Article of footwear for fencing

A fencing shoe comprising:

• an upper including an outer covering having a split extending from a throat opening to a sole-upper interface in a toe region on a lateral side of the fencing shoe, wherein the split defines an opening having a width;
• a cup outsole attached to the upper;
• the cup outsole having a rim that extends over a portion of the upper around a perimeter of the upper;
• a sliding surface formed by a portion of the cup outsole extending beyond the rim and partially over a toe region on a medial side of the fencing shoe, wherein the sliding surface is smoothly continuous with the rest of the cup outsole;
• and
• a notch formed in the rim of the cup outsole to expose the opening, wherein the notch extends from the upper surface of the rim to proximate a ground-engaging surface of the sole.

A multi-layered upper for an article of footwear comprising:

• an inner layer configured to substantially encase a foot;
• an outer layer covering at least a portion of the inner layer;
• the outer layer having an opening disposed on a lateral side of the upper, wherein the opening extends from a foot insertion opening to a toe region on a lateral side of the upper, and wherein the inner layer is attached to the outer layer only on a lateral side of the opening;
• the opening dividing the outer layer into a medial portion with a medial portion edge and a lateral portion with a lateral portion edge;
• wherein the medial portion edge and the lateral portion edge define the opening,
• wherein a first portion of the opening has a first width and a second portion of the opening has a second width;
• wherein the first width is adjustable and the second width is fixed;
• a middle layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer;
• the middle layer positioned underneath the opening;
• wherein the middle layer is affixed to both the medial portion edge and the lateral portion edge in the second portion of the opening;
• wherein the upper is configured to be attached to a sole having a rim, wherein a portion of the rim extends over a portion of the upper;
• and
• a gap formed in the rim, wherein the gap aligns with the opening.