SHOE

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority based on JP 2024-168543 filed on Sep. 27, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a shoe.

Background Information

Patent Document 1 describes a shoe including a foot enclosing band that encloses a foot of a wearer from below, and constrictive bands arranged outside the foot enclosing band. The foot enclosing band is formed with a belt-like member, and has a width enough to cover an arch of the foot of the wearer. Guide portions through which shoelace pass are provided at opposite ends of the respective constrictive bands. In this document, it is described that the shoelace is tightened to bring left and right guide portions close to each other, whereby the foot of the wearer is enclosed by the foot enclosing band to improve a fit feeling.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2020-130321

SUMMARY

In order to improve the fit feeling, it is important to apply pressure not only to an instep of the wearer but also to a sole of the foot of the wearer. However, it is difficult for the above foot enclosing band formed with a belt-like member to flexibly follow changes in a shape of the sole of the foot according to movement of the foot of the wearer in a state of applying tension associated with the tightening of the shoelace. Hence, with the shoe described in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to apply sufficient pressure to the sole of the foot of the wearer. In particular, in a scene of being used for sports, since the shape of the sole of the foot of the wearer changes drastically, influence is likely to appear remarkably.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a shoe that can improve a fit feeling.

A shoe according to the present disclosure includes a sole, an upper provided on an upper side of the sole, and a shoelace provided on the upper. The upper includes a base body configured to cover at least a part of a foot of a wearer, and an enclosure that is disposed inside the base body. The enclosure includes a medial portion that is disposed on a medial foot side of an accommodation space configured that the foot of the wearer is accommodated, a lateral portion that is disposed on a lateral foot side of the accommodation space, and a lower portion that is disposed on a lower side of the accommodation space, and the enclosure is configured to enclose at least a part of the foot of the wearer from below. The enclosure is formed by combining a plurality of linear bodies. The shoelace is connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, via string passing portions that are provided in the base body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shoe in a heel-side region;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shoe in an arch region;

FIG. 4 is a developed view of a base body;

FIG. 5 is a developed view of an enclosure;

FIG. 6 is a developed view of the enclosure connected to shoelaces;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the enclosure as viewed from a medial foot side;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the enclosure as viewed from a lateral foot side;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the enclosure as viewed from below;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a lower portion of the enclosure, and an insole;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views illustrating a modification regarding a disposed position of a lower portion;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a developed view with a lateral portion of an enclosure omitted; and

FIG. 14 is a developed view of the enclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe 1 can be used as sports shoes, such as running shoes, walking shoes, and casual shoes. However, the use of the shoe 1 is not particularly limited. A wearer of the shoe 1 is assumed to be a person of a standard physique having a foot adapted to a size of the shoe 1.

In the present embodiment, the shoe 1 for a left foot will be described as an example, but the description is similarly applicable to a shoe for a right foot. The shoe for the right foot is formed in a bilaterally symmetrical shape with the shoe for the left foot, or a shape substantially similar thereto.

With respect to terms representing directions, a foot length direction refers to an extending direction of a shoe center SC (see FIG. 4) that is a center line of the shoe 1 in top view (plan view). A foot width direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the foot length direction in top view. A front refers to a direction from a heel to a toe of the foot, and a rear refers to the opposite direction. A medial foot side refers to the first toe side of the foot in the foot width direction, and a lateral foot side refers to the fifth toe side of the foot in the foot width direction. A lower side refers to a side toward which the gravity is directed in a state in which the shoe 1 is placed on a horizontal ground, and an upper side refers to the opposite side.

