US20190150553A1

US20190150553A1 - Drainage holes in a toe box of a shoe

Info

Publication number: US20190150553A1
Application number: US15/820,235
Authority: US
Inventors: Steven M. Shorten; John Wadley
Original assignee: Altra LLC
Current assignee: Altra LLC
Priority date: 2017-11-21
Filing date: 2017-11-21
Publication date: 2019-05-23

Abstract

A running shoe can include a sole and an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole. The sole can include a toe cap connected to a toe portion of the sole, at least one drainage hole positioned at and extending through the toe cap, a drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the at least one drainage hole, the drainage hole cover extends over an area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the drainage holes, and a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.

Description

BACKGROUND

Athletic shoes can be used in variety of circumstances and for a variety of purposes. Depending on the intended use of a shoe, it can be constructed differently or include different components than other types of shoes.
Running shoes can be constructed for multiple types of running environments and types of running. Often, road running shoes are constructed for running on pavement and other surfaces that are generally flat. These types of running shoes tend to be lightweight and flexible. Additionally, they include insulation to cushion or stabilize feet during repetitive strides on hard, even surfaces.
Cross-training shoes are constructed for workouts that include both aerobic and anaerobic types of activities. The soles of these shoes are often configured to maintain more contact with the ground to provide stability.
Trail-running shoes are often constructed for off-road routes that are rugged where the runner may encounter various obstacles such as puddles, mud, rocks, roots, and so forth. These shoes conventionally include aggressive treads for improved traction and are fortified to add stability and support. Generally, the outsole of the shoe extends substantially beyond the edges of the shoe's upper to provide the additional stability.
Sometimes trail-running shoes will include what is referred to as a rock plate or a stone guard. The stone guard is a thin layer, often of plastic, that can be positioned adjacent the midsole and provides protection to the foot from abrupt protrusions or just in the running surface such as rocks or roots. These protrusions have been known to bruise or otherwise injure a runner's foot. Stone guards can provide a level of protection against such potential injuries. However, stone guards also tend to make the shoe substantially stiffer which can result in discomfort or fatigue for the runner.
One example of a shoe is disclosed in U.S. Publication Patent No. 2003/0136023 issued to Eddie Chen. The reference relates to a shoe that includes, in combination a sole having a main wall and a side wall upwardly extending from the periphery of the main wall, an upper secured to the sole side wall and arranged to form a foot receiving cavity with the sole, and a plurality of drain ports on opposite sides of the sole and communicating the cavity to exterior space outside the shoe to drain liquid within the cavity to the exterior space. The drain ports extend through the sole side wall and are at least partially located below a top surface of the sole main wall. The sole has drain channels laterally extending between pairs of the drain ports which direct liquid toward the drain ports. The shoe also includes an insole located within the cavity and supported by the sole and a liner located within the cavity and between the insole and the sole. The liner is secured to at least one of the upper and the sole and is provided with openings at the drain channels so that liquid in the cavity can pass through the openings to the drain channel. The insole is provided with passages so that liquid in the cavity can pass through the passages to the liner. The drain ports are each provided with an eyelet secured to the sole and screen to limit passage of solids though the drain ports. Preferably, there are four pairs of the drain ports located on opposite sides of the sole and there are four drain channels respectively extending between the four pairs of the drain ports.
Other references that relate to shoes with drainage include U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,011 issues to Rory W. Fuerst, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,440 issued to Martin Keen, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,130 issued to Roy Helton, et al. Each of these references are herein incorporated by reference for all that they contain.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a running shoe includes a sole and an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole. The upper includes a toe cap connected to a toe portion of the sole, at least one drainage hole positioned at and extending through the toe cap, a drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the at least one drainage hole, the drainage hole cover extends over an area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the drainage holes, and a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.
The flexible water permeable material can be a mesh material.
The drainage hole cover can have a shape different than a shape of the plurality of drainage holes.
The plurality of drainage holes can be grouped in a position substantially adjacent to the sole
The upper can include at least a drainage hole positioned at and extending through the toe cap.
