The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes use American Eagle Shoes long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus American Eagle Shoes believes he has found evidence that American Eagle Shoes the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of American Eagle Shoes the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on American Eagle Shoes the premise American Eagle Shoes that American Eagle Shoes going American Eagle Shoes barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an American Eagle Shoes athletic shoe
Sole
The American Eagle Shoes bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which American Eagle Shoes sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra American Eagle Shoes insoles are often American Eagle Shoes added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell American Eagle Shoes of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or American Eagle Shoes work-oriented shoes have outsoles made American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on American Eagle Shoes this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the American Eagle Shoes outsole to grip the ground; many kinds 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. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, American Eagle Shoes usually beneath the heel where American Eagle Shoes one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different American Eagle Shoes materials for the midsoles of their American Eagle Shoes shoes. Some shoes may not have American Eagle Shoes a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a American Eagle Shoes shoe is the heel. American Eagle Shoes Its function American Eagle Shoes is to support the heel of the foot. They American Eagle Shoes are often made of the same material as the sole of the American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the American Eagle Shoes foot. American Eagle Shoes In the simplest American Eagle Shoes cases, American Eagle Shoes such as sandals or American Eagle Shoes flip flops, Size Womens Shoes this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and American Eagle Shoes most men's shoes, will have a American Eagle Shoes more complex upper. This part is often decorated or American Eagle Shoes is made in a certain style American Eagle Shoes to look attractive. American Eagle Shoes The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: American Eagle Shoes can be American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes user is not wearing it, to 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 American Eagle Shoes brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes American Eagle 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 worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas American Eagle Shoes of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden 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, American Eagle Shoes in American Eagle Shoes a conservation exhibit at Bristol American Eagle Shoes Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather American Eagle Shoes uppers, leather American Eagle Shoes soles, and narrow American Eagle Shoes sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather American Eagle Shoes uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide American Eagle Shoes profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority American Eagle Shoes of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the 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 Womens Sports Shoes a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high American Eagle Shoes to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may American Eagle Shoes be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease 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 the laces are American Eagle Shoes attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" American Eagle Shoes is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that American Eagle Shoes are not American Eagle Shoes balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces American Eagle Shoes of leather independently attached American Eagle Shoes to the vamp; American Eagle Shoes also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby American Eagle Shoes shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
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 an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is American Eagle Shoes possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the American Eagle Shoes wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help American Eagle Shoes improve this section by American Eagle Shoes expanding American Eagle Shoes it.
Further information might be found on the talk page American Eagle Shoes or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of American Eagle Shoes this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better American Eagle Shoes articles for suggestions.(December American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as American Eagle Shoes more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels American Eagle Shoes may be American Eagle Shoes shoes with heels 2 inches American Eagle Shoes (5 cm) or higher. They are American Eagle Shoes often American Eagle Shoes seen as having more sex American Eagle Shoes appeal American Eagle Shoes than American Eagle Shoes low heels (see article for American Eagle Shoes discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social American Eagle Shoes outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with American Eagle Shoes a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes American Eagle Shoes consisting American Eagle Shoes of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular American Eagle Shoes for American Eagle Shoes warm-weather American Eagle Shoes wear, because they let the foot American Eagle Shoes 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, American Eagle Shoes also known as boat shoes and deck American Eagle Shoes shoes: similar to American Eagle Shoes a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple American Eagle Shoes leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They American Eagle Shoes have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to American Eagle Shoes be American Eagle Shoes used American Eagle Shoes in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style Skateboarding Shoes of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as American Eagle Shoes work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn American Eagle Shoes with American Eagle Shoes pajamas.
Athletic American Eagle Shoes shoes
Men's and women's American Eagle Shoes athletic shoes and special American Eagle Shoes function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes called gym shoes or tennis shoes): American Eagle Shoes general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, American Eagle Shoes and American Eagle Shoes have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track American Eagle Shoes shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal American Eagle Shoes cleats
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A shoe for American Eagle Shoes the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes of synthetic plastic-like materials with American Eagle Shoes prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more American Eagle Shoes common today (and are required on many golf courses American Eagle Shoes since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and American Eagle Shoes athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling American Eagle Shoes alley floors. They are often rented or loaned American Eagle Shoes at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They American Eagle Shoes typically have a close fit, little if any padding, American Eagle Shoes and a smooth American Eagle Shoes sticky rubber sole with an 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 American Eagle Shoes extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible American Eagle Shoes sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, American Eagle Shoes may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They American Eagle Shoes have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the American Eagle Shoes shoe portion.
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 American Eagle Shoes for a better grip on a Merril Shoes skateboard. American Eagle Shoes They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling American Eagle Shoes shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize American Eagle Shoes power transfer American Eagle Shoes and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly American Eagle Shoes recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are American Eagle Shoes light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe American Eagle Shoes boxes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have American Eagle Shoes a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can American Eagle Shoes stand on the tips of their toes. They American Eagle Shoes are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied to the American Eagle Shoes dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous American Eagle Shoes or two-part sole Martial Arts Shoes (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 American Eagle Shoes under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet American Eagle Shoes slippers are usually secured by American Eagle Shoes elastics that cross American Eagle Shoes over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such American Eagle Shoes as American Eagle Shoes red American Eagle Shoes or American Eagle Shoes blue.
Jazz American Eagle Shoes shoes. These 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 American Eagle Shoes by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres American Eagle Shoes of dances as defined American Eagle Shoes by American Eagle Shoes the IDSF (International American Eagle Shoes DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised American Eagle Shoes by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom American Eagle Shoes shoes are typically Softspot Shoes lace-ups with American Eagle Shoes 1-inch heels and patent leather American Eagle Shoes uppers. Ladies' Ballroom American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot American Eagle Shoes while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles American Eagle Shoes are more flexible. Men's American Eagle Shoes Latin 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.
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Dance sneakers. Also known American Eagle Shoes as dansneakers, these American Eagle Shoes are a American Eagle Shoes combination of a sneaker and a dance American Eagle Shoes shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a American Eagle Shoes one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, American Eagle Shoes and often have American Eagle Shoes 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 shoes American Eagle Shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's American Eagle Shoes foot from American Eagle Shoes skin American Eagle Shoes abrasions while executing American Eagle Shoes turns. Z-coil Shoes From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed American Eagle Shoes from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to American Eagle Shoes protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are American Eagle Shoes generally made from sturdy leather American Eagle Shoes uppers and non-leather outsoles. American Eagle Shoes Sometimes they American Eagle Shoes are used for Finn Comfort Shoes uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used American Eagle Shoes for protection in American Eagle Shoes industrial settings, construction, mining, and American Eagle Shoes other workplaces. American Eagle Shoes Protective features American Eagle Shoes may include steel-tipped toes American Eagle Shoes and soles or ankle American Eagle Shoes guards.
Historical American Eagle Shoes 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 American Eagle Shoes to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a American Eagle Shoes long-pointed American Eagle Shoes toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe American Eagle Shoes of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made American Eagle Shoes of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the American Eagle Shoes material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for American Eagle Shoes protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear American Eagle Shoes out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles American Eagle Shoes 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 and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as 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, American Eagle Shoes 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 their shoes unless American Eagle Shoes a host specifically invites them to American Eagle Shoes leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into American Eagle Shoes the house. For some societies, including American Eagle Shoes those American Eagle Shoes in Asia, indoor American Eagle Shoes footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea American Eagle Shoes and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, American Eagle Shoes such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for American Eagle Shoes the foot, socks, or American Eagle Shoes shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in Goth Shoes any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay American Eagle Shoes Thai kicks are executed American Eagle Shoes with the American Eagle Shoes shin). |
