The Timberland Boat Shoes earliest known shoes date from Timberland Boat Shoes about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. Timberland Boat Shoes However, 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 Trinkaus believes he has Timberland Boat Shoes found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the Timberland Boat Shoes 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 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 Timberland Boat Shoes 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 shoe).
Outsole
The Timberland Boat Shoes outsole is the layer in direct contact 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 of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while Timberland Boat Shoes the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have Timberland Boat Shoes modifications on this design: athletic cleats have Timberland Boat Shoes spikes Timberland Boat Shoes embedded in the outsole to grip Timberland Boat Shoes the ground; many kinds of Timberland Boat Shoes dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the Timberland Boat Shoes 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 Timberland Boat Shoes puts the most Timberland Boat Shoes pressure down. Different companies use different Timberland Boat Shoes materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may not have a Timberland Boat Shoes midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear Timberland Boat Shoes part of a shoe Timberland Boat Shoes is the heel. Its Timberland Boat Shoes function is Timberland Boat Shoes to support the heel 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 look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe Timberland Boat Shoes has an upper part that helps hold the Timberland Boat Shoes shoe onto the foot. Timberland Boat Shoes In the Timberland Boat Shoes simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more Timberland Boat Shoes than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, Timberland Boat 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 Timberland Boat Shoes , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (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 Timberland Boat Shoes foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: Timberland Boat Shoes placed inside the shoe when user is not Timberland Boat Shoes wearing it, to help Timberland Boat Shoes maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, Timberland Boat Shoes 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) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, 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 they are not being Timberland Boat 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 wooden or leather piece which increases Timberland Boat Shoes the area of Timberland Boat Shoes ground Timberland Boat Shoes covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used Timberland Boat Shoes to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by Timberland Boat Shoes sturdy leather Timberland Boat Shoes uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes Timberland Boat Shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the Timberland Boat Shoes 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 Timberland Boat Shoes 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 shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered Timberland Boat Shoes a boot but certain styles may be referred to Timberland Boat Shoes as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a Timberland Boat Shoes high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic Timberland Boat Shoes inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be Timberland Boat Shoes categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: 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 Timberland Boat Shoes clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather Timberland Boat Shoes independently Timberland Boat Shoes attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, Timberland Boat Shoes the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle Timberland Boat Shoes and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but Timberland Boat Shoes are less popular such Timberland Boat Shoes 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 Timberland Boat Shoes vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This Timberland Boat Shoes is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe Timberland Boat Shoes is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side Timberland Boat Shoes of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher Timberland Boat Shoes styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
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Specific concerns may be found on the talk Timberland Boat Shoes page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better Timberland Boat Shoes articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition Timberland Boat Shoes to most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the Timberland Boat Shoes US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with Timberland Boat Shoes a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing Timberland Boat Shoes much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, Timberland Boat Shoes and may Timberland Boat Shoes be seen as more comfortable than shoes Timberland Boat 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 heels Timberland Boat Shoes (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly Timberland Boat Shoes worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot Timberland Boat Shoes and sneaker pump: a shoe that Timberland Boat Shoes looks Timberland Boat Shoes like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of Timberland Boat Shoes novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe Timberland Boat Shoes with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe Timberland Boat Shoes without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of Timberland Boat Shoes a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus Timberland Boat Shoes popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be Timberland Boat Shoes 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 Timberland Boat Shoes shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but Timberland Boat Shoes more casual. Laces, if present, are usually Timberland Boat Shoes simple leather Timberland Boat Shoes (often two-tone) Timberland Boat Shoes with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat Timberland Boat Shoes deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the Timberland Boat Shoes ankle) frequently made Timberland Boat Shoes of leather. Some are designed to be used Timberland Boat Shoes in times of bad Timberland Boat Shoes weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots Timberland Boat Shoes and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic Timberland Boat Shoes shoes
Men's and women's Timberland Boat Shoes athletic shoes and Timberland Boat Shoes special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases Timberland Boat Shoes these Timberland Boat Shoes shoes can Timberland Boat Shoes be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function Timberland Boat Shoes than style.
