Slip-on footwear with fit features

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a slip-on boot with fit features that enable snug fit while still allowing for convenient foot entry and exit. Related methods of using and manufacturing a slip-on boot are also provided.

1 . A boot comprising:
 a sole;   an upper connected to the sole, the upper including a flexible zone located along the back side of the upper above a heel cup;   wherein over 50 percent of the outer surface of the upper is comprised of a vulcanized rubber;   wherein a height of the flexible zone is greater than 1 inch and a width of the flexible zone is greater than 1 inch;   wherein the flexible zone is constructed to stretch substantially more than the heel cup.   
     
     
         2 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the heel cup has a bulge that is greater than 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein a foot fitting volume defined by the upper is not user adjustable by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein over 75 percent of the outer surface of the upper is comprised of a vulcanized rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein over 75 percent of the outer surface of the upper is comprised of a vulcanized rubber over neoprene. 
     
     
         6 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the vulcanized rubber material includes an opening having a periphery that defines a flexible zone. 
     
     
         7 . The boot of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible zone is comprised of an exposed section of polychloroprene material. 
     
     
         8 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible zone is comprised of a section of polychloroprene material covered by a flexible outer material. 
     
     
         9 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the flexible zone is between 4.0 to 9.0 square inches. 
     
     
         10 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible zone is configured to deflect at least 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The boot of  claim 1 , further comprising a last including last removal features. 
     
     
         12 . A boot comprising:
 an upper connected to a sole;   wherein the boot includes a short heel girth that is not user adjustable, and   wherein the boot includes a flexible zone along a back side of the upper configured to bulge outwardly during foot entry and exit from the boot.   
     
     
         13 . The boot of  claim 12 , wherein the short heel girth of a size 9 boot is less than 15.2 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The boot of  claim 12 , wherein the boot has an internal length of greater than 10.0 inches and a short heel girth that is less than 15.2 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The boot of  claim 13 , wherein the boot is of a size other than size 9, but is of the same model as the size 9 boot of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         16 . The boot of  claim 12 , wherein the boot has an internal length of greater than 10.0 inches and a short heel girth that is less than 15.0 inches, a girth in a V plane is less than 11.8 inches, a girth in an H plane is less than 12.5 inches, a girth in an E plane is less than 11.7 inches, and a girth in a plane G is less than 13.3 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The boot of  claim 12 , wherein the upper includes a heel cup that has a bulge that is greater than 0.5 inches and a flexible zone configured to bulge outwardly by greater than 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The boot of  claim 12 , wherein the boot has an upper that terminates below a user's knee. 
     
     
         19 . The boot of  claim 12 , further comprising a last including last removal features. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a boot comprising:
 constructing an upper having a vulcanized rubber outer shell; and   providing an exposed neoprene flexible zone along the back side of the upper above a heel cup of the upper.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of constructing an upper includes building the upper around a last, wherein the portion of the last below the ankle area is configured so that at least when the user's foot moves upwardly the heel cup and instep portions of the boot press inwardly and downwardly on the user's foot to secure the user's foot in the boot. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of constructing an upper includes building the upper such that the foot that the boot is intended to fit cannot be inserted into the boot without deforming the boot. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the flexible zone is configured to bulge outwardly by at least 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the upper includes a heel cup that has a bulge that is greater than 0.5 inches. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the boot has an internal length of greater than 10.0 inches and a short heel girth that is less than 15.0 inches. 
     
     
         26 . A method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of constructing an upper includes providing a last in the upper, wherein the last includes a heel portion that is configured to move relative to a main body portion. 
     
     
         27 . A method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of constructing an upper includes providing a last in the upper, wherein the last is configured to force air out of an external surface in at least the heel zone, the toe zone, the instep zone, or the rear calf zone. 
     
     
         28 . A method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of constructing an upper includes providing a last in the upper and providing a slip sheet between a portion of the upper and the last. 
     
     
         29 . A method of fitting a boot on a user's foot comprising:
 providing a boot with a flexible zone;   engaging the flexible zone with the user's heel as the foot is inserted into the boot, wherein the flexible zone bulges outwardly due to downward movement of the user's foot in the boot, wherein the flexible zone returns to a non-bulged out state after the user's heel passes the flexible zone as the user's foot is inserted into the boot.