FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of footwear, such as a shoe (e.g., an athletic shoe, such a cleated shoe), a boot, or a sandal, and a foot-stabilizing appliance that is integratable into the footwear.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An active lifestyle may be enhanced by healthy, functional feet. Agility movements, e.g., as in sports and athletics, contribute to a large number of injuries due to the demand of diverse motion in tactics utilized in win strategies. The complex anatomy of a foot, foot migration within a shoe, ground reaction force, and biomechanics all contribute to the fundamental requirements needed for sports agility movements to be performed in the healthiest manner. A significant factor in foot injury contribution is the limitation in sports footwear design in running shoes and, especially, in cleats worn in soccer, football, and baseball. When injury occurs, there is not only physical pain and life disruption, but in professional sports the business ramifications can be very costly as a player can be sidelined 70-150 days due to injury though on team contract.

[0003] Ankle injuries and muscle strains among are the largest percentage of injuries attributed to lower extremity sport injury, especially soccer. Because soccer is not limited to forward and backward motion, and is a multitask sport, mid-foot arch stress and plantar fasciitis are constant challenges. Additionally, there exist many ergonomic inadequacies in the design of conventional cleats, leading to impaired fit and comfort.

[0004] Soccer shoes are typically designed to fit tight for better feel and control of the ball. However, because of this, 85% of players select shoes that are not the appropriate size and are too tight, too narrow, and/or too short, which contributes to injury. A soccer cleat fit which is too tight or too short causes numerous foot complications like plantar fasciitis, toe, neuroma and bunion pain. More commonly, many players are not wearing the correct size shoe nor do the shoes have adequate functional design or support. [0005] When an improperly fit shoe is worn excessively, the shoe provides for foot migration within the shoe, and/or the overly constrictive fit of the shoe does not allow for the appropriate proprioceptive feedback (stimuli that is connected with position and body movement). This foot migration and lack of proper proprioceptive feedback often causes balance and ankle instability, sprains, strains or even fractures in the wearer’s foot.

[0006] When a person is standing, a calcaneus bone in the heel is connected to the talus bone (i.e. the small bone between the calcaneus and the two bones of the lower leg - the tibia and fibula) and forms a neutral vertical alignment. As a person walks, the calcaneus bone swings side-to-side laterally and medially. Natural or normal pronation (swinging in the medial direction) or supination (swinging in the lateral direction) is when the calcaneus bone swings no more than 30 degrees in either the lateral direction or medial direction from the neutral vertical alignment with the talus bone. Pronation and supination are natural movements for a foot when the foot absorbs and reflects ground forces. Over pronation or supination is when the calcaneus bone swings more than 30 degrees in the medial direction or lateral direction, respectively, from the neutral vertical alignment with the talus bone.

[0007] During dynamic movement, the foot needs an appropriate allowance of movement in the heel, for natural foot pronation and supination. There is predominance of over pronation in most runners, and this induces hyperpressures and stresses on the ankle foot complex. Injuries develop when there are specific excessive deviations in the amount of these movements in the foot. The human body accommodates for these deviations but often not without detrimental changes to the wearer’s gait. These gait changes may cause pain, imbalance or soft tissue disturbances in the foot and up the kinetic chain. People are unaware that their feet are still developing until the age of 14-16 years and that correction of the feet can be influenced by many factors.

[0008] Therefore, there is a great neglect in the management of human feet from the early years of human growth which can grow into permanent developmental challenges into adulthood. Solution to correction of the foot is often arduous by unnecessary medical appointments and complicated by high costs foot orthotics or bracing so many adults and especially children go without any treatment. There is a need for families to have accessible and affordable options for healthier gait. Corrective orthotic inserts often add to the already limited space inside a shoe and taping consists of limited wear time protection. Missing is a customizable solution to control internal foot migration, compressive and targeted alignment support for ligaments and tendons on top of the foot bone structures that is integrated into a shoe without the bulkiness or cost of a custom orthotic.

SUMMARY

[0009] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the claimed subject matter. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter nor delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0010] The present disclosure is directed to an inner shoe structure, the inner shoe structure integrated into a footwear system, and a method for using the footwear system.

[0011] An inner shoe structure is for a foot having a bottom area facing downwards when a person is standing, a top area facing upwards when the person is standing, a medial side, a lateral side, a forefoot at an anterior region of the foot including one or more phalanges connected to a metatarsal bone at a ball of the foot, a hindfoot at a posterior region of the foot having a heel area, and a midfoot between the forefoot and hindfoot and including an arch area. The inner shoe structure comprises a midfoot truss and a harness system, wherein the midfoot truss has a medial panel on a medial side of the inner shoe structure, a lateral panel on a lateral side of the shoe structure, a heel strap, and an inner plantar support configured to be positioned under the bottom area of the foot.

[0012] The inner plantar support comprises an anterior end, an opposite posterior end, a medial side attached to the medial panel, an opposite lateral side attached to the lateral panel, a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, a compression pad located in a center area of the inner plantar support, an outer area between the compression pad and the lateral side, medial side, and anterior end of the inner plantar support, a forefoot section to accommodate the forefoot of the foot when the foot is positioned on the top surface of the inner plantar support, a middle section to accommodate the midfoot when the foot is positioned on the top surface of the inner plantar support, and a hind section to accommodate a hindfoot when the foot is positioned on the top surface of the inner plantar support. The medial panel may further include a first eyelet hole, a second eyelet hole, and a third eyelet hole.

[0013] The compression pad comprises an anterior end, an opposite posterior end, a bottom surface, and an opposite top surface.

[0014] The harness system has two or more adjustable compression straps secured to the bottom surface of the inner plantar support, wrapping around the inner plantar support from the bottom surface to the top surface of the inner plantar support, and coming together to form a single closure strap for a harness fastener. The harness system may further comprises a first strap, a second strap, and a third strap. The first strap has a first end secured to a first side of the inner plantar support on the bottom surface of the forefoot section, the first strap extending from the first end of the first strap across the bottom surface of the inner plantar support to a second side of the inner plantar support, threaded through the first eyelet hole to the second side on the top surface of the forefoot section of the inner plantar support. The second strap has a first end secured to the first side of the inner plantar support on the bottom surface of the middle section, the second strap extending from the first end of the second strap across the bottom surface of the inner plantar support to the second side of the inner plantar support, threaded through the second eyelet hole to the second side on the top surface of the middle section of the inner plantar support. The third strap has a first end secured to the first side of the inner plantar support on the bottom surface of the hind section, the third strap extending from the first end of the third strap across the bottom surface of the inner plantar support to the second side of the inner plantar support, threaded through the third eyelet hole to the second side on the top surface of the hind section of the inner plantar support.

