Abstract: An improved custom fitted ankle-covering boot, such as for sportswear, including a substantially rigid shell, a substantially rigid rear tongue member extending upwardly from the shell along the back of the wearer's lower leg, an elongated, curved tab with a lower portion adpated for insertion around the instep area and an upper portion extending in the area of the lower leg front opposite from the rear tongue member. A slit is provided at the top of the upper tab portion extending downwardly towards the lower tab portion. Adjustable threaded means extend across the slit to vary the slit width and thereby enable conformance of the upper boot with the lower leg size of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved boot for sportswear, such as a custom fitted ski boot with a substantially rigid outer shell, wherein the top instep portion is offset from the lower vamp section. An apertured pleat member interconnects the offset portions. The offset instep-vamp relationship along with the apertured pleat member serves to transmit normally occurring compressive forces through a bending moment at the location of the apertured pleat member to substantially minimize bowing of the boot shell.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably mounting closure buckles to ski boots, said apparatus including a mounting pad integrally molded with the shell of the boot and having an undercut interior surface for slidably engaging flanges depending from a buckle stand assembly to secure the buckle stand assembly and the closure buckle pivotally mounted therein to the boot. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for releasably latching the buckle stand assembly in position on the mounting pad.

Abstract: Preformed fitting pads are disclosed having a protective envelope enclosure with flowable fitting material retained therein. The enclosure is shaped and constructed to provide therein communicating reservoir and primary fitting sections constructed in operative relationship to each other, so as to selectively provide for, as desired, the deliberate transfer of flowable fitting material from or to a reservoir section or a primary fitting section, and to selectively maintain, as desired, a controllable or predetermined volume of fitting material in a primary fitting section, all without requiring that fitting material be introduced into the pad from an external source of supply or be removed from the confines of the pad. The fitting material confined in said primary fitting section provides desirable pressure-compensating support when and where needed.

Abstract: A plastic ski boot shell having an opening for foot entry, a buckle on one side of the entry opening for engaging one portion of an endless locking cable, and cable retaining structure on the other side of the entry opening for engaging and retaining another portion of the endless cable. The cable retaining structure is integral with and constitutes a continuation of the shell, the retaining structure being composed of the same plastic material as the shell. The retaining structure permits ready engagement or disengagement of the endless cable.

Abstract: An ankle pad for use in a ski boot having a shell and a flexible liner disposed within said shell, the ankle pad being less dense than the density of the liner material and being adapted to fit in a recess located in the liner in the area where the ankle joint of a wearer contacts the liner.

Abstract: Ski boot with a semi-rigid shell and flex-adjusting means. A vertical split portion in the shell is provided with apertures on each side of the split spaced along its length. A clip including two spaced parallel legs is inserted from the inside of the boot into a selected pair of apertures to limit the extent of separation of the split in response to pressure on the boot, thus controlling the flex of the boot.

Abstract: An ankle pad insert for use in a boot, which covers the ankle of the wearer, including a ski boot, having a relatively stiff shell and a flexible liner disposed within said shell, the ankle pad insert being less dense than the density of the liner material and being adapted to fit in a recess located in the liner in the area where the ankle joint of a wearer contacts the liner.

Abstract: A rear entry ski boot which includes a vertical beam member which, when the boot is in the closed position, provides rigid support for an adjustable and pivotable cuff assembly, which supports the back and sides of the leg of the person wearing the ski boot.

Abstract: A rear-entry ski boot comprising a semi-rigid shell is provided with a two-piece liner system, one section of which covers the forward portion of the user's foot from behind the ankle bones, the second section covering the heel and Achilles' tendon areas, the sections cooperating to cover the entire surface of the wearer's foot within the shell. The liner sections are not interconnected, and at least the second section is readily removable and replaceable. By selection of an appropriate rear section, a custom fit can be more easily achieved, and changes in the wearer's foot size, as in the case of children, can be readily accomodated.