Shoe with Conforming Upper

Abstract

The invention comprises articles of footwear that have a conforming upper to provide comfort and support to the wearer. The upper portion may comprise a cushioning layer of polyurethane foam or other materials having similar characteristics. In addition to the cushioning layer, the shoe upper is also composed of a fabric layer. In preferred embodiments, the stretch fabric is 4-way elastic fabric. 4-way stretch fabric may be comprised of e.g., nylon or other elastane or spandex material or a combination thereof.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole; and   an upper comprising polyurethane foam.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper further comprises a fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the fabric comprises nylon. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the upper further comprises a lining. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the lining comprises a knit fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the fabric is layered on top of the polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the polyurethane foam is layered on top of the lining and wherein the fabric is layered on top of the polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane foam has a density of between about 10 kg/m 3  to about 200 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane foam has a density of between about 25 kg/m 3  to about 175 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane foam has a density of between about 50 kg/m 3  to about 150 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane foam has a density of between about 75 kg/m 3  to about 100 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper further comprises an antimicrobial. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the antimicrobial comprises triclosan, organofunctional saline, silver, trichlocarban or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . An upper for an article of footwear comprising polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         15 . The upper of  claim 14  further comprising a fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The upper of  claim 15 , wherein the fabric comprises nylon. 
     
     
         17 . The upper of  claim 15  further comprising a lining. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The upper of  claim 17 , wherein the polyurethane foam is layered on top of the lining and wherein the fabric is layered on top of the polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         21 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The upper of  claim 14  further comprising an antimicrobial. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of alleviating foot ailments of a wearer comprising providing an article of footwear to the wearer, wherein the article of footwear comprises a sole; and an upper which conforms to the wearer's foot upon insertion of the foot into the article of footwear. 
     
     
         28 - 41 . (canceled)