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 New Balance Walking Shoes in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes New Balance Walking Shoes he has found New Balance Walking Shoes evidence that the use of shoes began New Balance Walking Shoes in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, New Balance Walking Shoes based on New Balance Walking Shoes the fact that the thickness of the bones of the New Balance Walking Shoes toes (other than the big New Balance Walking Shoes toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes bottom New Balance Walking Shoes of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the New Balance Walking Shoes shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or New Balance Walking Shoes work-oriented shoes New Balance Walking Shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may New Balance Walking Shoes comprise a New Balance Walking Shoes single piece, or may comprise separate New Balance Walking Shoes pieces of different New Balance Walking Shoes materials. Often the heel of the sole New Balance Walking Shoes is rubber for durability and traction, while the New Balance Walking Shoes front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole New Balance Walking Shoes to grip New Balance Walking Shoes the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have Geox Shoes much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole New Balance Walking Shoes that is New Balance Walking Shoes typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel New Balance Walking Shoes where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for New Balance Walking Shoes the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may New Balance Walking Shoes not New Balance Walking Shoes have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's New Balance Walking Shoes fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can New Balance Walking Shoes be high for fashion or to New Balance Walking Shoes make the person look New Balance Walking Shoes taller, or flat for a more New Balance Walking Shoes practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe International Shoes Size has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest New Balance Walking Shoes cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few New Balance Walking Shoes straps for holding the sole in New Balance Walking Shoes place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will New Balance Walking Shoes have a more complex upper. This part is New Balance Walking Shoes often decorated New Balance Walking Shoes or New Balance Walking Shoes is made New Balance Walking Shoes in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing New Balance Walking Shoes a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: New Balance Walking Shoes can be used Reebok Shoes to insert New Balance Walking Shoes a foot New Balance Walking Shoes into a New Balance Walking Shoes shoe by keeping the shoe open and New Balance Walking Shoes providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe Sketchers Shoes tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to New Balance Walking Shoes help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and New Balance Walking Shoes provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish New Balance Walking Shoes to New Balance Walking Shoes shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow New Balance Walking Shoes protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, New Balance Walking Shoes improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include New Balance Walking Shoes padding and inner linings. Inserts may also New Balance Walking Shoes be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being New Balance Walking Shoes worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a New Balance Walking Shoes wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are New Balance Walking Shoes categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual New Balance Walking Shoes shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some New Balance Walking Shoes designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering New Balance Walking Shoes the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures Ariat Shoes or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of New Balance Walking Shoes a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers New Balance Walking Shoes made high to cover the ankles are New Balance Walking Shoes also Doc Martin Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes or New Balance Walking Shoes high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe New Balance Walking Shoes on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be New Balance Walking Shoes categorized by how New Balance Walking Shoes they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp New Balance Walking Shoes has a V-shaped slit New Balance Walking Shoes to which the laces are attached; New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes buckle and strap instead of lacing
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Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has New Balance Walking Shoes an extra layer of leather New Balance Walking Shoes that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: New Balance Walking Shoes wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of New Balance Walking Shoes the shoe. Brogues can be found New Balance Walking Shoes in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding New Balance Walking Shoes it.
