The earliest known 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 normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in Asics Shoes use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that Asics Shoes the use Asics Shoes 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 toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, Asics Shoes on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a Asics Shoes 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 bottom of a shoe, which sits directly Asics Shoes beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, Asics Shoes and extra Asics Shoes insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or Asics Shoes smell Asics Shoes of the shoe).
Outsole
The Asics Shoes outsole is the layer in direct Asics Shoes contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber Asics Shoes or a synthetic Asics Shoes imitation. The outsole may comprise Asics Shoes a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Asics Shoes Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability Brooks Running Shoes and traction, while the Asics 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 Asics Shoes dancing shoes have much softer or Asics 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 the most pressure down. Different companies Asics 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 part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel Asics Shoes of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person Asics Shoes 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 Asics Shoes simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this Asics Shoes may be nothing more than a few straps Asics Shoes for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have Asics Shoes a more Asics Shoes complex upper. This Asics Shoes part is Asics Shoes often decorated or is Asics Shoes made in a certain Asics Shoes style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a Asics Shoes method for Asics Shoes producing a shoe-upper Asics Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories Asics Shoes to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a Asics Shoes smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is Asics Shoes not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on Cycling Shoes shoes to Asics Shoes improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush Asics Shoes and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to Asics Shoes shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a Asics Shoes rubber covering Asics Shoes placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert Asics Shoes of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include Asics Shoes padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe Asics Shoes bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe Asics Shoes longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area Asics Shoes of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Asics Shoes Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized Asics Shoes by smooth Asics Shoes and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Asics Shoes Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, Asics Shoes and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes Asics Shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of Asics Shoes dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper Asics Shoes 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. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a Shoes Online shoe with the Asics Shoes upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped Asics Shoes shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe Asics Shoes on.
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Men's shoes
Men's shoes Asics Shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: Asics Shoes the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American Asics Shoes clothing companies Asics Shoes to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied Asics Shoes to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; Asics Shoes also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby Asics Shoes shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such Asics Shoes as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can Asics Shoes also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has Asics Shoes an extra Asics Shoes layer of Asics Shoes leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues Asics Shoes (American: wing-tips): The toe of the Asics Shoes shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, Asics Shoes which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help Asics Shoes improve this section Asics Shoes by expanding it.
Further information might be found on Asics Shoes the talk page 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 for women, in addition to Asics Shoes most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some Asics Shoes broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and Asics Shoes a relatively short vamp, exposing much Asics Shoes of Houser Shoes Employment the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than Asics Shoes 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 Boat Shoes heels (see article for Asics Shoes discussion) and are thus commonly worn Asics Shoes by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a Asics Shoes kind of Journeys Shoes novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: Asics Shoes shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated Asics Shoes 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 Asics Shoes exposed to air. Asics Shoes They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than Asics Shoes a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe Asics Shoes with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or Asics Shoes casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as Asics Shoes boat Asics Shoes shoes and deck shoes: Asics Shoes similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often Asics 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) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of Asics Shoes bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles Asics Shoes include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as Asics Shoes work boots and Houser Shoes Empolyment hiking Asics Shoes boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly Asics Shoes worn with pajamas.
Athletic Asics Shoes shoes
Men's Asics Shoes and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less Asics Shoes difference between Asics Shoes the sexes than in dress shoes. In Asics Shoes many cases these shoes can be worn by Asics Shoes either sex. Asics Shoes Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose Asics Shoes athletic shoes; made Asics Shoes out of Asics Shoes rubber, cloth, Asics Shoes and/or plastic to Asics Shoes be lightweight, flexible, Asics Shoes and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or Asics Shoes tennis.
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Running shoes: very similar to above, Asics Shoes with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for Asics Shoes the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or Merrel Shoes removable studs. Usually worn while playing Asics Shoes sports such as rugby, football, Asics Shoes American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and Asics Shoes wet Asics Shoes ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed Asics Shoes radially around the edge of each spike are much more common Asics Shoes today (and are required Asics Shoes on 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 Asics Shoes damage bowling alley floors. Asics Shoes They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They Asics Shoes typically have a close fit, Asics Shoes little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber Asics Shoes sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a Asics Shoes high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide Asics Shoes ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra Asics Shoes large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than Factory Brand Shoes the hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be Asics Shoes water Asics Shoes proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice Asics Shoes skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a Asics Shoes large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to Asics Shoes 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 Asics Shoes metal or plastic cleat Asics Shoes to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes 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 Dvs Shoes shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct Asics Shoes comfort qualities, Franco Sarto Shoes such as padded Asics Shoes removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch Asics Shoes support are Asics Shoes made especially for those Asics Shoes with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have a Asics Shoes toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on Asics Shoes the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and Asics Shoes 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 (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made Asics Shoes of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner Asics Shoes and thus more flexible material Asics Shoes under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Asics Shoes Ballet slippers Asics Shoes are usually Asics Shoes 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 Asics Shoes in specialty Asics Shoes colours such as Asics Shoes red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized Asics Shoes sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. Asics Shoes They fall into two categories for the two Asics Shoes genres of dances as Asics Shoes 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 Asics Shoes 1-inch heels and Asics Shoes patent leather 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 Bape Shoes variety of colours to match Asics Shoes the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the Asics Shoes foot while Latin American Asics Shoes shoes have Asics Shoes higher heels Asics Shoes designed to Asics Shoes throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Asics Shoes Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes Asics Shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
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Dance sneakers. Also Asics Shoes known as dansneakers, these are a combination of Asics Shoes a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Asics Shoes Shoes with a one to three inch Asics Shoes heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come Asics Shoes 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 Asics Shoes are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of Asics Shoes a dancer's foot from skin abrasions Asics Shoes while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored Asics Shoes foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet. Asics Shoes
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is Asics Shoes frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from Asics Shoes the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are Asics Shoes 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 are used for uniforms Asics Shoes or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They Asics Shoes are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, Asics Shoes mining, Asics Shoes and other workplaces. Asics Shoes Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes Asics Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which Saddle Shoes are still worn Asics Shoes today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden Asics Shoes overshoe used to keep a person's feet History Of Shoes dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the Asics Shoes 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical Asics Shoes shoe of Asics Shoes many North Asics Shoes American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are Asics Shoes made of hard but deformable Asics Shoes material. After a Asics Shoes person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is Asics Shoes said to Asics Shoes have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water Asics Shoes resistance (to some extent) Asics Shoes and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel Asics Shoes replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes Asics Shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be Asics Shoes treated as trash 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 is Asics Shoes called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In Asics Shoes most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) Asics Shoes it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas Asics Shoes of the United States, especially 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 Asics Shoes those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for Asics Shoes guests.
In the Middle East, parts Asics Shoes of Africa, Korea and Asics Shoes Thailand, Asics Shoes it is considered rude to show the soles of Asics Shoes the feet to Asics Shoes others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, Asics Shoes it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to Asics Shoes touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads Asics Shoes is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
