PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
The present invention provides articles of footwear for use by firefighters in different activities such as emergency and rescue situations, as well as daily activity in and around the firehouse. Integrated handles enable the firefighter to quickly and easily put the article of footwear on while minimizing the possibility of accidentally catching on equipment, apparel or debris. Locking bands that wrap around the upper are used to adjust for comfort and a secure fit. A dual lacing and zipper system enables the firefighter to initially adjust for fit by selectively tightening the lace, while the zipper provides a quick means for securing the article of footwear. Different outsole lug configurations are suitable for different surfaces, wet, dry and of varying and extreme temperatures. Added protection is available with a tibia/shin protector and ankle protectors.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to articles of footwear and, more particularly, to footwear such as boots for use by first responders such as firefighters and other emergency and rescue personnel in various environments and conditions. Of course, the footwear herein can also be used in routine footwear usage, such as fashion. “Firefighter” as used herein is exemplary of any worker facing hostile environmental conditions, such as natural or manmade fires, hazardous material spills, etc. 
     Firefighters and other first responders work in extreme and dangerous environments that often require specialized equipment such as air masks, protective helmets, and fire and/or chemical resistant articles of clothing such as coats, pants, etc. The boots or other footwear worn by the firefighter or other first responder are also extremely important to the success and safety of each call or operation. In the past, firefighting boots have evolved from conventional boots to more rugged footwear that is fire resistant. However, such boots are typically bulky, heavy and hard to put on and remove. Known firefighting boots include hoop handles that extend up from the top of the boots. Unfortunately, these hoops are bulky and are prone to catching on equipment or debris, presenting a hazard to the firefighter. 
     When a call comes in, firefighters typically have a very brief time in which to dress and leave the firehouse. Thus, it is important to put on equipment, including footwear, as rapidly as possible. Emergency situations are referred to herein as “call” situations, which include fires, industrial accidents, hazardous material spills, etc. In the rush to answer the call, it is desirable to be able to quickly and easily identify which equipment to put on, and to do so in a timely fashion. Another type of situation is the “duty” situation, for example routine calls such as rescuing a cat from a tree. A third type of situation is the “station” situation, where the firefighter is performing activities in and around the firehouse, such as cleaning and maintaining equipment. The call, duty and station identifiers are merely exemplary of different types of activities that may be performed in different situations or environments, and are not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration is employed. 
     Once at the site of the emergency, specific tasks such as clearing debris or directing a hose place added stress on firefighting boots, particularly when such tasks take place on a ladder. For instance, a firefighter may use a tool to remove debris or handle a hose that is under tremendous pressure while standing on a ladder. In these cases, the firefighter must take extra precautions, such as performing a “leg lock” or “ladder lock,” which involves wrapping one leg securely around the ladder. According to the New York City Fire Department Firefighting Procedures, DCN 4.06.07, Vol. 3, Book 1, copyright 1986, a ladder lock is performed by placing the leg over and under a rung which is two rungs over the rung on which the firefighter is standing. The instep or shin of the locking leg is then positioned on the ladder&#39;s side support structure or beam opposite the side on which the firefighter working, for example by wielding equipment such as an axe or a hose. The arch of the foot not in the ladder lock position is then placed against the other beam of the ladder. It should be understood that a great deal of pressure and strain are placed on the instep/shin in the ladder lock position. Unfortunately, known firefighting boots do not provide adequate protection or stability for the wearer. 
     In order to address these and other problems, it is desirable to provide firefighting boots that promote comfort and safety for the wearer and which can be put on in a timely fashion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole and an upper. The outsole has a first surface for contacting the ground and a second surface remote from the first surface. The upper is attached to the second surface of the outsole. The upper has an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving a foot, an exterior surface, and a collar having a top line providing an opening to the cavity. The collar includes an integral gripping member positioned below the top line of the collar. 
     In one alternative, the gripping member is spaced less than about 4 cm away from the exterior surface of the upper. In another alternative, the gripping member comprises a folded-over section of the collar that is attached to the exterior surface of the upper with a fastener. In a further alternative, the gripping member has an outer surface substantially aligned with the exterior surface of the upper. 
     In yet another alternative, the article of footwear further comprises a carrying member disposed along the interior surface of the upper adjacent the upper surface of the collar. In an alternative, the article of footwear may include a securing member disposed across the upper from a medial to a lateral side of the article of footwear for securing the foot within the cavity. In this case, the securing member may comprise at least one locking strap. The locking strap has a first section that is fixedly secured to a first one of the medial side or the lateral side and a second section that is removably connected to a second one of the medial side or the lateral side. At least one of the first and second sections has an elastic portion to allow for stretching and adjustment of the at least one locking strap. Desirably, the first section is disposed within a channel along an interior section of the upper between the interior surface and the exterior surface, and the second section fastens to the exterior surface of the upper with a fastening system. 
     In an example, the article of footwear further comprises a tibia guard positioned along an anterior portion of the upper. In this case, the tibia guard preferably has a first surface in contact with an exterior surface of the anterior portion and a second surface remote from the first surface. The second surface includes a plurality of ridges thereon. The ridges are operable to provide traction and protection to a wearer of the article of footwear. In another example, the article of footwear further comprises a reflective indicator that runs substantially around an outer surface of the article of footwear. The reflective indicator is adjacent to at least one of the upper and the outsole. In this case, the outsole may include an inset groove positioned circumferentially along the article of footwear. Here, at least a portion of the reflective indicator is disposed on the inset groove. In yet another example, the outsole includes lugs disposed along the first surface thereof. A first set of the lugs has a substantially triangular pattern and is arranged in at least one row from the medial to the lateral side of the article of footwear. At least some of the first set of lugs include siping along bottoms thereof. A second set of the lugs comprises ridges and are disposed at a toe region and at a heel region of the outsole. 
     In another alternative, the article of footwear further comprises an ankle protection pad disposed on the medial or the lateral side of the upper. In this case, the protection pad preferably comprises a pair of ankle protection pads. A first one of the pair is disposed on the medial side of the upper and a second one of the pair is disposed on the lateral side of the upper. The pair of ankle protection pads each comprises a protective insert, an inner lining disposed along a first side of the protective insert, an outer lining disposed along a second side of the protective insert, and an outer cover disposed over the outer lining. In a further alternative, the article of footwear further comprises a heel guard disposed along a heel section of the exterior surface of the upper. Here, the heel guard includes an indicator having identification data disposed thereon. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper, a carrying member, a pair of strap members, a tibia protector, ankle protection pads, an indicator, a footbed, a reinforcing plate and an insulating member. The outsole has a first surface for contacting the ground and a second surface remote from the first surface. The upper is attached to the second surface of the outsole. The upper has an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving a foot, an exterior surface, and a collar having a top line providing an opening to the cavity. The collar includes an integral gripping member positioned below the top line of the collar. The carrying member is disposed along the interior surface of the upper adjacent to the collar. The pair of strap members are disposed across the upper from a medial to a lateral side of the article of footwear for retaining the foot within the cavity. The strap members each comprising an elasticized locking strap having a first section that is fixedly secured to a first one of the medial side or the lateral side and a second section that is removably connected to a second one of the medial side or the lateral side. The tibia protector is disposed along an anterior section of the upper. The tibia protector includes a series of outwardly extending transverse ridges thereon. The pair of ankle protection pads are disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the upper. The indicator comprises a reflective inset member positioned circumferentially around the article of footwear adjacent to the outsole. The removable footbed is disposed within the cavity of the upper. The reinforcing plate is disposed between the removable footbed and the outsole. The insulating member is disposed between the removable footbed and the outsole. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper and a dual fitting and securing system. The outsole has a first surface for contacting the ground and a second surface remote from the first surface. The upper is attached to the outsole, and has an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving a foot. The dual fitting and securing system is for retaining the foot within the cavity of the upper. The dual fitting and securing system includes a zipper apparatus disposed centrally along an anterior portion of the upper and a lacing system disposed along at least a medial or a lateral side of the zipper apparatus. The lacing system has a series of receptacles and a lace threaded through the series of receptacles, wherein the zipper apparatus is operable to be zipped substantially completely open or closed without impediment by the lacing system. 
     In one example, the lacing system further includes a lace locking mechanism for adjustably securing a first end of the lace to the upper. In this case, a second end of the lace may be fixedly secured to the upper. Alternatively, the lacing system may be asymmetrically positioned on the upper so that the series of receptacles is positioned along a first side of the zipper apparatus. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear comprising an outsole and an upper is provided. The outsole has a first surface including elongated traction elements for contacting wet surfaces and a second surface remote from the first surface. The upper is attached to the outsole and defines a cavity for receiving a foot. The upper includes a first region of a non-stretchable waterproof material and a second region of a stretchable material adjacent to the first region. 
     In one alternative, the elongated traction elements include a plurality of raised ridge members for removing water from the ground and providing enhanced traction. In one example, the plurality of raised ridge members are arranged in a substantially parallel direction from a medial side to a lateral side of the first surface of the outsole. In another example, the plurality of raised ridge members include a first member arranged transversely across the first surface of the outsole, a second member arranged longitudinally along the first surface of the outsole, and a third member arranged in a non-transverse and non-longitudinal direction along the first surface of the outsole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1(   a )-( b ) illustrate an article of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a call-type boot style. 
         FIGS. 2(   a )-( e ) illustrate outsole views of the article of footwear of  FIGS. 1(   a )-( b ). 
