A device for protecting footwear includes a base with length less than a length of the sole of the footwear to be protected and a width greater than a width of the sole. The base has a top surface for placement adjacent the sole of the footwear and a bottom surface for abutting against a foot-driven tool. A right sidewall extends upward from the right side of the base, and a left sidewall extends upward from the left side of the base. A strap is attached to the right sidewall and the left sidewall for looping around the footwear to hold the top surface of the base adjacent the sole of the footwear. In this way, a user can impact the foot-driven tool with the device instead of the sole of the footwear thereby protecting the sole against damage, and the sidewalls prevent the device laterally sliding off the sole.

A device for protecting footwear includes a base with length less than a length of the sole of the footwear to be protected and a width greater than a width of the sole. The base has a top surface for placement adjacent the sole of the footwear and a bottom surface for abutting against a foot-driven tool. A right sidewall extends upward from the right side of the base, and a left sidewall extends upward from the left side of the base. A strap is attached to the right sidewall and the left sidewall for looping around the footwear to hold the top surface of the base adjacent the sole of the footwear. In this way, a user can impact the foot-driven tool with the device instead of the sole of the footwear thereby protecting the sole against damage, and the sidewalls prevent the device laterally sliding off the sole.

A shoe including a pliable layer conformably peelably adhered in generally matched engagement with the outsole periphery of the ground engageable surface of the outsole of the shoe.

A shoe including a pliable layer conformably peelably adhered in generally matched engagement with the outsole periphery of the ground engageable surface of the outsole of the shoe.

A shoe including a pliable layer conformably peelably adhered in generally matched engagement with the outsole periphery of the ground engageable surface of the outsole of the shoe.

A shoe including a pliable layer conformably peelably adhered in generally matched engagement with the outsole periphery of the ground engageable surface of the outsole of the shoe.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

Footwear, such as a sports shoe, that has a cleated scaffold that attaches to an underside of a sole of the shoe body of footwear because of an attachment mechanism. The mechanism has cooperative components arranged to engage each other when in alignment to allow the cleated scaffold and shoe body to move in unison and in the absence of a critical pivoting force. When a critical pivoting force arises, such as when the cleats remain fixed in position in a manner that resists their movement in unison with the shoe body, the scaffold dissociates from the shoe body in order to reduce/prevent knee injury.

A shoe including a pliable layer conformably peelably adhered in generally matched engagement with the outsole periphery of the ground engageable surface of the outsole of the shoe.