Breathable footwear

Abstract

Described herein is an item of footwear that reduces the problem of moisture remaining in the cavity of an item of footwear by providing a simple way for different portions of the footwear to be separated, thereby facilitating more air circulation and resulting evaporation. In some implementations, the upper portion of the footwear may be removable from a lower portion of the footwear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An item of footwear, comprising:
 an upper portion;   a lower portion; and   a fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to removably attach the upper portion and the lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . The item of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is completely separated from the lower portion when the fastener is not joined. 
     
     
         3 . The item of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is at least one of a toe cap, a vamp, a tongue, or a quarter. 
     
     
         4 . The item of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion is at least one of an insole, an outsole, a heel, or a welt. 
     
     
         5 . The item of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is at least one of a zipper, a hook and loop, a snap, a hook, or a removable string. 
     
     
         6 . A item of footwear, comprising:
 an upper portion;   a lower portion; and   a fastener, wherein the fastener is configured to removably attach the upper portion from the lower portion and includes:
 a first half that is coupled to the upper portion; and 
 a second half that is coupled to the lower portion. 
   
     
     
         7 . The item of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the item of footwear is at least one of a dress shoe, a boot, a running shoe, an athletic shoe, a high-heel shoe, or a sandal. 
     
     
         8 . The item of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the first half of the fastener extends substantially around a first perimeter of the upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The item of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the second half of the fastener extends substantially around second perimeter of the lower portion. 
     
     
         10 . The item of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the first half and the second half, when joined secure the upper portion and the lower portion together and form a cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The item of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the first half of the fastener is coupled to an inside surface of the upper portion. 
     
     
         12 . The item of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the second half of the fastener is coupled to an inside surface of the lower portion. 
     
     
         13 . The item of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein first half and the second half of the fastener are not visible from an exterior of the item of footwear when the first half and the second half of the fastener are joined. 
     
     
         14 . The item of footwear of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a protective barrier coupled to the lower portion and positioned such that when the first half of the fastener is joined with the second half of the fastener the protective barrier covers the fastener on an inner side of the item of footwear.   
     
     
         15 . The item of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the protective barrier provides at least one of a cushion or a barrier. 
     
     
         16 . The item of footwear of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a protective barrier coupled to the upper portion and positioned such that when the first half of the fastener is joined with the second half of the fastener the protective barrier covers the fastener on an inner side of the item of footwear.   
     
     
         17 . The item of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the protective barrier provides at least one of a cushion or a barrier. 
     
     
         18 . The item of footwear of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is at least one of a zipper, a hook and loop, a snap, a hook, or a removable string.