Footwear With One or More Removable and Interchangeable Panels

Abstract

A shoe comprising an upper, a midsole coupled to the upper, a midsole insert comprising a channel, the midsole insert positioned proximal a junction between the upper and the midsole, and a shoe panel configured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe. The midsole insert may further comprise a magnet within the channel that mates with a magnet of the shoe panel. Alternatively, the midsole insert channel may comprise one or more locking slots configured to receive one or more protrusions extending from the shoe panel. The shoe panel may be a midfoot or heel panel and may be detachably coupled to the upper by a hook and loop closure. The shoe may be a cupsole shoe with the midsole channel positioned proximal a junction between an inner surface of a vertical wall of the cupsole and the upper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper;   a midsole coupled to the upper;   a midsole insert comprising a channel, the midsole insert positioned proximal a junction between the upper and the midsole, the midsole insert further comprising a magnet within the channel; and   a shoe panel configured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panel comprising a first end comprising a magnet and configured to seat within the channel of the midsole insert and mate with the magnet within the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe panel is a midfoot panel comprising a second end configured to seat within a second channel on an opposite side of the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 2 , further comprising a midfoot hook and loop closure panel on the upper that is configured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panel located on an underside of the midfoot panel. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 2 , further comprising a vamp hook and loop closure panel on the upper that is configured to mate with a midfoot panel hook and loop closure panel located on an underside of the midfoot panel. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the midfoot panel comprises one or more reinforcement elements on at least one of the first and second ends of the midfoot panel. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the upper further comprises:
 a tongue extending upward from a vamp of the shoe, the tongue comprising a tongue side extension on at least one side of the tongue; and   a quarter comprising a quarter extension on each of a first and a second side of the tongue, the quarter extensions configured to overlap onto an upper surface of the tongue.   
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the quarter extensions comprises a magnet and the midfoot panel comprises a magnet configured to mate with the magnet of the at least one of the quarter extensions. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the midfoot panel comprises a plurality of eyelets comprising a lace running therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is substantially L-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the magnet is positioned in a portion of the L-shaped channel that extends inward toward a center of the midsole. 
     
     
         11 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper;   a cupsole coupled to the upper;   a midsole insert comprising a channel, the midsole insert positioned proximal a junction between an inner surface of a vertical wall of the cupsole and the upper, the midsole insert further comprising a magnet within the channel; and   a shoe panel configured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panel comprising a first end comprising a magnet and configured to seat within the channel of the midsole insert and mate with the magnet within the channel.   
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the channel of the midsole insert further comprises a lower, recessed channel. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet within the channel is positioned within the lower, recessed channel. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the midsole insert comprises a first end and a second end distal from one another that each have a narrower width than a width of a midpoint of the channel. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the channel comprises a plurality of locking slots therein. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 15 , wherein the first end of the shoe panel comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to seat within the locking slots of the channel. 
     
     
         17 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper;   a cupsole coupled to the upper;   a midsole insert comprising a channel, the midsole insert positioned proximal a junction between an inner surface of a vertical wall of the cupsole and the upper, the midsole insert further comprising a plurality of locking slots therein; and   a shoe panel configured to detachably couple to the upper of the shoe, the shoe panel comprising a first end a plurality of protrusions configured to seat within the locking slots of the channel.   
     
     
         18 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the channel of the midsole insert further comprises a lower, recessed channel. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of locking slots is located within the lower, recessed channel. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 17 , wherein the midsole insert comprises a first end and a second end distal from one another that each have a narrower width than a width of a midpoint of the channel.