The upper can include at least a second drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the second drainage hole.
The upper can include structural reinforcement positioned on an inner surface of the toe cap to maintain a shape of a portion of the foot cavity.
The toe cap can include two or more layers, and the drainage hole cover can overlie a first layer of the toe cap and underlies a second layer of the toe cap.
The drainage hole can be positioned at a lateral side of the toe cap.
The drainage hole can be positioned at a medial side of the toe cap.
In one embodiment, a running shoe includes a sole and an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole. The upper can include a toe cap, a structural reinforcement positioned on an inner surface of the toe cap to maintain a shape of the toe cap, a plurality of drainage holes positioned at and extending through the structural reinforcement and the toe cap, a drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and partially visually obscuring the location of each of the plurality of drainage holes, the drainage hole cover extends over a regularly shaped area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the drainage holes, and a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.
The upper can include at least a second plurality of drainage holes positioned at and extending through the structural reinforcement and the toe cap.
The upper can include at least a second drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the second plurality of drainage holes.
The plurality of drainage holes can be positioned substantially adjacent to the sole.
The drainage hole cover can be positioned substantially adjacent to the sole.
The toe cap can include two or more layers, and the drainage hole cover can overlie a first layer of the toe cap and underlies a second layer of the toe cap.
The flexible water permeable material can be a mesh material.
The plurality of drainage holes can be positioned at a lateral side of the toe cap.
The plurality of drainage holes can be positioned at a medial side of the toe cap.
In one embodiment, a running shoe includes a sole and an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole. The upper can include a toe cap, a structural reinforcement positioned on an inner surface of toe cap to maintain a shape of the toe cap, a first plurality of drainage holes positioned at a lateral portion of the toe cap and extending through the reinforcement and the toe cap, a second plurality of drainage holes positioned at a medial portion of the toe cap and extending through the reinforcement and the toe cap, a first drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually hiding the first plurality of drainage holes, the first drainage hole cover extends over an area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the first plurality of drainage holes, a second drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually hiding the second plurality of drainage holes, the second drainage hole cover extends over an area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the second plurality of drainage holes, a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present apparatus and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present apparatus and do not limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an example showing various components associated with the sole of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of an example of a toe cap of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of an example of a toe cap of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of an example of a toe cap of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a drain hole in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Additionally, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. Often, the width of an object is transverse the object's length.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “toe cap” generally refers to the structural part of a shoe that covers and protects the toes. In some cases, the toe cap includes a reinforcing material that surrounds the front part of the user's toe when the user is wearing the shoe. In some situations, when the user kicks an object such as a ball with the front of his or her foot, the reinforcing material of the toe cap makes contact with the object and distributes the load around the user's toes.
FIG. 1 depicts an example of a running shoe 100. In this example, the running shoe 100 includes a sole 102 and an upper 104 connected to the sole 102. The sole 102 and the upper 104 collectively define a foot cavity 106 that receives a foot of the user. The upper 104 includes a slit or an opening 108 that enables the size of the foot cavity 106 to vary while the user inserts or removes their foot. A tongue 110 is connected to the upper 104 near the end of the slit 108. The tongue 110 fills the gap defined by the slit 108 when the user is wearing the running shoe 100. Multiple eyelets 112 are defined in the upper 104 adjacent to the slit 108 through which a lace passes in a desired lacing pattern. The lace can be loosened to enable the foot cavity to be expanded while a user inserts or removes their foot, and can be tightened when the running shoe 100 is worn by the user to secure the user's foot within the foot cavity 106 of the shoe 100.
The foot cavity 106 can include a sock liner that lines portions of the foot cavity 106. Also, the side walls of the foot cavity 106 can include other types of cushioning that reduce the jarring impacts when the user's shoe strikes the running surface and holds the upper snuggly against the user's feet throughout the running motion. In some cases, the cushioning lines the entire surface of the foot cavity's wall. In other examples, the cushioning lines just a subset of the foot cavity 106.
