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