The shoe 1 includes a sole 2, an upper 3 provided on an upper side of the sole 2, and a shoelace 4 provided on the upper 3. A foot of a wearer is supported from below by the sole 2 and covered from above with the upper 3. The upper 3 is joined to the sole 2 by adhesion, sewing, or the like. The upper 3 is provided with a foot insertion opening 31 serving as an opening for inserting the foot of the wearer. An inner surface of the foot insertion opening 31 is formed with an inner layer 9 to be described later. In the present embodiment, a pair of the shoelaces 4 is provided on the left and right sides, and these shoelaces 4 may be referred to as shoelaces 4M and 4L to be distinguished from each other for convenience of description.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shoe 1 in a heel-side region that supports the heel of the foot of the wearer. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shoe 1 in an arch region facing an arch of the foot of the wearer, and the illustration of the shoelaces 4 is omitted. FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically illustrate sections in front view of the shoe 1, each cutting in the foot width direction. The upper 3 forms an accommodation space 30 configured that the foot of the wearer is accommodated, together with the sole 2. In the present embodiment, the upper 3 includes an insole 32 configured to cover a sole of the foot of the wearer. The insole 32 is joined to the sole 2 by adhesion, sewing, or the like. An inner sole (not illustrated) may be attached to an upper surface of the insole 32. When the inner sole is attached, a lower portion 6B described later is disposed below the inner sole.

The upper 3 includes a base body 5 configured to cover at least a part of the foot of the wearer, and an enclosure 6 that is disposed inside the base body 5. From the viewpoint of FIG. 1, the enclosure 6 is covered with and hidden by the cloth-like base body 5. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the enclosure 6 is represented by thick lines. The base body 5 includes an instep opening 51 that extends forward from the foot insertion opening 31, and string passing portions 52 that are provided at left and right side-edges of the instep opening 51. The string passing portions 52 are formed as a plurality of holes arranged at intervals in the foot length direction. In FIG. 1, the shoelaces 4 are inserted through the string passing portions 52, and specific aspects thereof will be described later.

In the present embodiment, a tongue 7 configured to cover at least a part of the instep of the wearer is disposed below the shoelaces 4. The tongue 7 is configured to cover an area from a front portion of an ankle of the wearer to the instep while closing the instep opening 51 from below. When the shoelaces 4 are tightened, the tongue 7 is pressed downward and the pressure acts on the instep of the wearer, thereby improving a fit feeling. As specifically described later, the shoe 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration for applying pressure not only to the instep of the wearer but also to the sole of the foot, whereby the fit feeling can be further improved.

FIG. 4 is a developed view of the base body 5, and the illustration of the shoelaces 4 is omitted. The base body 5 includes an outer layer 8 that forms an outer surface of the upper 3 and the inner layer 9 that is located inside the outer layer 8. The enclosure 6 is disposed between the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 9. FIG. 5 is a developed view of the enclosure 6, and corresponds to a state in which the outer layer 8 is removed from FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a developed view of the enclosure 6 connected to the shoelaces 4, and positions of the string passing portions 52 are indicated by broken lines. FIG. 7 is a side view of the enclosure 6 as viewed from the medial foot side. FIG. 8 is a side view of the enclosure 6 as viewed from the lateral foot side. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the enclosure 6 as viewed from below. In each of FIGS. 7 to 9, the foot of the wearer is depicted together with the enclosure 6.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 9, the enclosure 6 includes a medial portion 6M that is disposed on the medial foot side of the accommodation space 30, a lateral portion 6L that is disposed on the lateral foot side of the accommodation space 30, and a lower portion 6B that is disposed on a lower side of the accommodation space 30. The enclosure 6 is configured to enclose at least a part of the foot of the wearer from below. The enclosure 6 is formed by combining a plurality of linear bodies 60. The shoelaces 4 are connected to the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L, respectively, via the string passing portions 52 that are provided in the base body 5. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the shoelace 4L is connected to the lateral portion 6L, and the shoelace 4M is connected to the medial portion 6M.

According to such a configuration, by tightening the shoelaces 4 to apply tension to the enclosure 6, each of the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L is pulled up, and the lower portion 6B is pulled up subsequently, so that the pressure acts on the sole of the foot of the wearer. In addition, since the enclosure 6 is formed by combining the plurality of linear bodies 60, the enclosure 6 is easily moved even in a state of applying the tension by the tightening of the shoelaces 4, and can flexibly follow changes in a shape of the sole of the foot according to movement of the foot of the wearer. Hence, sufficient pressure can be applied to the sole of the foot of the wearer to favorably improve the fit feeling.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer layer 8 includes a reinforcing member 81 that reinforces a side edge of the instep opening 51, a reinforcing member 82 that reinforces a front end portion of the upper 3, and reinforcing members 83 that reinforce a rear end portion of the upper 3. A material having excellent durability and wear resistance is preferably used for each of the reinforcing members 81 to 83. In FIG. 4, the reinforcing members 83 are illustrated separately on the medial foot side and the lateral foot side, but these may be a single member. A lower edge of the outer layer 8 is joined to the sole 2 or the insole 32. The joining portion of the lower edge of the outer layer 8 is set in an area from a front end 8a to a rear end 8b of the lower edge.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the inner layer 9 includes the tongue 7. Moreover, the inner layer 9 is used as a lining that forms an inner surface of the upper 3. In other words, the inner layer 9 is formed as a member in which the tongue 7 is integrated with the lining. However, without being limited thereto, the inner layer 9 may be formed with a member separate from the tongue 7 and the lining.

