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