Abstract: Articles of footwear having an upper including a dynamic fit heel portion and a main body. The dynamic fit heel portion may include a lower heel counter and an upper heel collar. The upper heel collar may define at least in part, a foot-receiving chamber. An expandable joint may be provided between the lower heel counter and the upper heel collar. A material forming the expandable joint may have a higher flexibility and a higher stretch than the lower heel counter and the upper heel collar. The lower heel counter, the upper heel collar, and the expandable joint may be configured to align with portions of a heel and ankle of a wearer so as to provide a flexible heel and ankle fit.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole is attached to the upper and has a ground-engaging surface. The midsole has a series of walls that define a series of channels extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and along an entire length of the midsole. The series of channels are isolated from one another and each channel receives a quantity of particulate matter therein.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure, an upper, and a securing mechanism. The upper comprises a toe region, a midfoot region, a heel region, a lateral side, and a medial side, and is coupled to the sole structure. The securing mechanism is fixedly attached to the upper and comprises a forefoot portion and a heel lock element. The heel lock element has a first and a second end and extends from the lateral side of the upper, passes around the heel region of the upper, and extends to the medial side of the upper. The heel lock element comprises a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the upper and is configured such that tensioning the securing band adjusts the heel segment of the main portion relative to a wearer's heel.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes a casing containing particulate matter and having a length that is greater than a length of the outsole. The casing includes a first fold at a predetermined location along its length. The casing is received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole is attached to the upper and has a ground-engaging surface. The midsole has a series of walls that define a series of channels extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and along an entire length of the midsole. The series of channels are isolated from one another and each channel receives a quantity of particulate matter therein.

Abstract: A strap for a bag provides and includes a main body having a first end attached to a first attachment location of the bag and a second end attached to a second attachment location of the bag. The strap also includes a tension element that extends between the first end and the second end. The tension element is movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tension element also applies a force on the first end and the second end in the tightened state to change the relative position of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A strap for a bag provides and includes a main body having a first end attached to a first attachment location of the bag and a second end attached to a second attachment location of the bag. The strap also includes a tension element that extends between the first end and the second end. The tension element is movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tension element also applies a force on the first end and the second end in the tightened state to change the relative position of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes a casing containing particulate matter and having a length that is greater than a length of the outsole. The casing includes a first fold at a predetermined location along its length. The casing is received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole is attached to the upper and has a ground-engaging surface. The midsole has a series of walls that define a series of channels extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and along an entire length of the midsole. The series of channels are isolated from one another and each channel receives a quantity of particulate matter therein.

Abstract: A strap for a bag provides and includes a main body having a first end attached to a first attachment location of the bag and a second end attached to a second attachment location of the bag. The strap also includes a tension element that extends between the first end and the second end. The tension element is movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tension element also applies a force on the first end and the second end in the tightened state to change the relative position of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A strap for a bag provides and includes a main body having a first end attached to a first attachment location of the bag and a second end attached to a second attachment location of the bag. The strap also includes a tension element that extends between the first end and the second end. The tension element is movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tension element also applies a force on the first end and the second end in the tightened state to change the relative position of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A strap for a bag provides and includes a main body having a first end attached to a first attachment location of the bag and a second end attached to a second attachment location of the bag. The strap also includes a tension element that extends between the first end and the second end. The tension element is movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tension element also applies a force on the first end and the second end in the tightened state to change the relative position of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A strap for a bag provides and includes a main body having a first end attached to a first attachment location of the bag and a second end attached to a second attachment location of the bag. The strap also includes a tension element that extends between the first end and the second end. The tension element is movable between a tightened state and a relaxed state. The tension element also applies a force on the first end and the second end in the tightened state to change the relative position of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An article of footwear in which certain regions of the upper may be slippery, such that it is more difficult for a person to firmly grasp the article of footwear. The eyestays in the article of footwear are biased towards the lateral side of the footwear. The article of footwear also has an outer sole with ridges at, for example, the back of the heel, the ball-of-the foot regions on the lateral and medial sides, respectively, of the article of footwear, and at the toe region. The ridges are angled downward, such that the wearer of the footwear may have increased traction by digging the ridges into the ground or into a playing surface.

Abstract: An article of footwear in which certain regions of the upper may be slippery, such that it is more difficult for a person to firmly grasp the article of footwear. The eyestays in the article of footwear are biased towards the lateral side of the footwear. The article of footwear also has an outer sole with ridges at, for example, the back of the heel, the ball-of-the foot regions on the lateral and medial sides, respectively, of the article of footwear, and at the toe region. The ridges are angle downward, such that the wearer of the footwear may have increased traction by digging the ridges into the ground or into a playing surface.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electricity supply to a load comprises at least one battery for storing energy. The system also comprises a controller for determining when to switch between a first mode wherein electricity is supplied to the load from a mains electricity circuit; and a discharging mode wherein electricity is supplied from the battery to the load via the mains electricity circuit. The determining is based on information associated with the electricity supply.