Abstract:
Boots having an appearance indicative of a particular style or construction can be constructed with portions of the boot that have an appearance and characteristics directed toward functionality other than appearance or style. Portions of a boot that are not generally visible when worn, for example, with pants or coveralls, include the shaft or chimney of the upper portion of the boot. The shaft of such boots can be constructed of materials that are generally waterproof or fluid-resistant, making the boot easier to clean and mitigating against dirt, mud, or other soiling factors from adhering to such portions of the boot. In combination with a generally visible portion of the boot, such as the vamp and toe box, having an indicative appearance, such boots allow for a wearer to both present footwear having a particular style and fluid-resistant or waterproof characteristics.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 61/825,889, filed on May 21, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to boots, and more particularly to boots that include a combination of conventional leather/welted components as well as synthetic components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many types of boot, including work boots, hiking boots, riding equestrian) boots, motorcycle boots, Western (cowboy) boots, and other specialty boots are worn for a variety of applications. Historically, riding boots and Western boots have been constructed with leather uppers, including leather shells and leather shafts. Western boots in particular, over the years, have incorporated design elements in the shell that rely on a leather construction. Moreover, Western boots typically utilize a traditional welted construction with visible stitching. Accordingly, Western boots have a certain appearance that wearers of Western boots rely on and expect to be visible when worn. 
         [0004]    Many types of boots, further require functional characteristics, such as fluid-resistant, soil-resistant, and/or waterproof characteristics not found in traditional boots that have a particular design. There continues to be a need for boots that address both functional and aesthetic needs of wearers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Boots having an appearance indicative of a particular style or construction can be constructed with portions of the boot that have an appearance and characteristics directed toward functionality other than appearance or style. Portions of a boot that are not generally visible when worn, for example, with pants or coveralls, include the shaft or chimney of the upper portion of the boot. The shaft of such boots can be constructed of materials that are generally waterproof or fluid-resistant, making the boot easier to clean and mitigating against dirt, mud, or other soiling factors from adhering to such portions of the boot. In combination with a generally visible portion of the boot, such as the vamp and toe box, having an indicative appearance, such boots allow for a wearer to both present footwear having a particular style and fluid-resistant or waterproof characteristics. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a boot that includes an upper including a shell sized to receive a wearer&#39;s foot and a shaft extending above the shell and sized to receive a wearer&#39;s lower leg, and a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. In such embodiments, the boot can have a sole assembly which includes an insole, an outsole, a heel, and a welt that operatively couples the outsole to the upper. In some aspects, a boot can include a welt that is constructed substantially of leather. In other aspects, a boot can have an outsole constructed substantially of synthetic rubber. In further aspects, the boot heel can be constructed substantially of synthetic rubber. In some aspects, the boot sole assembly has a traditional welted construction. In other aspects, the boot sole assembly has a traditional welted construction with visible stitching. 
         [0007]    In other embodiments, a boot as disclosed herein can have a shaft that is constructed substantially of neoprene. In some aspects, a boot can have a shaft which includes lateral side panels that are constructed substantially of neoprene. In other aspects, the boot shaft can further includes a front strip of material extending between and operatively coupling the lateral side panels on a front side of the shaft, and a rear strip of material extending between and operatively coupling the lateral side panels on a rear side of the shaft. In further aspects, the front strip of material is constructed substantially of a vulcanized rubber or polymer. Similarly, in some aspects, the rear strip of material is constructed substantially of a vulcanized rubber or polymer. In other aspects, a boot with a shaft that is constructed substantially of neoprene can have a shell that is constructed substantially of a material other than neoprene. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the vamp region of a boot can be constructed of at least a first material, the shaft region of a boot can be constructed of at least a second material, and optionally, a transitional section of a boot can be constructed of a third material. In some aspects, the first material can be less soft or pliable than either or both of the second and third materials. In other aspects, the second material can be more soft or pliable than either or both of the first and third materials. In specific aspects, the second material can be neoprene, or the first material can be a material other than neoprene. In further aspects, the first, second, and third materials can have similar or different degrees of fluid-resistance, soil-resistance, or waterproof characteristics. In further aspects, the vamp region of a boot can be constructed of a vamp shell and at least one heel shell, where the vamp shell and at least one heel shell can be made of the same or different material. 