In the present embodiment, the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L are covered with the inner layer 9 so as not to be exposed to the accommodation space 30. According to such a configuration, it is possible to effectively reduce uncomfortableness and discomfort caused by a feel of the linear bodies 60 that form the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L. The enclosure 6 is disposed between the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 9, but is not limited thereto, and may be disposed inside the inner layer 9. Further, the base body 5 is not limited to a two-layer structure that incorporates a space in which the enclosure 6 is disposed. The enclosure 6 may be disposed inside the base body 5 as a one-layer structure, for example. With such a configuration as well, the enclosure 6 is disposed inside the base body 5.

Between the sole 2 and a lower edge of the inner layer 9, gaps 91 through which the linear bodies 60 (specifically, a linear body 61 and a linear body 66, which will be described later) serving as the lower portion 6B pass are formed. In FIGS. 5 and 6, areas in which the gaps 91 are formed are indicated by one-dot chain line frames. The lower edge of the inner layer 9 is joined to the sole 2 or the insole 32 except the areas in which the gaps 91 are formed. That is, the joining portion of the lower edge of the inner layer 9 is set in the area excluding the gaps 91, out of an area from a front end 9a to a rear end 9b of the lower edge. In the gaps 91, since the lower edge of the inner layer 9 is not joined to the sole 2 and the insole 32, the linear bodies 60 can come out from the space between the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 9.

In the present embodiment, each of the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L is disposed so as not to be exposed to the outside of the base body 5. The shoelaces 4 are connected to the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L, respectively, inside the base body 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the shoelace 4M is disposed outside the base body 5, and the medial portion 6M is disposed inside the base body 5. The shoelace 4M is connected to the medial portion 6M through some of the string passing portions 52, specifically, by parts of the shoelace 4M entering the inside of the base body 5 through some of the string passing portions 52. The same applies to connection between the shoelace 4L and the lateral portion 6L. As described above, the connection portion between each of the shoelaces 4 and the enclosure 6 is disposed inside the base body 5, specifically, is disposed in the space between the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 9.

The enclosure 6 is formed with the plurality of linear bodies 60 that are independent from each other. In the present embodiment, the enclosure 6 is formed with six linear bodies 60 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, and for convenience of description, these are referred to as the linear bodies 61 to 66 for distinction. The medial portion 6M is formed with three linear bodies 61 to 63. The lateral portion 6L is formed with three linear bodies 64 to 66. The lower portion 6B is formed with two linear bodies 61 and 66. As described above, each of the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L is formed with a plurality of (specifically, three) the linear bodies 60, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, each of the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L can be formed with one linear body.

Each of the plurality of linear bodies 60 has fixed portions 60f fixed to the base body 5 and non-fixed portions 60n not fixed to the base body 5. The fixed portions 60f may be, for example, portions obtained by interweaving or braiding the linear bodies 60 into the base body 5. In the drawings, the fixed portions 60f are represented by black circles. The fixed portions 60f are provided at at least one end of the linear bodies 60, and in the present embodiment, are provided at both ends. In the medial portion 6M, the linear body 61 includes five fixed portions 60f indicated by points A, L, M, N, and O. The linear body 62 includes two fixed portions 60f indicated by points B and P. The linear body 63 includes five fixed portions 60f indicated by points C, Q, R, S, and T. The lateral portion 6L is bilaterally symmetrical with the medial portion 6M. Each of the plurality of linear bodies 60 extends from a front edge to a rear edge of the inner layer 9. The linear bodies 60 are fixed to the inner layer 9, but may be fixed to the outer layer 8.

