Sports boot strap closure system

A closure system for a front entry boot having a top, an ankle portion with a back, a front opening, and sides extending above the ankle bone of a wearer, and an upper with a front opening, comprising:

• (a) a substantially flat flexible strap having two ends;
• (b) a plurality of guide means on the upper disposed on opposite sides of the front opening for receiving and guiding said strap, said guide means constructed such that said strap can move therethrough, said strap being laced through said guide means in such a direction that the ends of said strap are generally near said top of the boot;
• (c) a hook means on the side of the ankle portion;
• (d) fastening means on said strap, said fastening means including a strap adjusting part through which said strap passes, said strap adjusting part releasably retaining said strap in a fixed relationship with said fastening means;
• (e) attaching means on said strap between said guide means and said fastening means, said attaching means releasably attaching said strap to said hook means, a length of said strap passing across said ankle portion, and passing through and reversing at said attaching means, said strap arranged such that tension applied to said strap at either said fastening means or said attaching means will tend to close said front openings and tighten said length of said strap across said ankle portion.