         FIGS. 3(   a )-( b ) illustrate additional views of the article of footwear of  FIGS. 1(   a )-( b ). 
         FIGS. 4(   a )-( d ) illustrate an alternative call-type boot in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5(   a )-( l ) illustrate a further call-type boot in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6(   a )-( k ) illustrate an article of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a duty-type boot style. 
         FIGS. 7(   a )-( c ) illustrate additional views of the article of footwear of  FIGS. 6(   a )-( k ). 
         FIGS. 8(   a )-( b ) illustrate additional views of the article of footwear of  FIGS. 6(   a )-( k ). 
         FIGS. 9(   a )-( d ) illustrate an ankle protector in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10(   a )-( c ) illustrate lace securing mechanisms in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11(   a )-( d ) illustrate another duty boot configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12(   a )-( c ) illustrate a further duty boot configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 13(   a )-( c ) illustrate an alternative duty boot configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 14(   a )-( c ) illustrate another duty boot configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 15(   a )-( e ) illustrate an article of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a station-type boot style. 
         FIGS. 16(   a )-( c ) illustrate additional views of the article of footwear of  FIGS. 15(   a )-( e ). 
         FIGS. 17(   a )-( b ) illustrate an alternative station-type boot configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 18(   a )-( b ) illustrate another station-type boot configuration in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 19(   a )-( c ) illustrate alternative outsole configurations in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. All dimensions on the drawings are in millimeters. In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. In the embodiments of footwear shown in the drawings, only right (or left) foot shoes are shown. However, it should be understood that the left (or right) foot shoes are mirror images of the right (or left) foot shoes. 
       FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) illustrate lateral and medial side views, respectively, of an article of footwear  100  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  100  is desirably formed as a “call” type boot for use in fighting fires, industrial accidents and other extremely hazardous conditions. However, as discussed above, the call identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  100  is employed. The article of footwear  100  preferably comprises several components including an outsole  102 , an upper  104 , a rand  106  and a midsole  107 . The outsole  102  provides a ground contacting surface. The upper  104  provides a receptacle or enclosure for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. The midsole  107  connects the outsole  102  and the upper  104  together. The rand  106  provides extra protection to the article of footwear  100 . The features of the article of footwear  100 , including the outsole  102 , upper  104 , rand  106  and midsole  107  will be described in detail below. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1(   a ) and  FIG. 2(   a ), the outsole  102  preferably includes a tread in the form of lugs  108 . The lugs  108  may be formed in one or more rows extending, for example, from the medial to the lateral side of the outsole  102 . The rows of lugs  108  desirably have a straight edge  110  facing toward the front or toe region of the article of footwear  100 , and a sawtooth, jagged or substantially triangular pattern  112  adjacent to the edge  110 . The edge  110  is especially beneficial when climbing a ladder, as it provides a clean edge facing the ladder rungs. The sawtooth pattern  112  is adapted to grip and interlock with a corresponding tread pattern on the rungs of the ladder. Of course, it should be understood that other patterns may be employed so as to achieve interlock, depending upon the tread pattern on the ladder rungs. Channels  114  may be deeply inset in the outsole  102 , for instance along the forefoot region, to provide flex thereto. 
       FIG. 2(   b ) is a side view of one of the lugs  108 , which shows that the lug  108  preferably includes a large radius to the inside edge of the lug  108 . The large radius prevents dirt buildup and reduces clogging of the lugs  108  by debris or other material. As shown in  FIG. 2(   c ), the outsole  102  between rows of the lugs  108  may include additional traction elements such as siping  116 . As shown in  FIG. 2(   d ), the bottoms of the lugs  108  preferably include siping  118  for enhanced traction on wet surfaces. The outsole  102  and midsole  107  may be formed as an integral unit of, for example, molded rubber. As illustrated in  FIG. 2(   e ), in this preferred embodiment the rubber is fire and heat resistant to meet specifications in a given field of use such as those identified by the National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”). As shown in this figure, the outsole  102  may include slits or flex segments  119  to enable the outsole  102  to flex or bend during wear. 
     Returning to the side views of  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ), it can be seen that the toe and/or heel regions of the outsole  102  may include ridges  120  thereon. The ridges  120  may be used to provide enhanced traction when kneeling, crawling, or climbing. Furthermore, the outsole  102 , including the lugs  108 , is preferably formed from a fire resistant material such as nitrile rubber or other composition with a high melting temperature. Desirably, the melting temperature is at least 260° C. 
     A reflective indicator  122  may be positioned on, above or adjacent to the outsole  102 . The reflective indicator  122  may comprise, for example, a layer or material such as a reflective paint or tape. The reflective indicator  122  desirably runs substantially or entirely around the article of footwear  100 , and may cover at least a portion of the midsole  107 . In addition, the reflective indicator  122  may be configured as an inset groove positioned circumferentially along the top line of the outsole  102 . Reflective indicators  122  may also be positioned elsewhere along the article of footwear  100 . 
     In one alternative, the midsole  107  preferably comprises ethyl vinyl acetate (“EVA”). In another example, the midsole  107  may comprise polyurethane (“PU”). However, other materials may be used alone or in combination to form the midsole  107 . 
     Element  106  depicts the rand, a wrap around protective covering on the upper  104  of the shoe. The rand  106  preferably extends from the top line of the outsole  102 . In the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1(   a )-( b ) the rand  106  extends up and forms the toe cap  148 . See  FIG. 3(   a ). The rand  106  can be made, for example, from aramid material(s), or a heat resistant and flame retardant finished leather, rubber or thermoplastic material. Although heat and fire resistant materials are preferable, the material characteristics are not limited to these. Any material such as leather, synthetic, rubber, plastic, treated or untreated, etc. may be used. The rand  106  may be fabricated and employed as a distinct component, or may be fabricated integrally or otherwise employed in conjunction with, for example, the outsole  102  and/or the midsole  107 . 
     The upper  104  has an outer shell  124  that is preferably fire resistant if not fireproof. By way of example only, the outer shell  124  may include a fabric of a nylon material that is fire retardant, tear proof and/or insulated. Other fibers include aramids, which have no melting point, low flammability, and good fabric integrity at elevated temperatures. Para-aramid fibers, which have a slightly different molecular structure from aramid fibers, also provide outstanding strength-to-weight properties, high tenacity and high modulus. DUAL MIRROR® by Gentex is an aluminum and arammid laminate used for extreme flame and heat protection. Fibers such as NOMEX® or KEVLAR® brand fibers from E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company are aramid blends that include the flame and heat resistance in a plain weave or rip stop material. Treated materials, such as leather or synthetics can be finished with a fire retardant finish. Tightly woven aramids or para-aramids such as Dupont&#39;s SNAKE ARMOR® can be employed for fire resistance and added puncture resistance. 
     The outer shell  124  may also include a gusset and gusset overlay  126  along or near the anterior portion of the upper  104 , as seen in  FIG. 1(   b ). The gusset  126 , in addition to providing an upper construction that is closed and waterproof, provides an easily adjustable region to enable the wearer to quickly insert his or her foot and leg into the article of footwear  100 . Once the wearer&#39;s foot is inserted into the article of footwear  100 , it is desirable to secure the foot and, optionally, the leg, to the article of footwear  100  to achieve a snug and safe fit. Therefore, one or more securing members, such as locking bands or straps  128 , may be provided. The straps  128  are designed to enable an initial adjustment of the article of footwear  100  so that the wearer&#39;s foot can slide in and out while securely retaining the heel or the rest of the foot in the article of footwear  100  during use. 
     The straps  128  are preferably permanently affixed at one end to the medial side of the article of footwear  100  and adjustably attached at the other end to the lateral side of the article of footwear  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ). Alternatively, straps  128  may be permanently affixed at one end to the lateral side of the article of footwear  100  and adjustably attached at the other end to the medial side of the article of footwear  100 . 
     The end of the strap  128  that is permanently affixed is desirably disposed within a channel  130 . The channel  130  may be formed of components such as bars molded into the upper  104 , or as simply as the use of stitching to form the upper and lower bands. The bars can also be used to provide support and/or reinforcement to the article of footwear  100 . In the preferred embodiment, stretchable gore panels may be placed between an interior lining (not shown) and the outer upper material. The exposed opening of the channel  130  may be reinforced with a fire resistant material, such as treated leather for durability and protection. Another embodiment may include hardware, such as a D-ring, metal or hard plastic reinforcement around the opening to provide a tight and secure fit, and to reduce exterior layering of the channel  130  and/or the strap  128 . The adjustability in the preferred embodiment comes from the elasticized material the rubber straps are anchored to within the interior layer of the upper, such as with the stretchable gore panel. 
     The other end of the strap  128  preferably includes a fastening mechanism or fastening member thereon, such as a hook or loop fastener panel  132  facing toward the upper  104 . The hook or loop fastener panel  132  preferably attaches to a reciprocal loop or hook fastener panel  134  disposed on the upper  104 . The reciprocal hook and loop fastener panels  132 ,  134  may be, for example, VELCRO® brand fastener panels from the 3M Company. The fastener panel  132  may be covered by a pad  136  comprising, for instance, leather. Other fasteners or fastening mechanisms such as snaps, hooks, clips, buttons and the like. 
     The strap  128  itself may be formed of pliable rubber, fireproof or otherwise. A backing layer of neoprene, lycra or other material (not shown) may also be added to the strap  128  to provide a low friction surface that slides over the housing  124 . In addition, a reflective insert  138  may be included to enhance the visibility of the article of footwear. 