[0015] The adjustable footwear system is for a foot having a bottom area facing downwards when a person is standing, a top area facing upwards when the person is standing, a medial side, a lateral side, a forefoot at an anterior region of the foot including one or more phalanges connected to a metatarsal bone at a ball of the foot, a hindfoot at a posterior region of the foot having a heel area, and a midfoot between the forefoot and hindfoot and including an arch area having a front portion and a back portion. The adjustable footwear system includes a sole, the inner shoe structure described above, a lining around the top area of the foot and between the foot and the shoe structure, and an outer shoe structure surrounding the inner shoe structure and lining. The outer shoe structure has a mouth area opening to allow the foot to enter the footwear system, an access area opening to allow access to the harness fastener of the harness system, and an anterior end, a lateral side, and a medial side curved downwards and fixed to the sole.

[0016] The first side of the inner plantar support may be the lateral side of the inner plantar support, and the second side of the inner plantar support may be the medial side of the inner plantar support. Alternatively, the first side of the inner plantar support may be the medial side of the inner plantar support, and the second side of the inner plantar support may be the lateral side of the inner plantar support.

[0017] The harness fastener may comprise the closure strap, a Y-strap secured the first side of the inner plantar support, and a fastener ring secured to the Y-strap. The closure strap may include a first segment extending from the first strap, second strap, and third strap to the fastener ring, and a second segment extending from the first segment to an end of the closure strap and configured to be inserted into the fastener ring, looped around the fastener ring, and secured down on top of the first segment.

[0018] The compression pad may extend from the ball of the foot to the back portion of the arch area of the foot. In other embodiments, the compression pad may extend from the ball of the foot to the back portion of the heel area, and up and at least partially around the ankle area of the foot. The top surface of the compression pad may comprise one or more canals of elastic material extending longitudinally from the anterior end of the compression pad at least partially to the posterior end of the compression pad.

[0019] The sole may include spikes or studs for a cleat.

[0020] The outer shoe structure may include a fastening mechanism configured to close the access area. The fastening mechanism may be a tongue having an anterior end permanently fixed to the outer shoe structure, an opposite posterior end, a medial side removably fixed to the outer shoe structure, and an opposite lateral side removably fixed to the outer shoe structure.

[0021] The harness system may further comprises a static portion made from inelastic materials and an elastic portion made from elastic materials.

[0022] The footwear system of claim may further comprise a compression sock. The compression sock may be fixed to the inner plantar support.

[0023] A method for using the adjustable footwear system of claim 5 may include (a) inserting the foot into the mouth area of the outer shoe structure of the footwear system; (b) after step (a), positioning the foot on the top surface of the inner plantar support; (c) after step (b), pulling the second segment of the closure strap of the harness fastener to tighten and compress the inner shoe structure against the medial side and lateral side of the foot; and (d) after step (c), securing the second segment of the closure strap to the first segment of the closure strap. The method may further include before step (a), unfastening a fastening mechanism configured to close the access area of the outer shoe structure; and after step (d), fastening the fastening mechanism over the access area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the subject matter of this disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0025] FIG. l is a medial side view of a foot showing the relative position of select anatomy for purposes of the description.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side, cut-away view of a medial side of a footwear system for the foot with part of the footwear system shown in longitudinal cross-section.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a top view of an outer shoe structure in a flat configuration unassembled to a sole of the footwear system and without a fastening mechanism before the outer shoe structure is integrated into the footwear system of FIG. 2.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the outer shoe structure shown in FIG. 3 with a heel- grasping shoe counter.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a lateral side view of the footwear system with a separable tongue fastening mechanism in a closed position.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the lateral side of the footwear system with the separable tongue fastening mechanism in an open position.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a top view of the footwear system in FIG. 6.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of a midfoot truss having a medial panel, a lateral panel, and an inner plantar support.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a top view of an inner shoe structure of the footwear system, including the midfoot truss of FIG. 8 and a harness system.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 9.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a medial side view of the footwear system without the outer shoe structure.

[0036] FIG. 12 is a lateral side view of the footwear system shown in FIG. 11.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a medial side view of a midfoot truss and harness system incorporated onto a sock.

[0038] FIG. 14 is a lateral side view of a midfoot truss and harness system incorporated onto a sock.

[0039] FIG. 15 is a lateral side view of a footwear system with an exit slot for a closure strap of a harness system and a supplemental strap.

[0040] FIG. 16 is a medial side view of the footwear system in FIG. 15.

[0041] FIG. 17 is a top view of the footwear system in FIG. 15 with a midfoot strap omitted.

[0042] FIG. 18 is a lateral side view of a footwear system with an exit slot for a closure strap of a harness system and mock shoelaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] While aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of forms, the following description and accompanying drawings are merely intended to disclose some of these forms as specific examples of the subject matter. Accordingly, the subject matter of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the forms or embodiments so described and illustrated.

[0044] Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical terms or terminology used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications, and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated or the context suggests otherwise, as used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

[0046] References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” a “further embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “some aspects,” “a further aspect,” “aspects,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment encompassed by this disclosure may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, such feature, structure, or characteristic is also a description in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0047] This description may use various terms describing relative spatial arrangements and/or orientations or directions in describing the position and/or orientation of a component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof or direction of movement, force, or other dynamic action. Unless specifically stated, or otherwise dictated by the context of the description, such terms, including, without limitation, top, bottom, above, below, under, on top of, upper, lower, left of, right of, in front of, behind, next to, adjacent, between, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, longitudinal, transverse, radial, axial, clockwise, counter-clockwise, etc., are used for convenience in referring to such component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof or movement, force, or other dynamic action in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting.

[0048] Unless otherwise indicated, or the context suggests otherwise, terms used herein to describe a physical and/or spatial relationship between a first component, structure, or portion thereof and a second component, structure, or portion thereof, such as, attached, connected, fixed, joined, linked, coupled, or similar terms or variations of such terms, shall encompass both a direct relationship in which the first component, structure, or portion thereof is in direct contact with the second component, structure, or portion thereof or there are one or more intervening components, structures, or portions thereof between the first component, structure, or portion thereof and the second component, structure, or portion thereof.

