Collapsible Outdoor Footwear and Backpack

Abstract

A collapsible and waterproof article of footwear includes a flexible insole, a flexible three-layer sole pad having (1) a bottom layer that is formed of a flexible material and includes a bottom surface adapted for engagement with a surface upon which a user walks, (2) a top layer that is formed of a flexible material and includes a top surface that supports the flexible insole, and (3) a middle-layer having (a) a front-portion that is relatively rigid and is located generally under the ball of a user's foot, a (b) mid-portion that is relatively flexible and located generally under the arch of a user's foot, and (c) a rear-portion that is relatively rigid and is located generally under the heel of a user's foot. A collapsible upper has an outer layer of material and an inner layer of material, the outer layer of material being waterproof and breathable, and the upper being collapsible onto the flexible insole. A waterproof seal connects the three-layer sole pad and the upper.

1 . A collapsible article of footwear comprising: 
 an flexible insole;    a flexible three-layer sole pad having (1) a bottom layer that is formed of a flexible material and includes a bottom surface adapted for engagement with a surface upon which a user walks, (2) top layer that is formed of a flexible material and includes a top surface that supports said insole, and (3) an middle-layer having (a) a front-portion that is relatively rigid and is located generally under the ball of a user's foot, (b) a mid-portion that is relatively flexible and is located generally under the arch of a user's foot, and (c) a rear portion that is relatively rigid and is located generally under the heel of a user's foot;    a collapsible upper having an outer layer of material and an inner layer of material, said outer layer of material being waterproof and breathable, said upper being collapsible onto said insole; and    a waterproof seal connecting said sole pad and said upper.    
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of claim  21  wherein said inner layer of material is a moisture wicking insulating material.  
     
     
         3 . A collapsible article of footwear comprising: 
 an flexible insole;    a flexible sole pad having first layer that is formed of a flexible material and includes a top surface that supports said insole, and a second layer that includes a top surface that supports said first layer, said second layer having a front-portion that is relatively rigid and is located generally under the ball of a user's foot, having a mid-portion that is relatively flexible and is located generally under the arch of a user's foot, and having a rear portion that is relatively rigid and is located generally under the heel of a user's foot;    a collapsible upper having an outer layer of material that is waterproof and breathable, said upper being collapsible onto said insole; and    a waterproof seal connecting said sole pad and said upper.    
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3  wherein said collapsible upper includes an inner layer of material.  
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4  wherein said inner layer of material is of a moisture wicking insulating material.  
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 3  wherein said first layer is a continuous layer, and wherein said flexible sole pad includes: 
 a third continuous layer that is formed of a flexible material and includes a top surface that supports said second layer.    
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein said upper includes an inner layer of material.  
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 7  wherein said inner layer of material is of a moisture wicking insulating material.