     The article of footwear  100  desirably also includes a collar  140  positioned along the top of the upper  104 . The collar  140  preferably includes one or more handle members  142  positioned thereon. The handle members  142  enable the firefighter to easily grip the article of footwear  100  so as to pull it onto his or her foot. A first handle member  142  may be placed on the medial side of the collar  140  and a second handle may be placed on the lateral side of the collar  140 . Handle members  142  may also be placed along the back and/or front of the collar  140 . 
     Unlike conventional hoop grips or pull handles connected to the top of a boot which project up from the boot, the handle members  142  are most preferably integrally formed with the collar  140  and have a gripping overhang, lip or grip  144  that is positioned below the top line or upper surface  143  of the collar  140  or the upper  104 . In addition, the gripping overhang  144  need only be spaced approximately 8 cm or less from the side of the outer shell  124 . More preferably, the gripping overhang/lip  144  is less than about 4-6 cm away from the side of the housing  124 . Grips  144  can be flush with outer surface of the upper  104 . When the lips/gripping overhangs  144  are not flush or integrated into the outer shell  124 , they most preferably project or extend only 2-3 cm or less therefrom. In the case where the grips  144  are flush or integrated into the outer shell  124 , the interior of the handle member  142  can be of a softer material, for example backed with foam, that easily deforms to receive fingers for easy grip. See, for example,  FIG. 6(   a ). The slight, streamlined projections in any of the aforementioned configurations, which extend minimally away from the outer shell  124 , are sufficient to enable the firefighter or other first responder to grab onto so as to don the article of footwear  100 , while providing a low profile that substantially reduces the likelihood of accidentally catching or snagging onto debris, equipment or other material or structures. Additionally, the grip  144  may be achieved by the incorporation of a material such as webbing attached to collar area. Another alternative may be a slice or opening within the collar area to allow fingers to easily slide in and grip. Alternatively, the handle member  142  may be incorporated by construction of the collar  140 , whereby the handle member  142  is folded over and heat set to form the grip  144 . This could be done out of the collar material such as a leather or rubber. All grip alternatives can be done with a variation on the medial and lateral handles such that medial handle could have a lower or higher profile than the lateral handle to prevent the handles on a pair of boots or other footwear  100  from hitting each other during use, for example as the wearer is walking. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1(   a ), the handle member  142  may comprise a folded over portion of the top of the upper  104  that is affixed at one or more points by fasteners such as rivets  146 . In another alternative, the handle members  142  may be made of a molded rubber, such as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 3(   a ) is an exploded view of the article of footwear  100 . As shown here, the reflective indicator  122  may be positioned to show substantially or entirely along the topline of the outsole  102 . In addition, the midsole  107  may be molded to include the rand  106  as well as a toe cap  148 . The midsole  107  may also be integrally molded or otherwise formed with the outsole  102 . A plate, such as steel plate  150 , may be disposed on or in the midsole  107  for enhanced support or protection of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     A footbed  152  may be permanently or removably positioned within the article of footwear  100 . The footbed  152  is preferably positioned on or over the midsole  107 , with the optional steel plate  150  between them. The footbed  152  may be formed from resilient materials such as EVA or PU foams or other such materials commonly used in shoe midsoles, insoles or sockliners.  FIG. 3(   b ) is a side cutaway view illustrating the footbed  152  as it is preferably positioned in the upper  104  during wear. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the footbed  152  may be an adjustable footbed, which provides enhanced fit and performance. Examples of such adjustable footbeds may be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/623,475 filed Oct. 29, 2004 and entitled “Shoe Footbed With Interchangeable Cartridges,” and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/667,970 filed Apr. 4, 2005 and entitled “Shoe Footbed With Interchangeable Cartridges,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     The footbed  152  may be formed of one or more material layers, regions and/or segments, which may each have a different thickness and/or a different rigidity. For example, the footbed  152  may comprise multiple layers of different rigidity. Alternatively, the footbed  152  may have different levels of rigidity in the forefoot, instep and heel regions, respectively. The footbed  152  could also have a first segment about the first metatarsal on the medial side of the forefoot of a first rigidity and a second segment about the fifth metatarsal on the lateral side of the forefoot of a second rigidity. In a preferred example, a first layer or region of the footbed  152  comprises EVA foam such as compression molded EVA (“CMEVA”), and a second layer or region of the footbed  152  includes an antimicrobial component. 
     A component such as an insole/lasting board or insulating member  154  is desirably placed between the steel plate  150  and the footbed  152 . The insole board/insulating member  154  may be used in the lasting process to form and secure the upper  104  around to last. The insole board/insulating member  154  may also provide enhanced thermal or other protection for the wearer&#39;s foot. A suitable thermally protective material such as a tightly woven aramid may be used. A steel toe or toe protector  156  may be connected to or integrally formed with the footbed  152  for added protection of the wearer&#39;s toes. The toe protector  156  may be, for example, steel, a composite plastic or other material. Furthermore, the toe protector  156  may be used with or without the toe guard  148 . 
     A protective shell or upper overlay  158  may overlie the bottom of the upper  104 , providing enhanced durability and protection to the article of footwear  100 . The protective shell  158  may be positioned so as to protect the bottom portion of the upper  104 , such as the portion extending from the top of the outsole  102  upward to the ankle region and forward to cover the forefoot and toe region, including the toe cap area. The protective shell  158  may comprise, for instance, fire retardant finished leather, a leather or synthetic, rubber, etc. as the outermost layer. The protective shell  158  may provide protection against other hazards besides fire. For example, the protective shell  158  may be chemically non-reactive for chemical spills and other hazardous material situations. 
     In addition to components such as the steel plate  150 , the lasting board/insulating member  154 , the toe protector  156  and the protective shell  158  that are preferably integrated or positioned within the article of footwear  100 , there are other components that may be part of the article of footwear  100  as well. By way of example only, the article of footwear  100  may also include an ankle protector  160 . The ankle protector  160  may be placed on the interior of the upper  104 , between layers of the upper  104 , or on the outer shell or housing  124  of the upper  104 . The ankle protector  160  may be on the medial and/or the lateral sides of the upper  104 . Preferably, the ankle protector  160  is located at least on the lateral side. In one example, the ankle protector  160  comprises one or more layers of padding, such as foam padding or felt in combination with a durable material such as leather. 
     A protective reinforcement  162  is desirably placed on the rear of the article of footwear  100 . The protective reinforcement  162  may include size moniker or other label  164  that can indicate the size of the article of footwear  100 . The size indication enables a firefighter or other first responder to quickly select a pair of boots to put on as he or she is putting on protective gear. The label  164  is preferably on the order of at least 2 cm in diameter, and is more preferably between about 2.5 and 5 cm in diameter. The label  164  can also be used as an area to place other pertinent data or unique markers such as a lot number, wearer&#39;s name, or pair ID. 
     As discussed above, a firefighter may use a hose while standing on a ladder. The hose pressure creates a dangerous condition as it is very hard for the firefighter to maintain his or her balance on the ladder while holding and directing the hose. Such a situation mandates the use of the ladder lock position. However, as noted above, the ladder lock position can place tremendous strain on the lower front portion of firefighter&#39;s leg, e.g., the tibia or shin region. A preferred embodiment of the article of footwear  100  addresses this issue by protective pad  166  disposed on the front or gusset  126  of the upper  104 . The protective pad  166  can be positioned, for example, along the surface of the gusset  126  or if no gusset is incorporated, placed specifically on front of upper, to protect and cover shin and top of forefoot region. Desirably, the protective pad  166  is formed from silicon that is co-molded with a pre-formed piece of material such as rubber or leather or rubber on the most external surface. This molded surface may be formed into a series of ridges, texture or other geometries that provide traction or interlock against the ladder surface during the leg lock maneuver. The molded surface of the protective pad  166  can provide traction as well as protection. The molded surface can be backed with a padding material such as foam for enhanced bruise protection. The aforementioned footwear structures are applicable to any activity whereby the wearer needs tibia or shin region protection. 
     The protective pad  166  may run along the entire length of the front surface of the upper  104 , e.g., from the ankle region to the collar region of the article of footwear  100 . Alternatively, the protective pad  166  may only be disposed along the upper or lower shin portion of the article of footwear  100 . Desirably, the protective pad  166  is at least 10 cm in length. More desirably, the protective pad is at least 15 cm in length, such as between about 15 to 30 cm. The protective pad  166  may be, for example, substantially as wide as the gusset  126  or front of the upper  104 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear  100   1  shown in  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ), a molded a collar  140 ′ may be employed. As seen in these figures, handle members  142 ′ may be integrally formed as part of the collar  140 ′ on the medial and/or lateral sides of the collar  140 ′. The handle members  142 ′ and the collar  140 ′ may be the same as the handle members  142  and the collar  140  described above. Preferably, the handle members  142 ′ and the collar  140 ′ comprise a molded high temperature plastic, rubber, etc. that is either affixed to or integrally formed with the top of the upper  104 . In such case, no fasteners  146  are necessary. However, the collar  140 ′ may have reinforcing stitching  168  along either side of each handle member  142 ′. In addition, an identifier or other indicator  170  may be placed along the molded handle member  142   a  for easy viewing. The identifier  170  may include, for instance, instructions for putting on the article of footwear  100   1 , safety instructions, a personalized nameplate, etc. 