[0049] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, any specific dimensions mentioned in this description are merely representative of an exemplary implementation of a device embodying aspects of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting.

[0050] To the extent used herein, the term “adjacent” refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another.

[0051] To the extend used herein, the terms “first” and “second” preceding the name of an elopement (e.g., a component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof or a direction of movement, force, or other dynamic action) are used for identification purposes to distinguish between similar elements, and are not intended to necessarily imply order, nor are the terms “first” and “second” intended to preclude the inclusion of additional similar elements.

[0052] To the extent used herein, the term “about” applies to all numeric values and terms indicating specific physical orientations or relationships such as horizontal, vertical, parallel, perpendicular, concentric, or similar terms, specified herein, whether or not explicitly indicated. This term generally refers to a range of numbers, orientations, and relationships that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider as a reasonable amount of deviation to the recited numeric values, orientations, and relationships (i.e., having the equivalent function or result) in the context of the present disclosure. For example, and not intended to be limiting, this term can be construed as including a deviation of ±10 percent of the given numeric value, orientation, or relationship, provided such a deviation does not alter the end function or result of the stated value, orientation, or relationship. Therefore, under some circumstances as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art a value of about 1% can be construed to be a range from 0.9% to 1.1%.

[0053] To the extent used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantial” refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with, for example, an event, circumstance, characteristic, or property, the terms can refer to instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein.

[0054] To the extent used herein, the terms “optional” and “optionally” mean that the subsequently described, component, structure, element, event, circumstance, characteristic, property, etc. may or may not be included or occur and that the description includes instances where the component, structure, element, event, circumstance, characteristic, property, etc. is included or occurs and instances in which it is not or does not.

[0055] The present disclosure provides a non-obvious stabilizing footwear system, which is integrated with an inner shoe structure. This system consists of a strategic, directionally guided, adjustable harness system that secures and compresses a foot to inhibit foot migration within a shoe or cleat. This allows for the biomechanical demands of various foot movement without restricting range of motion. The adjustable inner shoe structure, is integrated into a shoe, thereby eliminating the need for added inserts and significantly reducing the need for ankle taping. The inner shoe structure may be integrated into a range of shoes including athletic shoes, cleats, dance shoes, children’s shoes, boots, sandals, or any other shoe type.

[0056] Foot anatomy

[0057] FIG. 1 shows relevant features of a foot 2 that will be referenced in connection with the description below. The foot 2 has a top area or dorsum 20, which is the area of the foot 2 that faces upwards when a person is standing, and a bottom area or plantar 34, which is the area of the foot 2 that faces downwards when the person is standing. The foot has a medial side 54, which is the side of the foot 2 that is situated near a midline (not shown) of a person’s body (not shown) when standing (i.e., the side of the foot facing the other foot), and an opposite lateral side 56, which is the side of the foot 2 that is situated away from the midline of the person’s body when standing (i.e., the side of the foot facing away from the other foot).

[0058] The foot 2 is divided into three sections from the tips of toes to the heel: the forefoot 12, the midfoot 40, and the hindfoot 42. The forefoot 12 is a most anterior region of the foot 2 and includes phalanges 22 (i.e., toes) and metatarsal bones 44 (i.e., the long bones extending between the phalanges 22 and the midfoot 40). The phalanges 22 connect to the metatarsal bones 44 at a ball 18 of the foot 2.

[0059] The midfoot 40 is a middle region of the foot 2 formed by a cluster of small bones, including a navicular bone 16 located on the medial side 54 of the foot 2.

[0060] The hindfoot 42 is a posterior region of the foot 2 and includes an ankle area 24 and a heel area 10. The ankle area 24 is a region where the foot 2 connects to a lower portion of a leg 52. The heel area 10 is a region, including a calcaneus bone 46, that is located below or inferior to the ankle area 24. The heel area 10 includes a front or anterior portion 14 and a back or posterior portion 15. An Achilles tendon or calcaneal tendon 58 is a tendon that connects from the calcaneus bone 46 to a calf muscle (not shown) in the leg 52.

[0061] An arch area 4 of the foot 2 is an area along the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 between the ball 18 and the heel area 10. The arch area 4 includes a front portion 8 near the ball 18 of the foot 2, a back portion 6 near the front portion 14 of the heel area 10, a higher medial longitudinal arch 60 on the medial side 54 of the foot 2 and a less prominent lateral longitudinal arch 62 on the lateral side 56 (not shown) of the foot 2. An instep 30 of the foot 2 is an area along the top area 20 of the foot 2 extending between the ball 18 and the ankle area 24.

[0062] A plantar fascia ligament 35 is a thick ligament below the arch area 4 that connects the toes 22 of the forefoot 12 to the calcaneus 46 of the hindfoot 42. A plantar fascia area 36 is a region on the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 corresponding to the plantar fascia ligament 35. The relevance of each component of the foot 2 will further be explained in view of the description below.

[0063] Footwear system: overall components of footwear system

[0064] FIGS. 2-11 depict an embodiment of a stabilizing footwear system 100. A medial side 168 of the footwear system 100 corresponds to the medial side 54 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1), a lateral side 170 of the footwear system 100 corresponds to the lateral side 56 of the foot 2, an anterior or front end 101 of the footwear system 100 corresponds to the forefoot 12 of the foot 2, and a posterior or back end 103 of the footwear system 100 corresponds to the hindfoot 42 of the foot 2.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows of the medial side 168 of the footwear system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the footwear system 100 includes an outer shoe structure 102 (shown in longitudinal cross-section), which is an outermost layer of the footwear system 100, a lining 120, which is an inner layer of the footwear system 100 between the top area 34 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1) and the rest of the footwear system 100, an inner shoe structure 134, which is a structural system between the lining 120 and the outer shoe structure 102, and a sole 174 (also shown in longitudinal crosssection), which is a bottom portion of the footwear system 100. The inner shoe structure 134 includes a midfoot truss 112, which is a support for the bottom area 34, medial side 54, and lateral side 56 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1) and a harness system 172, which is a system of compression straps (e.g., a forefoot strap 106, a midfoot strap 108, and a front heel strap 110, see, e.g., FIGS. 9-11 and described below) that wraps around the lining 120 and midfoot truss 112. [0066] Outer shoe structure