The non-fixed portions 60n are provided at portions of the linear bodies 60 other than the fixed portions 60f. Non-fixed portions 60n of a linear body 60 and non-fixed portions 60n of another adjacent linear body 60 are interlocked with each other. FIG. 5 illustrates, in an enlarged manner, an interlocked portion 60H in which a non-fixed portion 60n of the linear body 62 and a non-fixed portion 60n of the linear body 63 adjacent thereto are interlocked with each other. The other linear bodies 60 are interlocked with each other in the same manner at other portions. In the present embodiment, the linear bodies 60 are arranged such that portions each surrounded by two adjacent linear bodies 60 form a rhombus. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in each of the linear bodies 63 and 64 that are arranged near the center in the foot width direction among the plurality of linear bodies 60, some of the non-fixed portions 60n are interlocked with the shoelaces 4.

The plurality of linear bodies 60 extend in a first direction and are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In at least one (specifically, the linear bodies 62 and 65) of the plurality of linear bodies 60, one of the non-fixed portions 60n that is interlocked with another one of the linear bodies 60 that is adjacent to the one linear body 60 on one side in the second direction, and another one of the non-fixed portions 60n that is interlocked with still another one of the linear bodies 60 that is adjacent to the one linear body 60 on the other side in the second direction, are alternately set in the first direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is a direction along the foot length direction, and the second direction is a direction along the foot width direction. The plurality of linear bodies 60 individually extend in a zigzag shape in the foot length direction while alternately protruding to the one side and the other side in the foot width direction, and the fixed portions 60f or the interlocked portions 60H are set at the protruding portions.

In the present embodiment, the shoelaces 4 each include a fixed portion 4f fixed to the base body 5 and non-fixed portions 4n not fixed to the base body 5. In FIG. 6, the fixed portions 4f are represented by black circles indicated by points D and E. The fixed portions 4f are provided at front end portions of the shoelaces 4. The non-fixed portions 4n are provided at portions of the shoelaces 4 other than the fixed portions 4f. The shoelaces 4 are fixed to the inner layer 9, but may be fixed to the outer layer 8. The non-fixed portions 4n of one of the shoelaces 4 are interlocked with the non-fixed portions 4n of the other adjacent shoelace 4 or the non-fixed portions 60n of an adjacent linear body 60. Since the arrangement of the shoelaces 4 is similar to the arrangement of the adjacent linear bodies 60, redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 6 illustrates, in an enlarged manner, an interlocked portion 60H in which the non-fixed portion 4n of the shoelace 4M and the non-fixed portion 60n of the linear body 63 adjacent thereto are interlocked with each other. As described above, the interlocked portion 60H that is a connection portion between the shoelace 4M and the medial portion 6M is disposed inside the base body 5, specifically, is disposed in the space between the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 9. The same applies to a connection portion between the shoelace 4L and the lateral portion 6L. In the present embodiment, the shoelaces 4 arranged outside the base body 5 and the enclosure 6 disposed inside the base body 5 are connected via the string passing portions 52, as already described above.

Among the plurality of linear bodies 60, the linear bodies 61 and 66 that are arranged on the lowermost side include respective portions that pass through the gaps 91 and come out from the space between the outer layer 8 and the inner layer 9. The lower portion 6B is formed with these portions. Thus, the lower portion 6B is formed with a part of the linear body 61 and a part of the linear body 66. In the present embodiment, the lower portion 6B includes interlocked portions 60H in which the relevant linear bodies 60 are interlocked with each other as illustrated in FIG. 9. According to such a configuration, since the interlocked portions 60H each serve as a joint to facilitate movement of two linear bodies 60 (i.e., the linear bodies 61 and 66), the enclosure 6 more flexibly follows changes in the shape of the sole of the foot according to the movement of the foot of the wearer to enhance the effect of improving the fit feeling.

