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