       FIG. 4(   c ) illustrates a partial cutaway view of the article of footwear  100   1 . As shown in  FIG. 4(   c ), a carrying member  172  may be placed along the inside of the collar  140 ′ or the top part of the upper  104 . Preferably, the carrying member  172  is affixed to the medial portion of the article of footwear  100   1 . The carrying member  172  enables a firefighter to quickly and easily grasp the article of footwear  100   1  for carrying. Desirably, one carrying member  172  is placed along the medial portion of each one of a pair of articles of footwear  100   1 , and allows the pair to be easily picked up and carried. This placement allows the firefighter to grasp the pair without having to look and see where to grip, as shown in  FIG. 4(   d ). The carrying member  172  is preferably connected to the article of footwear  100   1  by stitching  174  along both sides and the top, as seen in  FIG. 4(   c ). The bottom  175  of the carrying member  172  is preferably substantially or completely unstitched. The carrying member  172  may comprise a webbing or slightly elastic material. 
       FIG. 5(   a ) illustrates another embodiment showing an article of footwear  100   2  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Here, the article of footwear  100   2  includes the collar  140 ′ with handle members  142 ′, as well as the ankle protector  160 , which may be on one or both of the medial and lateral sides of upper  104 ′. The article of footwear  100   2  preferably also includes a reinforcing member such as the protective reinforcement  162  with the label  164 . Unlike the article of footwear  100 , the article of footwear  100   2  preferably does not include the gusset  126 . Instead, the outer shell  124 ′ of the upper  104 ′ is desirably constructed as a substantially uninterrupted member. Nonetheless, the front portion of the outer shell  124 ′ desirably includes a protective pad  166 ′. 
     As best seen the front view of  FIG. 5(   b ) and the cutaway view of  FIG. 5(   c ) along the  5 A- 5 A line of  FIG. 5(   b ), the protective pad  166 ′ preferably includes a series of projections or ridges  176  along the exterior surface separated by grooves  178 . As with molded surface of the protective pad  166 ′, the ridges  176  and grooves  178  are used to provide enhanced traction with the ladder when the firefighter&#39;s leg is in the ladder lock position. Optionally, a friction enhancing coating or surface may be applied to the exterior surface of the protective pad  166 ′ to provide enhanced traction and engagement with the ladder. By way of example only, the ridges  176  and grooves  178  may include an outer layer of brushed rubber or other material having a high coefficient of friction. 
       FIGS. 5(   d ) and  5 ( e ) illustrate the collar  140 ′ and handle member  142 ′ in more detail. As with the gripping overhang or lip  144  above, the gripping overhang or lip  144 ′ is positioned below the top line or upper surface of the collar  140 ′. As seen in the cutaway view of  FIG. 5(   d ) along the  5 B- 5 B line of  FIG. 5(   e ), the collar may include a padded portion  180  of, for example, foam. The padded portion  180  preferably includes a roll top edge  182  that is incorporated within the topline of the collar  140 ′ and connects to the handle portion of the gripping overhang  144 ′. As shown, the gripping overhang  144 ′ may have a thickness on the order of 3 mm, or preferably between 2-4 mm. Desirably, the thickness is less than about 6 mm. 
     The ankle protector  160  of this embodiment is shown in the side view of  FIG. 5(   f ), the cutaway view of  FIG. 5(   g ) and the interior view of  FIG. 5(   h ). As seen in the cutaway view of  FIG. 5(   g ) along the  5 C- 5 C line of  FIG. 5(   f ), the ankle protector  160  may include an outer cover  184 , an outer shell  186 , protective insert  188  of, for example, foam, or felt, and an inner lining  190 . 
     In an alternative arrangement, the respective side and rear views of  FIGS. 5(   i )-( j ) and the component view of  FIG. 5(   k ) show that rear structural element or protective reinforcement  162 ′ may also include one or more dimples, grooves or recesses  192  along the back portion thereof, for example in a series of rows, which can provide the rear structural element or protective reinforcement  162 ′ and/or the collar  140 ′ with enhanced flexibility or in the case of the collar  140 ′, traction for better grip.  FIG. 5(   l ) is a cutaway view along the  5 D- 5 D line of  FIG. 5(   j ) showing the reflective label  164  in detail. Here, a reflective number or other identifier may be provided by raised segment(s)  193  positioned on backing  194 . 
       FIG. 6(   a ) illustrates a side view of an article of footwear  200  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  200  is desirably formed as a “duty” type boot for use in less hazardous conditions than the call type boots described above. For example, the duty boot  200  may be used in rescue situations. However, as discussed above, the duty identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  200  is employed. As with the article of footwear  100 , the article of footwear  200  comprises several components, namely an outsole  202 , an upper  204 , a rand  206  and a midsole (not shown). The outsole  202  provides a ground contacting surface. The upper  204  provides a receptacle or enclosure for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. The rand  206 , as with the rand  106 , provides extra protection to the article of footwear  200 . The rand  206  may be formed using any of the materials described above with respect to the rand  106 . The rand  206 , as the rand  106 , may be fabricated and employed as a distinct component, or may be fabricated integrally or otherwise employed in conjunction with, for example, the outsole  202  and/or the midsole. The midsole is ideally located between the outsole and the upper and connects the two together. 
     The midsole is preferably formed of molded TPU and/or thermoplastic rubber (“TPR”), which can be formed in several different ways. By way of example only, the entire midsole may be formed as a single unit via direct injection molding. In an alternative, the midsole may be formed with non-overlapping front and rear pieces as a two-part rubber cup with butted edges in a compression set. In a further alternative, the midsole may be formed as a two-part rubber cup with lapped edges in a compression set. The midsole may also be formed as part of or in conjunction with the outsole  202 , the upper  204 , and/or the rand  206 . Of course, it should be understood that the midsole may be fabricated in other ways and the invention is not limited to any particular configuration. The features of the article of footwear  200 , including the outsole  202 , the upper  204 , the rand  206  and the midsole will be described in detail below. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 6(   a )-( c ), the outsole  202  preferably includes a tread in the form of lugs  208 . The lugs  208  may be formed in one or more rows extending, for example, from the medial to the lateral side of the outsole  202 . The rows of lugs  208  desirably have a straight edge  210  facing toward the front or toe region of the article of footwear  200 , and a diamond, sawtooth or substantially triangular pattern  212  adjacent to the edge  210 . The edge  210  is especially beneficial when climbing a ladder, as it provides a clean edge facing the ladder rungs. The sawtooth pattern  212  is adapted to grip and interlock with a corresponding tread pattern on the rungs of the ladder. Of course, it should be understood that other patterns may be employed so as to achieve interlock, depending upon the tread pattern on the ladder rungs. Channels  214  may be deeply inset in the outsole  202 , for instance along the forefoot region, to provide flex thereto. 
       FIG. 6(   d ) is a side view of one of the lugs  208 , which shows that the lug  208  preferably includes a large radius to the inside edge of the lug  208 . The large radius prevents dirt buildup and reduces clogging of the lugs  208  by debris or other material. As shown in  FIGS. 6(   b )-( c ), the outsole  202  between rows of the lugs  208  may include additional traction elements such as siping  216 . As shown in  FIG. 6(   c ), sides of the lugs  208  may be beveled, and are preferably placed so that the triangular patters are substantially right angle patterns.  FIG. 6(   e ) shows that the front or toe region of the outsole  202  may also include siping  218  for added traction. The outsole  202 , midsole and/or the rand  206  may be formed separately or as an integral unit of, for example, molded TPU, as illustrated in  FIG. 6(   f ). As shown in this figure, the outsole  202  may include slits or flex segments  219  to enable the outsole  202  to flex or bend during wear. 
     Returning to the side view of  FIG. 6(   a ), it can be seen that the toe and/or heel regions of the outsole  202  may include ridges  220  thereon. The ridges  220  may be used to provide enhanced traction when kneeling, crawling, or climbing. Furthermore, the outsole  202 , including the lugs  208 , is preferably formed from a fire resistant material such as nitrile rubber or other composition with a high melting temperature. Desirably, the melting temperature is at least 260° C. 
     A reflective indicator  222  of, for example, paint or tape, may be positioned above the outsole  202 . The reflective indicator  222  desirably runs substantially or entirely around the article of footwear  200 . In addition, the reflective indicator  222  may be configured as an inset groove positioned circumferentially along the top line of the outsole. In one alternative, the midsole (not shown) preferably comprises molded TPU. In another example, the midsole may comprise EVA, such as IMEVA, or PU. However, other materials may be used alone or in combination to form the midsole. Such materials include, but are not limited to, polyether and polyester based polyurethane, rubber, plastics, etc. As discussed above, the rand  206  can be made, for example, from aramid material(s), or a heat resistant and flame retardant finished leather, rubber or thermoplastic material. 
     The upper  204  has an outer shell  224  that is preferably fire resistant if not fireproof. By way of example only, the outer shell  224  may include any of the materials discussed above with respect to the outer shell  124 , and may protect against other conditions besides fire, such as chemicals or other hazardous materials. 
     The outer shell  224  preferably includes a tongue or gusset  226 . The tongue/gusset  226  provides an adjustable region to enable the wearer to quickly and easily insert his or her foot and leg into the article of footwear  200 . Once the wearer&#39;s foot is inserted into the article of footwear  200 , it is desirable to secure the foot and, optionally, the leg, to the article of footwear  200  to achieve a snug and safe fit. 