In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the running shoe's upper 104 is configured as a low top profile wherein the upper 104 terminates at or below the user's ankle. The low top profile 116 provides the running shoe with a lower weight and provides the user additional movement.
Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the sole 102 of the shoe 100 depicted in FIG. 1 is illustrated according to one example. The sole 102 includes an outsole 120 having a desired tread or pattern on its lowermost surface for engagement with a running surface. In the embodiment shown, the tread includes a variety of lugs 122 or other protrusions in what might be considered an aggressive pattern used for trail-running. The outsole can additionally include a toe bumper or toe guard 124 providing some protection for the user's toes as well as providing an ergonomic traction surface associated with a runner rolling up onto and pushing off of their toes while they run.
The sole 102 additionally includes a midsole 130 positioned about the outsole 120. The midsole 130 is configured to provide cushioning and shock absorbing to the runner. In one embodiment, the midsole can be configured of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA).
FIG. 3 depicts an example of a shoe 100. In this example, the front portion of the shoe 100 includes an upper 104 and an opening 108 is defined in the upper 104. A tongue 110 is positioned within the opening. A toe cap 114 is located at the front portion of the shoe 100. The toe cap 114 can include reinforcing material that insulates the toes from direct forces that would be imposed on the user's toes when the user kicks an object, such as a ball.
A first cover 142 and a second cover 144 obscure from view drain holes that are located in the reinforcing material of the toe cap 114. The first cover 142 and the second cover 144 can be made of any appropriate material that allows water to drain out of the shoe. In some cases, the cover is a mesh, a webbing, a fiber based material, an air permeable material, a liquid permeable material, a cloth, a fabric, another type of material, or combinations thereof.
FIG. 4 depicts an example of the toe cap 114 with the first cover 142 and the second cover 144 removed for illustrative purposes. In this example, the first cover 142 is adjacent to a first plurality of drain holes 152, and the second cover is adjacent to a second plurality of drain holes 154. Each of the plurality of drain holes is located in the reinforcing material of the toe cap 114, one on the lateral side of the shoe and the other on the medial side of the shoe. The drain holes can connect the first and second coverings with to shoe cavity. The drain holes can allow for air to circulate between the inside of the foot cavity and the ambient environment outside of the shoe. In some cases, the drain holes allow water, moisture, other types of liquids, gases, smells, other types of fluids, or combinations thereof to escape from the front portion of the shoe.
FIG. 5 depicts an example of a first drain hole 160 on a first side of the toe cap 114, and a second drain hole 162 on a second side of the toe cap 114. In this example, the first and second covers are removed for illustrative purposes. In this example, the insole 164 of the shoe is visible through the drain holes 160, 162. In this example, the drain holes 160, 162 are substantially larger than the drain holes depicted in the example of FIG. 4. With the larger cross-sectional opening of these drain holes, the rate at which liquid can exit from the toe cap can increase.
FIG. 6 depicts an example of a drain hole 170. In this example, a reinforcing material 172 of the toe cap is depicted. The drain hole 170 can extend and connect an inside surface 174 of the reinforcing material 172 to an outside surface 175 of the reinforcing material 172.
The drain hole 170 can be covered with a covering 176. When looking at the shoe from the outside, the covering 176 can obscure the presence of the drain hole 170. In some cases, the covering 176 is flexible enough that a user can feel the presence of the drain hole 170 through the covering 176 when touching the toe cap with his or her fingers.
In the depicted example, the drain hole 170 is depicted with straight side walls. However, in some examples, the side walls can taper inward towards the outside of the reinforcing material 172. With a narrower opening towards the exterior of the shoe, water and air can be less able to enter the shoe, while the larger opening on the inside of the shoe can facilitate their removal to the outside of the shoe.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In general, the present disclosure provides users with a shoe that has drain holes incorporated into the shoe's toe cap. By having drain holes located in the toe cap, water can drain from the toe cap region of the shoe that may not otherwise drain effectively from other portions of the user's shoe. As a user runs, the water and moisture are moved around within the inside of the shoe due to the inertia from running. This inertia can move water to all regions of the shoe, including into the toe cap area. Conventional shoes do not have drain holes, but certain shoes with drain holes are commercially available. However, none of the commercially available shoes have drain holes located in the reinforcing material of the toe cap, which are then hidden from view. Even though the reinforcing material of the toe cap is a structure portion of the shoe, this location of the drain holes does not compromise the structural integrity of the shoe. This provides a benefit to the user of venting the front portion of the shoe where water generally collects. In some cases, water can enter a user's shoe through the upper's mesh, through the opening forming the upper, over the low top profile of the upper, or through an another opening when the user submerges his or her foot into water. The drain holes allow for this water to exit. Further, the moisture in the shoe can come from the user's own perspiration when the user exercises.
