the outer fabric to give the footwear a measure of form padding may be stitched between layers of fabric to add comfort while the opening region 28 is illustrated on lateral side 20 of the sole 12 it is within the scope of the invention to reverse the orientation of the upper and foothold 80 that the opening region is on the first lateral side 18 of sole 12 in the upper the interior layer of fabric may be designed with a directional grain such a directional grain may make it easier to slide the foot in one direction than in the opposite direction when assembling the footwear the directional grain could be oriented to make donning easier than removal in accordance with the invention there may be provided a resilient foot holder located at least partially in a region of the upper and at least partially disconnected from the second side of the sole at the opening region to thereby permit lateral foot entry through the opening region the foot holder for exerting a holding force on the foot to help prevent the foot from slipping out of the opening region during walking and for deforming to permit the foot to slip out through.