         [0009]    In further embodiments, a boot as disclosed herein can have a shell which includes a front shell panel and a rear shell panel. In some aspects, the boot can have a front shell panel and a rear shell panel which are constructed substantially of different materials. In other aspects, the boot can have a front shell panel which is constructed substantially of leather. In further aspects, the boot can have a rear shell panel which is constructed substantially of a thermoplastic urethane. In various aspects, the boot can be a Western boot or a riding boot. In some aspects, the boot shell can incorporate Western boot design elements. 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the following drawings, and will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boot having a conventional leather/welted construction and a leather upper. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the sole of the boot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded side view diagram schematically representing hybrid boots according to the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is side view of an illustrative, non-exclusive example of a hybrid boot according to the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary top view of the hybrid boot of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the hybrid boot of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of another illustrative, non-exclusive example of a hybrid boot according to the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary rear view of the hybrid boot of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9A  presents a perspective view of a hybrid boot, according to the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 98  further illustrates a side elevational view of the hybrid boot of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9C  further illustrates a rear elevational view of the hybrid boot of  FIG. 9A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Throughout this description for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the many embodiments disclosed herein. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the many embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in diagram or schematic form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the described embodiments. 
         [0023]    Many types of boots are worn for both functional and aesthetic purposes. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a Western boot having a construction with a particular aesthetic design is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Functional characteristics, such as fluid-resistance, soil-resistance, and being waterproof allow for boots to be worn in high-stress work environments but retain an ability to be easily cleaned, while still providing the protective and traction characteristics expected of a boot. Boots having a functionality are further worn for aesthetic purposes, with designs, patterning, materials, and other visible elements to reflect and project a particular style or appearance. Hybrid boots as described in this disclosure can combine both the functional and aesthetic characteristics to be useful to wearers in multiple settings and environments. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  schematically represents boots  10  according to the present disclosure. As discussed in more detail herein, boots  10  according to the present disclosure include a leather sole and/or shell and may include a welted construction to join the upper of the boot to the outsole of the boot. This construction is conventional for Western/cowboy, equestrian, and many other types of boots. However, boots  10  also include an upper that is formed from one or more unconventional materials (at least in the context of these types of boots), such as rubber, neoprene (polychloroprene), plastic, and/or polymeric materials. As such, boots  10  additionally or alternatively may be referred to as hybrid boots  10 . 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 3 , elements that are likely to be included in a given a particular) embodiment of a boot  10  are illustrated in solid lines, white elements that are optional to a given embodiment are illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in solid lines are not essential to all embodiments, and an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from a particular embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , boots  10  include an upper  12 . That is operatively coupled to a sole assembly  14 . The sole assembly  14  includes an insole  16 , an outsole  18 , a welt  20 , and a heel  22 . In some embodiments, the sole assembly also includes a rigid shank  23  that is positioned above the outsole and below the insole. In constructing the sole assembly  14 , the outsole is secured to the insole by sewing (and/or through the use of an adhesive) the welt between the outsole and the insole. The insole is operatively coupled to the upper, so that with the welting process, the sole assembly is operatively coupled to the upper. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3  with dashed lines, the insole, the outsole, the welt, and the heel each optionally may include more than one layer of material stacked together to compositely form the respective boot component. 
         [0027]    An outsole  18  may be formed from any suitable material or materials. For example, an outsole may be formed entirely from leather, including two or more layers of leather, such as which may be manually stacked together, sized, and sewn (stitched) or adhered together. This process may be referred to as stock fitting the layers of the outsole. While leather outsoles, and especially leather outsoles that are stitched, or sewn, to the insole and/or the welt, provide a classic, traditional style, leather is not as durable as, and may not provide a desired traction as, many composite and/or man-made materials. 
         [0028]    Accordingly, in some embodiments of boots  10 , an outsole may be entirely formed from rubber or other composite or man-made material having greater friction, or traction, than the smooth leather that is commonly used to form the ground-contacting surface of an outsole of Western boots or riding (equestrian) boots, for example. Alternatively, in some embodiments of boots  10 , the outsole may include at least one upper layer of leather and at least one lower layer  24  of rubber or other composite or man-made material and that optionally includes, or defines, tread structures that are configured to provide enhanced traction to the ground-contacting surface of the outsole. Examples of materials other than leather that may be utilized to construct outsoles, including optional lower layers  24  thereof, include (but are not limited to) rubbers, polymers, elastomers, polyurethanes, synthetic rubbers, and such injection-moldable polymers as thermo polyurethanes, thermo poly rubbers, and thermo rubbers. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that outsole  18  may be secured to upper  12  by a process that does not include welt  20 . 
