Abstract: A thin, flexible item of protective footwear that is particularly suited for ballet and modern dance, generally. The footwear could also be used in exercise or athletic applications. The covering includes: a body portion having an elastic upper and a sole compliably conforming to a foot of a wearer; a plurality of open-ended toe sleeves extending from the body portion and each adapted to receive and extend over a single toe of a wearer, one of the toe sleeves having an elongated portion covering at least a portion of the big toe. The sleeves may have variable lengths. The covering may include a plurality of comfort zones integrated with the sole.

Abstract: An item of footwear (10), which exposes a substantial portion of a wearer's foot, is disclosed. The footwear includes a plurality of foot enclosures (110, 112) operably connected to each other via a connector (114), such as a plurality of elastic straps (200, 202). Protective pads (180, 182) may be attached to the footwear, such as leather pads on the plantar surface of the footwear. One advantage offered by this footwear is that the wearer's foot—and particularly the arch and middle of the foot—is substantially exposed to view, achieving a new aesthetic for ballet and dance footwear.

Abstract: A foot covering, including a thin, flexible compartment for receiving a foot, the compartment having a forefoot section, a mid-section, and a heel section. The compartment has a top surface for securing the foot and a ground-facing surface having at least a forefoot outsole portion in the forefoot section. The forefoot outsole portion is disposed mainly in the forefoot section, and has a shape that is wider than it is long; corresponding approximately to the width of a foot and covering approximately the first to the fifth metatarsal heads. The mid-section of the compartment is mainly free of outsole material. The inventive subject matter is further directed towards a method for manufacturing such a foot covering.

Abstract: A dance shoe comprising a foot compartment or portion thereof that is malleable at a temperature above a temperature of intended use, and when malleable, the shoe is hand moldable to a conformation desired by a user. The invention particularly relates to en pointe shoes for ballet and other forms of dance.

Abstract: A shoe for dancing, comprising a forefoot portion, wherein the forefoot portion comprises a forefoot sole and a front upper; a rearfoot portion comprising a rearfoot sole including a high heel; a midfoot portion comprising a midfoot sole; and a rigidified section that extends at least partway from the rearfoot portion to partway into the midfoot portion, leaving a gap between the rear edge of the forefoot portion and the front end of the rigidified section so that there are at least two zones of flexibility in the midfoot portion, the first zone being relatively rigid for supporting a weight bearing midfoot, and the second zone being relatively flexible, the overall midfoot portion allowing the wearer to perform both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot over a full range of movement.

Abstract: A foot covering, including a thin, flexible compartment for receiving a foot, the compartment having a forefoot section, a mid-section, and a heel section. The compartment has a top surface for securing the foot and a ground-facing surface having at least a forefoot outsole portion in the forefoot section. The forefoot outsole portion is disposed mainly in the forefoot section, and has a shape that is wider than it is long; corresponding approximately to the width of a foot and covering approximately the first to the fifth metatarsal heads. The mid-section of the compartment is mainly free of outsole material. The inventive subject matter is further directed towards a method for manufacturing such a foot covering.

Abstract: A shoe for dancing, comprising a forefoot portion, wherein the forefoot portion comprises a forefoot sole and a front upper; a rearfoot portion comprising a rearfoot sole including a high heel; a midfoot portion comprising a midfoot sole; and a rigidified section that extends at least partway from the rearfoot portion to partway into the midfoot portion, leaving a gap between the rear edge of the forefoot portion and the front end of the rigidified section so that there are at least two zones of flexibility in the midfoot portion, the first zone being relatively rigid for supporting a weight bearing midfoot, and the second zone being relatively flexible, the overall midfoot portion allowing the wearer to perform both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot over a full range of movement.

Abstract: An item of footwear (10), which exposes a substantial portion of a wearer's foot, is disclosed. The footwear includes a plurality of foot enclosures (110, 112) operably connected to each other via a connector (114), such as a plurality of elastic straps (200, 202). Protective pads (180, 182) may be attached to the footwear, such as leather pads on the plantar surface of the footwear. One advantage offered by this footwear is that the wearer's foot—and particularly the arch and middle of the foot—is substantially exposed to view, achieving a new aesthetic for ballet and dance footwear.

Abstract: A dance shoe comprising a foot compartment or portion thereof that is malleable at a temperature above a temperature of intended use, and when malleable, the shoe is hand moldable to a conformation desired by a user. The invention particularly relates to en pointe shoes for ballet and other forms of dance.

Abstract: In example embodiments, a thin, compliant covering is provided for engaging the bottom of a dancer's foot. The covering has a body portion and a distal securer, which may comprise toe openings for receiving and encircling toes of a wearer. In these example embodiments, the body portion does not extend substantially proximally of the midfoot. The covering includes a proximal securer that follows a path over the top of a wearer's foot or around a heel. The covering's securers are arranged to optimize the visibility of the top and sides of the foot, while helping to protect the foot. In certain embodiments the covering has a three dimensional conformation for conforming to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: A covering for a foot comprising a flexible body portion configured to conform to and cup the foot of a wearer along two or more of a front side zone, lateral side zone and medial side zone of a foot, the cover including a distal securer comprising a plurality of toe openings, each for encircling one or more toes, the covering configured to provide an opening exposing a substantial portion of the top of a wearer's forefoot. In some embodiments the side zones may comprise specific materials to provide desired functionality. For example, a side zone may be formed of a mesh or elastic material to provide a more secure or more comfortable fit, or better ventilation, for example.