Abstract: The shoe includes a sole and an upper including at least one layer of elastic material positioned to stretch and create tension that enhances securement of a foot inserted into the shoe. The shoe includes a heel cup with thermoplastic elastomer material. The heel cup is affixed to the sole and upper and includes an upper portion, a midportion, and a lower portion. The heel cup includes enhanced flexibility regions oriented vertically along its rearmost portion. The shoe includes an interior foam layer with EVA and/or polyurethane foam and that is bonded to an interior wall of the upper portion of the heel cup. The interior foam layer is compressible and extends into the shoe opening, providing securement of the foot once inserted. The interior foam layer is covered by an elastic textile having wicking properties, the elastic textile form fitted to the shape of the interior foam layer.

Abstract: The shoe includes a sole and an upper including a layer of elastic material positioned to stretch and create tension that enhances securement of a foot inserted into the shoe. The shoe includes a heel cup having polymer material, affixed to the sole and upper, and having an upper portion, a midportion, and a lower portion. In a first configuration, the upper portion has a downward incline with a first angle relative to a vertical line, and the upper portion is capable of distorting into a second configuration under a load of the foot when donning the shoe. In the second configuration, the upper portion has a downward incline with a second angle relative to the vertical line, the second angle being greater than the first angle. An interior foam layer is adjacent to an interior wall of the upper portion, is compressible, and extends into the shoe opening.

Abstract: The shoe includes a sole and an upper including at least one layer of elastic material positioned to stretch and create tension that enhances securement of a foot inserted into the shoe. The shoe includes a heel cup with polymer material, the heel cup affixed to the sole and upper, and the heel cup includes an upper portion, a midportion, and a lower portion. The shoe includes an interior foam layer adjacent to at least an interior wall of the upper portion of the heel cup, the interior foam layer being compressible, and the interior foam layer extends into the shoe opening, providing securement of the foot once inserted.

Abstract: The article of footwear further includes a heel cup attached to the upper and extending from the sole structure to at least a portion of the rear heel collar of upper. Additionally, the heel cup is uniformly molded with an upper portion, midportion, and lower portion and the upper portion has a smaller mediolateral length than the midportion, and the midportion and lower portion form a concave structure configured to receive the heel. The midportion includes a peripheral portion having a first thickness and a central portion having a second thickness, and the second thickness is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A shoe includes a heel counter with a heel cup. The heel cup may be uniformly molded with an upper portion, midportion, and a lower portion. The upper portion has a smaller mediolateral length than the midportion, and a thickness of the heel cup decreases from a peripheral portion of the heel cup toward a central region of the midportion. The central region of the midportion provides flexibility of the heel cup, and the rearmost portion of the heel cup has an overall vertical S wave cross-sectional shape.