[0067] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the outer shoe structure 102 in a flat configuration unassembled to the sole of the footwear system and before it is integrated into the footwear system 100. The outer shoe structure 102 includes an anterior end 176, an opposite posterior end 178, a lateral side 180, an opposite medial side 182, a top side 192 (FIG. 3), and an opposite bottom side 194 (FIG. 4). The outer shoe structure 102 may be made from a rubber, injected foam rubber, or eco, natural, or synthetic materials, such as rubber, carbon rubber, EVA foam, polyurethane, or TPU, that provide a fitted and flex comfort at the anterior end 176 so as to not restrict the toes for toe off. The outer shoe structure 102 may be generally shaped or designed according to the purpose, activity, or sport of the footwear system 100.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, before the outer shoe structure 102 is integrated into the footwear system 100, the outer shoe structure 102 lays flat and the lateral side 180 and medial side 182 of the posterior end 178 of the outer shoe structure 102 may not be connected, leaving an open area 184 that extends towards the anterior end 176 of the outer shoe structure 102. The open area 184 includes a wide mouth area opening 186, which will allow the foot 2 to enter the footwear system 100 when the outer shoe structure 102 is integrated with the footwear system 100, and a more narrow access area opening 188, which will allow access to the harness system 172 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and may be covered by a fastening mechanism 190 (see FIG. 5) as further described below when the outer shoe structure 102 is integrated with the footwear system 100. FIG. 4 additionally depicts a heel-grasping shoe counter 138 that may assist with stabilizing the hindfoot 42 (FIG. 1) and prevent the back heel 15 from over-swinging in either a medial or lateral direction (i.e., over pronation or over supination). Excessive back heel 15 movement in either direction can adversely affect the natural lengthening and shorting of the plantar fascia ligament 35 in natural gait, especially in agility movements. The heel-grasping shoe counter 138 may be made from foam, memory foam, cork, 3-D printed PL12, silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), nylon, PORON®, or other suitable materials.

[0069] FIGS. 5-7 depict a lateral side view, a top perspective view, and a top view, respectively, of the footwear system 100 with the outer shoe structure 102 integrated into the footwear system 100 and having a fastening mechanism 190 to close the access area opening 188 (not shown in FIG. 5) of the outer shoe structure 102. When the outer shoe structure 102 is integrated into the footwear system 100, the anterior end 176, lateral side 180, and medial side 182 are curved downwards and fixed to the sole 174 of the footwear system 100. The lateral side 180 and medial side 182 of the posterior end 178 of the outer shoe structure 102 as shown in FIG. 4 are connected in FIGS. 5-7 so that the posterior end 178 of the outer shoe structure 102 wraps around the back heel area 15 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1).

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, when the outer shoe structure 102 is integrated into the footwear system 100, a gap 248 having a top end 250 near the mouth area opening 186 of the outer shoe structure 102 and a bottom end 252 near the sole 174 may be formed between the outer shoe structure 102 and the inner shoe structure 134 at the posterior end 103 of the footwear system 100. The heel -grasping shoe counter 138 is positioned in the gap 248 between the outer shoe structure 102 and the inner shoe structure 134 at a location corresponding to the heel area 10 when the foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100. The heel-grasping shoe counter 138 occupies at least a portion of the gap 248 from the top end 250 to the bottom end 252 and is contoured to wrap around the Achilles tendon 58 of the foot 2 (FIG 1).

[0071] The fastening mechanism 190 shown in FIGS. 5-7 is a tongue that is secured to the outer shoe structure 102 using a separable connection system 212, such as a hook and loop connector or a hook and pile connector (e.g., Velcro®), a touch connector, or one or more zippers. The tongue 190 can be opened or unfastened (i.e., at least partially separated from the outer shoe structure 102), as shown in FIGS. 6-7, to expose the access area opening 188 and harness system 172 with compression straps (e.g., forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110, see, e.g., FIGS. 9-11 and described below) and closed or fastened, as shown in FIG. 5, to secure the footwear system 100 to the foot 2. The tongue 190 includes an anterior end 198, an opposite posterior end 200, a medial side 202, an opposite lateral side 204, an outer surface 206 facing upward away from the footwear system 100 when the tongue 190 is fully fastened and closed (see FIG. 5), and an opposite inner surface 208 facing downward into the footwear system 100 when the tongue 190 is fully fastened and closed.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the anterior end 198 of the tongue 190 may be fixed to the outer shoe structure 102, for example by stitching 210 or ultrasonic welding or the like. The medial side 202 and lateral side 204 of the tongue 190 are attached to the outer shoe structure 102 with the separable connection system 212 having a first component 214 (e.g., a hook or zipper) on the medial side 202 and lateral side 204 of the inner surface 208 of the tongue 190 and a second component 216 (e.g., a loop or pile or zipper) on the outer shoe structure 102 opposite from the first component 214 on the medial side 202 and lateral side 204 of the inner surface 208 of the tongue 190. Accordingly, the tongue 190 can be opened or separated from the outer shoe structure 102 by pealing the posterior end 200 of the tongue 190 away from the outer shoe structure 102 to separate the first component 214 on the tongue 190 from the second component 216 on the outer shoe structure 102 or after unzipping the first component 214 from the second component 216. As the tongue 190 is opened, the inner surface 208 of the tongue 190 will go from a closed position (see FIG. 5) in which the inner surface 208 is facing downward into the footwear system 100 to open position (see FIGS. 6-7) in which the inner surface 208 is facing upwards away from the footwear system 100. As the first component 214 on the tongue 190 is separated from the second component 216 on the outer shoe structure 102, the harness system 172 becomes exposed. The harness system 172 can then be adjusted as further described below. The tongue 190 can be returned to a closed position (see FIG. 5) by pulling the posterior end 200 of the tongue 190 towards the posterior end 178 of the outer shoe structure 102 and re-attaching the first component 214 on the tongue 190 to the second component 216 on the outer shoe structure 102.

[0073] In some embodiments, the tongue 190 may be permanently fixed to the outer shoe structure 102, for example by stitching 210 or ultrasonic welding or the like, on the anterior end 198, medial side 202, and lateral side 204 of the tongue 190. In other embodiments the tongue 190 may be permanently fixed to the outer shoe structure 102 and the medial side 202 and lateral side 204 remain unfixed.

