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