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 Houser Shoes Empolyment do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence Houser Shoes Empolyment that the use of shoes began in the period between Houser Shoes Empolyment about Houser Shoes Empolyment 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes Houser Shoes Empolyment (other than the big Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment bottom of a shoe is Houser Shoes Empolyment called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have Houser Shoes Empolyment leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment have outsoles made of Houser Shoes Empolyment natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single Houser Shoes Empolyment piece, 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 for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this Houser Shoes Empolyment design: athletic cleats have spikes Houser Shoes Empolyment embedded in the outsole to grip Houser Shoes Empolyment the ground; Houser Shoes Empolyment many kinds of dancing shoes have Houser Shoes Empolyment much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 use different materials Houser Shoes Empolyment for the midsoles of their shoes. Some Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment is to support Houser Shoes Empolyment the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the Houser Shoes Empolyment sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person look High Heel Shoes taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that Houser Shoes Empolyment helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest Houser Shoes Empolyment cases, Houser Shoes Empolyment such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for Houser Shoes Empolyment holding Green Shoes the sole Houser Shoes Empolyment in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers Houser Shoes Empolyment and most Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert Houser Shoes Empolyment a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a Houser Shoes Empolyment smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: Houser Shoes Empolyment placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the Houser Shoes Empolyment shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment to improve Houser Shoes Empolyment appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment for rain and snow Houser Shoes Empolyment protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert Houser Shoes Empolyment of various materials for cushioning, Houser Shoes Empolyment improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and Houser Shoes Empolyment inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment a shoe.
Snow shoe: a Houser Shoes Empolyment wooden Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 from real crocodile skin, in Houser Shoes Empolyment a conservation exhibit Houser Shoes Empolyment at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather Asics Running Shoes soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment are characterized by sturdy leather Houser Shoes Empolyment uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most Houser Shoes Empolyment of the lower foot, but not Houser Shoes Empolyment covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment with Houser Shoes Empolyment uppers made high to cover the ankles Houser Shoes Empolyment are also available; a shoe with Houser Shoes Empolyment the Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment high-topped shoe Houser Shoes Empolyment is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized Houser Shoes Empolyment by how they Houser Shoes Empolyment are closed:
Balmorals: the Houser Shoes Empolyment vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces Houser Shoes Empolyment are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, Houser Shoes Empolyment the balmoral Houser Shoes Empolyment is known as the Oxford. The Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various Houser Shoes Empolyment other closings exist Houser Shoes Empolyment but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: Houser Shoes Empolyment have a sleek appearance and no extra Houser Shoes Empolyment decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The Houser Shoes Empolyment toe of Houser Shoes Empolyment the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both Steel Toe Shoes balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at Houser Shoes Empolyment requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment of shoes available for women, in addition to Houser Shoes Empolyment most of Houser Shoes Empolyment the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some Houser Shoes Empolyment broad Houser Shoes Empolyment categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a Houser Shoes Empolyment very low heel Houser Shoes Empolyment and a relatively short Houser Shoes Empolyment vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be Houser Shoes Empolyment seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes with heels 2 Houser Shoes Empolyment inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more Houser Shoes Empolyment sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are Houser Shoes Empolyment thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks Houser Shoes Empolyment like an athletic shoe, but Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a Houser Shoes Empolyment heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to Houser Shoes Empolyment air. Houser Shoes Empolyment They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the Houser Shoes Empolyment foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a Houser Shoes Empolyment contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a Houser Shoes Empolyment boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made Houser Shoes Empolyment of leather. Some are designed to be used in times Houser Shoes Empolyment of bad weather, Houser Shoes Empolyment or simply as an alternate style of casual or Houser Shoes Empolyment dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment 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, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are Houser Shoes Empolyment available for basketball Jante Shoes or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic Houser Shoes Empolyment or metal cleats
A Houser Shoes Empolyment shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment better grip in grass and wet Houser Shoes Empolyment ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were Houser Shoes Empolyment made Houser Shoes Empolyment of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of Houser Shoes Empolyment synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially Houser Shoes Empolyment around the edge of each spike are much more common Houser Shoes Empolyment today (and are required on many Houser Shoes Empolyment golf courses since they Houser Shoes Empolyment cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes: Houser Shoes Empolyment intermediate style Houser Shoes Empolyment between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels Houser Shoes Empolyment so as not to damage Houser Shoes Empolyment bowling Houser Shoes Empolyment alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a Houser Shoes Empolyment high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, Houser Shoes Empolyment to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 various attachments for skating Houser Shoes Empolyment on Houser Shoes Empolyment the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, Adio Shoes thick Houser Shoes Empolyment plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the Houser Shoes Empolyment ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of Infant Shoes padding to protect Houser Shoes Empolyment the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with Houser Shoes Empolyment a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment feet while providing additional traction Houser Shoes Empolyment and protection.