Sneakers/trainers Timberland Boat Shoes (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made Timberland Boat Shoes out of rubber, Timberland Boat Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be Timberland Boat Shoes lightweight, flexible, Timberland Boat Shoes and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or Timberland Boat Shoes tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with 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 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 in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially Timberland Boat Shoes around the edge of each spike are 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 Timberland Boat Shoes have harder Timberland Boat Shoes rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often Timberland Boat Shoes rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any Timberland Boat Shoes padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended Timberland Boat Shoes rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat Timberland Boat Shoes stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction Timberland Boat Shoes on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in Timberland Boat Shoes weight Timberland Boat Shoes than the hiking boot, may have Timberland Boat Shoes air holes, may not be water Timberland Boat Shoes proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for Timberland Boat Shoes skating Timberland Boat Shoes on the bottom of the Timberland Boat Shoes shoe portion. Timberland Boat Shoes
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for Timberland Boat Shoes a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding Timberland Boat Shoes to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped Timberland Boat Shoes with a metal 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 Timberland Boat Shoes walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes Timberland Boat Shoes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are Timberland Boat Shoes light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or Timberland Boat Shoes "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable Timberland Boat Shoes footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet Timberland Boat Shoes dancing. These have a toe box Timberland Boat Shoes that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on Timberland Boat Shoes the tips of their toes. They Timberland Boat Shoes are secured by Timberland Boat Shoes elastic Timberland Boat Shoes straps and Timberland Boat Shoes ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
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Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of Timberland Boat Shoes 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 and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so Timberland Boat Shoes that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are Timberland Boat Shoes usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the Timberland Boat Shoes foot. They are most Timberland Boat Shoes 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 provide both flexibility and Timberland Boat Shoes traction, and a low (one inch Timberland Boat Shoes or shorter) Timberland Boat Shoes heel. They Timberland Boat Shoes are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They Timberland Boat Shoes fall into two categories Timberland Boat Shoes for Timberland Boat Shoes the two genres of dances Timberland Boat Shoes as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Timberland Boat Shoes Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both Timberland Boat Shoes are characterised by suede Timberland Boat Shoes soles. Mens' Timberland Boat Shoes Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with Timberland Boat Shoes low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric Timberland Boat Shoes so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match Timberland Boat Shoes the dancer's Timberland Boat Shoes dress. The low Ballroom heel Timberland Boat Shoes distributes the dancer's weight across Timberland Boat Shoes the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the Timberland Boat Shoes dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin Timberland Boat Shoes shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed Timberland Boat Shoes and Timberland Boat Shoes strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are Timberland Boat Shoes a combination Timberland Boat Shoes of a sneaker and a Timberland Boat Shoes dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes Timberland Boat Shoes with a one to three inch Timberland Boat Shoes heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps Timberland Boat Shoes across the instep to secure Timberland Boat Shoes the Timberland Boat Shoes foot Timberland Boat Shoes during dance. 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 Timberland Boat Shoes called Foot Paws and Timberland Boat Shoes FootUndeez, depending on Timberland Boat Shoes the manufacturer, these Timberland Boat Shoes are slip-on, Timberland Boat Shoes partial foot covers that Timberland Boat Shoes protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern Timberland Boat Shoes pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz Timberland Boat Shoes shoes. This style is frequently worn Timberland Boat Shoes by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand Timberland Boat Shoes 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 or comfort by nurses, Timberland Boat Shoes waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They Timberland Boat Shoes are commonly used for protection in industrial Timberland Boat Shoes settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles Timberland Boat Shoes or Timberland Boat Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of Timberland Boat Shoes thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as the Timberland Boat Shoes 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep Timberland Boat Shoes a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the Timberland Boat Shoes early Timberland Boat Shoes 20th century.
Poulaine: a Timberland Boat Shoes shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Timberland Boat Shoes Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: Timberland Boat Shoes the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but Timberland Boat Shoes deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. Timberland Boat Shoes The Timberland Boat Shoes person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water Timberland Boat Shoes resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel Timberland Boat Shoes replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable Timberland Boat Shoes this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled Timberland Boat Shoes and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as Timberland Boat 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 Alaska) it is customary to remove Timberland Boat Shoes shoes when entering a Timberland Boat Shoes house. In some areas of the United States, especially Timberland Boat Shoes the Midwest, it is expected that Timberland Boat Shoes visitors remove Timberland Boat Shoes 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 those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, Timberland Boat Shoes parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an Timberland Boat Shoes extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed Timberland Boat Shoes over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare Timberland Boat Shoes occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult Timberland Boat Shoes each Timberland Boat Shoes other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
