Selectable boot support and articulation system

A boot system comprising:

• an upper shell configured to encase a portion of a user's lower leg within an upper inner region;
• a lower shell configured to encase a user's foot within a lower inner region, wherein the lower shell is moveably coupled to the upper shell;
• an articulation system including a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locked configuration restricts freedom within and between each of the upper shell, lower shell, and moveable coupling between the upper and lower shell, and wherein the unlocked configuration increases freedom within and between each of the upper shell, lower shell, and moveable coupling between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration;
• wherein the articulation system includes an instep member moveably coupled to the upper shell, and wherein the moveable coupling of the instep member includes a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell, and wherein the moveable coupling of the instep member includes at least one moveable lateral coupling to the upper shell;
• wherein the locked configuration corresponds to an engagement of the releasable dorsal coupling across the upper shell including disposing a restricting surface at an instep region, wherein the engagement of the releasable dorsal coupling of the instep member dimensionally reduces the upper inner region, and wherein the engagement of the releasable dorsal coupling of the instep member restricts the freedom between the upper and lower shell, and wherein the engagement of the releasable dorsal coupling of the instep member dimensionally reduces the lower inner region;
• and
• wherein the unlocked configuration corresponds to a disengagement of the releasable dorsal coupling and an articulation of the instep member about the at least one moveable lateral coupling, wherein the articulation of the instep member includes substantially disposing the instep member with respect to the upper and lower shell at a position away from the instep region.

A method for selectively restricting freedom between an upper and lower shell of a boot system comprising the acts of:

• providing a boot system including
• an upper shell configured to encase a portion of a user's lower leg within an upper inner region;
• a lower shell configured to encase a user's foot within a lower inner region, wherein the lower shell is moveably coupled to the upper shell;
• an articulation system including a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locked configuration restricts freedom within and between each of the upper shell, lower shell, and moveable coupling between the upper and lower shell, and wherein the unlocked configuration increases freedom within and between each of the upper shell, lower shell, and moveable coupling between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration;
• wherein the articulation system includes an instep member moveably coupled to the upper shell, and wherein the moveable coupling of the instep member includes a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell, and wherein the moveable coupling of the instep member includes at least one moveable lateral coupling to the upper shell;
• wherein the locked configuration corresponds to an engagement of the releasable dorsal coupling across the upper shell;
• and
• wherein the unlocked configuration corresponds to a disengagement of the releasable dorsal coupling and an articulation of the instep member across the upper shell about the at least one moveable lateral coupling;
• providing an instep member moveably coupled to the upper shell;
• disposing a restricting surface of the instep member at an instep region;
• engaging a releasable dorsal coupling between the instep member and the upper shell;
• compressing the upper shell around the user's lower leg;
• compressing the lower shell around the user's foot;
• and
• restricting the freedom between the upper and lower shell.