The earliest known shoes date from about Green Shoes 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Green Shoes Oregon, Green Shoes USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do Green Shoes not normally last Green Shoes 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 began in Green Shoes 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, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing Green Shoes a Green Shoes new Green Shoes 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 beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles Green Shoes are Green Shoes often added for Green Shoes 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 leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have Green Shoes outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber Green Shoes Ugg Shoes for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications Green Shoes on this design: athletic Green Shoes cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many kinds Green Shoes of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Green Shoes 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 Green 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 Green Shoes rear part of Green Shoes a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of Green Shoes the Green Shoes foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be Green Shoes high for fashion or Green 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. Green Shoes In the simplest Green Shoes cases, such as sandals or Green Shoes flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will Green Shoes have a more Green Shoes 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 Green Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: 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 Green Shoes not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material Green Shoes spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to Green Shoes shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced Green Shoes abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be Green Shoes used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when Green Shoes they Green Shoes are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer Green Shoes or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or Green Shoes leather piece which Green Shoes increases the area of ground Green Shoes covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made Green Shoes from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress Green Shoes shoes are categorized Green Shoes by smooth and supple Green Shoes leather uppers, Green Shoes leather soles, Green Shoes and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather Green Shoes uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs Green Shoes of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper Green Shoes covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, Green Shoes but not covering Green Shoes the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often Green Shoes made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. Green Shoes an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles Green Shoes are Green Shoes also available; a shoe with the upper Carlos Santana Shoes rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes Green Shoes or high-tops. Usually, a Green Shoes high-topped shoe is secured by laces Green Shoes or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease Green Shoes slipping the shoe on.
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Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which Green Shoes the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known Green Shoes as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is Green Shoes used by Green Shoes 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 Green Shoes the vamp; also Green Shoes known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and Green Shoes strap Green Shoes instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but Green Shoes are less popular Green Shoes such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes Green Shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra Green Shoes decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has Green Shoes an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. Green Shoes This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe Green Shoes of Green Shoes the shoe is covered with a perforated Green Shoes panel, the Green 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 found on Green Shoes the Green Shoes talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone Green Shoes or style of this article or section may Green Shoes not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be Green Shoes found on the Green Shoes talk page. See Green Shoes 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 most of Green Shoes the men's styles being Green Shoes more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known Green Shoes in Green Shoes the US and UK as Green Shoes ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of Green Shoes the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more Green Shoes comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels Green Shoes 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels Green Shoes (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal Green Shoes occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a Green Shoes 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 very Green Shoes thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually Green Shoes made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of Green Shoes a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are Green Shoes thus Green Shoes popular for warm-weather wear, because they Green Shoes let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over Green Shoes the instep, typically white Green Shoes uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress Green Shoes or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny Green Shoes loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and Green Shoes deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple Green Shoes leather (often 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 Green Shoes made Green Shoes of leather. Some are designed Green Shoes to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an Green Shoes alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber Green Shoes boots and snow boots, as Green Shoes 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 Green Shoes shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be Green Shoes lightweight, Green Shoes flexible, Green Shoes and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
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Track shoes: lightweight; Green Shoes often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable Green Shoes studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, Green Shoes or Green Shoes baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet Green Shoes ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are Green Shoes much more common today (and are required 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 Green Shoes to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned Green Shoes 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 rubber sole with an extended Green Shoes rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra Green Shoes large traction on the sole.
Walking 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 various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, Green Shoes thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the Green Shoes ski.
Skateboarding shoes Green Shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra Green Shoes layers of padding to protect the skateboarders Green Shoes feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped Green Shoes with a metal Green Shoes or plastic cleat 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 Green Shoes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic Green Shoes bare feet while providing Green Shoes additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made Green Shoes with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and Green Shoes arch support are made especially for those with problematic Green Shoes feet.
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 Green Shoes tied to the Green Shoes dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, Green Shoes with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker Green Shoes material under the Green Shoes ball and heel of Green Shoes the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet Green Shoes slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over the Green Shoes top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to Green Shoes provide both flexibility and traction, and a Green Shoes low Green Shoes (one inch Green Shoes or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories Green Shoes for the two genres of dances Green Shoes as defined by Green Shoes the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Green Shoes Latin American. Green Shoes Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom Green Shoes shoes are typically court Green Shoes shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually Green Shoes made of fabric so that they can be finished with a Green Shoes greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom Bostonian Shoes heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher Green Shoes heels Green Shoes designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the Green Shoes toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Green Shoes Ladies' Latin shoes Green Shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed Green Shoes and strapped.
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Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, Green Shoes these are Green Shoes a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with Green Shoes a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made Green Shoes 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 converted to tap Green Shoes shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called Green Shoes called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers Green Shoes that protect Green Shoes the ball of a dancer's Green Shoes 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.
Jazz Green Shoes shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work Green Shoes shoes
Work shoes are designed Green Shoes to stand heavy wear, Green Shoes 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 or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial Green Shoes settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective Green Shoes features may include steel-tipped toes Green Shoes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands Green Shoes of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn Green Shoes today, are found as early as the Green Shoes 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe Green Shoes used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the Green Shoes early Green Shoes 20th century.
Poulaine: a Green Shoes shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of Green Shoes hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the Green Shoes wearer's feet. The Green Shoes person is High Heel Shoes said to have broken in the Green Shoes shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes Green Shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable Green Shoes this.
Sole Green Shoes replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have Green Shoes their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When Green Shoes unfit Green Shoes for use, shoes can Green Shoes be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can Green Shoes be Green Shoes with most athletic sneakers which can be Green Shoes recycled and turned into other raw Green Shoes materials. See Nike Green Shoes Grind as an example.
Someone who Green Shoes makes or repairs 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, as well Green Shoes 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 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 Green Shoes those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts Green Shoes of Africa, Korea Green Shoes and Thailand, it Green Shoes is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such Green Shoes as by crossing the legs). Green Shoes In Green Shoes addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or Green Shoes be placed over it. Although feet touching heads 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). |