         [0029]    Although illustrated in  FIG. 3  as a separate structure, a heel  22  according to the present disclosure, in some embodiments, may be integrally formed with, or otherwise described as a portion of the outsole  18 . Additionally or alternatively, as schematically represented in  FIG. 3 , a heel  22  may include two or more layers of one or more materials that are operatively coupled together, such as by adhesive, by integral forming, by fasteners, such as tacks or nails, etc. In some embodiments, the heel may include at least a lower layer  26  that includes, or defines, tread structures that are configured to provide enhanced traction to the ground-contacting surface of the heel. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of materials that may be used to construct one or more layers of a heel include those materials set forth above with respect to optional materials used for the outsole  18 . Heels  22  also may include one or more layers of leather, wood, or any other suitable materials. 
         [0030]    The welt  20  also may be formed from any suitable material or materials, including one or more layers of leather or any one or more of the aforementioned non-leather materials. The welt extends around the outer perimeter of the sole assembly, around the front-most region of the sole assembly, and into the arch region of the sole assembly. Accordingly, the welt provides structure for operative attachment between the upper and the outsole. However, from the arch region to the rear-most region of the sole assembly, the outsole can be coupled directly to the upper with nails, an adhesive, or other such joining elements. 
         [0031]    Although not required to all embodiments of boots  10  according to the present disclosure, the assembly of the sole assembly and the operative coupling of the sole assembly to the upper may be described as utilizing traditional footwear assembly techniques, including traditional welt processes, such as a Goodyear welt process. Accordingly, a boot  10  may be described as having a traditional look, with the welt and associated stitching visible when viewing the exterior of a fully assembled boot. 
         [0032]    Upper  12  of a boot  10  may be described as including a shell  30  and a shaft  32 . Shell  30  is attached to outsole  18  and is sized and shaped to receive and extend around the foot of the wearer when the boot is worn. In slightly different terms, the outsole and shell collectively house the wearer&#39;s foot when the boot is worn, with the outsole extending generally beneath the sole of the wearer&#39;s foot, and the shell extending generally around the sides and top of the wearer&#39;s foot. Shell  30  may be formed from one or more sections, or panels, which as discussed, may be formed from leather or a similar material As used herein, “leather” is intended to include both natural and synthetic hides, skins, and similar materials that have conventionally been used for constructing at least Western, cowboy, and equestrian boots. When shell  30  is formed from two or more panels, or sections, these panels or sections are operatively coupled together to form the shell. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, as schematically represented in  FIG. 3 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the shell  30  may include a front shell panel  34  and a rear shell panel  36  that are operatively coupled together to define the shell. The sections or panels of the shell may be operatively connected together by stitching or any other suitable method or process for joining at least the end regions of at least one, and often two or more, panel(s) or section(s) together. 
         [0033]    Shaft  32 , which additionally or alternatively may be referred to as a chimney  32 , is attached to the shell and extends upward from the shell. Shaft  32  is sized and shaped to receive and extend around the lower leg of a wearer of the boot. In further aspects, the shaft  32  is sized and shaped to receive and extend around the lower leg of a wearer of the boot, including the leg of the pants or jeans the wearer is wearing. By extending around and covering the leg of the pants or jeans a wearer is wearing with the boot, the shaft  32  of the boot can protect the pants or jean leg from becoming soiled or wet. The shaft  32  can be constructed to fit around both a wearer&#39;s leg alone and a wearer&#39;s leg including the fabric of pants or jeans while retaining its structure as a shaft  32  in both configurations. The shaft defines an opening  50 , through which a wearer extends his/her foot into the upper and subsequently into the shell when the wearer is putting the boot on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0034]    Although it is within the scope of the present disclosure that shaft  32  may be constructed from a single panel, or section, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that shaft  32  may be constructed from two or more panels, portions, or sections that are operatively coupled together to form the upper, such as by stitching or any other suitable method or process for joining at least the end regions of at least one, and often two or more, panel(s) together some embodiments, although not required to all embodiments, such as schematically and optionally represented by the dashed line separating the shell and the shaft, the shell and the shaft may be formed separately and subsequently and operatively joined together. While stitching and similar processes may be used, such as may be used to join the sections and/or panels of the shell and/or to connect the shell to the shaft, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that any suitable process may be used to join the end regions, panels, and/or sections of the shaft together to form shaft  32 . Such panels can be oriented to be the lateral sides forming a shaft, a fore panel and an aft panel forming a shaft, or a combination thereof. 
