Athletic shoes

Abstract

A shoe is disclosed for use in playing soccer or other activities. The shoe is designed to offer greater power and protection for a wearer's foot and ankle. The shoe is formed with a flexible outsole and an adjusted straight last. The upper is designed with a wide toebox and short lacing system. The shoe uses a unique cleat system. These features decrease the chances of injury and also give a player, such as a soccer player, enhanced ball control and power. This shoe can be modified for use, for example as a running shoe, or a casual shoe.

1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole comprising an outsole, the outsole comprising a plurality of downwardly extending cleats; and   an upper affixed to the sole to at least partially define an interior configured to receive a wearer's foot therein, the interior having an interior length and comprising a forefoot portion having a forefoot portion maximum width and a heel portion having a heel portion maximum width;   wherein the forefoot portion maximum width is at least about 1.5 times the heel portion maximum width; and   wherein the upper comprises a lacing system having a lacing system length generally aligned with the interior length;   wherein the lacing system length is less than about 0.35 times the interior length; and   wherein the forefoot portion and the heel portion are arranged to provide a substantially straight last.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the forefoot portion maximum width is at least about 1.7 times the heel portion maximum width. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the forefoot portion maximum width is at least about 1.9 times the heel portion maximum width. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least one of the plurality of cleats has a generally trapezoidal cross section comprising two bases and two legs; and   wherein at least one of the bases has a concave curvature.   
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lacing system length is less than about 0.3 times the interior length. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lacing system length is less than about 0.25 times the interior length. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein substantially all of the plurality of cleats are substantially the same downwardly extending height. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sole further comprises an insole surface facing the interior;   wherein individual ones of the plurality of cleats include respective distal tips; and   wherein the plurality of cleats and the sole are configured such that distances from individual distal tips to respective portions of the insole surface are substantially the same.   
     
     
         9 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole comprising an outsole, the outsole comprising a plurality of cleats; and   an upper affixed to the sole to at least partially define an interior configured to receive a wearer's foot therein, the interior having an interior length and comprising a forefoot portion having a forefoot portion maximum width and a heel portion having a heel portion maximum width;   wherein the forefoot portion maximum width is at least about 1.5 times the heel portion maximum width; and   wherein the upper comprises a lacing system having a lacing system length generally aligned with the interior length; and   wherein the lacing system length is less than about 0.35 times the interior length.   
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the forefoot portion and the heel portion are substantially linearly arranged to provide a straight last. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of cleats is arranged in a first cluster on a forefoot portion of the outsole and a second cluster on a heel portion of the outsole. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the outsole between the forefoot portion and the heel portion is substantially devoid of cleats. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the first cluster of cleats comprises three longitudinal rows of cleats, each row comprising three cleats; and   wherein the second cluster of cleats comprises two longitudinal rows of cleats, each row comprising three cleats.   
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 ,
 wherein individual cleats of the first cluster form
 a first longitudinal row of cleats along a first side portion of the outsole, 
 a corresponding second longitudinal row of cleats on a generally laterally opposite second side portion of the outsole, and 
 a third longitudinal row of cleats between the first longitudinal row and the second longitudinal row. 
   
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 ,
 wherein individual cleats of the first longitudinal row and individual cleats of the second longitudinal row are oriented such that long axes of the individual cleats are generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the sole; and   wherein individual cleats of the third longitudinal row are oriented such that long axes of the individual cleats are generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the sole.   
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 ,
 wherein at least one of the plurality of cleats has a generally trapezoidal cross section comprising two bases and two legs; and   wherein at least one of the bases has a concave curvature.   
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a sole comprising an outsole, the outsole comprising a plurality of cleats; and   an upper affixed to the sole to at least partially define an interior configured to receive a wearer's foot therein, the interior having an interior length and comprising a forefoot portion having a forefoot portion maximum width and a heel portion having a heel portion maximum width;   wherein the forefoot portion maximum width is at least about 1.5 times the heel portion maximum width; and   wherein the forefoot portion and the heel portion are substantially aligned to provide a substantially straight last.   
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the upper comprises a lacing system having a lacing system length;   wherein the lacing system length is less than about 0.35 times the interior length; and   
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the lacing system comprises at least one of
 a plurality of eyelets and a cord threaded through the plurality of eyelets,   a plurality of loops and the cord threaded through the plurality of loops, and   a plurality of hooks and the cord threaded through the plurality of hooks.   
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the article of footwear comprises at least one of a soccer shoe and a running shoe.