Further, the drain holes are covered with a covering. This covering can allow water, moisture, gas, smells, and other fluids to exit the drain hole. In some cases, the covering is made of a wicking material that pushes moisture away from heat sources, such a user's flesh. Also, the covering can continue to provide some non-structural protection to the user's foot while still providing the benefits of venting the toe cap area of the shoe cavity. For example, the covering can prevent rocks, dirt, sticks, or other objects from entering into the toe cap through the drain holes. Further, since the drain holes are protected from having debris enter, the drain holes can be larger, providing a greater rate of venting.
Further, the covering can obscure the presence of the drain holes. This can provide the aesthetic look desired by a user, while still providing an air circulation path to vent the foot cavity.
The reinforcing material of a shoe determines the pliability of a shoe. For example, the upper is generally made of flexible material, but the sole is generally stiff. Portions of the upper are reinforced to transition from very flexible portions of the upper to the stiffer portions of the sole. In some examples, the toe cap, heel, eyelets, or combinations thereof are reinforced with reinforcing material to give stiffness to these portions of the upper while also protecting the shoe in those regions that experience a greater amount of stress. For example, the reinforcing material around the eyelets allows a user to pull tightly the sides of the upper together when lacing shoes without ripping the upper. Also, the heel of the upper is typically stiffer than other portions of the upper to provide shape and structure to the shoe and prevent the heel portion from falling against the user's heel. Additionally, the toe cap can include reinforcing material that spaces a portion of the upper at a height that is above the top of the user's toes. Further, the reinforcing material of the toe cap distributes the loads that are generated when the user kicks a ball or another object so that the load has a minimal impact on the user's toes. Additionally, the reinforcing material at the toe cap also provides a transition area from a relatively flexible portion of the upper to a rigid connection between the upper and the sole. Furthermore, as a user walks and stops, stresses are directed to the front of the shoe, and the reinforcing material of the upper is robust enough to prevent the shoe from unstitching or otherwise becoming undone in the toe cap region. In some cases, the reinforcing material at the toe cap is layered. The reinforcing material can be layered inside the shoe between a shoe lining and the mesh covering.
In some cases, the mesh is attached to the outside of the shoe just at those locations where the drain holes are located. In other examples, the covering is part of a mesh of the upper that covers a much larger portion of the shoe. For example, mesh of the upper can cover the entire toe cap region of the shoe, the entire exterior of the shoe, other portions of the shoe, or combinations thereof.
The drain holes can include any appropriate size. In some cases, the drain holes have at least a 1.0 millimeter diameter. In other examples, the drain holes include a diameter of at least 2.0 millimeters. Yet, in another example, the drain holes can include a diameter of greater than 5.0 millimeters. Further, the drain holes can include a diameter of 1.0 to 50.0 centimeters. In yet another example, the drain holes includes a cross-sectional opening width of between 0.25 inches to 2.0 inches.
Any appropriate number of drain holes can be incorporated into the toe cap. As depicted above, some of the drain holes can be clustered together into groups. In such an example, two or more drain holes can be clustered together. In another example, at least three drain holes are clustered together. In yet another example, five to fifteen drain holes are clustered together. In some examples, the drain holes are spaced apart from one another. In some examples where the drain holes are not clustered together, the toe cap can include a single drain hole, two or more drain holes, at least three drain holes, just fabric, no drain hole, or combinations thereof.
The drain holes can be located in any appropriate arrangement within the toe cap. For example, the drain holes can be spaced with at least one drain hole on a first side of the toe cap and at least a second drain hole on the opposite side of the toe cap. In yet another example, the toe box can include three or more drain holes that are evenly spaced across the length of the toe cap. In some situations, the drain holes can be located at the same height, but in other examples, the drain holes can be located at different elevations. In some cases, the drain holes are located symmetrically about a center of the toe cap. In other cases, the drain holes can be located in an asymmetric pattern around the toe cap.
