Boot and boot fitting system

Abstract

A waterproof boot ( 10 ) is provided that has a waterproof upper ( 14 ), having a foot portion ( 16 ), a leg portion ( 20 ) and an ankle region ( 18 ) located between the foot portion ( 16 ) and the leg portion ( 20 ). A pocket ( 30 ) Is provided in the upper ( 14 ) at an anterior aspect of the ankle region (IS), An expansion mechanism ( 24 ) is provided In the upper ( 14 ) and is adapted to allow the upper ( 14 ) to expand in the ankle region ( 18 ). A selectively removable Insert ( 32 ) is also provided that Is adapted to snugly fit within the pocket ( 30 ).

1 . A waterproof boot comprising:
 a waterproof upper, having a foot portion, a leg portion and an ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion;   a pocket provided in the upper at an anterior aspect of the ankle region;   an expansion mechanism provided in the upper, the expansion mechanism being spaced from the pocket and adapted to allow the internal circumference of the upper to expand in the ankle region;   a selectively removable insert adapted to snugly fit within the pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1  wherein the expansion mechanism is a zip mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1  wherein the expansion mechanism is a section of stretchable but resilient material. 
     
     
         4 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1  wherein the pocket has an aperture through an interior lining of the boot providing access for the insert to be inserted into, and removed from, the pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1  wherein the pocket is accessible via an external aperture in the upper, the aperture having a waterproof zip mechanism to allow opening and closing of the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1 , wherein the insert tapers away in cross-sectional profile to a thin edge at its extremities to provide a smooth transition between the insert and the upper when the insert is inserted in the pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1  further comprising an inner sleeve at an opening of the upper, the sleeve having an adjustable opening to allow it to be secured tightly around a wearer's leg to substantially prevent water and other objects from entering the boot during use. 
     
     
         8 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1 , wherein the translational friction between the insert and the pocket is sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the insert in the pocket during use. 
     
     
         9 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1 , wherein the upper is a unitarily formed, moulded upper. 
     
     
         10 . The waterproof boot of  claim 1  wherein the insert is specifically tailored or selected based on a particular wearer's ankle dimensions to provide an optimal fit of the boot to the particular wearer's foot. 
     
     
         11 . A boot fitting system comprising:
 a boot according to  claim 1 ; and   a plurality of said inserts, each insert being a different size, the inserts being interchangeable in the pocket to change the fit of the boot in the anterior aspect of the ankle region.   
     
     
         12 . The boot fitting system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of inserts includes at least a large insert and a small insert, the large insert having a greater thickness than the small insert. 
     
     
         13 . A method of fitting a waterproof boot to a boot wearer, said method comprising the following steps:
 providing a boot as defined in  claim 1  with a boot size corresponding to the boot wearer's foot size;   inserting said insert into said pocket to snugly fit the wearer's foot in the ankle region of the boot.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the boot is provided with multiple said inserts, each of a different size, and wherein the method further comprises trying multiple different sized inserts to determine the best fitting combination of boot and insert. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the insert is specifically tailored or selected based on a particular wearer's ankle dimensions to provide an optimal fit of the boot to the particular wearer's foot in the ankle region.