NIKE, Inc.
ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH ENLARGED THROAT OPENING AND SELECTIVE VENTILATION

Abstract:

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is coupled to the sole structure to at least partially defining an internal volume that is operative to receive a foot of the wearer. The upper includes an enlarged throat opening that is in communication with the internal volume and a forwardly extending flap section that defines a portion of the enlarged throat opening. The flap section is operative to fold laterally across an instep portion of the upper to reduce the size of the throat opening. Additionally, a plurality of perforations extend through a portion of the upper on a first side of the flap section. Folding the flap section laterally in a first direction covers the plurality of perforations to provide selective water resistance. Conversely, folding the flap section laterally in a second direction exposes the plurality of perforations to provide ventilation to the interior volume.