     The article of footwear  200  includes a dual fitting and securing system, which includes a lacing system  228  and a zipper apparatus  230 . The lacing system  228  preferably comprises a single lace  228   a  that runs from the medial side to the lateral side of upper  204 , crossing over the lower most portion of the tongue/gusset  226 . Each side of the lacing system  228  secures to the respective sides (medial/lateral) of the tongue  226  as not cross over the zipper apparatus  230  or otherwise obstruct the operation of the zipper apparatus  230 . This allows for an initial in-shoe fitting for security via zipping and adjustment to the lacing. Once the lace  228   a  is set as desired, the zipper apparatus  230  would allow quick and easy on/off of the footwear  200  with little to no further adjustment required. The lace  228   a  may run through one or more receptacles  232  such as eyelets  232   a  and/or rings  232   b . The receptacles  232  may comprise a bungee-style closure system on the lateral and/or medial sides of the upper  204 . In another embodiment the lacing system  228  may include a single lace  228   a  that is laces on either the lateral or medial side of the tongue  226  as shown in  FIGS. 11(   a ) and ( b ). In this alternative, the lace  328   a  is secured to the upper  304  on the medial side of the tongue  326 , crosses over the forefoot and secures to tongue  326  and the upper  304  on the lateral side of the article of footwear  300 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6(   a ), an end of the lace  228   a  may be adjustably secured to by a lace locking mechanism  234 . This end of the lace may be crimped or burned to prevent accidental disengagement from the lace locking mechanism  234 . The other end of the lace  228   a  may be adjustably secured to another lace locking mechanism  234  on the other side of the article of footwear  200 , or may be rigidly attached to the upper  204 . The ring  232   b  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6(   g ) 
     The zipper apparatus  230  is preferably centrally positioned along the tongue  226 , as shown in  FIGS. 6(   h ) and  6 ( i ). As seen in  FIG. 6(   j ), the lace  228   a  in this embodiment is preferably run through the receptacles  232  in a mirror image pattern along the medial and lateral sides of the tongue  226  and/or other portions of the housing  224 . 
     As mentioned above, the positioning of the lacing system  228  and the zipper apparatus  230  are designed to enable an initial adjustment of the article of footwear  200  so that the wearer&#39;s foot can slide in and out while securely retaining the heel or the rest of the foot in the article of footwear  200  during use. By way of example only, the initial adjustment may include pulling or otherwise adjusting the lace  228   a  to achieve a desired tightness with the lace locking mechanism(s)  234 . Then the zipper apparatus  230  can be zipped up to secure the foot in the article of footwear  200 . When the firefighter or other first responder subsequently dons the article of footwear  200 , all that need be done is to zip up the zipper apparatus  230 , as the lace  228   a  has already been adjusted. Thus, it can be seen that a firefighter or other first responder can easily slide his or her foot into the article of footwear  200 , engage the zipper apparatus  230 , and proceed to respond to whatever call has arisen. 
     The article of footwear  200  desirably also includes a collar  240  positioned along the top of the upper  204 . The collar  240  preferably includes one or more handle members  242  positioned thereon. The handle members  242  enable the firefighter to easily grip the article of footwear  200  so as to pull it onto his or her foot. A first handle member  242  may be placed on the medial side of the collar  240  and a second handle may be placed on the lateral side of the collar  240 . The handle members  242  may be the same as the handle members  142  described above. 
     A preferred example of the handle member  242  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6(   k ). Unlike conventional hoop grips connected to the top of a boot and projecting up from the boot, the handle members  242  are most preferably rubber or plastic handles that are sewn or otherwise integrated into the collar  240 . The handle members  242  may be the same as the handle members  142  described above. Each handle member  242  can be flush with outer surface of the upper  204 . In this case, the interior of the handle member  242  can be of a softer material, for example backed with foam, that can easily deform to receive fingers for easy grip. Specifically, each handle member  242  may be open to expose the outer shell  224  of the upper  202 , or may have a backing material  244  that covers the housing  224 . The handle member  242  is preferably spaced at least 2-4 cm below the topline  243  of the upper  204 , and preferably projects no more than 4-8 cm from the side of the housing  224 . More preferably, the handle member  242  spaced between 1 and 10 cm below the top line of the upper  204 , and projects less than about 2-3 cm from the outer shell  224  of the upper  204 . Such slight, streamlined configurations are sufficient to enable the firefighter or other first responder to grab onto the handle member  242  while providing a low profile that substantially reduces the likelihood of accidentally catching or snagging onto debris, clothing, equipment or other material or structures. The handle members  242  can be implemented with a variation on the medial and lateral sides such that medial handle member  242  could have a lower or higher profile than the lateral handle member  242  to prevent the handle members  242  on a pair of boots or other footwear  200  from hitting each other during use, for example as the wearer is walking. 
       FIG. 7(   a ) is an exploded view of the article of footwear  200 . As shown here, the reflective indicator  222  may be positioned on, above or adjacent to the outsole  202 . The reflective indicator  222  may comprise, for example, a layer or material such as a reflective paint or tape. The reflective indicator  222  desirably runs substantially or entirely around the article of footwear  200 , and may cover at least a portion of midsole  207 . In addition, the reflective indicator  222  may be configured as an inset groove positioned circumferentially adjacent or along the top line of the outsole  202 . Reflective indicators  222  may also be positioned elsewhere along the article of footwear  100 . 
     The article of footwear  200  may also include a toe guard  248 , which may be integrally molded as part of midsole  207 , the outsole  202  or the rand  206 . Alternatively, the toe guard  248  may be attached to the midsole  207 , the outsole  202  or the rand  206  during fabrication of the article of footwear  200 . The midsole  207  may also be integrally molded or otherwise formed with the outsole  202 , or may be fabricated in any of the manners described above. The cutaway view of  FIG. 7(   b ) along the  6 A- 6 A line of  FIG. 6(   b ) shows that a plate, such as steel plate  250 , may be disposed between the midsole  207  and the outsole  202  for enhanced support or protection of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     A footbed  252  may be permanently or removably positioned within the article of footwear  200 . The footbed  252  is preferably positioned on or adjacent to the midsole  207 , with the optional steel plate  250  between them. The footbed  252  may be formed from resilient materials such as EVA or PU foams or other such materials commonly used in shoe midsoles, insoles or sockliners. 
     As with the footbed  152 , the footbed  252  may be formed of one or more material layers, regions and/or segments, which may each have a different thickness and/or a different rigidity. For example, the footbed  252  may comprise multiple layers of different rigidity. Alternatively, the footbed  252  may have different levels of rigidity in the forefoot, instep and heel regions, respectively. The footbed  252  could also have a first segment about the first metatarsal on the medial side of the forefoot of a first rigidity and a second segment about the fifth metatarsal on the lateral side of the forefoot of a second rigidity. In a preferred example, a first layer or region of the footbed  252  comprises EVA foam such as CMEVA and a second layer or region of the footbed  252  includes an antimicrobial component. The footbed  252  may also be an adjustable footbed, as described above with regard to the footbed  152 . 
     An insole, lasting board, and/or insulating member  254  is desirably placed between the steel plate  250  and the midsole  207  and/or the footbed  252 . When used as an insulator, the insulating member  254  provides enhanced thermal protection for the wearer&#39;s foot. A toe protector or steel toe  256  may be connected to or integrally formed with the upper  204  for added protection of the wearer&#39;s toes. Alternatively, the toe protector  256  may be securely received or integrated into the midsole  207 . The toe protector  256  may be, for example, steel, a composite plastic or other material. Furthermore, the toe protector  256  may be used with or without the toe guard  248 . 
       FIG. 7(   c ) is another exploded view of the article of footwear  200  showing an alternative configuration. The midsole  207  may be molded to include the rand  206  as well as a toe guard  248 . The midsole  207  may also be integrally molded or otherwise formed with the outsole  202 , or otherwise formed in any of the manners discussed above. The steel plate  250  may be disposed on, in or adjacent to the midsole  207  for enhanced support or protection of the wearer&#39;s foot. Here, the insole, lasting board and/or insulating member  254  may be positioned over the steel plate  250  and below the footbed  252 . As seen in this figure, a protective shell or overlay  258  may overlie the midsole  207  for enhanced shielding of the top of the wearer&#39;s foot. As with the protective shell  158 , the protective shell  258  may provide protection against fire and other hazards. For example, the protective shell  258  may be chemically non-reactive for chemical spills and other hazardous material situations. The protective shell  258  may comprise, for instance, molded silicon or other materials as with the protective shell  158 . The protective shell  258  may be, for example, attached or otherwise connected to the midsole  207 , the rand  206  and/or the upper  204 . In addition, the protective shell  258  may be removably insertable into the article of footwear  200 . Optionally, the protective shell  258  may include a reflective strip member  259  disposed along the rear thereof. The reflective indicator  222  may be positioned to show substantially or entirely along the topline of the outsole  202 . 
     In addition to components such as the steel plate  250 , the lasting board/insulating member  254 , the toe protector  256  and the protective shell  258  that are preferably integrated or positioned within the article of footwear  200 , there are other components that may be part of the article of footwear  200  as well. By way of example only, the article of footwear  200  may also include an ankle protector  260 . The ankle protector  260  may be placed on the interior of the upper  204 , between layers of the upper  204 , or on the outer shell or housing  224  of the upper  204 . The ankle protector  260  may be on the medial and/or the lateral sides of the upper  204 . Preferably, the ankle protector  260  is located at least on the lateral side. In one example, the ankle protector  260  comprises one or more layers of padding, such as foam padding or felt in combination with a durable material such as leather. 
