Article of footwear having a closure system

An article of footwear that has a closure system, the closure system comprising:

• a closure mechanism disposed centrally on an upper and proximate a tongue of the footwear;
• a securing element;
• and
• a cord that is operably coupled to the upper and the closure mechanism, wherein the closure mechanism is configured to be actuated to tighten and loosen the footwear, wherein at least a portion of a winding region proximate to the tongue remains exposed when the securing element is engaged with the winding region, wherein the securing element is a strap that includes a free end configured to be articulated between an unfastened position where the strap is spaced apart from the winding region and a fastened position, and wherein the strap has a first segment that extends across the upper and has a fixed end that is secured to the sole structure.

An article of footwear comprising:

• a sole structure;
• an upper attached to the sole structure;
• and
• a closure system coupled to the upper, the closure system comprising:
• a tensioning device operably coupled to the upper;
• and
• a strap having a first end permanently secured to the sole structure and a second end that selectively engages a winding region of the footwear.