The earliest known England Shoes shoes Cheap Vans 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 use long before this. Cheap Vans Shoes Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact Cheap Vans Shoes 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 Cheap Vans Shoes a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe Cheap Vans Shoes is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of Cheap Vans Shoes a shoe, Cheap Vans Shoes which sits directly Cheap Vans Shoes beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added Cheap Vans Shoes for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell Cheap Vans Shoes of the shoe).
Outsole
The Cheap Vans Shoes outsole Cheap Vans Shoes is the layer in direct contact with the Cheap Vans Shoes ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles Cheap Vans Shoes made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise Cheap Vans Shoes separate pieces of different Cheap Vans Shoes materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability Cheap Vans Shoes and traction, while the front is Cheap Vans Shoes leather Cheap Vans Shoes for style. Specialized shoes will Cheap Vans Shoes often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; Cheap Vans Shoes many kinds of dancing shoes have Cheap Vans Shoes much softer or 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, Cheap Vans Shoes usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of Cheap Vans Shoes their shoes. Some Cheap Vans Shoes shoes may Cheap Vans Shoes 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 of the foot. They are often made of Cheap Vans Shoes the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, Cheap Vans Shoes or Cheap Vans Shoes flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold Cheap Vans Shoes the shoe onto the foot. In the Cheap Vans Shoes simplest cases, such Cheap Vans Shoes as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing Cheap Vans Shoes more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such Cheap Vans Shoes as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. Cheap Vans Shoes 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 (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping Cheap Vans Shoes the shoe open Cheap Vans Shoes and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside Cheap Vans Shoes the shoe Cheap Vans Shoes when user is not wearing it, Cheap Vans Shoes to Cheap Vans Shoes help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush Cheap Vans Shoes 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 Cheap Vans Shoes insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts Cheap Vans Shoes may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: Cheap Vans Shoes 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 a Cheap Vans Shoes shoe.
Snow shoe: Cheap Vans Shoes a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system Cheap Vans Shoes used Cheap Vans 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 Cheap Vans Shoes categorized by Ivory Dress Shoes smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be Cheap Vans Shoes worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an Cheap Vans Shoes upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe Cheap Vans Shoes is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made Cheap Vans Shoes with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, Cheap Vans Shoes e.g. an open Cheap Vans Shoes toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper Cheap Vans Shoes rising above the ankle is Stretch Leather Shoes usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped Cheap Vans Shoes shoe 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 Cheap Vans Shoes be 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 Cheap Vans Shoes is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to Cheap Vans Shoes 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 Cheap Vans Shoes vamp; Cheap Vans Shoes also known as "open Cheap Vans Shoes lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap Cheap Vans Shoes instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's Cheap Vans Shoes shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance Cheap Vans Shoes and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra Cheap Vans Shoes layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
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Brogues Cheap Vans Shoes (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with Cheap Vans Shoes a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which Cheap Vans Shoes extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this Cheap Vans Shoes section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on Cheap Vans Shoes the talk page or Cheap Vans Shoes at requests Cheap Vans Shoes for expansion.
The tone or style of this article Cheap Vans Shoes or section Cheap Vans Shoes may not be appropriate Cheap Vans Shoes for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found Cheap Vans Shoes 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 most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and Cheap Vans Shoes UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes Cheap Vans Shoes with Cheap Vans Shoes a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may Cheap Vans Shoes be seen as more comfortable than 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 Cheap Vans Shoes low heels (see article for discussion) and Cheap Vans Shoes are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or Cheap Vans Shoes social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a Cheap Vans Shoes shoe that looks like an athletic Cheap Vans Shoes shoe, but Cheap Vans Shoes 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 soles Cheap Vans Shoes and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a Cheap Vans Shoes 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 exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot Cheap Vans Shoes be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe Cheap Vans Shoes with Cheap Vans Shoes a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe Cheap Vans Shoes without laces; often with Cheap Vans Shoes tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, Cheap Vans Shoes but more casual. Laces, Cheap Vans Shoes if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas Cheap Vans Shoes or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Cheap Vans Shoes Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed Cheap Vans Shoes to be used in times of bad weather, or 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 Cheap Vans Shoes indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and Cheap Vans Shoes women's athletic shoes and special function shoes Cheap Vans Shoes often have less difference between Cheap Vans Shoes the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function Cheap Vans Shoes than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, Cheap Vans Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available Cheap Vans Shoes for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: Cheap Vans Shoes very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often Cheap Vans Shoes 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 Cheap Vans Shoes 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 Cheap Vans Shoes spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are Cheap Vans Shoes much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling Cheap Vans Shoes shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling Cheap Vans Shoes alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe Cheap Vans Shoes designed for rock Cheap Vans Shoes climbing. They typically have a close fit, Cheap Vans Shoes little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an Cheap Vans Shoes extended 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 large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have Cheap Vans Shoes a more flexible sole than the running Cheap Vans Shoes shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may Cheap Vans Shoes have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. Osiris Skate Shoes They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice Cheap Vans Shoes skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat Cheap Vans Shoes soles for a better grip on Cheap Vans Shoes a skateboard. They are Cheap Vans Shoes very Cheap Vans Shoes wide and have extra layers of Cheap Vans Shoes padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with Cheap Vans Shoes a metal or plastic Cheap Vans Shoes cleat Cheap Vans Shoes to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole Cheap Vans Shoes to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for Cheap Vans Shoes walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes Cheap Vans Shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while Cheap Vans Shoes providing additional Cheap Vans Shoes traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and Cheap Vans Shoes anatomically-correct Cheap Vans Shoes comfort qualities, Cheap Vans Shoes such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe Cheap Vans Shoes boxes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic 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 Cheap Vans Shoes can stand on the tips Cheap Vans Shoes of their toes. They are secured Cheap Vans Shoes by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied Cheap Vans Shoes to the dancer's ankles.
