Abstract: A common style of sports shoe which is generally recognized as providing maximum support for the foot has an upper with a foot-receiving opening which includes a slot or elongated gap or notch extending forwards and downwards over the instep of the foot, said shoe also having on the upper a tongue which lies under the gap or notch to close same and a lace or cord threaded through perforations at opposite sides of the gap to fasten the shoe to the foot. The comfort of such a shoe is greatly improved by omitting the tongue and lace and thereby providing foot ventilation, and fastening the shoe to the foot by a strap-and-buckle fastener anchored at its ends to opposite sides of the sole of the shoe and engageable over the instep of the foot. With the strains created by the weight of the sole transferred from the upper to the fastener, the upper may be apertured or of a light-weight air-pervious material to provide additional ventilation.