Footwear heel counter for easier foot entry or removal

A shoe, comprising:

• a sole;
• an upper, including at least a portion comprising elastic material positioned to stretch and create tension that enhances securement of a foot inserted into the shoe;
• a heel cup, comprised of polymer material, coupled to the sole and upper, wherein
• the heel cup is comprised of an upper portion, a midportion, and a lower portion,
• a vertical cross-sectional shape of a rearmost portion of the heel cup comprises an S-wave, and
• the heel cup is comprised of a plurality of diagonal and lateral beams separated by apertures, wherein the plurality of diagonal and lateral beams includes beams having at least two different widths;
• an interior foam layer adjacent to at least a forward-facing surface of the upper portion of the heel cup,
• wherein the interior foam layer is compressible,
• wherein the interior foam layer extends into the shoe opening, facilitating securement of the foot once inserted.

A shoe, comprising:

• a sole;
• an upper, including at least one layer of elastic material positioned to stretch and create tension that enhances securement of a foot inserted into the shoe;
• a heel cup, comprised of polymer material, coupled to the sole and upper, wherein
• the heel cup is comprised of an upper portion, a midportion, and a lower portion,
• a vertical cross-sectional shape of a rearmost portion of the heel cup comprises an S-wave,
• the heel cup is comprised of a plurality of diagonal beams separated by apertures, wherein the plurality of diagonal beams includes beams having at least two different widths,
• the heel cup has a rearward facing upper concavity with a first amplitude,
• the heel cup has a forward-facing lower concavity with a second amplitude,
• the second amplitude being greater than the first amplitude;
• an interior foam layer adjacent to at least a forward-facing surface of the upper portion of the heel cup,
• wherein the interior foam layer is compressible,
• wherein the interior foam layer extends into the shoe opening, facilitating securement of the foot once inserted.