         [0035]    As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, and as schematically represented in  FIG. 3 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure that shaft  32  may include a front shaft panel  38  and a rear shaft panel  40  that are operatively coupled together to define the shaft. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, shaft  32  of a boot  10  according to the present disclosure may include two lateral side panels  42 ,  44  (e.g., a left panel and a right panel) that are operatively coupled together. In some such embodiments, the lateral side panels may be coupled together via one or more strips of material, such as a front strip  46  positioned between the lateral side panels generally on the front of the shaft, and/or a rear strip  48  positioned between the lateral side panels generally on the back of the shaft, as schematically and optionally illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, when present, the lateral side panels may not be directly engaged or otherwise joined together, as the front and rear strips may separate the lateral side panels. The front and rear strips additionally or alternatively may be described as front and rear panels or sections of a shaft  32 . In alternative examples, the shaft  32 , when constructed of a front (or fore) shaft panel  38  and a rear (or aft) shaft panel  40 , can coupled together via one or more strips of material on the lateral sides of the shaft  32 . 
         [0036]    The representation of the various optional panels, including the optional strips  46 ,  48 , of an upper  12 . In  FIG. 3  is schematic in nature, and the size and shape illustrated are not limiting. For example, the various seams separating two panels are not required to be linear, and the various panels are not required to have regular shapes, linear edges, etc. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the perimeters of one or more panels of the upper may incorporate typical design elements and shapes that are often utilized in Western boots and/or riding (equestrian) boots. 
         [0037]    The various components of an upper  12  (such as shell  30 , shaft  32 , and/or the optional panels or sections thereof) of a boot  10  according to the present disclosure may be constructed from any suitable material or materials, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that different panels of an upper may be constructed from different materials. For example, the shaft may be constructed from different materials than the shell, and/or one panel of a shaft or shell may be constructed from a different material than another panel of the shaft or shell. Additionally, or alternatively, a single panel may be constructed of more than one material, such as with layers or different materials, such as an outer layer and an inner layer, or liner. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more panels may include coatings or other barriers, such as to make a water-resistant (hydrophobic) coating, an abrasion-resistant coating, etc. 
         [0038]    Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of materials from which shaft  32  (and optionally shell  30  and/or panels or sections of the shell and/or shaft) may be substantially (or completely) constructed include (but are not limited to) rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene (polychloroprene), vulcanized rubber and other polymers, thermoplastic urethanes, various suitable fabrics, and various suitable polymers and plastics. By substantially constructed of a material, it is meant that the respective panel may include a primary material, such as that defines a core and/or an outer surface of the panel, but that the panel also may include one or more inner layers, outer layers, liners, and/or coatings, such as a fabric liner that is operatively coupled to the primary material and that forms an inner surface for contact with the wearer&#39;s leg, such as a protective coating that forms an outer layer, etc. 
         [0039]    As an illustrative, non-exclusive example of a combination of suitable materials that may be used in a boot  10  according to the present disclosure, the front shell panel  34  may be constructed substantially of leather, the rear shell panel  36  may be constructed substantially of a thermoplastic urethane, the lateral side panels  42 ,  44  of the shaft  32  may be constructed substantially of neoprene, and the front and rear strips  46 ,  48  may be constructed substantially of a vulcanized rubber or polymer. Other combinations of materials also are within the scope of the present disclosure, and as mentioned, one or more of such panels also may include a liner and/or coating constructed of a different material. 