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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 Cheap Vans Shoes made Cheap Vans Shoes of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and Cheap Vans Shoes thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed Cheap Vans Shoes to its utmost. Ballet slippers are Cheap Vans Shoes usually Cheap Vans Shoes secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are Cheap Vans Shoes most commonly pink, white, black, Cheap Vans Shoes or pale tan, Cheap Vans Shoes although they may Cheap Vans Shoes be made in specialty colours such Cheap Vans Shoes as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These Cheap Vans Shoes typically have a two-part, rubberized 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 Cheap Vans Shoes dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised Cheap Vans Shoes by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically Cheap Vans Shoes 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. Osiris Skateboarding Shoes The low Ballroom Cheap Vans Shoes heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch Cheap Vans Shoes to 2-inch Cheap Vans Shoes shaped heels while Cheap Vans Shoes Ladies' Latin 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 a reinforced rubber toe.
Character Cheap Vans Shoes shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch Cheap Vans Shoes heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the Cheap Vans Shoes instep to secure Cheap Vans Shoes the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. Cheap Vans Shoes They may be converted to tap Cheap Vans Shoes shoes by attaching taps.
Foot Cheap Vans Shoes thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending Cheap Vans Shoes on the manufacturer, these are Cheap Vans Shoes slip-on, Cheap Vans Shoes partial foot covers that protect the ball Cheap Vans Shoes of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions Cheap Vans Shoes while executing turns. From a distance, flesh Cheap Vans Shoes colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe Cheap Vans Shoes shoes.
Ballet shoes. Cheap Vans Shoes
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A Cheap Vans Shoes foot Cheap Vans Shoes thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes Cheap Vans Shoes are designed to stand heavy Cheap Vans Shoes wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They Cheap Vans Shoes are generally made from sturdy Cheap Vans Shoes leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by Cheap Vans Shoes nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection Cheap Vans Shoes in industrial settings, construction, mining, Cheap Vans Shoes and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear Cheap Vans Shoes has been worn for tens Cheap Vans Shoes of thousands of Cheap Vans Shoes years. Shoes of Cheap Vans Shoes the past include:
Espadrilles: Cheap Vans Shoes 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 Cheap Vans Shoes use even into Cheap Vans Shoes the early Cheap Vans Shoes 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a Cheap Vans Shoes long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Cheap Vans Shoes Some shoes are Cheap Vans Shoes made of hard Cheap Vans Shoes but deformable Cheap Vans Shoes material. After a person wears them multiple times, 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 wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear Cheap Vans Shoes out. Not all shoes Torture Shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can Cheap Vans Shoes be Cheap Vans Shoes treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. Cheap Vans Shoes The exception can be with Cheap Vans Shoes most athletic Cheap Vans Shoes sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs Cheap Vans Shoes shoes in a shop is called Cheap Vans Shoes a Cheap Vans Shoes 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 shoes when entering a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove Cheap Vans Shoes their shoes unless Cheap Vans Shoes a host Cheap Vans Shoes 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, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even Cheap Vans Shoes accidentally, Cheap Vans Shoes such as by crossing the Cheap Vans Shoes legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for Cheap Vans Shoes the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over Cheap Vans Shoes it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in Cheap Vans Shoes any society, some Muay Rhythm In Shoes Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
