Athletic shoe with an adjustable sizing system

An article of footwear, comprising:

• a sole;
• an upper extending from the sole, the upper including a heel portion being within a foot opening being configured to receive a foot when worn;
• and
• an articulated sizing system configured for engaging a foot of a user within the heel portion, the sizing system including a first sizing element and a second sizing element coupleable together to form a first effective length of the upper, said first sizing element configurable to adjust a second effective length of the upper excluding said second sizing element from within said heel portion, at least one of the first sizing element and the second sizing element being removably attached to the upper to adjust a third effective length of the upper.

A method of adjusting the effective length of an article of footwear having a sole, an upper extending from the sole and a foot opening for receiving the foot of a wearer in which a sizing apparatus is configurable to be positioned within the foot opening and attached to the upper, the sizing apparatus having a first sizing member and a second sizing member, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the sizing apparatus within the foot opening to create a first effective length, wherein the sizing apparatus mates with a rear panel of the upper;
• creating a second effective length by removing the first sizing member from the foot opening;
• and
• creating a third effective length by removing the second sizing member from the foot opening.