         [0040]    Hybrid boots  10  according to the present disclosure also may include (but are not required to include) such additional components as one or more fastening mechanisms  52 , such as laces and/or buckles, for selectively tightening the upper around a wearer&#39;s foot and lower leg, and one or more grasping structures  54  configured to permit a wearer to grasp the structure and facilitate pulling the boot onto the wearer&#39;s foot. For example, a grasping structure  54  may define a loop that is sized to receive a wearer&#39;s finger or fingers so that the wearer may pull the boot onto the wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0041]    Additionally or alternatively, boots  10  may include any suitable additional component, including structures disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0126044, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0271553, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,010, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0042]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4-8 , illustrative non-exclusive examples of hybrid boots  10  are illustrated. Where appropriate, the reference numerals from the schematic illustrations of  FIG. 3  are used to designate corresponding parts of the embodiments of  FIGS. 4-8 ; however, the examples of  FIGS. 4-8  are non-exclusive and do not limit boots  10  to the illustrated embodiments. That is, boots  10  are not limited to the specific embodiments of the illustrated boots of  FIGS. 4-8 , and boots  10  may incorporate any number of the various aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. of boots  10  that are illustrated in and discussed with reference to the schematic representations of  FIG. 3  and/or the embodiments of  FIGS. 4-8 , as well as variations thereof, without requiring the inclusion of all such aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. For the purpose of brevity, each previously discussed component, part, portion, aspect, region, etc. or variants thereof may not be discussed, illustrated, and/or labeled again with respect to the boots  10  of  FIGS. 4-8 ; however, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the previously discussed features, variants, etc. may be utilized with the illustrated boots of  FIGS. 4-8 . Moreover, different combinations of the various optional features of boots  10  that are not necessarily utilized in the examples of  FIGS. 4-8  may be utilized in other embodiments of boots  10  according to the present disclosure. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that boots  10  may include an outsole and/or shell having the construction and/or materials of the boot shown in  FIGS. 1  and/or  2 . 
         [0043]    A first illustrative, non-exclusive example of a boot  10  according to the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and indicated generally at  100 . Boot  100  is an example of a boot  10  that includes a front shell panel  34  and a rear shell panel  36  that are constructed (at least substantially) of leather. As also shown, outsole  18  is joined to upper  12  with a welting process welt  20 . Boot  100  also includes a front shaft panel  38  and a rear shaft panel  40  that are constructed of neoprene or another “unconventional” synthetic, polymeric, plastic, and/or rubber material. As seen in  FIG. 4 , piping  102  is utilized between and to operatively couple the front and rear panels of the shell and shaft of the upper  12 . Moreover, as seen with reference to both  FIGS. 4 and 5 , boot  100  is an example of a boot  10  that utilizes a leather welt  20  with stitching  104  to operatively couple the outsole  18  to the upper  12 . As seen with reference to  FIG. 6 , the outsole  18  and heel  22  of boot  100  may include tread structures  25 ,  27 , respectively, that define the ground-contacting surfaces of the sole assembly  14 . The outsole tread structure  25  and heel tread structure  27  can both be configured to provide enhanced traction to the ground-contacting surface of the outsole  18  and heel  22 , respectively. At least a portion of the outsole and/or heel may be formed from a synthetic material, such as which may provide greater traction and/or wear resistance than a traditional leather heel or exterior sole. 
         [0044]    A second illustrative, non-exclusive example of a boot  10  according to the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and indicated generally at  200 . Boot  200  is an example of a boot  10  that includes a front shell panel  34  that is constructed substantially of leather, a rear shell panel  36  that is constructed substantially of a thermoplastic urethane, lateral side panels  42 ,  44  that are constructed substantially of neoprene (or one or more of the other “unconventional” materials that are disclosed herein), and front and rear strips  46 ,  48  that are constructed substantially of a vulcanized rubber or polymer. Similar to boot  100 , boot  200  is an example of a boot  10  that utilizes a leather welt  20  to operatively couple the outsole  18  to the upper  12 , and an outsole  18  and heel  22  that are constructed of a synthetic material. 
