Abstract: An article of footwear for gymnasts includes an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a securing member. The outsole may extend beneath a forefoot region of the foot and may include one or more traction elements. The insole may be engaged with the outsole and may include one or more impact-attenuation zones. The insole may include a medial impact-attenuation zone and a lateral impact-attenuation zone. The upper may include one or more apertures through which a wearer's phalanges may be received and may extend over a top portion of the wearer's foot between the wearer's ankle and phalanges. The securing member may secure the article of footwear to the wearer's foot, and may extend from the lateral to the medial side of the upper. The securing member may extend around the heel or ankle area of the wearer's foot. The article of footwear may be a gymnastics shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a street shoe configuration and a dance shoe configuration is provided. The shoe includes a sole and an upper having a lacing system, lace and a tongue. The tongue is removably attached to the upper. The tongue may be removed to convert the shoe from a street shoe configuration to a dance shoe configuration. The tongue may also be secured via a lace strung through an apertures formed in the tongue. This configuration provides for easier conversion from street shoe to dance shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear for gymnasts includes an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a securing member. The outsole may extend beneath a forefoot region of the foot and may include one or more traction elements. The insole may be engaged with the outsole and may include one or more impact-attenuation zones. The insole may include a medial impact-attenuation zone and a lateral impact-attenuation zone. The upper may include one or more apertures through which a wearer's phalanges may be received and may extend over a top portion of the wearer's foot between the wearer's ankle and phalanges. The securing member may secure the article of footwear to the wearer's foot, and may extend from the lateral to the medial side of the upper. The securing member may extend around the heel or ankle area of the wearer's foot. The article of footwear may be a gymnastics shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear including a fastening system. The fastening system can include a pull tab and one or more flaps that cooperate to provide a more secure and snug fit, eliminates the need for conventional laces and a conventional tongue, and is easy to operate, especially for children or people with disabilities.

Abstract: An article of footwear intended for use as a dance shoe is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an upper. The upper includes an opening with a periphery configured to expose the top of the instep of a foot, while covering the medial and lateral sides of the foot. In addition, the article of footwear includes a fastening system, comprising a first and second strap, configured to expand during insertion of the foot into the article of footwear and fasten the article of footwear to the foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a street shoe configuration and a dance shoe configuration is provided. The shoe includes a sole and an upper having a lacing system, lace and a tongue. The tongue is removably attached to the upper. The tongue may be removed to convert the shoe from a street shoe configuration to a dance shoe configuration. The tongue may also be secured via a lace strung through an apertures formed in the tongue. This configuration provides for easier conversion from street shoe to dance shoe.