In some embodiments, the outsole can include a rubber compound with a high carbon content at the heel and in the toe cap area. The outsole can be constructed with studs, ridges or other tread structures to provide traction on slippery surfaces, such as wet grass or slick pavement. In some examples, the outsole can include transverse grooves in the toe cap area so that the running shoe is more flexible in the toe cap area when the user's weight is loaded against the ball of the user's foot while the heel is raised off of the ground. Generally, the wider the outsole, the greater stability the outsole provides the foot. Although, a wide outsole can also increase the weight of the shoe. In some examples, the running shoe can include an outsole that is just as wide or has a width that is less than 5.0 percent greater than width of other corresponding sections of the shoe (e.g., corresponding sections of the midsole or upper).
The midsole of the sole is located above the outsole. The midsole is made of a material that provides cushioning while also providing stability. In some embodiments, the total height of the midsole and outsole under the heel can be about 1.0 inch and the total height of the midsole and outsole under the toe cap can be about 0.6 inches. The difference in sole thickness between the heel and toe cap can reduce the strain on the user's Achilles tendon. This drop in the height of the sole from the heel to the toe cap can affect how the user's foot strikes the ground. In some cases, the heel drop can range from 4 mm to 10 mm.
The midsole can be constructed of various materials to provide cushioning. In some cases, the midsole is made of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate with microscopic air bubbles formed within the material, making it lightweight while providing a good amount of cushioning. Polyurethane also has a microscopic air bubble structure like EVA but is generally firmer and more resistant to compression than EVA.
The shoe can further include an upper attached to the sole. In some embodiments, the upper can be made of a combination of lightweight nylon to reduce the running shoe's weight. However, a variety of other materials can be used to form the upper. The upper of a running shoe can also incorporate a heel counter that is commonly stiffer than in other athletic shoes to help control excessive pronation or supination during running.
In some embodiments, the upper can be formed of waterproof fabric. This prevents water from entering the shoe through the upper. The tongue of the running shoe can also include a waterproof fabric. In some circumstances the waterproof fabric of the tongue has the same characteristics as the waterproof fabric incorporated into the upper. In some embodiments, the waterproof fabric can be located on the underside of the tongue and on the inside of the upper adjacent the foot cavity. In some embodiments, the waterproof fabric of the upper that is located on the outside of the upper. In some embodiments, the tongue can be connected to the upper along the tongue's edges with a gusset. The gusset can also be lined with the waterproof material. In some cases, the gusset's waterproof fabric is located on the inside surface that is adjacent to the foot cavity. In other examples, the gusset's waterproof fabric is located on the outside surface of the gusset.
In some cases, the waterproof fabric is small enough to exclude water particles that would come from the ambient environment such as water from rain, mud puddles, or other sources while enabling water to move from the inside of the shoe to the outside through a diffusive mechanism. The diffusive water transport mechanism allows some water to be removed from the inside of the running shoe or from the inside layers of the running shoe.
The waterproof fabric that forms the protective exterior also includes a second, convective water transport mechanism. The convective water transport mechanism is enabled due to the waterproof fabric being air permeable such that a small amount of air passes through the waterproof fabric. This additional air circulation accelerates the removal of water moisture inside the foot cavity or water moisture inside the upper's insulation in the inside layer. Convective mass transport works largely via advection or the transport of water through air motion. The convective mass transfer does not require sweat build up. The waterproof fabric can transport air out of the shoe when the user's foot is inserted into the shoe or not.
Any appropriate type of running shoe, trail-running shoe, or cross-training shoe can be used in accordance with the principles described herein. In one example, the shoe can include a low-top profile where the upper terminates just below the user's ankle. While a low-top upper can provide less lateral stability, the shoe is lighter. In other examples, the shoe includes a high-top profile. In this example, the running shoe includes an upper that extends over the user's ankle. Other types of shoes, including non-athletic shoes, can also incorporate the principles, features or aspects disclosed herein.
While the drain holes have been described herein with specific dimensions and shapes, any appropriate dimensions and shapes can be used in accordance with the principles described herein. While the drain holes have been described herein with a specific location and orientation, any appropriate location and orientation can be used in accordance with the principles described herein. While the shoe has been described herein with specific configurations, any appropriate configuration can be used in accordance with the principles described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A running shoe, comprising:

