by pivoting a lever of the mechanism. The lever is provided to be pivoted in a notch of a rack designed to cover the two sides of the shell base in the tightened configuration and to bend the sides towards the sole under the pivoting action of the lever. The rack extends across the upper recess E2.

A reel based closure device for tensioning a tension member is described herein. The reel based closure device includes a housing that defines a vertical axis, a plurality of teeth operably coupled with the housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, and an engagement member comprising one or more teeth that engage with the plurality of teeth during a rotation of the spool. A dial or knob is operably coupled with the spool so that a rotation of the dial or knob effects the rotation of the spool to wind the tension member about the spool. A length of each tooth that is operably coupled with the housing is substantially longer than a length of each tooth of the engagement member.