Further information might be found on New Balance Walking 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 New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes of the men's styles being more accepted New Balance Walking Shoes as unisex. New Balance Walking Shoes Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in New Balance Walking Shoes the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with New Balance Walking Shoes a very low New Balance Walking Shoes heel and New Balance Walking Shoes a relatively New Balance Walking Shoes short vamp, exposing New Balance Walking Shoes much New Balance Walking Shoes of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen New Balance Walking Shoes as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They New Balance Walking Shoes are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels New Balance Walking Shoes (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn New Balance Walking 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 New Balance Walking Shoes it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick New Balance Walking Shoes soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by New Balance Walking Shoes Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel New Balance Walking Shoes and New Balance Walking Shoes usually New Balance Walking Shoes made of New Balance Walking Shoes leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed New Balance Walking Shoes to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because Ryka Shoes they let the foot be cooler than a 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 casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes New Balance Walking Shoes and deck shoes: similar to New Balance Walking Shoes a loafer, New Balance Walking Shoes but more casual. Laces, if New Balance Walking Shoes present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white Mens Dress Shoes sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid New Balance Walking Shoes marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in New Balance Walking Shoes times New Balance Walking Shoes of bad weather, or New Balance Walking Shoes simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's New Balance Walking Shoes and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes New Balance Walking Shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either New Balance Walking Shoes sex. Emphasis tends to be New Balance Walking Shoes more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, New Balance Walking Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, New Balance Walking Shoes with New Balance Walking Shoes additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually New Balance Walking Shoes worn New Balance Walking Shoes while playing New Balance Walking Shoes sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A New Balance Walking Shoes shoe for the New Balance Walking Shoes right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally New Balance Walking Shoes Purple Shoes the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft New Balance Walking Shoes spikes" 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 New Balance Walking Shoes golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling New Balance Walking Shoes shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels New Balance Walking Shoes so as not to New Balance Walking Shoes damage bowling alley floors. They are often 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 a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended New Balance Walking Shoes rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff New Balance Walking Shoes upper with many lace New Balance Walking Shoes eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large New Balance Walking Shoes traction New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, New Balance Walking Shoes thick plastic boot 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 New Balance Walking Shoes layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are New Balance Walking Shoes equipped with a metal or plastic cleat New Balance Walking Shoes to interface with clipless pedals, as well New Balance Walking Shoes as a stiff sole to maximize New Balance Walking Shoes power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are New Balance Walking Shoes special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, New Balance Walking Shoes 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 Size Shoes or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
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Dance New Balance Walking Shoes shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box that is stiffened with New Balance Walking Shoes glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can New Balance Walking Shoes stand on the tips of their toes. They New Balance Walking Shoes are secured by elastic straps and New Balance Walking Shoes ribbons New Balance Walking Shoes 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 of leather, with thicker material under the ball New Balance Walking Shoes and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the New Balance Walking Shoes arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured New Balance Walking Shoes by elastics that New Balance Walking Shoes cross over the top of the foot. They are New Balance Walking Shoes most commonly pink, New Balance Walking Shoes white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or New Balance Walking Shoes blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility New Balance Walking Shoes 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. They fall into two categories for New Balance Walking Shoes the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and New Balance Walking Shoes Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. New Balance Walking Shoes Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom New Balance Walking Shoes shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of New Balance Walking Shoes fabric so that they New Balance Walking Shoes can be finished 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 Ballroom Dance Shoes Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight New Balance Walking Shoes on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have New Balance Walking Shoes 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin Aravon Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes a New Balance Walking Shoes reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes Candies Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which New Balance Walking Shoes are New Balance Walking Shoes usually made of leather, and New Balance Walking Shoes often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may New Balance Walking Shoes come New Balance Walking Shoes in soft-soled (suede) or New Balance Walking Shoes hard-soled varieties. They New Balance Walking Shoes may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the New Balance Walking Shoes manufacturer, these are New Balance Walking Shoes slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions New Balance Walking Shoes 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 shoes. This New Balance Walking Shoes style is frequently New Balance Walking Shoes worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are New Balance Walking 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 New Balance Walking Shoes for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They New Balance Walking Shoes are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include New Balance Walking Shoes steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical 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 New Balance Walking Shoes as the 14th century.
Patten: a New Balance Walking Shoes European wooden New Balance Walking Shoes overshoe used New Balance Walking Shoes to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use New Balance Walking Shoes even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a 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 New Balance Walking Shoes hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the New Balance Walking Shoes material reforms to fit New Balance Walking Shoes the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) New Balance Walking Shoes and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel New Balance Walking Shoes replacement: heels periodically wear New Balance Walking Shoes out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also New Balance Walking Shoes wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as New Balance Walking Shoes trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with New Balance Walking Shoes most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as New Balance Walking Shoes an example.
Someone who 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 as New Balance Walking Shoes Alaska) it New Balance Walking Shoes is customary to remove shoes when entering New Balance Walking Shoes 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 New Balance Walking Shoes house. New Balance Walking Shoes For some societies, including those New Balance Walking Shoes in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In New Balance Walking Shoes the New Balance Walking Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and New Balance Walking Shoes Thailand, it is New Balance Walking Shoes considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the New Balance Walking Shoes legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or New Balance Walking Shoes shoes to New Balance Walking Shoes touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in New Balance Walking Shoes any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult New Balance Walking Shoes each other by "kicking" the New Balance Walking Shoes opponent's head with their foot (most New Balance Walking Shoes Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