Orthopedic Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes
Orthopedic or Houser Shoes Empolyment "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, Houser Shoes Empolyment such as padded removable Houser Shoes Empolyment footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those Houser Shoes Empolyment with problematic feet.
Dance Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. Houser Shoes Empolyment These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment Heel-less slippers Houser Shoes Empolyment made of canvas Houser Shoes Empolyment or leather, with either continuous or Houser Shoes Empolyment two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole Houser Shoes Empolyment is typically made of leather, with thicker Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 by elastics that cross over Houser Shoes Empolyment the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or Houser Shoes Empolyment pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours Houser Shoes Empolyment such as red Houser Shoes Empolyment or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., Houser Shoes Empolyment split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a Houser Shoes Empolyment low (one inch or shorter) heel. Houser Shoes Empolyment They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco Houser Shoes Empolyment dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the Houser Shoes Empolyment IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both Houser Shoes Empolyment are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and 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 variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes Houser Shoes Empolyment the dancer's Houser Shoes Empolyment weight across the foot while Latin American shoes Houser Shoes Empolyment have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin Houser Shoes Empolyment Z Coil Shoes shoes typically 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination Houser Shoes Empolyment of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a Houser Shoes Empolyment reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a Houser Shoes Empolyment one to three Houser Shoes Empolyment Vegan Shoes inch heel, which Houser Shoes Empolyment are usually made of leather, and Houser Shoes Empolyment often have one Houser Shoes Empolyment or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. Houser Shoes Empolyment 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 Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial Houser Shoes Empolyment foot covers that protect the ball of a Houser Shoes Empolyment dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the Brooks Running Shoes appearance of having bare feet. Houser Shoes Empolyment
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz Cycling Shoes shoes. This Houser Shoes Empolyment style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot Shoes Online thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work Houser Shoes Employment shoes are designed Boat Shoes to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide Houser Shoes Empolyment high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, Houser Shoes Empolyment police, military personnel, etc. They Houser Shoes Empolyment are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features Houser Shoes Empolyment may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical Houser Shoes Empolyment shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of 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 keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into Journeys Shoes the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the Houser Shoes Empolyment 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made Houser Shoes Empolyment of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, Houser Shoes Empolyment the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is 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 Houser Shoes Empolyment wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Houser Shoes Empolyment Not all shoes can have Houser Shoes Empolyment their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash Houser Shoes Empolyment or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The Houser Shoes Empolyment exception Houser Shoes Empolyment can be with most athletic sneakers Houser Shoes Empolyment which can be Houser Shoes Empolyment recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an Houser Shoes Empolyment example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a Houser Shoes Empolyment cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of Houser Shoes Empolyment the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Houser Shoes Empolyment Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, Houser Shoes Empolyment as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when Houser Shoes Empolyment entering Houser Shoes Empolyment a house. In some areas of the Houser Shoes Empolyment United States, especially the Midwest, Houser Shoes Empolyment it is expected that visitors Houser Shoes Empolyment remove their shoes unless a host specifically Houser Shoes Empolyment invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For Houser Shoes Empolyment some societies, including those in Asia, Houser Shoes Empolyment indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered Houser Shoes Empolyment rude to show the soles of the feet to Houser Shoes Empolyment others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult Houser Shoes Empolyment for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence Houser Shoes Empolyment in any society, some Houser Shoes Empolyment Muay Thai boxers Houser Shoes Empolyment insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head Houser Shoes Empolyment with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
