Footwear heel counter for easier foot entry or removal

A shoe comprising:

• a sole extending from a front portion to a rear portion of the shoe;
• an upper comprising elastic material;
• and
• a compressible component comprising heat-activated material,
• the compressible component attached at an outer surface of the upper and curving from medial to lateral sides of the sole, wherein the elastic material of the upper below the compressible component is configured, upon stretching, to facilitate securement of a user's foot within the shoe,
• the compressible component flexing downward upon application of downward force by the user's foot when donning the shoe, temporarily widening a foot-receiving shoe 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 shoe after donning.