Shoe upper with integrated construction

An article of footwear comprising:

• an upper comprising a first knit layer and a second knit layer formed from a singular knit tube folded inward upon itself, the first and second knit layers being interconnected at a seamless ankle cuff;
• the second knit layer defining an integrated pocket in a heel region of the upper;
• a heel counter insert comprising a heel cup situated between the first and second knit layers, an upper portion of the heel cup being at least partially enclosed within the integrated pocket;
• wherein the seamless ankle cuff is configured as a tension band that wraps around the integrated pocket;
• and
• wherein the tension band possesses elastic properties that permit a temporal rearward displacement of the heel cup during foot entry and provide a biasing force to return the heel cup to an original state after foot insertion.

An article of footwear comprising:

• a double-layered knit upper defining a heel region and a foot receiving shoe opening;
• an integrated pocket formed between layers of the double-layered knit upper in the heel region;
• a molded heel cup situated at least partially within the integrated pocket, the heel cup having a rearmost vertical cross-section defining an S-wave shape;
• a seamless ankle cuff formed at an interconnection of the layers of the double-layered knit upper;
• and
• wherein the seamless ankle cuff is an elastic band that encircles the foot receiving shoe opening and provides a tensive force against a rearward facing surface of the integrated pocket to prevent excessive rearward movement of the heel cup during use.

An article of footwear comprising:

• an upper comprising an outer sock layer structure and an inner sock layer structure interconnected at a seamless ankle cuff;
• the ankle cuff forming at least part of a foot receiving shoe opening;
• an integrated pocket formed between the outer and inner sock layer structures;
• a heel cup having an upper portion situated within the integrated pocket;
• wherein the integrated pocket wraps around a rear facing surface of the heel cup and extends downward below a level of the seamless ankle cuff and behind the seamless ankle cuff to a junction with the inner sock layer structure;
• and
• wherein the integrated pocket further extends upward from said junction to wrap over the seamless ankle cuff to meet a junction with the outer sock layer structure;
• and
• wherein a defined unconnected space is formed between the inner sock layer structure and a rear facing surface of the integrated pocket, the unconnected space configured to provide for a rearward movement of the heel cup relative to the upper during foot insertion.