[0074] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, the outer surface 206 of the tongue 190 may include mock shoelaces 196 (or buckles or other decorative features), which are fake shoelaces fixed to the tongue 190. In some embodiments (not shown), the tongue 190 can be attached to the outer shoe structure 102 by partial stitching or other mechanism. In other embodiments (not shown), a fastening mechanism 190 can be excluded so that the access area opening 188 is left open and the harness system 172 is exposed. In other embodiments (not shown), the fastening mechanism 190 may be a zipper that extends from the anterior end 176 of the outer shoe structure 102 to the mouth area opening 186 of the outer shoe structure 102.

[0075] Inner shoe structure starting with midfoot truss

[0076] Referring to FIG. 2, the midfoot truss 112 wraps partially around the foot 2 and includes a medial panel 118 on the medial side 168 of the footwear system 100, a lateral panel 119 on the lateral side 170 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 12) of the footwear system 100, and an inner plantar support 104 extending between medial panel 118 and lateral panel 119 and positioned between the sole 174 of the footwear system 100 and the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1).

[0077] The medial panel 118 is positioned adjacent to and pliably conforms to the medial longitudinal arch 60 when the foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100 to form a medial side wall of the midfoot truss 112 that can provide compression to the medial side 54 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1). The medial panel 118 can also provide support to the navicular bone 16, particularly when the navicular bone 16 has fallen and the arch area 4 has collapsed (known as arch drop). The lateral panel 119 is positioned adjacent to and pliably conforms to the lateral longitudinal arch 62 when the foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100 to form a lateral side wall of the midfoot truss 112 that provides compression to the lateral side 56 of the foot 2. The medial panel 118 and lateral panel 119 may be made from a rubbery plastic such as TPU or polypropylene or other pliable, elastic material. In some embodiments, the lateral panel 119 can be excluded.

[0078] As shown in to FIG. 2, the inner plantar support 104 may partially bend upwards and around the medial side 54 and lateral side 56 of the foot 2 to attach, for example by stitching 246, to the medial panel 118 and lateral panel 119, respectively. In an embodiment, midfoot truss 112 may be integrated into the footwear system 100 by attaching, e.g., by sewing, the medial panel 118 and lateral panel 119 to the lining 120 and by molding the inner plantar support 104 to the sole 174. [0079] The midfoot truss 112 is further shown in FIG. 8 depicting a top view of the midfoot truss 112 in a flat condition before it is integrated into the footwear system 100, illustrating the inner plantar support 104, the medial panel 118, and the lateral panel 119. The inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112 is a support under the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1) that may support the plantar fascia area 36 as the plantar fascia ligament 35 stretches and relaxes. The inner plantar support 104 includes an anterior end 218, an opposite posterior end 220, a medial side 222 attached to the medial panel, an opposite lateral side 224 attached to the lateral panel, a top surface 226 facing the bottom 34 of the foot 2 when integrated into the footwear system 100, and an opposite bottom surface 228 (not shown in FIG. 8) facing the sole 174 when integrated into the footwear system 100.

[0080] The inner plantar support 104 comprises three sections: a forefoot section 258 to accommodate the forefoot 12 of the foot 2 when the foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100 and placed on the top surface 226 of the inner plantar support 104; a middle section 260 to accommodate a midfoot 40 of the foot 2 when the foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100 and placed on the top surface 226 of the inner plantar support 104; and a hind section 262 to accommodate a hindfoot 42 of the foot 2 when the foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100 and placed on the top surface 226 of the inner plantar support 104.

[0081 ] The medial panel 1 18 may include eyelets, slots, or holes (e g , 166a, 166b, 166c) formed therein for the harness system 172 as further described below. The eyelets 166a-166c correspond in position and number to the straps (e.g., forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110) of the harness system 172.

[0082] A medial heel strap 113 may be stitched or otherwise attached to the medial panel 118, and a lateral heel strap 115 may be stitched or otherwise attached to the lateral panel 119. The medial heel strap 113 and lateral heel strap 115 are attached to each other, for example, by stitching to form a single heel strap 114 that is positioned around the back portion 15 of the heel area 10 to support the Achilles tendon 58 when the midfoot truss 112 is incorporated into the footwear system 100 (FIG. 2) and a foot 2 is seated into the footwear system 100 (not shown). The heel strap 114 holds the heel area 10 within a normal range of motion and limits excessive pronation and supination of the foot 2. The medial heel strap 113 and lateral heel strap 115 are made from elastic materials, which allows the heel strap 114 to stretch and accommodate various heel 10 sizes. One or more sheaths 270 may be fixed for example by stitching around the heel strap 114.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 8, the anterior end 218 of the inner plantar support 104 may be convexly rounded (i.e., curved outwardly in the direction of the anterior end 101 of the footwear system 100) and may have a width (i.e. the distance between the medial side 222 and lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104) less than a width of the posterior end 220 so that the medial side 222 and lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104 are tapered between the posterior end 220 and the anterior end 218 of the inner plantar support 104. The posterior end 220 of the inner plantar support 104 may include an opening 124 for the heel area 10 of the foot 2. The inner plantar support 104 includes an outer area 142 extending from the lateral side 224, medial side 222, and anterior end 218 to a compression pad 126 in a center area of the inner plantar support 104. The outer area 142 may be made from any type of fabric including vegan fabrics, suede, vinyl, and breathable fabrics.

[0084] The compression pad 126 extends from the ball 18 of the foot 2 to the back portion 6 of the arch area 4 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1), and includes a medial side 129, an opposite lateral side 130, an anterior end 127, an opposite posterior end 128, a top surface 230 facing the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 when integrated into the footwear system 100, and an opposite bottom surface 232 (see FIG. 10) facing the sole 174 when integrated into the footwear system 100. A thickness (i.e. the distance between the top surface 230 and bottom surface 232) of the compression pad 126 may be the same as or may be greater than a thickness of the outer area 142 of the inner plantar support 104. The anterior end 127 of the compression pad 126 may be convexly rounded (i.e., curved outwardly in the direction of the anterior end 218 of the inner plantar support 104) and may have a width (i.e. the distance between the medial side 129 and lateral side 130 of the compression pad 126) that less than a width of the posterior end 128 so that the medial side 129 and lateral side 130 of the compression pad 126 are tapered between the posterior end 128 and the anterior end 127. The posterior end 128 of the compression pad 126 may be concavely rounded (i.e., curved inwardly in the direction of the anterior end 218 of the inner plantar support 104). The compression pad 126 is fixed (e g. by stitching 146) to the inner plantar support 104 on the anterior end 127, at least a portion of the lateral side 130 concurrent with the anterior end 127, and at least portion of the medial side 129 concurrent with the anterior end 127.

