Sports boot with articulating lace guide

A sports boot comprising:

• an upper fixedly attached to a sole portion, wherein the upper includes a forefoot portion and an ankle portion, wherein the upper defines a front opening having a first portion extending downwardly from a top edge of the upper and a second portion extending forwardly from the first portion, wherein the upper further defines a pair of U-shaped cutouts disposed on opposite sides of the front opening and extending at a downward angle;
• a pair of cable or lace guides fixed to the upper, each guide being disposed along one of the pair of U-shaped cutouts, wherein each of the pair of guides comprises:
• (i) a flexible U-shaped channel having a first end and a second end;
• (ii) a first installation panel co-formed with the flexible channel and disposed on the first end of the flexible channel;
• and (iii) a second installation panel co-formed with the flexible channel and disposed on the second end of the flexible channel;
• and (iv) an intermediate installation panel disposed at an intermediate location on the flexible channel and extending away from the first and second installation panels;
• wherein an intermediate portion of the flexible channel disposed between the first and second installation panels is not constrained from flexing such that the intermediate portion of the flexible channel comprises a natural hinge.