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