[0085] In other embodiments, the compression pad 126 may extend from the ball 18 of the foot 2 to the back portion 15 of the heel area 10, and up and at least partially around the ankle area 24. In this embodiment, the width of the anterior end 127 of the compression pad 126 extends from the medial side 222 of inner plantar support 104 to the lateral side 224 of inner plantar support 104. The compression pad 126 may fully enclose the opening 124 for the heel area 10, may partially enclose the opening 124 for the heel area 10 (i.e., include an opening in the compression pad 126 smaller than the opening 124 for the heel area), or may not enclose the opening 124 for the heel (i.e., include an opening in the compression pad 126 at least as large as than the opening 124 for the heel area). In some embodiments, the medial side 222 and lateral side 224 of the posterior end 220 of the inner plantar support 104 (i.e., the area of the inner plantar support 104 posterior to the compression pad 126 in FIG. 8) may be eliminated.

[0086] The compression pad 126 can be designed with various degrees of support by using materials with various degrees of elasticity or firmness. In some embodiments, the compression pad 126 can be a stretch compression pad 126 that may be constructed of a flexible thermoplastic, rubber, silicone, or blended fabric designed to stretch by incorporating nylon thermoplastic polymers, spandex, MagiCotton fibers or other tight-weaved natural or synthetic fabrics. In other embodiments, the compression pad 126 can be a firm compression pad 126 that may be constructed of TPU, nylon, rubber, silicone, cork, suede, leather or other natural or synthetic blended materials.

[0087] The compression pad 126 may include one or more canals 144, which are longitudinal canals of tight-weaved elastic materials, such as synthetic nylon or woven fabrics. The canals 144 may be incorporated into the compression pad 126 by cutting one or more slits on the top surface of the compression pad 126 that extend through at least a portion of the thickness of the compression pad 126. The elastic materials are incorporated into the slits, for example by stitching. The canals 144 may also be incorporated into the compression pad 126 by locally 3-D printing the tight-weaved elastic materials into the compression pad 126.

[0088] When a foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system 100, the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 sits on top of the inner plantar support 104 with the plantar fascia area 35 resting on the on compression pad 126. When a person walks, the plantar fascia ligament 35 longitudinally lengthens and retracts. The canals 144 mimic the movement of the plantar fascia ligament 35 by lengthening and retracting in the longitudinal direction. As the elastic materials of the canals 144 lengthen and stretch in the longitudinal direction, the elastic material becomes tight to form a supportive bridge for the plantar fascia ligament 35.

[0089] The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 depicts three canals 144. However, any number of canals 144 having varying widths may be used. Having a larger number of narrow canals 144 results in more flexibility while having a smaller number of wider canals 144 results in more rigidity. In some embodiments, the compression pad 126 may have no canals 144. For example, some children’s shoes may be too small to include canals 144. In such embodiments, a stretch compression pad 126 may be used to mimic the movement of the plantar fascia ligament 35.

[0090] The inner plantar support 104 may incorporate technology that offers electromagnetic field (“EMF”) protection, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, or shock absorbing materials, for example by sewing in threads having silver, shungite, hematite, black tourmaline, rubbers, or carbon fiber.

[0091] Harness system

[0092] Referring to FIG. 2, the harness system 172 comprises a system of elastic straps that secures and compresses the foot 2 and can inhibit foot migration within the footwear system 100. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes three straps that each provide a range of compressive support and control. A first strap or forefoot strap 106 provides support and control at the forefoot 12 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1). A second strap or midfoot strap 108 provides support and control at the arch area 4. A third strap or front heel strap 110 provides support and control at the front heel 14 where the midfoot 40 and front heel 14 connect to control excessive over rotation. Other embodiments may include only two straps (e.g. the forefoot strap 106 and front heel strap 110) or more than three straps.

[0093] FIG. 9 depicts a top view of the midfoot truss 112 of FIG. 8 with the harness system 172 (i.e., the inner shoe structure 134). FIG. 10 depicts a bottom view of the midfoot truss 112 of FIG. 8 with the harness system 172.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 10, the harness system 172 is stitched or otherwise secured to the lateral side 224 of the bottom surface 228 of the inner plantar support 104. A first end 264 of the forefoot strap 106 is secured to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104 at a location corresponding to the forefoot 12 of the lateral side 56 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1). A first end 266 of the midfoot strap 108 is secured to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104 at a location corresponding to the arch area 4 of the lateral side 56 of the foot 2. A first end 268 of the front heel strap 110 is secured to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104 at a location corresponding to the front heel 14 of the lateral side 56 of the foot 2.

[0095] The forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110 extend across the bottom surface 228 of the inner plantar support 104 to the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104. The forefoot strap 106 is threaded through a first eyelet, hole, or slot 167a extending through the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104 at a location corresponding to the forefoot 12 of the medial side 54 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1). The midfoot strap 108 is threaded through a second eyelet, hole, or slot 167b extending through the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104 at a location corresponding to the arch area 4 of the medial side 54 of the foot 2. The front heel strap 110 is threaded through a third eyelet, hole, or slot 167c on the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104 at a location corresponding to the front heel 14 of the medial side 54 of the foot 2.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 9, the forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110 next pass through the first eyelet 166a, second eyelet 166b, and third eyelet 166c, respectively, formed in medial panel 118, extend over medial panel 118 and across the top surface 226 of inner plantar support 104, and come together to form a single closure strap 152 for a harness fastener (e.g. a hook and loop Y-strap fastener) 150 on the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104. In one example, the forefoot strap 106, the midfoot strap 108, and the front heel strap 110 are anchored together at an end of a separate strap, the closure strap 152, or, in another example, the forefoot strap 106 and the midfoot strap 108 are anchored to the front heel strap 110 and the portion of the front heel strap 110 extending beyond the anchored forefoot strap 106 and midfoot strap 108 forms the closure strap 152. When a foot 2 (FIG. 1) is fully seated into the footwear system 100 as further discussed below, the forefoot strap 106 extends over the forefoot 12 of the top area 20 of the foot 2, the midfoot strap 108 extends over the instep 30 of the top area 20 of the foot 2, and the front heel strap 110 extends over the back portion 6 of the arch area 4 and front heel portion 14 of the top area 20 of the foot 2.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, the harness fastener 150 is a Y-strap fastener that can tighten and secure the forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110 around the midfoot truss 112, thereby compressing the medial panel 118 against the medial side 54 of the foot and the lateral panel 119 against the lateral side 56 of the foot 2. The harness fastener 150 includes a Y-strap (i.e., first Y-strap) 154 sewn or otherwise secured to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104, a fastener ring 158 secured to an end of the first Y-strap 154, and the closure strap 152 (which may comprise an end of the front heel strap 110). The closure strap 152 may be inserted into the fastener ring 158, which divides the closure strap 152 into a first segment or second Y-strap 156 extending from the juncture of the forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110 to the fastener ring 158, and a second segment or third Y-strap 157 that has been inserted through and extends out from the fastener ring 158. The respective lengths of the second Y-strap 156 and third Y-strap 157 vary as the closure strap 152 is pulled through the fastener ring 158. The third Y-strap 157 is pulled to adjust the compression of and support provided by the inner shoe structure 134, looped around the fastener ring 158, and secured down on top of the second Y-strap 156 using a releasable fastener, such as a snap, a buckle, a hook and loop or hook and pile connector (such as Velcro®), or other fastener.

