Sport footwear

Abstract

An item of sports footwear comprising a sole for engaging the ground, an upper 12 to receive a foot and a shield 22 arranged outside the upper and over at least a part of the instep region of the upper. The shield 22 may extend from along the length of the foot and laterally from inner to outer sides of the upper. There may be a releasable attachment at an inner or outer side portion. The upper may have laces which can be accessed when the shield is opened. The shield may have a resilient, compliant or elastomeric outer surface 46 for engaging a ball with protrusions, upstands or recesses. The shield may have an inner layer which is stiffer than an outer layer and have upstands 58 on the inner layer which extend through openings 56 in the outer layer. The footwear may be a football, rugby, Gaelic football, Australian rules football or American football boot.

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