         [0045]    Boot  200  also includes a collar binding, or piping,  202  that finishes the top most edge of the shaft  32  and that defines the opening  50  to the upper, through which a wearer inserts his/her foot. Also, with reference to  FIG. 8 , boot  200  includes a U-shaped panel  204  that is constructed substantially of a thermoplastic urethane. The rear strip  48  extends in front of panel  204  and forms a grasping structure  54  in the form of a loop that is sized to facilitate a wearer pulling the boot  200  onto the wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9A  presents a third illustrative, non-exclusive example of a boot  10  according to the present disclosure, particularly indicated as a hybrid boot  300  presented in a perspective view. The hybrid boot  300  has a sole  302 , which in aspects can be a sole assembly which can include an insole, an outsole, welt, a heel  306 , and other components used for soles in footwear. The hybrid boot  300  further has an upper  304  attached to the sole  302 , where the upper  304  can generally include a vamp region  308  and a shaft region  310  (alternatively referred to as a chimney  310 ). The vamp region  308  of the hybrid boot  300  generally covers the toe, forefoot, heel, optionally a part of the Achilles region, and optionally a part of the ankle region of a wearer of the hybrid boot  300 . The shaft region  310  of the hybrid boot  300  generally covers at least parts of the calf, shin, Achilles region, and optionally a part of the ankle region of a wearer of the hybrid boot  300 . 
         [0047]    In aspects as illustrated, the vamp region  308  can be constructed of separate sections bound, stitched, or otherwise joined together, including a vamp shell  312 , an outer heel shell  314 , and an inner heel shell  316 . The hybrid boot  300  can further include a transitional section  318  located in between the vamp region  308  and the shaft region  310 , which can in part join the vamp region  308  and the shaft region  310  to each other. The components of the vamp region  308  can be formed from leather or a similar material. As used herein, “leather” is intended to include both natural and synthetic hides, skins, and similar materials that have conventionally been used for constructing at least Western, cowboy, and equestrian boots. In various aspects, the vamp shell  312 , outer heel shell  314 , and inner heel shell  316  can be constructed of the same or different materials, or of materials with the same or different resilience, flexibility, and other structural characteristics. In some aspects, either or both of the outer heel shell  314  and the inner heel shell  316  can include a boot counter not shown) on the interior of the hybrid boot  300 . 
         [0048]    In some aspects, the inner heel shell  316  and the transitional section  318  are both constructed of separate or split components, and arranged at particular heights or locations along the hybrid boot  300  structure. The arrangement or configuration of the inner heel shell  316  and the transitional section  318  can allow the hybrid boot  300  to retain a particular fit around a wearer&#39;s foot or leg, and retain a degree of protection around a wearer&#39;s foot or leg. In further aspects, the inner heel shell  314  can be made of a high abrasion material, such as rubber or a rubberized material. 
         [0049]    In aspects as illustrated, the shaft region  310  can be constructed of a shaft shell  320 , a forestrap  322 , a front pullstrap  324 , a rear pullstrap  326 , and optionally a boot collar  328 . In some aspects, the shaft shell  320 , forestrap  322 , front pullstrap  324 , and rear pullstrap  326  can be bound, stitched, or otherwise joined together. In other aspects, the front pullstrap  324  can bound to an interior surface of the hybrid boot  300 , extend through an opening  329  at the top of the hybrid boot  300 , fold around the boot collar  328  and be bound to the forestrap  322  to form the gripping or pullstrap structure. Similarly, in further aspects, the rear pullstrap  326  can bound to an interior surface of the hybrid boot  300 , extend through an opening  329  at the top of the hybrid boot  300 , fold around the boot collar  328  and be bound to the an exterior surface of the shaft shell  320  to form the gripping or pullstrap structure. In some aspects, the shaft shell  320  can be constructed of neoprene, a synthetic textile, a natural textile, a plastic, a rubber material, a poly, textile, a cotton textile, a cotton poly, a combination thereof, or even a combination thereof including leather elements. In further aspects, the shaft shell  320 , forestrap  322 , front pullstrap  324 , and rear pullstrap  326  can be constructed of the same materials as the shaft shell  320 , and can further be constructed of leather. The material used for the shaft shell  320  can be particularly chosen to have generally fluid-resistant or waterproof characteristics. Such characteristics can include, relative to other materials and components of the hybrid boot  300 , but are not limited to: a quicker rate of evaporation of fluids that may soak or saturate the shaft shell  320 , a greater degree of fluid beading on the surface of the shaft shell  320 , or a greater degree of fluid wicking from the material of the shaft shell  320 . In further aspects, the material used to construct of the shaft shell  320  can be relatively more flexible than the material used to construct the vamp region  308  components. In some aspects, the shaft shell  320  can be a single panel in a generally cylindrical shape, where the forestrap  322  is attached to the front of the shaft shell  320 . In other aspects, the shaft shell  320  can be constructed of one or more panels stitched, bound, or otherwise joined together to form a generally cylindrical shape, where the forestrap  322  and/or the boot collar  328  can in part bind the panels of the shaft shell together. 