a sole;

an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole, including;

a toe cap connected to a toe portion of the sole;

at least one drainage hole defined by and extending through the toe cap;

a drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the at least one drainage hole;

wherein the drainage hole cover extends over an area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the at least one drainage hole; and

a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.

2. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the flexible water permeable material comprises a mesh material.

3. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the drainage hole cover has a first shape different than a second shape of the at least one drainage hole.

4. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the at least one drainage hole is grouped with other drain holes in a position substantially adjacent to the sole.

5. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper further includes at least a drainage hole positioned at and extending through the toe cap.

6. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper further includes at least a second drainage hole cover including the flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the at least second drainage hole.

7. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper further includes structural reinforcement positioned on an inner surface of the toe cap to maintain a shape of a portion of the foot cavity.

8. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the toe cap includes two or more layers; and

wherein the drainage hole cover overlies a first layer of the toe cap and underlies a second layer of the toe cap.

9. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the at least one drainage hole is positioned at a lateral side of the toe cap.

10. The running shoe of claim 1, wherein the at least one drainage hole is positioned at a medial side of the toe cap.

11. A running shoe, comprising:

a sole;

an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole, including;

a toe cap;

a structural reinforcement positioned on an inner surface of the toe cap to maintain a shape of the toe cap;

a plurality of drainage holes defined by and extending through the structural reinforcement and the toe cap;

a drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring a location of each of the plurality of drainage holes;

wherein the drainage hole cover extends over a regularly shaped area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the at least drainage hole; and

a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.

12. The running shoe of claim 11, wherein the upper further includes at least a second plurality of drainage holes positioned at and extending through the structural reinforcement and the toe cap.

13. The running shoe of claim 12, wherein the upper further includes at least a second drainage hole cover including the flexible water permeable material extending over and visually obscuring the second plurality of drainage holes.

14. The running shoe of claim 11, wherein the plurality of drainage holes are positioned substantially adjacent to the sole.

15. The running shoe of claim 14, wherein the drainage hole cover is positioned substantially adjacent to the sole.

16. The running shoe of claim 11, wherein the toe cap includes two or more layers; and

17. The running shoe of claim 11, wherein the flexible water permeable material is a mesh material.

18. The running shoe of claim 11, wherein the plurality of drainage holes are positioned at a lateral side of the toe cap.

19. The running shoe of claim 11, wherein the plurality of drainage holes are positioned at a medial side of the toe cap.

20. A running shoe, comprising:

a sole;

an upper formed separately from and connected to the sole, including;

a toe cap;

a structural reinforcement positioned on an inner surface of toe cap to maintain a shape of the toe cap;

a first plurality of drainage holes defined by a lateral portion of the toe cap and extending through the structural reinforcement and the toe cap;

a second plurality of drainage holes positioned at a medial portion of the toe cap and extending through the structural reinforcement and the toe cap;

a first drainage hole cover including a flexible water permeable material extending over and visually hiding the first plurality of drainage holes;

wherein the first drainage hole cover extends over an area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the first plurality of drainage holes;

a second drainage hole cover including the flexible water permeable material extending over and visually hiding the second plurality of drainage holes;

wherein the second drainage hole cover extends over another area of the toe cap adjacent to and surrounding the second plurality of drainage holes;

a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper.