Abstract: In some embodiments, a shoe assembly comprises a vamp and a sole. The vamp includes a middle section, and the vamp and the middle section are formed of a continuous piece of a first molded material. The vamp also includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The sole includes a forefoot section and a heel section that are joined by a midfoot section. The forefoot section, the heel section, and the midfoot section are formed of a continuous piece of a second molded material. The second molded material is an EVA-based material. The first aperture of the vamp receives a part of the forefoot section and the second aperture receives a part of the heel section. When the shoe assembly is placed on a flat surface, the forefoot section is in direct contact with the flat surface.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: Shoes with customized side panels including hand gesture elements are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shoe can include a sole assembly and an upper coupled to the sole assembly and including a first side panel and a second side panel generally opposite the first side panel. The shoe also includes a hand gesture element on at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The hand gesture element can include any type of hand gesture that is expressive of an idea, opinion, emotion, etc. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims (37 C.F.R. 1.72(b)).

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: A snap-in footbed system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a shoe, wherein the shoe includes an inner surface and an outer surface, an aperture formed in a molded portion of the shoe from the inner surface to the outer surface, a footbed, wherein a top surface of the footbed is configured to receive a user's foot, wherein the footbed comprises a snap-in element, wherein the snap-in element comprises a head portion having at least one dimension that is sized to be larger than the aperture, such that when the head portion is passed through the aperture from the inner surface to the outer surface, one or both of the head portion and the aperture undergo elastic deformation, and such that when the head portion has been passed through the aperture, the snap-in element secures the footbed to the shoe.

Abstract: A snap-in footbed system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a shoe, wherein the shoe includes an inner surface and an outer surface, an aperture formed in a molded portion of the shoe from the inner surface to the outer surface, a footbed, wherein a top surface of the footbed is configured to receive a user's foot, wherein the footbed comprises a snap-in element, wherein the snap-in element comprises a head portion having at least one dimension that is sized to be larger than the aperture, such that when the head portion is passed through the aperture from the inner surface to the outer surface, one or both of the head portion and the aperture undergo elastic deformation, and such that when the head portion has been passed through the aperture, the snap-in element secures the footbed to the shoe.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a shoe assembly comprises a vamp and a sole. The vamp includes a middle section, and the vamp and the middle section are formed of a continuous piece of a first molded material. The vamp also includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The sole includes a forefoot section and a heel section that are joined by a midfoot section. The forefoot section, the heel section, and the midfoot section are formed of a continuous piece of a second molded material. The second molded material is an EVA-based material. The first aperture of the vamp receives a part of the forefoot section and the second aperture receives a part of the heel section. When the shoe assembly is placed on a flat surface, the forefoot section is in direct contact with the flat surface.

Abstract: Sandals with adjustable post assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a sandal can include a sole assembly and a first strap coupled to the sole assembly. The first strap is positioned to engage a forefoot area of a wearer's foot. The first strap includes an aperture proximate to an intermediate portion of the first strap. The sandal also includes an adjustable post assembly extending through the aperture. The post assembly includes a post portion coupled to the sole assembly and one or more flexible second straps projecting from the post portion and configured to be releasably coupled to the first strap. The first strap is movable along at least one of the post portion and the one or more flexible second straps to adjust the position of the first strap relative to the sole assembly for engagement with the wearer's foot.

Abstract: Shoes with customized side panels including hand gesture elements are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shoe can include a sole assembly and an upper coupled to the sole assembly and including a first side panel and a second side panel generally opposite the first side panel. The shoe also includes a hand gesture element on at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The hand gesture element can include any type of hand gesture that is expressive of an idea, opinion, emotion, etc. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims (37 C.F.R. 1.72(b)).

Abstract: Sandals with adjustable post assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a sandal can include a sole assembly and a first strap coupled to the sole assembly. The first strap is positioned to engage a forefoot area of a wearer's foot. The first strap includes an aperture proximate to an intermediate portion of the first strap. The sandal also includes an adjustable post assembly extending through the aperture. The post assembly includes a post portion coupled to the sole assembly and one or more flexible second straps projecting from the post portion and configured to be releasably coupled to the first strap. The first strap is movable along at least one of the post portion and the one or more flexible second straps to adjust the position of the first strap relative to the sole assembly for engagement with the wearer's foot. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract.

Abstract: A sandal strap system for securing a foot of a wearer to a running sandal having a midsole assembly with a foot supporting surface. The sandal strap system includes a strap keeper attached to the midsole assembly and positioned adjacent to the foot supporting surface. An inner strap assembly includes a heel strap, an instep strap, and a forefoot strap, where the inner strap assembly is fixed to the midsole assembly. An adjustment strap attached to the heel strap extends through the strap keeper, and connects to an adjustment member, where the adjustment strap is adjustable at the adjustment member to simultaneously adjust the position of the heel strap, the instep strap, and the forefoot strap relative to the wearer's foot to tighten or loosen the strap system.

Abstract: A sandal for receiving a foot of a wearer, the foot having a heel and a forefoot including toes. The sandal includes an upper, a midsole assembly and an outsole component. The midsole assembly includes a main body and a support component that may include a slightly curved forefoot plate positioned at least partially adjacent to a bottom surface of the main body. When fitted with the curved forefoot plate, the sandal is capable of facilitating a rolling action in the direction of a stride of the wearer. The upper may form a sandal strap system, with an inner or fixed strap layer and an outer or adjustment strap layer. The outer or adjustment strap layer can be used to adjust the sandal upper so the foot of the wearer can be secured to the sandal.

Abstract: A sandal for receiving a foot of a wearer, the foot having a heel and a forefoot including toes. The sandal includes an upper, a midsole assembly and an outsole component. The midsole assembly includes a main body and a support component that may include a slightly curved forefoot plate positioned at least partially adjacent to a bottom surface of the main body. When fitted with the curved forefoot plate, the sandal is capable of facilitating a rolling action in the direction of a stride of the wearer. The upper may form a sandal strap system, with an inner or fixed strap layer and an outer or adjustment strap layer. The outer or adjustment strap layer can be used to adjust the sandal upper so the foot of the wearer can be secured to the sandal.

Abstract: A sandal for receiving a foot of a wearer, the foot having a heel and a forefoot including toes. The sandal includes an upper, a midsole assembly and an outsole component. The midsole assembly includes a main body and a support component that may include a slightly curved forefoot plate positioned at least partially adjacent to a bottom surface of the main body. When fitted with the curved forefoot plate, the sandal is capable of facilitating a rolling action in the direction of a stride of the wearer. The upper may form a sandal strap system, with an inner or fixed strap layer and an outer or adjustment strap layer. The outer or adjustment strap layer can be used to adjust the sandal upper so the foot of the wearer can be secured to the sandal.

Abstract: A sandal system for athletic activities. The sandal system may include a sandal with a midsole having a cavity contoured to receive an activity-specific insole and a plurality of interchangeable insoles. Each insole of the plurality of interchangeable insoles may be configured for a specific activity, such as running, hiking, walking, water activities, etc. A sandal upper coupled to the insole has one or more straps configured for securing the foot of the wearer in the sandal during athletic activities. The sandal may also include an outsole for providing traction and wearability and a support component for providing support and stability. The outsole, the midsole, and the support component may be configured to include a fluid drainage system including at least one drainage channel and at least one outlet aperture. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract.