Footwear heel counter for easier foot entry or removal

A boot comprising:

• a sole extending from a front portion to a rear portion of the boot;
• an upper comprising elastic material;
• a compressible component formed of flexible thermoplastic material,
• the compressible component attached at an outer surface of the upper and curving from medial to lateral sides of the sole, wherein tension created by the elastic material of the upper below the compressible component, upon stretching, facilitates securement of a user's foot within the boot,
• the compressible component flexing downward upon application of downward force by the user's foot when donning the boot, temporarily widening a foot-receiving boot opening into which the user's foot is inserted, and returning upward to surround a rear portion of a heel of the user's foot to facilitate the securement of the user's foot within the boot after donning;
• a foam layer positioned near a topmost region of the foot-receiving boot opening and extending into the boot opening, the foam layer configured to be compressed by the user's heel during foot insertion, and to facilitate the securement of the foot within the boot after donning;
• the foam layer tapering along its longitudinal axis so that its volume is greater at a mid-portion than at end portions;
• and
• an elastic textile having wicking properties that is fitted to a surface of the foam layer that contacts the user's foot when the boot is being donned.