[0098] One or more of the straps 106, 108, 110 of the harness system 172 may include at least one static portion that is made from inelastic, or static, materials and at least one elastic portion that is made from elastic or stretchable materials. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, front heel strap 110 may include, progressing from first end 268, a static portion 110a, an elastic portion 110b connected to static portion 110a (e.g., by stitching 110c), a static portion 1 lOd connected to elastic portion 110b, an elastic portion 1 lOe connected to static portion 1 lOd, and a static portion 1 lOf connected to elastic portion 1 lOe. Elastic portion 1 lOe and static portion 1 lOf form the closure strap 152. Similarly, forefoot strap 106 may include, progressing from first end 264, a static portion 106a and an elastic portion 106b connected to static portion 106a (e g., by stitching 106c), and midfoot strap 108 may include, progressing from first end 266, a static portion 108a and an elastic portion 108b connected to static portion 108a (e.g., by stitching 108c).

[0099] The static portions 106a, 108a, 110a, 1 lOd, 11 Of have more grip and can allow the harness system 172 straps (e.g., forefoot strap 106, midfoot strap 108, and front heel strap 110) to slide to tighten and compress the inner shoe structure 134 against the foot 2, and to secure the harness system 172 around the midfoot truss 112. The elastic portions 106b, 108b, 110b, 1103 can allow the harness system 172 to be adjusted by pulling and retracting the third Y-strap 157 (i.e., by pulling or retracting the closure strap 152 through the fastener ring 158. Each strap 106, 108, 110/152 is independent of the other straps, and, in an example, each strap may be configured to stretch 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch beyond its upstretched length. The desired amount of stretch may vary with shoe size; the larger the shoe size, the more stretch may be desired. In some examples, a desired amount of tension generated by the elastic portions may be up to 5 lbs., depending on the amount of support a person may need with regard to arch support.

[00100] According to an exemplary process for sizing the straps 110/152 and 154, the length of the strap is based on the shoe, or foot, size, which may be characterized by the side to side circumference of the “last” (i.e., the foot body form used to make the entire upper of the shoe which follows the shape of a foot and the shoe design for a specific shoe size). The strap 1 10/152 extends from the bottom of the medial side of the foot (at third eyelet 166c) under the calcaneus bone and is pulled diagonally across the top instep of the last to fastener ring 158 on the lateral side at the end of strap 154 and loops through the ring to pull back over the strap portion positioned over the instep. The strap end is secured just outside the opening 124 to close the harness 152, with this securement location being chosen for ease of access. The length of strap 110/152 and strap 154 are determined based on this desired configuration.

[00101] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 6-7, and 9-12 and the harness system 172 may be used for a foot 2 that over pronates (i.e., over rotation of the calcaneus bone in the medial direction). In some embodiments, for example when a foot 2 over supinates (i.e., over rotation of the calcaneus bone in the lateral direction), the harness system 172 may be the mirror image of the harness system 172 shown in FIGS. 2, 6-7, and 9-12. In such embodiments, the harness system 172 may be secured to the medial side 222 of the bottom surface 228 of the inner plantar support 104, extend across the bottom surface 228 of the inner plantar support 104 to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104, and wrap around to the lateral side 224 of the top surface 226 of the inner plantar support 104 (e.g., through eyelets 166a, 166b, 166c). The harness fastener (e.g. the Y-strap fastener including the first Y-strap 154, the fastener ring 158, and the closure strap 152) 150 may be positioned on the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104.

[00102] An alternate embodiment of a footwear system 300 is shown in FIGS. 15-18. Footwear system 300 includes an outer shoe structure 302 having an exit slot 304 on a lateral side 312 of shoe structure 302 (visible in FIG. 15) for a closure strap 306 of a harness system. Closure strap 306 corresponds to closure strap 156 and front heel strap 110 described above. Strap 330 corresponds to forefoot strap 106 and is anchored to closure strap 306. Footwear system 300 optionally omits a midfoot strap - such as midfoot strap 108 described above as the midfoot strap can be omitted for smaller shoes (e.g., children’s shoes) and/or where the front heel strap 306 and forefoot strap 330 are wide enough to achieve the same results as three straps.

[00103] Footwear system 300 includes a midfoot truss within the outer shoe structure 302 - similar to midfoot truss 112 described above (not visible in FIGS. 15-18) -and which includes a medial panel - similar to medial panel 118 described above (not visible in FIGS. 15-18) - on the medial side 314 of the footwear system 300, a lateral panel - similar to lateral panel 119 described above (not visible in FIGS. 15-18) - on the lateral side 312 of the footwear system 300, and an inner plantar support - similar to inner plantar support 104 described above (not visible in FIGS. 15-18) - extending between medial panel and lateral panel. Arrangements of the front heel strap 306 and the forefoot strap 330 within the shoe structure 302 will be described with reference to the midfoot truss 112 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[00104] A first end of the forefoot strap 330 is secured to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112 at a location corresponding to the forefoot 12 of the lateral side 56 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1). A first end of the front heel strap 306 is secured to the lateral side 224 of the inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112 at a location corresponding to the front heel 14 of the lateral side 56 of the foot 2.