         [0050]    In some aspects, a transitional section  318  located in between the vamp region  308  and the shaft region  310 , can in part join the vamp region  308  and the shaft region  310  to each other. In other aspects, the vamp region  308  and the shaft region  310  can be directly bound, stitched, or otherwise joined to each other. In further aspects, the vamp region  308  and shaft region  310  can be joined both directly along portions where the vamp region  308  and shaft region  310  interface and also joined using the transitional section  318  as an intermediary region between the vamp region  308  and shaft region  310 . The transitional section  318  can be constructed of a material that is the same as either the vamp region  308  or the shaft region  310 , or of a material that is different than both the vamp region  308  and the shaft region  310 . 
         [0051]    In some aspects, the transitional section  318  can be relatively more flexible, soft, or pliable than the materials used for the vamp region  308 . In other aspects, the transitional section  318  can be relatively more flexible, soft, or pliable than the materials used for the shaft region  320 . In further aspects the materials used for the shaft region  320  can be relatively more flexible, soft, or pliable than either or both of the materials used for the vamp region  308  and the transitional region  318 . In some aspects, the vamp region  308  can have (when worn by a wearer) a generally visible surface on which aesthetic designs, patterns, illustrations, or other structures can be presented. In further aspects, the shaft region  310  and/or the transitional section  318  can have a thickness of about 2-7 mm. In particular aspects, the shaft region  310  and/or the transitional section  318  can have a thickness of about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, or a range based on such thicknesses. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9B  further illustrates a side elevational view of a hybrid boot  300  as shown in  FIG. 9A . As in aspects as shown, the outer heel shell  314  can extend upward along the rear surface of the hybrid boot  300  to generally cover the Achilles region of a wearer, providing protection and support in the Achilles region. Further, in some aspects, the transitional section  318  can extend upward from the outer heel shell  314  and inner heel shell  316  along the rear surface of the hybrid boot  300 , particularly along the shaft shell  320 , to general cover at least a portion of the calf region of a wearer. In alternative embodiments, the forestrap  322  can extend along the vertical axis of the hybrid boot  300 , along the front exterior of the shaft shell  320 , and then be secured underneath the boot collar  328  at the top of the hybrid boot  300 . The end of the forestrap  322  can be folded forward and secured to a relatively lower portion of the forestrap  322 , thereby forming a front pullstrap  324 . In further aspects, a rear pullstrap  326  can be located at the top and rear of the hybrid boot  300 , similarly being secured underneath the boot collar  328 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 9C  further illustrates a rear elevational view of a hybrid boot  300  as shown in  FIG. 9A . As in aspects as shown, the outer heel shell  314  can overlap the inner heel shell  316  along the rear surface of the hybrid boot  300 , and be directed stitched, bound, or otherwise joined to the transitional section  318 . In further aspects, an aftstrap  330  can be connected to the top of the outer heel shell  314  and extend upward along the vertical axis of the rear of the hybrid boot  300 . The aftstrap  330  can be stitched, bound, or otherwise joined to the exterior of the transitional section  318  and the shaft shell  320 . The rear pullstrap  326  can be bound to and extend from the interior of the hybrid boot and be joined to the aftstrap  330 , thereby forming a gripping structure with the rear pullstrap  326 . 
         [0054]    In some aspects, the hybrid boot  300  can have a lining  332  on the interior of the shaft region  310 , which can further extend into the interior of the vamp region  308 . The lining  332  can be a waterproof membrane layered in combination with a wicking fabric lining, adhered to the interior of the shaft region  310  and/or the vamp region  308 . In other aspects, the lining  332  can include insulating materials, providing the hybrid boot  300  with resistance to the cold for a wearer when the boot is worn. 
         [0055]    As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same mariner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a nonlimiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like. 
         [0056]    As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entity in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one. A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity. 
         [0057]    In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other references are incorporated by reference herein and (1) define a term in a manner that is inconsistent with and/or (2) are otherwise inconsistent with, either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was present originally. 
         [0058]    As used herein the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa. Similarly, subject matter that is recited as being configured to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being operative to perform that function. 
         [0059]    It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, when the disclosure, the preceding numbered paragraphs, or subsequently filed claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
         [0060]    Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in that or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.