Abstract: An item of footwear (10), which exposes a substantial portion of a wearer's foot, is disclosed. The footwear includes a plurality of foot enclosures (110, 112) operably connected to each other via a connector (114), such as a plurality of elastic straps (200, 202). Protective pads (180, 182) may be attached to the footwear, such as leather pads on the plantar surface of the footwear. One advantage offered by this footwear is that the wearer's foot—and particularly the arch and middle of the foot—is substantially exposed to view, achieving a new aesthetic for ballet and dance footwear.

Abstract: An item of footwear (10), which exposes a substantial portion of a wearer's foot, is disclosed. The footwear includes a plurality of foot enclosures (110, 112) operably connected to each other via a connector (114), such as a plurality of elastic straps (200, 202). Protective pads (180, 182) may be attached to the footwear, such as leather pads on the plantar surface of the footwear. One advantage offered by this footwear is that the wearer's foot—and particularly the arch and middle of the foot—is substantially exposed to view, achieving a new aesthetic for ballet and dance footwear.

Abstract: In example embodiments, a thin, compliant covering is provided for engaging the bottom of a dancer's foot. The covering has a body portion and a distal securer, which may comprise toe openings for receiving and encircling toes of a wearer. In these example embodiments, the body portion does not extend substantially proximally of the midfoot. The covering includes a proximal securer that follows a path over the top of a wearer's foot or around a heel. The covering's securers are arranged to optimize the visibility of the top and sides of the foot, while helping to protect the foot. In certain embodiments the covering has a three dimensional conformation for conforming to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: A covering for a foot comprising a flexible body portion configured to conform to and cup the foot of a wearer along two or more of a front side zone, lateral side zone and medial side zone of a foot, the cover including a distal securer comprising a plurality of toe openings, each for encircling one or more toes, the covering configured to provide an opening exposing a substantial portion of the top of a wearer's forefoot. In some embodiments the side zones may comprise specific materials to provide desired functionality. For example, a side zone may be formed of a mesh or elastic material to provide a more secure or more comfortable fit, or better ventilation, for example.