     A guard or protective reinforcement such as heel guard  262  is desirably placed on the rear of the article of footwear  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ). The heel guard  262  may be formed of one or more segments or pieces, and may include piping  262   a  and/or reflective tape  262   b . The heel guard  262  may include a reflective label or indicator  264  that can indicate the size of the article of footwear  200  or other information as discussed above with regard to the indicator  164 . The size or other indication enables a firefighter or other first responder to quickly select a pair of boots to put on as he or she is putting on protective gear. The label  264  is preferably on the order of at least 2 cm in diameter, and is more preferably between about 2.5 and 5 cm in diameter. 
     A pull tab  266  may also be positioned along the heel or back portion of the article of footwear  200 . Returning to  FIG. 6(   a ), the pull tab  266  can be seen attaching at one end to the top of the collar  240  and at the other end to the back of the housing  224 . The pull tab  266  may be sewn or otherwise connected to the heel guard  262 , or may be integrally formed therewith. 
     The ankle protector  260  of this embodiment is shown in the side view of  FIG. 9(   a ), the cutaway view of  FIG. 9(   b ), the interior view of  FIG. 9(   c ) and the exterior view of  FIG. 9(   d ). As seen in the cutaway view of  FIG. 9(   b ) along the  9 A- 9 A line of  FIG. 9(   a ), the ankle protector  260  may include an outer cover  284 , an outer shell  286 , protective insert  288  of, for example, foam or felt, and an inner lining  290 . 
       FIGS. 10(   a ) and  10 ( b ) illustrate alternative lace locking mechanisms  234   1  and  234   2 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 10(   a ), the lace locking mechanism  234   1  comprises a cleat to which the lace  228   a  can be tied. As shown in  FIG. 10(   b ), the lace locking mechanism  234   2  may comprise a cinch strap or an eyelet-type member through which the lace  228  can be run. As seen in  FIG. 10(   c ), one end of the lace  228   a  may be rigidly and securely affixed to a lace locking mechanism  234   3 . In this case, only the other end of the lace  228   a  may be adjustable. 
       FIGS. 11(   a ) and  11 ( b ) illustrate lateral and medial side views, respectively, of an article of footwear  300  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  300  is desirably formed as a “duty” type boot that is generally similar to the article of footwear  200  described above, and includes many of the features thereof. However, as discussed above, the duty identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  300  is employed. For example, the article of footwear  300  preferably comprises several components, an outsole  302 , an upper  304 , a midsole (not shown) and a rand  306  that may be identical or structurally equivalent to the outsole  202 , the upper  204 , the rand  206  and the midsole  207 , and may be formed with the materials described above. The differences from the article of footwear  200  will now be described. 
     In particular, the article of footwear  300  includes collar  340  having one or more handle members  342 . Here, unlike the collar  240 , the collar  340  preferably includes a gripping overhang or cuff  344  similar to the gripping overhang  144 . The gripping overhang or cuff  344  is preferably positioned below the top line or upper edge  343  of the article of footwear  300 . The gripping cuff  344  preferably includes a handle  345 , which is preferably integrally molded with the rest of the gripping cuff  344 . The handle  345  of the gripping cuff  344  need only be spaced less than about 10 cm, more preferably between about 4-6 cm away from the housing or outer shell of the upper  304 . In a preferred example, the handle  345  is spaced on the order of 5 cm or less from the exterior surface of the upper  304 . The handle  345  is also preferably positioned below the top line  343 , such as at least about 2 cm below the top line  343 . More preferably, the handle  345  is on the order of 3-8 cm below the top line  343 . The configurations of the gripping cuff  344  with the handle  345  provide slight, streamlined projections that are sufficient to enable the firefighter or other first responder to grab onto the handle  345  while providing a low profile that substantially reduces the likelihood of accidentally catching or snagging onto debris, clothing, equipment or other material or structures. 
     The exploded view of  FIG. 11(   c ) shows that the article of footwear  300  may also include a heel member  347  and/or a backstay  349 . The heel member  347  may comprise a rubber or plastic sheet that may include a reflect strip thereon. The backstay  349  may be formed of rubber, plastic or similar material. 
       FIG. 11(   d ) illustrated a dual fitting and securing system, which includes a lacing system  328  and a zipper apparatus  330 . The lacing system  328  preferably comprises a single lace  328   a . Unlike the lace  228   a  of the lacing system  228 , the lace  328   a  preferably runs substantially along the medial or the lateral side of the article of footwear  300  along one side of tongue  326 . The lace  328   a  may run through one or more receptacles  332  such as eyelets  332   a . The receptacles  332  may comprise an elasticized/bungee-style closure system having an elastomeric/bungee type lace  328   a  on the lateral and/or medial sides of the upper  304 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 11(   d ), the lace  328   a  may wind or wrap around eyelets  332   a  along the bottom of the tongue  326 . Most preferably, if the lace  328   a  runs up the lateral side of the tongue  326  then it does not run up the medial side of the tongue  326 , and vice versa. The medial view of  FIG. 11(   b ) shows that the lace  328   a  is only run along the bottommost portion of the tongue  326  and not along the medial side of the tongue  328   a.    
     Returning to  FIG. 11(   a ), an end of the lace  328   a  may be adjustably secured by a lace locking mechanism  334 . The lace locking mechanism  334  preferably comprises a cinch cord that may be built into or integrally formed with the collar  340 . The adjustable end of the lace  328   a  may be crimped or burned to prevent accidental disengagement from the lace locking mechanism  334 . The other end of the lace  228   a  is preferably rigidly attached to the upper  304 , for example along the bottom of the tongue  326 . 
     The zipper apparatus  330  is preferably centrally positioned along the tongue  326 , as shown in  FIG. 11(   d ). The positioning of the lacing system  328  and the zipper apparatus  330  are designed to enable an initial adjustment of the article of footwear  300  so that the wearer&#39;s foot can slide in and out while securely retaining the heel or the rest of the foot in the article of footwear  200  during use, such as described above with the article of footwear  200 . By way of example only, the initial adjustment may include pulling or otherwise adjusting the lace  328   a  to achieve a desired tightness with the lace locking mechanism  334 . Then the zipper apparatus  330  can be zipped up to secure the foot in the article of footwear  300 . When the firefighter or other first responder subsequently dons the article of footwear  300 , all that need be done is to zip up the zipper apparatus  330 , as the lace  328   a  has already been adjusted. Thus, it can be seen that a firefighter or other first responder can easily slide his or her foot into the article of footwear  300 , engage the zipper apparatus  330 , and proceed to respond to whatever call has arisen. 
       FIGS. 12(   a ) and  12 ( b ) illustrate lateral and medial side views, respectively, of a modified version of the article of footwear  300 , namely article of footwear  300   1 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  300   1  is desirably formed as a “duty” type boot that is generally similar to the article of footwear  300  described above, and includes many of the features thereof. However, as discussed above, the duty identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  300   1  is employed. The differences from the article of footwear  300  will now be described. 
     The fitting and securing system of the article of footwear  300   1  includes a lacing system  328   1  without a zipper apparatus. The lacing system  328   1  preferably comprises a single lace  328   a   1 . Unlike the lace  328   a  of the lacing system  328 , the lace  328   a   1  preferably crisscrosses over the tongue  326  from the medial side to the lateral side of the upper  304 . The lace  328   a   1  may run through one or more receptacles  332   1  such as eyelets or D-rings  332   a   1 , and/or cord loop  332   b   1 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 12(   a ) and the exploded view of  FIG. 12(   c ), an end of the lace  328   a   1  may be adjustably secured to by a lace locking mechanism  334   1 . The lace locking mechanism  334   1  preferably comprises a cinch cord that may be built into or integrally formed with collar  340   1 . The adjustable end of the lace  328   a   1  may be crimped or burned to prevent accidental disengagement from the lace locking mechanism  334   1 . The other end of the lace  228   a   1  is preferably rigidly attached to the upper  304 . Alternatively, both ends of the lace  228   a   1  are secured to the lace locking mechanism  334   1 . 
       FIGS. 13(   a ) and  13 ( b ) illustrate side and bottom views, respectively, of another version of the article of footwear  300 , namely article of footwear  300   2 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  300   2  is desirably formed as a “duty” type boot that is generally similar to the article of footwear  300   1  described above, and includes many of the features thereof. However, as discussed above, the duty identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  300   2  is employed. The differences from the article of footwear  300   1  will now be described. 
     The fitting and securing system of the article of footwear  300   2  includes a lacing system  328   2  without a zipper apparatus. The lacing system  328   2  preferably comprises a single lace  328   a   2 . Like the lace  328   a   1  of the lacing system  328 , the lace  328   a   2  preferably crisscrosses or otherwise extends repeatedly over the tongue  326  from the medial side to the lateral side of the upper  304   2 . The lace  328   a   2  may run through one or more receptacles  332   2  such as eyelets or D-rings  332   a   2 , and/or multi-position connectors  332   b   2 . The receptacles  332   2  may be secured to upper  304   2  using straps or webbing  333 , which preferably wraps around the rear of the upper  304   2  and is covered by pull tab  366   2 . As seen in  FIG. 13(   a ) and the exploded view of  FIG. 13(   c ), outsole  302   2  is preferably cupped in the heel area. While not shown, a protective plate may be inset into the outsole  302   2  below midsole and/or rand  306   2 . The outsole  302   2  includes lugs  308   2 , which may be the same or different from lugs  108 . 
