Tension maintaining system for footwear laces

A footwear comprising:

• a sole;
• an upper supported by the sole;
• at least one lace coupled to the upper, the at least one lace having a plurality of lace portions extending at least partially in a lateral direction relative to the upper;
• and
• a clamp coupling at least two of the plurality of lace portions together, the clamp including
• a cap;
• a base pivotally coupled to the cap;
• a plurality of interlocking protrusions supported by at least one of the cap and base and cooperating to grip the plurality of lace portions, the plurality of interlocking protrusions including first and second sets of protrusions spaced apart laterally along the plurality of lace portions, the interlocking protrusions being pyramid-shaped and having truncated upper ends;
• a pair of arms supported by at least one of the cap and base positioned and engaging the plurality of lace portions, the first and second sets of interlocking protrusions being laterally positioned between the pair of arms;
• and
• a latch securing the cap and base together.