Configurations for footwear employing reel based closure systems

A shoe comprising:

• a sole;
• an upper that is attached to the sole and configured to fit around the foot of a user, the upper having a medial side and a lateral side that fit around the medial and lateral side of the foot respectively;
• a strap or panel having a proximal end that is attached to the shoe on the medial side or the lateral side of the shoe, the strap having a distal end that extends toward an opposite side of the shoe;
• a tension member that is guided or directed about a path along the shoe;
• and
• a tightening mechanism that is operable with the tension member to effect tensioning of the tension member upon operation of the tightening mechanism;
• wherein the strap or panel includes a first guide and a second guide and wherein the tension member is routed through both the first guide and the second guide of the strap or panel.