       FIGS. 14(   a ) and  14 ( b ) illustrate side and bottom views, respectively, of yet another version of the article of footwear  300 , namely article of footwear  300   3 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  300   3  is desirably formed as a “duty” type boot that is generally similar to the articles of footwear  300   1  and  300   2  described above, and includes many of the features thereof. However, as discussed above, the duty identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  300   3  is employed. The differences from the articles of footwear  300   1  and  300   2  will now be described. 
     The fitting and securing system of the article of footwear  300   3  includes a lacing system  328   3  without a zipper apparatus. The lacing system  328   3  preferably comprises a single lace  328   a   3 . Like the lace  328   a   1  of the lacing system  328 , the lace  328   a   3  preferably crisscrosses or otherwise repeatedly extends transversely over the tongue  326  from the medial side to the lateral side of the upper  304   3 . The lace  328   a   3  may run through one or more receptacles  332   3  such as eyelets or D-rings  332   a   3 , and/or bungee-type connectors  332   b   3 . The receptacles  332   3  may be secured to upper  304   3  using straps or webbing  333 ′, which desirably is riveted or otherwise fastened to the upper  304   3 , midsole and/or rand  306   3  using, for example, fasteners  335 . 
     While one elasticized/bungee-type connector  332   b   3  may be used, preferably at least two elastomeric or bungee-type connectors  332   b   3  are employed. As shown in  FIG. 14(   a ), a first bungee-type connector  332   b   3  is preferably positioned around the midfoot region of tongue  326   3 . This first connector  332   b   3  is used to tighten the article of footwear  300   3  about the lower part of the foot and leg. A second bungee-type connector  332   b   3  is preferably positioned around the upper region of tongue or gusset  326   3 . This second connector  332   b   3  is used to tighten the article of footwear  300   3  about the top thereof, for example at the middle or upper part wearer&#39;s shin. The first and second connectors  332   b   3  also help prevent loosening of the tension of the lace  328   a   3 . Bands  337  may be used to secure the connectors  332   b   3  to the upper  304   3 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 14(   a ) and the exploded view of  FIG. 14(   c ), outsole  302   3  is preferably cupped in the heel area. In addition, the outsole  302   3  may also include one or more “wings” or side panels  303  which extend upward along the article of footwear  300   3  over the midsole and/or the rand  306   3 . The side panels  303  may be used to provide increased stability and a more secure fit. While not shown, a protective plate may be inset into the outsole  302   3  below the midsole and the rand  306   3 . The rand  306   3  may be formed of one or more pieces of, for example, vulcanized rubber. As seen in  FIG. 14(   c ), a footbed  352   3  may be received within the upper  304   3 . 
     The article of footwear  300   3  desirably also includes a collar  340   3  positioned along the top of the upper  304   3 . The collar  340   3  preferably includes one or more handle members  342   3  positioned thereon, and may be the same as the collar  140  and handle members  142  described above. The handle members  342   3  enable the firefighter or other first responder to easily grip the article of footwear  300   3  so as to pull it onto his or her foot. A first handle member  342   3  may be placed on the medial side of the collar  340   3  and a second handle may be placed on the lateral side of the collar  340   3 . Handle members  342   3  may also be otherwise configured as described herein. 
     As with the handle members  142 , the handle members  342   3  are most preferably integrally formed with the collar  340   3  and have a gripping overhang or lip  344   3  that is positioned below the top line or upper surface of the collar  340   3 . In addition, the gripping overhang  344   3  need only be spaced on the order of 15 cm or less away from the side of the upper  304   3 . Preferably, the gripping overhang  344   3  is less than about 4-6 cm, such as approximately 2-3 cm away from the side of the upper  304   3 . This slight, streamlined projection is sufficient to enable the firefighter to grab onto, while providing a low profile that substantially reduces the likelihood of accidentally catching or snagging onto debris, equipment or other material or structures. More desirably, the spacing of the gripping overhand  344   3  may be on the order of 6 cm, more preferably about 2-3 cm or less. Each handle member  342   3  may comprise a folded over portion of the top of the upper  304   3 , and may be affixed at one or more points by fasteners such as rivets  346   3 . In this case, the folded over portion of the upper  304   3  may have a wicking lining to promote moisture evaporation. 
       FIGS. 15(   a ) and  15 ( b ) illustrate side and rear views, respectively, of an article of footwear  400  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  400  is desirably formed as a “station” type boot for use in everyday activities around the firehouse or elsewhere. For example, the station boot  400  may be used while cleaning and servicing a fire truck, ambulance, police car, garbage truck, etc. However, as discussed above, the station identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  400  is employed. As with the articles of footwear described above, the article of footwear  400  comprises several components, namely an outsole  402 , an upper  404 , and a rand  406 . The outsole  402  provides a ground contacting surface. The upper  404  provides a receptacle or enclosure for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. The rand  406  provides extra protection to the article of footwear  400 . The rand  406  may be fabricated and employed as a distinct component, or may be fabricated integrally or otherwise employed in conjunction with, for example, the outsole  402  and/or a midsole. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 15(   c )-( d ), the outsole  402  preferably includes a tread in the form of lugs  408 . The lugs  408  may be formed in one or more rows extending, for example, from the medial to the lateral side of the outsole  402 . The rows of lugs  408  desirably have a wavy pattern as seen in the bottom view of  FIG. 15(   c ). The side view of the lugs  408  in  FIG. 15(   d ) shows that the lugs  408  are preferably pliable. Pliability is desirable, for example, so that the lugs  408  may articulate during wear, which provides enhanced traction on wet surfaces. Most preferably, the lugs  408  are articulating lugs, as shown and described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0081405, entitled FOOTWEAR WITH ARTICULATING OUTSOLE LUGS, published Apr. 21, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. Of course, it should be understood that such articulating lugs may be employed in accordance with any of the outsole embodiments discussed herein. 
     Other outsole configurations can also be used for enhanced wet surface traction.  FIGS. 19(   a )-( c ) illustrate alternative outsole configurations in accordance with aspects of the present invention, which can be used with any of the articles of footwear described above, as well as with other types of footwear. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19(   a ), outsole  500  is illustrated having a set of blade-like traction elements. Specifically, positioned on the outsole  500  are a number of elongated, raised ridge members  502 . The elongated raised ridge members  502  are designed to be beneficial by providing traction on wet surfaces and act like wiper blades or squeegee blades to remove water from the surface of the outsole  500 . Preferably, the members  502  comprise PU, EVA and/or thermoplastic rubber (“TPR”), although other known outsole materials or combinations thereof can also be employed. The members  502  may be integrally formed as part of the outsole  500 , or, alternatively, may be fabricated separately from the rest of the outsole  500  and then attached or otherwise securing during the manufacturing process. Optionally, the members  502  may be sold separately so that the wearer can attach members  502  at selected positions along the outsole  500  as he or she sees fit. 
     During a standard walking or running gait cycle, there is a small amount of translational movement between the shoe and the ground surface. This translational movement is evident during the “heel strike” and “toe off” phases of motion as the ground reaction forces are changed from no forces when the shoe is off the ground to braking forces when the shoe comes into contact with the ground to propulsion forces as the center of mass is moved forward towards the front of the shoe during the toe off phase. During these small translational movements, there is an opportunity to remove water from a surface by using these movements to squeegee the surface. As water is removed from the surface, outsole material  504  that is positioned adjacent to the members  502  can now come into contact with a dry surface thus greatly increasing traction. It is well known that the coefficient of friction on a dry surface is at least double and often more than double the coefficient of friction on a wet surface. 
     In more extreme movements where there is a great deal of translational movement, the effectiveness of the members  502  increases. For instance, in extreme movements where a person starts to slip, there is increased translational movement between the shoe and ground. In these situations, the members  502  are dragged across the ground surface and remove water from a larger area of the surface. This provides a larger dry surface that the adjacent outsole material  504  can grip in order to arrest the slipping. The outsole material  504  may be smooth or otherwise planar, or may include lugs such as the lugs  408 , siping such as the siping  116 , and/or spaces or regions devoid of traction elements. In order to promote water removal, the members  502  are preferably flexible and/or bendable in response to movement such as translational movement between the shoe and the ground. 
     The design of the leading edge geometry of the members  502  is critical in providing effective removal of the water from the surface. In order to effectively remove water from a surface, the geometry should come to a point or similar narrowed geometry forming an apex in areas where the member  902  comes into contact with the surface. 
     As seen in  FIG. 19(   b ), the member  502  preferably includes a pointed tip  506  attached to a base section  508 . Recesses, spacing or voids  510  may be positioned along either side of the tip  506 . Given that the normal force remains constant and is equal to the force exerted by the person, the pointed tip  506  on the member  502  focuses and increases pressure between the article of footwear and the ground surface. This increased pressure between the two surfaces keeps fluids from seeping under the member  502 . Other geometries (ones with increased surface area) will decrease the pressure between the two surfaces and increase the chance of fluids escape between the surfaces. 
     The members  502  may be positioned in any configuration and may be applied to any area of the outsole  500 ; however, the members  502  will be more effective in the heel and forefoot regions of the outsole  500 .  FIG. 19(   a ) shows the members  502  in a generally parallel arrangement running from the medial to the lateral side of the outsole  500 . Alternatively, the members  502  can be oriented at different angles to account for the varied forces and movements that occur during a gait cycle. For instance, there are large anterior-posterior forces during heel strike and toe off. Medial-lateral forces are also present during a normal walking gait and these side to side forces increase during any turning motion by the person. Moreover, on uneven surfaces like the deck of a sail boat, the forces will be directed towards the low side of the boat as someone maneuvers over the deck. For all these, reasons, the members may be oriented at various angles.  FIG. 19(   c ) illustrates an alternative in which members  502 ′ are oriented at various positions along the outsole  500 . Specifically, some of the members  502 ′ may run generally transverse to the outsole  500 , while others may run in a generally longitudinal direction. Still other ones of the members  502 ′ may be positioned along paths that are neither transverse nor longitudinal. 
