Boot and boot fitting system

Abstract

A waterproof boot is provided that has 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 is provided in the upper at an anterior aspect of the ankle region. An expansion mechanism is provided in the upper and is adapted to allow the upper to expand in the ankle region. A selectively removable insert is also provided that is adapted to snugly fit within the pocket.

1 . A boot fitting system comprising:
 a boot having a waterproof upper, the upper including a foot portion and a leg portion, an expandable ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion and having an internal circumference being expandable and retractable, and a stretchable pocket provided in the ankle region at an anterior aspect; and   at least one removable insert having a cross-sectional profile that is thickest in a mid-region and tapers to a thin edge at its extremities, the stretchable pocket being sized and shaped to removably and securely retain the insert against the anterior aspect of the ankle region of the upper.   
     
     
         2 . The boot fitting system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two of said removable inserts, each insert having a different mid-region thickness, the inserts being interchangeable in the pocket to change the fit of the boot in the anterior aspect of the ankle region. 
     
     
         3 . The boot fitting system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable ankle region includes a zip mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The boot fitting system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable ankle region includes a section of stretchable but resilient material. 
     
     
         5 . The boot fitting system of  claim 1 , wherein translational friction between the insert and the pocket is sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the insert in the pocket during use. 
     
     
         6 . The boot fitting system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper is a unitarily formed, moulded upper. 
     
     
         7 . The boot fitting system 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. 
     
     
         8 . A method of fitting a waterproof boot to a boot wearer, said method comprising:
 selecting a removable insert, from a range of two or more different sized inserts, based on the dimensions of the wearer's ankle region, the insert having a cross-sectional profile that is thickest in a mid-region and tapers to a thin edge at its extremities;   providing a boot having a waterproof upper, the upper including a foot portion and a leg portion, an expandable ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion, an internal circumference of the ankle region being expandable and retractable, and a stretchable pocket provided in the ankle region at an anterior aspect, the stretchable pocket being sized and shaped to removably and securely retain the insert against the anterior aspect of the ankle region of the upper; and   inserting said insert into said pocket before inserting the wearer's foot into the boot.