Boots with spur stability system

Abstract

Boots with spur stability systems are disclosed herein. A spur stability system can be configured to couple with a boot having an upper and an outsole, where the spur stability system includes at least one strap stability structure that is configured to resist motion of a spur strap relative to the boot when a spur is operatively attached to the boot with the spur strap. The spur stability system can have an upper strap coupled to the spur, in contact with at least one stability structure on the external surface of the upper. The spur stability system can additionally have a lower strap coupled to the spur, in contact with at least one stability structure on the external surface of the outsole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A boot, comprising:
 an upper that defines a shaft and a shell and is configured to receive a wearer's foot;   an outsole that is operatively attached to the upper and configured to contact a ground surface when the wearer wears the boot; and   a spur stability system that includes at least one strap stability structure that is configured to resist motion of a spur strap relative to the boot when a spur is operatively attached to the boot with the spur strap.   
     
     
         2 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure includes an upper strap stability structure that forms a portion of the upper. 
     
     
         3 . The boot of  claim 2 , wherein the upper strap stability structure is configured to resist motion of an upper spur strap that, when present, extends across the upper in contact with the upper strap stability structure. 
     
     
         4 . The boot of  claim 2 , wherein the upper strap stability structure extends from a surface of the upper to contact the upper spur strap. 
     
     
         5 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure includes an upper strap stability structure that is operatively attached to the upper. 
     
     
         6 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure includes a lower strap stability structure that forms a portion of the outsole. 
     
     
         7 . The boot of  claim 5 , wherein the lower strap stability structure is configured to resist motion of a lower spur strap that, when present, extends across the outsole in contact with the lower strap stability structure. 
     
     
         8 . The boot of  claim 5 , wherein the lower strap stability structure extends from a surface of the outsole to contact the lower spur strap. 
     
     
         9 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure includes a lower strap stability structure that is operatively attached to the outsole. 
     
     
         10 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the spur stability system further includes a spur rest that is configured to support a yoke of the spur. 
     
     
         11 . The boot of  claim 10 , wherein the spur rest is located at least partially between the yoke and the outsole when the spur is operatively attached to the boot. 
     
     
         12 . The boot of  claim 10 , wherein the spur rest is sized to resist motion toward the outsole by a portion of the yoke that is in contact with the spur seat. 
     
     
         13 . The boot of  claim 10 , wherein the spur rest is defined by a protrusion that extends from a surface of the boot. 
     
     
         14 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the boot further includes an abrasion-resistant toe region that is selected to resist damage to a toe region of the boot. 
     
     
         15 . The boot of  claim 14 , wherein the abrasion-resistant toe region is formed from an abrasion-resistant material that is operatively attached to the upper. 
     
     
         16 . The boot of  claim 14 , wherein the abrasion-resistant toe region is formed from a different material than at least a portion of a remainder of the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure is defined by a stability structure material that is selected to have a high coefficient of static friction with the spur strap. 
     
     
         18 . The boot of  claim 17 , wherein a coefficient of static friction between the stability structure material and the spur strap is at least a threshold multiple larger than a coefficient of static friction between a remainder of the upper and the spur strap, wherein the threshold multiple is at least 2 times larger than the coefficient of static friction between the remainder of the upper and the spur strap. 
     
     
         19 . The boot of  claim 17 , wherein a coefficient of static friction between the stability structure material and the spur strap is at least a threshold multiple larger than a coefficient of static friction between a remainder of the upper and the spur strap, wherein the threshold multiple is at least 3 times larger than the coefficient of static friction between the remainder of the upper and the spur strap. 
     
     
         20 . The boot of  claim 17 , wherein a coefficient of static friction between the stability structure material and the spur strap is at least a threshold multiple larger than a coefficient of static friction between a remainder of the upper and the spur strap, wherein the threshold multiple is at least 5 times larger than the coefficient of static friction between the remainder of the upper and the spur strap. 
     
     
         21 . The boot of  claim 17 , wherein a coefficient of static friction between the stability structure material and the spur strap is at least a threshold multiple larger than a coefficient of static friction between a remainder of the upper and the spur strap, wherein the threshold multiple is at least 10 times larger than the coefficient of static friction between the remainder of the upper and the spur strap. 
     
     
         22 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure is formed from at least one of a resilient material, a flexible material, an abrasion-resistant material, and a high-friction material. 
     
     
         23 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure is formed from a material that grips the spur strap. 
     
     
         24 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure is formed from a material that conforms to a surface of the spur strap. 
     
     
         25 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure is formed from at least one of a polymeric material and an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         26 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure defines a plurality of raised projections. 
     
     
         27 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure defines a plurality of raised ribs. 
     
     
         28 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure defines a plurality of raised ridges. 
     
     
         29 . The boot of  claim 1 , wherein the strap stability structure is configured to be compressed between the spur strap and the boot.