Uppers for articles of footwear (or foot-covering members for other foot-receiving devices) include: (a) an upper member including medial and lateral side portions, each side portion including at least one pair of slots spaced in a top-to-bottom direction and (b) a first strap portion that extends between and through each of the medial slots and the lateral slots such that the first strap portion is exposed between the pair of medial slots and between the pair of lateral slots and such that the first strap portion extends across the instep opening. One, two, or more other “strap portions” may be provided, e.g., that extend between additional pairs of medial and lateral slots and across the instep opening. A shoe lace may be provided to extend through and between areas defined by the strap portions and the pairs of medial and lateral slots.