Patent ID: 8850722

Claim:
A size-adjustable article of footwear, comprising: an upper having a first effective length when a removable member is positioned within a pocket in a heel portion of the article of footwear and a second effective length when the removable member is removed from the pocket, wherein the removable member forms a portion of an exterior surface of the article of footwear when positioned within the pocket, and wherein the pocket is defined by a first surface facing a second surface, the first surface extending vertically further than the second surface to an upper edge; wherein, when the removable member is removed from the pocket, the portion of the first surface extending vertically further than the second surface forms the portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear that is formed by the removable member when the removable member is positioned within the pocket; wherein, when the removable member is positioned within the pocket, the removable member substantially covers the portion of the first surface that extends vertically further than the second surface such that the removable member extends to the upper edge of the first surface of the pocket; wherein the heel portion of the article of footwear has a curvature; and wherein, the removable member is configured to substantially maintain the same shape inside the pocket and outside the pocket such that, when the removable member is removed from the pocket, the removable member is contoured to match the curvature of the heel portion of the article of footwear.