The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for thousands Womens Shoes Size of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between Womens Shoes Size about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results Womens Shoes Size in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Womens Shoes Size shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, Womens Shoes Size which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are Womens Shoes Size often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, Womens Shoes Size or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual Womens Shoes Size or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic Womens Shoes Size imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have Womens Shoes Size spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many kinds Womens Shoes Size of dancing shoes have much softer or Womens Shoes Size harder Womens Shoes Size soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole Womens Shoes Size and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some Womens Shoes Size types of shoes, like Womens Shoes Size running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure Womens Shoes Size down. Different companies use different Womens Shoes Size materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part Womens Shoes Size of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the Womens Shoes Size person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the Womens Shoes Size sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have Womens Shoes Size a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories Womens Shoes Size to Womens Shoes Size shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot Womens Shoes Size into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed Womens Shoes Size inside the shoe when user is not Womens Shoes Size wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread Womens Shoes Size on Womens Shoes Size shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed Womens Shoes Size over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe Womens Shoes Size insert: insert of various materials for Womens Shoes Size cushioning, improved fit, or reduced Womens Shoes Size abrasion. These include padding and Womens Shoes Size inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot Womens Shoes Size problems.
Shoe bag: a bag Womens Shoes Size that protects Womens Shoes Size shoes against damage when they are Womens Shoes Size not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making Womens Shoes Size a shoe longer or wider or for Womens Shoes Size reducing discomfort Womens Shoes Size in Womens Shoes Size areas of a shoe.
Snow Womens Shoes Size shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by Womens Shoes Size smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Womens Shoes Size Casual shoes are characterized by Womens Shoes Size sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide Womens Shoes Size profile.
Some Womens Shoes Size designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Womens Shoes Size Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the Womens Shoes Size ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles Womens Shoes Size may be referred to Womens Shoes Size as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured Womens Shoes Size by laces or zippers, although some Womens Shoes Size styles have elastic inserts to ease Womens Shoes Size slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Womens Shoes Size Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; Womens Shoes Size also Womens Shoes Size known as "open lacing". In England, Womens Shoes Size the Blucher is known as Womens Shoes Size the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such Womens Shoes Size as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also Womens Shoes Size be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an Womens Shoes Size extra layer of leather that "caps" Womens Shoes Size the toe. This Womens Shoes Size is possibly Womens Shoes Size the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: Womens Shoes Size wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, Womens Shoes Size the Womens Shoes Size wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding Womens Shoes Size it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this Womens Shoes Size article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may Womens Shoes Size be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's Womens Shoes Size guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is Womens Shoes Size a large variety of shoes available for women, in Womens Shoes Size addition to most Womens Shoes Size of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Womens Shoes Size Some broad categories Womens Shoes Size are:
Pumps, known Womens Shoes Size in the Womens Shoes Size US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes Womens Shoes Size with heels 2 inches Womens Shoes Size (5 cm) or higher. Womens Shoes Size They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are Womens Shoes Size thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that Womens Shoes Size looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped Womens Shoes Size with a heel, making it a kind of Womens Shoes Size novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe Womens Shoes Size with very thick soles and Womens Shoes Size heels
Moccasin: originated by Womens Shoes Size Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open Womens Shoes Size shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather Womens Shoes Size wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a Womens Shoes Size contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically Womens Shoes Size white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or Womens Shoes Size casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as Womens Shoes Size boat shoes and Womens Shoes Size deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring Womens Shoes Size a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to Womens Shoes Size avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) Womens Shoes Size frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of bad Womens Shoes Size weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, Womens Shoes Size as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less Womens Shoes Size difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by Womens Shoes Size either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis Womens Shoes Size shoes): general Womens Shoes Size purpose athletic Womens Shoes Size shoes; made out of rubber, Womens Shoes Size cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, Womens Shoes Size flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional Womens Shoes Size emphasis on Womens Shoes Size cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; Womens Shoes Size often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable Womens Shoes Size studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right Womens Shoes Size foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but Womens Shoes Size replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic Womens Shoes Size plastic-like materials Womens Shoes Size with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are Womens Shoes Size much more common today (and are required on many golf Womens Shoes Size courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes Womens Shoes Size and athletic shoes. They Womens Shoes Size have harder rubber soles/heels Womens Shoes Size so as not to Womens Shoes Size damage bowling alley Womens Shoes Size floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed Womens Shoes Size for rock climbing. They Womens Shoes Size typically have a close fit, little if Womens Shoes Size any padding, and Womens Shoes Size a smooth Womens Shoes Size sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have Womens Shoes Size a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: Womens Shoes Size have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have air Womens Shoes Size holes, may not be water Womens Shoes Size proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the Womens Shoes Size bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better Womens Shoes Size grip Womens Shoes Size on a skateboard. They are very wide Womens Shoes Size and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as Womens Shoes Size well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes Womens Shoes Size for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes Womens Shoes Size are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct Womens Shoes Size comfort qualities, such as Womens Shoes Size padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch Womens Shoes Size support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for Womens Shoes Size ballet dancing. These have a toe Womens Shoes Size box that is stiffened Womens Shoes Size with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of Womens Shoes Size their toes. They are Womens Shoes Size secured by elastic straps and ribbons that Womens Shoes Size are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically Womens Shoes Size made of Womens Shoes Size leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of Womens Shoes Size the foot, and thinner Womens Shoes Size and thus more flexible material under the arch Womens Shoes Size so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by Womens Shoes Size elastics that cross over the top of the Womens Shoes Size foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty Womens Shoes Size colours Womens Shoes Size such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) Womens Shoes Size to provide Womens Shoes Size both flexibility and Womens Shoes Size traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) Womens Shoes Size heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom Womens Shoes Size shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the Womens Shoes Size IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent Womens Shoes Size leather uppers. Womens Shoes Size Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that Womens Shoes Size they Womens Shoes Size can be finished with a greater Womens Shoes Size variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes Womens Shoes Size the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch Womens Shoes Size shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch Womens Shoes Size heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and Womens Shoes Size a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually Womens Shoes Size made Womens Shoes Size of leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep Womens Shoes Size to secure the foot during dance. Womens Shoes Size They may come in Womens Shoes Size soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They Womens Shoes Size may be converted to tap shoes by attaching Womens Shoes Size taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's Womens Shoes Size foot from skin abrasions Womens Shoes Size while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern Womens Shoes Size pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the Womens Shoes Size wearer, and provide high traction. They Womens Shoes Size are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather Womens Shoes Size outsoles. Sometimes Womens Shoes Size they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, Womens Shoes Size military personnel, etc. Womens Shoes Size They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and Womens Shoes Size soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First Womens Shoes Size worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in Womens Shoes Size the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe Womens Shoes Size of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some Womens Shoes Size shoes are made of hard but Womens Shoes Size deformable material. After a Womens Shoes Size person wears them multiple Womens Shoes Size times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable Womens Shoes Size this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes Womens Shoes Size can have Womens Shoes Size their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid Womens Shoes Size waste and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as Womens Shoes Size an example.
Someone who makes Womens Shoes Size or repairs Womens Shoes Size shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, Womens Shoes Size parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe Womens Shoes Size and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when Womens Shoes Size entering a house. In some areas of the United Womens Shoes Size States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that Womens Shoes Size visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People Womens Shoes Size do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the Womens Shoes Size feet to others (even Womens Shoes Size accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). Womens Shoes Size In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's Womens Shoes Size head or Womens Shoes Size be placed over it. Although feet Womens Shoes Size touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai Womens Shoes Size kicks are executed Womens Shoes Size with the shin). |