In the present embodiment, the lower portion 6B has a plurality of (specifically, three) the interlocked portions 60H, but without being limited thereto, a structure having one interlocked portion 60H may be employed, for example. However, according to the configuration including the plurality of interlocked portions 60H, since a plurality of pairs of the linear bodies 60 extending from the left and right and interlocked with each other are provided, pressure can be applied to the sole of the foot of the wearer in a relatively wide area. The plurality of interlocked portions 60H illustrated in FIG. 9 are arranged in the foot length direction while aligning the positions in the foot width direction, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the lower portion 6B of the enclosure 6, and the insole 32. The insole 32 extends in the foot length direction from a toe-side region TF in which the toe of the foot of the wearer is supported, to a heel-side region HF in which the heel of the foot of the wearer is supported, through an arch region AF facing the arch of the foot of the wearer. The lower portion 6B is disposed in at least a part of the arch region AF. The enclosure 6 is configured to enclose at least a part of the arch of the wearer from below. Hence, it is possible to more effectively improve the fit feeling by applying pressure to the arch of the foot.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a modification regarding a disposed position of a lower portion 6B. In this modification, a sleeve 10 having a tubular shape and having openings 10a at opposite ends in the foot width direction of an insole 32, is formed, and the lower portion 6B is inserted into the sleeve 10. According to such a configuration, since the sleeve 10 is interposed between the sole of the foot of the wearer and the lower portion 6B, uncomfortableness and discomfort caused by the feel of linear bodies 60 that form the lower portion 6B can be effectively reduced. A lower edge of an inner layer 9 that forms gaps 91 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) may be connected to edges of the openings 10a.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, since the sleeve 10 is formed on the insole 32, the relative position of the lower portion 6B with respect to the insole 32 is stabilized. A central portion of the insole 32 in the foot length direction is separated as a single piece having an upper side and a lower side across one end to the other end in the foot width direction. The sleeve 10 is formed with the separated portion. The sleeve 10 is depicted as bulging upward, but it may have a flat shape along an upper surface of the insole 32. From the viewpoint of applying sufficient pressure to a predetermined region in the sole of the foot of the wearer, an area ratio of the sleeve 10 to the insole 32 in top view may be 20% or less. Alternatively, the area ratio may be 20% or more from the viewpoint of expanding a movable area of the lower portion 6B so as to tailor a physical individual difference of the wearer.

The sleeve 10 illustrated in FIG. 11A has a shape in which the width of the sleeve in the foot length direction is substantially constant. Since the sleeve 10 having such a shape can be manufactured relatively easily, manufacturing cost can be cut down. The sleeve 10 illustrated in FIG. 11B has a shape in which the width of the sleeve in the foot length direction increases toward the center in the foot width direction. According to such a configuration, movement of the lower portion 6B in the foot length direction is restrained at opposite end portions in the foot width direction, while in a central portion in the foot width direction, the movement of the lower portion 6B in the foot length direction can be permitted. In the illustrated example, the sleeve 10 is formed in an inverted hourglass shape, but without being limited thereto, it may have an oval shape, for example.

For the linear bodies 60 forming the enclosure 6, for example, a yarn obtained by bundling a plurality of fibers, linearly-formed resin, a twisted yarn, or the like is used. As a material of the linear bodies 60, for example, a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, nylon, spandex, Kevlar (registered trademark), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a single covered yarn (SCY) or a double covered yarn (DCY) that covers polyurethane, or the like is used. The linear bodies 60 are preferably formed of a resin material having a property of being easily recycled simultaneously with the upper 3. The linear bodies 60 of the medial portion 6M are formed of the same material as those of the linear bodies 60 of the lateral portion 6L, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. The shoelaces 4 may be formed of the same material as those of the linear bodies 60 forming the enclosure 6, or may be formed of a different material.

