Abstract: A closed loop fastening system for running and other shoes. The fastening system includes a harness, a strap, guides and a tension lock buckle. The harness includes strap portions which can tightly retain a user's foot inside the shoe. The guides are attached to the harness for guiding the strap. One end of the strap is attached to the harness and the other end of the strap is attached to the buckle. An effective length of the strap can be defined such that a shorter effective length yields a tighter harness and a fighter fit, and a longer effective length yields a looser harness and a looser fit. The tension lock buckle used in the closed loop fastening system is adaptable for use with numerous other products having a strap. The tension lock buckle includes a body, a pivotal locking member and a sliding bar. The sliding bar is mounted within the body for longitudinal movement therein. The pivotal locking member is pivotally attached to the body for relative pivotal motion.

Abstract: A closed loop fastening system for running and other shoes. The fastening system includes a harness, a strap, guides and a tension lock buckle. The harness includes strap portions which can tightly retain a user's foot inside the shoe. The guides are attached to the harness for guiding the strap. One end of the strap is attached to the harness and the other end of the strap is attached to the buckle. An effective length of the strap can be defined such that a shorter effective length yields a tighter harness and a tighter fit, and a longer effective length yields a looser harness and a looser fit. The tension lock buckle used in the closed loop fastening system is adaptable for use with numerous other products having a strap. The tension lock buckle includes a body, a pivotal locking member and a sliding bar. The sliding bar is mounted within the body for longitudinal movement therein. The pivotal locking member is pivotally attached to the body for relative pivotal motion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an athletic shoe including a heel strap for securing the foot in the shoe. The shoe includes an upper and a sole. The upper includes a quarter and a relatively stiff counter disposed at the periphery of the shoe. The quarter includes a lacing eyestay having a plurality of lacing eyelets. The counter has an opening formed through each side thereof and located such that when the shoe is worn on a foot, the openings are disposed below the malleolus. The upper also includes a relatively thin, flexible inner sleeve disposed interiorly of the quarter and counter. The shoe includes a heel strap having a heel tab fixed to the rear of the inner sleeve, and side straps extending laterally forwardly on both sides of the shoe. Side tabs including one or more eyelets are disposed on the forward end of each of the side straps.