Abstract: A shoe having a sole and an upper including a tongue, secured to the sole, a row of eyelets along each side of the tongue, including topmost eyelets and foremost eyelets, and a pocket accessory which includes a pocket member that has an anchor portion and a pocket flap which defines a pocket for receiving the knotted shoe lace via a pocket opening. There may be a cover member attached to the shoe, which can removably engage the pocket member to cover or expose the pocket opening. The pocket member may be sewn to the tongue of the shoe or attached thereto otherwise.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole and an upper including a tongue, secured to the sole, a row of eyelets along each side of the tongue, including topmost eyelets and foremost eyelets, and a pocket accessory which includes a pocket member that has an anchor portion and a pocket flap which defines a pocket for receiving the knotted shoe lace via a pocket opening. There may be a cover member attached to the shoe, which can removably engage the pocket member to cover or expose the pocket opening. The pocket member may be sewn to the tongue of the shoe or attached thereto otherwise.

Abstract: An article of footwear has a toe cap having fibers on the surface to provide a slip region of reduced friction. The toe cap may be formed integrally with an outsole. The fibers may be in the form of a mesh, e.g., an open spacer mesh. Optionally, the toe cap may be made from an elastomeric material which is impregnated into the mesh and is cured around fibers in the mesh. A method for making a toe cap, optionally with an outsole formed integrally therewith, includes molding an elastomeric material into a toe cap having an outer surface and adhering fiber to the toe cap outer surface to provide the slip region. Pressing the fibers against the elastomeric material may be done under sufficient temperature and pressure to cure the elastomeric material around a portion of the fibers. An article of footwear features a toe cap as described.