Patent ID: 8595957

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: an outsole having an inferior surface for contacting the ground and a second surface opposite the inferior surface; a midsole-upper comprising a unitary upper and midsole, the midsole-upper is formed from a flexible material having an upper portion and a midsole portion, the midsole-upper having a medial side with a first plurality of apertures proximate a top edge of the medial side, an opposite lateral side with a second plurality of apertures proximate a top edge of the lateral side, a heel end, and an opposite toe end; the midsole portion having a superior surface and an opposite inferior surface, the inferior surface of the midsole coupled with the second surface of the outsole; a bootie having a medial side, an opposite lateral, a heel end, an opposite toe end, an interior surface and an opposite inferior surface, the inferior surface coupled with the superior surface of the midsole-upper; a first reinforcement member between the midsole-upper and the bootie proximate the first plurality of apertures, the first reinforcement member comprising a third plurality of apertures, the third plurality of apertures aligning with at least a portion of the first plurality of apertures; and a second reinforcement member between the midsole-upper and the bootie proximate the second plurality of apertures, the second reinforcement member comprising a fourth plurality of apertures, the fourth plurality of apertures aligning with at least a portion of the second plurality of apertures, the first reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member are formed from a material different from the flexible material of the midsole-upper, wherein the first reinforcement member and the second reinforcement member prevent a lacing structure that extends through the first aperture and the second aperture from permanently deforming the first aperture or the second aperture.