The connection between the shoelaces 4 and the enclosure 6 is not limited to the aspect described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, a configuration may be employed in which the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L have respective portions exposed to the outside of the base body 5, and the shoelaces 4 are connected to the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L, respectively, outside the base body 5. At this time, the shoelaces 4 may be passed through the string passing portions 52, or the linear bodies 60 forming the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L may be passed through the string passing portions 52. Another embodiment related to the connection between shoelaces 4 and an enclosure 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shoe 1. FIG. 13 is a developed view of the enclosure 6 included in the shoe 1, in which a lateral portion 6L is omitted for easy understanding of an arrangement of linear bodies 60. FIG. 14 is a developed view of the enclosure 6, illustrating both a medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L. In FIGS. 12 to 14, illustration of shoelace is omitted. The present embodiment can be configured similarly to the above embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11A and 11B except for the configurations described below, and thus, differences will be mainly described while omitting common points. The configurations already described are denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, each of the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L includes loops 60L formed with some of the linear bodies 60 that are exposed to the outside of a base body 5. A shoelace is inserted into the loops 60L. The loops 60L are arranged at left and right side-edges of an instep opening 51 at intervals in the foot length direction. Since the shoelace inserted through the loops 60L can be used to individually change the tension to the loops 60L, the fit feeling of the shoe 1 can be more flexibly adjusted as compared with normal string shoes. The shoelace is arranged outside the base body 5, and each of the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L is disposed inside the base body 5. The shoelace is connected to the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L, respectively, through string passing portions 52, specifically, by exposing some of the linear bodies 60 to the outside of the base body 5 through the string passing portions 52.

In the present embodiment, the enclosure 6 is formed with eight linear bodies 60 as illustrated in FIG. 14, and for convenience of description, these are referred to as linear bodies 61 to 68 for distinction. The medial portion 6M is formed with four linear bodies 61 to 63 and 67. The lateral portion 6L is formed with four linear bodies 64 to 66 and 68. A lower portion 6B is formed with two linear bodies 61 and 66. The linear bodies 61 to 66 are configured in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. The lateral portion 6L is bilaterally symmetrical with the medial portion 6M.

The linear body 67 has two fixed portions 60f indicated by points D and U. The linear body 67 extends in a zigzag shape in the foot length direction while alternately protruding to one side and the other side in the foot width direction. Portions of the linear body 67 protruding to the medial foot side are interlocked with the adjacent linear body 63. Portions of the linear body 67 protruding to the lateral foot side are exposed to the outside of the base body 5 through the string passing portions 52 on the lateral foot side, not through the string passing portions 52 on the medial foot side. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the linear body 67 exposed to the outside of the base body 5 is bridged in an arch shape between adjacent holes, thereby forming loops 60L. The linear body 68 is disposed in bilateral symmetry with the linear body 67. The linear body 67 and the linear body 68 cross each other and are exposed to the instep opening 51.

Even in such a configuration, the shoelace is tightened to apply tension to the enclosure 6, whereby sufficient pressure can be applied to the sole of the foot of the wearer to favorably improve the fit feeling. In addition, since the linear body 67 forming the medial portion 6M is inserted into the string passing portions 52 on the lateral foot side and the linear body 68 forming the lateral portion 6L is inserted into the string passing portions 52 on the medial foot side, the medial portion 6M and the lateral portion 6L are strongly brought close to each other when the shoelace is tightened. As a result, sufficient pressure is applied to the sole of the foot of the wearer by the lower portion 6B and an upper 3 is firmly tightened to more effectively improve the fit feeling.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[1]

A shoe according to the present disclosure includes a sole, an upper provided on an upper side of the sole, and a shoelace provided on the upper. The upper includes a base body configured to cover at least a part of a foot of a wearer, and an enclosure that is disposed inside the base body. The enclosure includes a medial portion that is disposed on a medial foot side of an accommodation space configured that the foot of the wearer is accommodated, a lateral portion that is disposed on a lateral foot side of the accommodation space, and a lower portion that is disposed on a lower side of the accommodation space, and the enclosure is configured to enclose at least a part of the foot of the wearer from below. The enclosure is formed by combining a plurality of linear bodies. The shoelace is connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, via string passing portions that are provided in the base body. According to such a configuration, a fit feeling can be improved.

[2]

In the shoe according to [1] above, a configuration may be employed in which each of the medial portion and the lateral portion is disposed so as not to be exposed to an outside of the base body, and the shoelace is connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, inside the base body. According to such a configuration, the shoelace can be connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, without exposing each of the medial portion and the lateral portion to the outside of the base body.

[3]

In the shoe according to [1] above, a configuration may be employed in which the medial portion and the lateral portion include respective portions exposed to an outside of the base body, and the shoelace is connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, outside the base body. According to such a configuration, the shoelace can be connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, by exposing each of the medial portion and the lateral portion to the outside of the base body.

