Patent ID: 7818899

Claim:
A footwear, comprising: a sole configured to engage a ground surface; an outer member defining an outer surface of the footwear, the outer member including: a lower portion connected to the sole, the lower portion configured to receive at least a portion of a person's foot; an upper portion connected above the lower portion, the upper portion including an upper opening configured to loosely receive a portion of a person's leg, the upper opening including a continuous upper peripheral edge having a constant length; an inner lining positioned within the outer member; an instep member positioned between the outer member and the inner lining, the instep member extending across at least a portion of the instep portion of the inner lining; and a lace directly connected to the instep member and connected to the outer member, wherein applying a tension force to the lace causes the instep member to apply a force against the instep portion of the inner lining and wherein the upper opening remains loosely fit around a portion of a person's leg.