[00105] The forefoot strap 330 and front heel strap 306 extend across the bottom surface 228 of the inner plantar support 104 to the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112. The forefoot strap 330 is threaded through an eyelet, hole, or slot 167a extending through the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112 at a location corresponding to the forefoot 12 of the medial side 54 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1). The front heel strap 306 is threaded through an eyelet, hole, or slot 167c on the medial side 222 of the inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112 at a location corresponding to the front heel 14 of the medial side 54 of the foot 2.

[00106] The forefoot strap 330 and front heel strap 306 next pass through eyelet 166a and eyelet 166c, respectively, formed in medial panel 118, extend over medial panel 118 and across the top surface 226 of inner plantar support 104 of the midfoot truss 112, and come together to form a single closure strap for a harness fastener.

[00107] As shown in FIGS. 15, 17, and 18, the closure strap 306 may exit out of the outer shoe structure 302 through the exit slot 304, which divides the closure strap 306 into a first segment 308 and a second segment 310 that has been inserted through and extends out from the exit slot 304. The second segment 310 is pulled up and over the shoe structure 302 to adjust the compression of and support provided by the footwear system 300 is and secured down on the opposite medial side 314 of the outer shoe structure 302 using a releasable fastener, such as a hook and loop connector (such as Velcro®) or other fastener. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the second segment 310 of the closure strap 306 includes a first Velcro® pad 316 and the medial side 314 of the outer shoe structure 302 includes a second Velcro® pad 318. As shown in FIG. 16, the first Velcro® pad 316 is secured to the second Velcro® pad 318 to secure the second segment 310 of the closure strap 306.

[00108] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 15-17, the outer shoe structure 302 may include a supplemental strap 320 that may provide additional stability to the forefoot 12. The supplemental strap 320 is secured to the lateral side 312 of the outer shoe structure 302 as shown in FIG. 17. A fastener ring 322 may is secured on the opposite medial side 314 of the outer shoe structure 302 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The supplemental strap 320 passes over the top of the shoe structure from the lateral side 312 to the medial side 314, passes through the fastener ring 322, is pulled back toward the lateral side 312, and is secured down using a fastener such as a hook and loop connector (such as Velcro®) as shown in FIG. 15 to adjust the compression of and support provided by the footwear system 300.

[00109] Sock

[00110] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the footwear system may additionally include a compression sock 132 fixed or secured at least to the posterior end of the compression pad 126 and extending to the back portion 15 of the heel area 10, and up and around the ankle area 24 when a foot 2 is inserted into the footwear system. The midfoot truss 112 and compression straps 106, 108, 110 and first Y-strap 154 of the harness system may be attached, e.g., by stitching, to the exterior of the sock 132. As described above, the midfoot truss 112 of the sock embodiment may include compression pad 126, which may include one or more canals 144 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The compression sock may fully enclose the opening 124 for the heel area 10, may partially enclose the opening 124 for the heel area 10 (i.e., include an opening in the compression sock smaller than the opening 124 for the heel area), or may not enclose the opening 124 for the heel (i.e., include an opening in the compression sock at least as large as than the opening 124 for the heel area). In some embodiments, the medial side 222 and lateral side 224 of the posterior end 220 of the inner plantar support 104 (i.e., the area of the inner plantar support 104 posterior to the compression pad 126 in FIG. 8) may be eliminated. The compression sock may be made from a blend of tightly weaved nylon, thermoplastic polymer, spandex, cotton, and MagiCotton fibers from synthetic or natural materials.

[00111] Lining

[00112] Referring to FIG. 2, the lining 120 is the inner layer of the footwear system 100 around the top area 20 of the foot 2 (FIG. 1) and between the foot 2 and the inner shoe structure 134. The lining 120 can be a flexible material or semi flexible material.

[00113] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a medial side view and lateral side view, respectively, of the footwear system 100 with the outer shoe structure 102 removed and the lining 120 and inner shoe structure 134 exposed. Referring to FIGS. 2, 11, and 12, the lining 120 includes an outer edge 240 which is secured to the footwear system 100 for example by stitching or molding the outer edge 240 to the inner plantar support 104. The lining 120 may include an inner tongue 242 that is positioned between the foot 2 and the harness system 172 and under the access area opening 188 of the outer shoe structure 102.

[00114] Sole

[00115] As shown in FIG. 2, the sole 174 is the bottom portion of the footwear system 100 below the inner shoe structure 134 and outer shoe structure 102. The sole 174 includes an outsole 140, which is a bottom-most portion of the sole 174 that contacts a ground when a person is walking, and an insole or footbed 234, which is a portion of the sole 174 inside the footwear system 100 and below the inner shoe structure 134. The outsole 140 may be made from a rubber, injected foam rubber, or eco, natural, or synthetic materials such as rubber, carbon rubber, EVA foam, polyurethane, or TPU, that allow flexibility or flex at a toe break, which is where the shoe bends anteriorly for natural toe off. In some embodiments, the outsole 140 may including spikes or studs for a cleat.

[00116] The footbed 234 may incorporate technology that offers EMF protection, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, or shock absorbing materials, for example silver, shungite, hematite, black tourmaline, rubbers, or carbon fiber.

[00117] In some embodiments, the footwear system 100 may additionally include a removable insert (not shown) between the bottom area 34 of the foot 2 and the inner shoe structure 134.

[00118] Putting the shoe on

[00119] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in order to position the footwear system 100 onto the foot 2, a user may open or unfasten the tongue 190 as further explained above to expose the harness system 172. The user may then loosen the midfoot strap 108, if needed, and allow entry of the foot 2 into the mouth area opening 186 of outer shoe structure 102 of the footwear system 100. When the foot 2 is seated fully into the footwear system 2, the third Y-strap 157 may be pulled to tighten and compress the inner shoe structure 134 against the medial side 54 and lateral side 56 of the foot 2. The third Y-strap 157 is then secured down across the second Y-strap 165 as further shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The tongue 190 may then be closed and the footwear system 100 will be positioned and secured around the foot 2 as shown in FIG. 5. [00120] While the subject matter of this disclosure has been described and shown in considerable detail with reference to certain illustrative embodiments, including various combinations and sub-combinations of features, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments and variations and modifications thereof as encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the descriptions of such embodiments, combinations, and subcombinations is not intended to convey that the claimed subject matter requires features or combinations of features other than those expressly recited in the claims. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is intended to include all modifications and variations encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following appended claims.