[4]

In the shoe according to [1] above, a configuration may be employed in which each of the medial portion and the lateral portion includes a loop formed with some of the linear bodies that are exposed to an outside of the base body, and the shoelace is inserted into the loops. According to such a configuration, the shoelace can be connected to the medial portion and the lateral portion, respectively, by using the loops of the linear bodies exposed to the outside of the base body.

[5]

In the shoe according to any one of [1] to [4] above, a configuration may be employed in which each of the plurality of linear bodies includes a fixed portion fixed to the base body and non-fixed portions not fixed to the base body, and one of the non-fixed portions of one of the linear bodies and one of the non-fixed portions of another adjacent one of the linear bodies are interlocked with each other.

[6]

In the shoe according to [5] above, a configuration may be employed in which the plurality of linear bodies extend in a first direction and are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and in each of the plurality of linear bodies, one of the non-fixed portions that is interlocked with another one of the linear bodies that is adjacent on one side in the second direction, and another one of the non-fixed portions that is interlocked with still another one of the linear bodies that is adjacent on another side in the second direction, are alternately set in the first direction.

[7]

In the shoe according to [6] above, the first direction may be a direction along a foot length direction.

[8]

In the shoe according to any one of [1] to [7] above, a configuration may be employed in which the base body includes an outer layer that forms an outer surface of the upper, and an inner layer that is located inside the outer layer, and the enclosure is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. According to such a configuration, since the inner layer is interposed between the foot of the wearer and the enclosure, uncomfortableness and discomfort caused by a feel of the linear bodies that form the enclosure can be reduced.

[9]

In the shoe according to [8] above, the inner layer may include a tongue configured to cover at least a part of an instep of the wearer.

[10]

In the shoe according to [8] or [9] above, each of the medial portion and the lateral portion may be covered with the inner layer so as not to be exposed to the accommodation space. According to such a configuration, it is possible to effectively reduce the uncomfortableness and the discomfort caused by the feel of the linear bodies that form the medial portion and the lateral portion.

[11]

In the shoe according to any one of [1] to [10] above, the lower portion may be disposed in at least a part of an arch region. Pressure is applied to an arch for which a stronger fit feeling is required, whereby the fit feeling can be effectively improved.

[12]

In the shoe according to [11] above, the lower portion may not be disposed in a toe-side region located in front of the arch region. Such a configuration is convenient for concentrating pressure acting on a sole of the foot of the wearer on the arch for which a stronger fit feeling is required.

[13]

In the shoe according to [11] or [12] above, the lower portion may not be disposed in a heel-side region located behind the arch region. Such a configuration is convenient for concentrating the pressure acting on the sole of the foot of the wearer on the arch for which a stronger fit feeling is required.

[14]

In the shoe according to any one of [1] to [13] above, the lower portion may include an interlocked portion in which the linear bodies are interlocked with each other. According to such a configuration, since the interlocked portion serves as a joint to facilitate movement of the linear bodies, the enclosure more flexibly follows changes in a shape of the sole of the foot according to movement of the foot of the wearer to enhance an effect of improving the fit feeling.

[15]

In the shoe according to any one of [1] to [14] above, a configuration may be employed in which the shoe includes a sleeve having a tubular shape and having openings at opposite ends in a foot width direction, and the lower portion is inserted into the sleeve. According to such a configuration, since the sleeve is interposed between the sole of the foot of the wearer and the lower portion, the uncomfortableness and the discomfort caused by the feel of the linear bodies that form the lower portion can be effectively reduced.

[16]

In the shoe according to [15] above, the sleeve may be formed on an insole. As a result, a relative position of the lower portion with respect to the insole is stabilized.

[17]

In the shoe according to [15] or [16] above, the sleeve may have a shape in which a width of the sleeve in the foot length direction increases toward a center in the foot width direction. According to such a configuration, movement of the lower portion in the foot length direction is restrained at opposite end portions in the foot width direction, while in a central portion in the foot width direction, the movement of the lower portion in the foot length direction can be permitted.

While the embodiments of the shoe according to the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings, it should be considered that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated not only by the description of the above embodiments but also by the claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims.

The shoe according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments at all, and is not limited to the above-described actions and effects. The shoe according to the present disclosure can be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, the configurations employed in the above embodiments can be employed in any combination.