Patent ID: 8161669

Claim:
A shoe with a pivotal heel portion, comprising: a sole; an upper secured to the sole, the upper including a forefoot portion and a heel portion, the heel portion is configured to pivot with respect to the forefoot portion such that a ground engaging portion of the sole pivots along with the heel portion of the upper; a first support layer formed around at least an outer periphery of the sole and connected to the sole and the upper; a second support layer formed above the first support layer and around a portion of a periphery of the upper, the second support layer being secured to the upper; and at least one securing device associated with the forefoot portion configured to engage with at least one securing device associated with the heel portion, wherein the securing device associated with the forefoot portion is located on each lateral side of the forefoot portion extending upwardly along a lateral side surface from a position adjacent the second support layer for a distance substantially an entire length of the lateral side of the forefoot portion, wherein after a foot has been inserted into the forefoot portion of the shoe, the heel portion can be pivoted to a substantially closed position such that when the shoe is in a position to be secured together, each side wall of the heel portion having the securing device, overlap with an entire area of the securing device of the forefoot portion.