     Returning to  FIG. 15(   a ), it can be seen that the upper  404  preferably comprises regions of different material. Specifically, the upper  404  desirably includes at least one first region  404   a  of a waterproof material, for example waterproof suede or leather. The upper  404  desirably also includes at least one second region  404   b  of a stretchable or elasticized material, such as a silicon or neoprene sheet. The second region  404   b  enables the wearer to pull or stretch the upper  404  when putting the article of footwear  400  on or taking it off, and also enables the article of footwear  400  to comfortably flex during wear. The second region  404   b  may include a reinforced backing material (not shown) facing the interior of the upper  404 , and optionally an outer coating or layer of a glossy finish on the exterior. Both of the medial and lateral sides of the upper  404  may include one or more of the second regions  404   b . As best seen in  FIG. 15(   e ), the upper  404  may also include a section or region  410  on the front thereof. The section  410  may comprise the same or equivalent material as is used with the second region  404   b , or may comprise a rigid or pliable material such a stretchable narrow fabric, rubber, leather, or synthetic. The upper  404  may also include a pull tab  412 , which is preferably positioned along the upper heel portion of the upper  404  in close proximity to the collar. 
     Midsole  407 , as seen in  FIG. 16(   a ), may be positioned above the outsole  402 . A reflective indicator  414  may be positioned on, adjacent or above the outsole  402 . The reflective indicator  414  desirably runs substantially or entirely around the article of footwear  400  at the top line of the outsole. In addition, the reflective indicator  414  may be configured as an inset groove positioned circumferentially, e.g. circumferentially along the top edge of the outsole. 
     In one alternative, the rand  406  preferably comprises a molded leather or rubber compound, which can be formed in several different ways as explained above with regard to the rands  106  or  206 . In another example, the midsole  407  may comprise EVA, such as IMEVA, polyurethane PU, or combinations of these materials. However, other materials may be used alone or in combination to form the midsole  407  and/or the rand  406 . Such materials include, but are not limited to, polyester and polyether based polyurethane, rubber, plastics, or any of the other materials discussed herein. 
     As shown in the exploded view of the article of footwear  400  in  FIG. 16(   a ), the reflective indicator  414  may be applied substantially or entirely along the upper portion of the outsole. In addition, the rand  406  may include a protective toe guard  416 , which is desirably integrally molded as part of the rand  406 . Alternatively, the toe guard  416  may be attached to the upper  404 , adjacent to the rand  406  during fabrication of the article of footwear  400 . The rand  406  may also be integrally molded or otherwise formed with the outsole  402  and/or the midsole  407 . A puncture resistant plate such as a steel plate  418 , may be disposed above or below the midsole  407  for enhanced support or protection of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     A footbed  420  may be permanently or removably positioned within the article of footwear  400 . The footbed  420  is preferably positioned on or over the midsole  407 , for instance on top of a lasting board  422  and the optional steel plate  418  between the footbed  420  and the midsole  407 . The footbed  420  may be formed from resilient materials such as EVA or PU foams or other such materials commonly used in shoe midsoles, insoles or sockliners. Furthermore, the footbed may be an adjustable footbed as described herein. 
     As discussed above with regard to the footbed  152 , the footbed  420  may be formed of one or more material layers, regions and/or segments, which may each have a different thickness and/or a different rigidity. For example, the footbed  420  may comprise multiple layers of different rigidity. Alternatively, the footbed  420  may have different levels of rigidity in the forefoot, instep and heel regions, respectively. The footbed  420  could also have a first segment about the first metatarsal on the medial side of the forefoot of a first rigidity and a second segment about the fifth metatarsal on the lateral side of the forefoot of a second rigidity. In a preferred example, a first layer or region of the footbed  420  comprises EVA foam such as CMEVA, and a second layer or region of the footbed  420  includes an antimicrobial component. 
     Lasting board  422  can also serve as an insulating member to provide enhanced thermal protection is desirably placed between the steel plate and the footbed. A toe protector  424  may be connected to or integrally formed with the upper  404  for added protection of the wearer&#39;s toes. The toe protector  424  may be, for example, steel, a composite plastic, a ceramic or other material or combinations of material. Furthermore, the toe protector  424  may be used with or without the toe guard/toe cap  416  (which is part of the rand  406 ) or as a separate protective layer of material for the toe cap  416 .  FIG. 16(   b ) is a side view illustrating the assembled outsole  402  and rand  406 , and shows the reflective indicator  414 .  FIG. 16(   c ) is a top view of the forefoot region showing the toe cap  416  of the rand  406 , which covers the toe area of the foot and extends upward with molded sections of the rand  406  denoted in the shaded area across the forefoot. 
       FIGS. 17(   a ) and  17 ( b ) illustrate side and exploded views, respectively, of an alternative version of the article of footwear  400 , namely article of footwear  400   1 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  400   1  is desirably formed as a “station” type boot for use in everyday activities around the firehouse. However, as discussed above, the station identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  400   1  is employed. As with the article of footwear  400 , the article of footwear  400   1  comprises several components, namely an outsole  402   1 , an upper  404   1 , and a rand  406   1 . The outsole  402   1  provides a ground contacting surface. The upper  404   1  provides a receptacle or enclosure for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. The rand  406   1  connects the outsole  402   1  and the upper  404   1  together. While not shown, a midsole may also be employed. The differences from the article of footwear  400  will now be described. 
     The outsole  402   1  is preferably cupped in the heel area  403   a , extending upward beyond the rand section of the article of footwear. In addition, the outsole  402   1  may also include one or more “wings” or side panels  403   b  which extend upward along the article of footwear  400   1  to the top of the rand  406   1  or over the rand topline. The side panels  403   b  may be used to provide increased stability, and a more secure fit. As seen in  FIG. 17(   b ), protective plate  418   1  may be inset over or near the outsole  402   1  below the midsole (if any) and preferably below the rand  406   1  not shown. The rand  406   1  may be formed of one or more pieces of, for example, vulcanized rubber or molded TPU, leather or synthetic material. 
     The first region  404   a   1  is preferably formed of a waterproof and durable material such as abrasion resistant, waterproof leather or synthetic leather. Second region  404   b  of the upper  404   1  may comprise a first section  404   b ′ and a second section  404   b ′. The first section  404   b ′ may be a stretchable material, such as a stretchable fabric, a rubber, leather, or synthetic material. The second section  404   b ′ may be, for example, an abrasion resistant material such as a treated leather or synthetic as well as have protective qualities if backed by a softer material like foam or felt to add a protection element to the ankle region. A protective reinforcement  426  may be added to the heel section of the upper  404 . While not shown, the protective reinforcement  426  may include a pull tab to promote donning or doffing the article of footwear  400 . 
       FIGS. 18(   a ) and  18 ( b ) illustrate side and exploded views, respectively, of another version of the article of footwear  400 , namely article of footwear  400   2 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The article of footwear  400   2  is desirably formed as a “station” type boot for use in everyday activities around the firehouse. However, as discussed above, the station identifier is merely exemplary of types of activities that may be performed in exemplary situations or environments, and is not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration such as the article of footwear  400   2  is employed. As with the articles of footwear  400  and  400   1 , the article of footwear  400   2  comprises several components, namely an outsole  402   2 , an upper  404   2 , and a rand  406   2 . The outsole  402   2  provides a ground contacting surface. The upper  404   2  provides a receptacle or enclosure for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. The rand  406   2  is a protective layer for the lower part of the upper  404   2  to resist abrasion and or create a waterproof structure. The rand  406   2  may also, in some cases, provide a fireproof/heat resistant layer over the lower portion of the upper  404   2 . The article of footwear  400   2  is generally similar to the article of footwear  400   1 , and the differences between them will now be described. 
     As with the outsole  402   1 , the outsole  402   2  is preferably cupped in the heel area  403   2 . However, in this embodiment, the outsole  402   2  does not include “wings” or side panels. 
     As with the uppers  404  and  404   1 , the upper  404   2  desirably includes at least one first region  404   a   2  of a waterproof material, for example waterproof suede or leather, and at least one second region  404   b   2  of a stretchable material, such as a stretchable fabric, a webbing, stretchable tape or neoprene. In this case, however, the first region  404   a   2  desirably comprises a pair of regions separated by the second region  404   b   2 . The second region  404   b   2  is preferably a narrow strip or band extending from the top of the upper  404   2  to the base thereof. More preferably, the narrow strip or band is angled and is not merely a vertical strip. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Different components and features may be utilized in any of the embodiments. By way of example only, the different outsole and collar configurations, including lugs and handles, may be used with any of the articles of footwear. The locking bands and tibia/shin protectors in the call boots may be used with duty and/or station boots. The various dual lacing and zipper systems in the duty boots can be used in any combination. The traction elements described in relation to  FIGS. 19(   a )-( c ) can be used with any of the embodiments discussed herein. The dimensions or other configurations of any particular component in a given embodiments may be used in any other embodiment. Furthermore, the materials for the components described herein may be interchanged or used in any combination. Finally, while the call, duty and station identifiers have been used with regard to particular conditions and environments, the are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit how or where any particular footwear configuration in accordance with the present invention is employed.