CPC A43B 23/0205 (2013.01) | 19 Claims |
1. A shoe, comprising:
a sole defining a tread surface and a top surface opposite the tread surface; and
an upper portion attached to the top surface of the sole and cooperating with one or more additional components of the shoe to define a cavity, the upper portion including a continuous knit textile comprising:
a cuff region at least partially surrounding an opening into the cavity and defining at least a portion of a first perimeter at the opening, the cuff region having a first elasticity defined at least in part by a first knit pattern comprising a first thickness of a first yarn blend;
a flex region having a second elasticity defined at least in part by a second knit pattern comprising a second thickness of a second yarn blend, the flex region and the cuff region configured to stretch to increase a size of the opening;
a toe region having a third elasticity defined at least in part by a third knit pattern comprising a third thickness of a third yarn blend, the third elasticity less than the first elasticity and the second elasticity; and
a peripheral region defining at least a portion of a second perimeter at a junction between the upper and the sole and at least partially surrounding the cuff region, the flex region, and the toe region, the peripheral region having a fourth elasticity derived at least in part by a fourth knit pattern comprising a fourth thickness of a fourth yarn blend, the fourth elasticity that is less than the first elasticity and the second elasticity;
wherein:
the flex region is configured to pull the peripheral region against a wearer's foot to provide enhanced structural stability;
the fourth thickness is greater than the first, second, and third thickness;
an exterior surface of the upper portion defined by the second knit pattern, third knit pattern, and fourth knit pattern forms the continuous knit textile which defines a seamless transition between the toe region and surrounding portions of the flex region and the peripheral region;
the continuous knit textile comprises eucalyptus fiber;
each the second yarn blend, the third yarn blend, and the fourth yarn blend including a yarn comprising from 60% to 80% of the eucalyptus fiber; and
the flex region, a shoelace, a first set of eyelets, and a second set of eyelets are configured to cooperate to tighten the shoe around a wearer's foot.
|