The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 Bicycle Shoes BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do Bicycle Shoes not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were Bicycle Shoes probably Bicycle Shoes in use long Bicycle Shoes before this. Physical anthropologist Bicycle Shoes Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of Bicycle Shoes shoes began in the period Bicycle Shoes between Bicycle Shoes about 40,000 and 26,000 years Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing Bicycle Shoes a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called Bicycle Shoes the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of Bicycle Shoes a shoe, which sits Bicycle 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, Bicycle Shoes or Bicycle Shoes smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the Bridesmaid Shoes front Shoes Stores is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats Bicycle Shoes have spikes embedded Bicycle Shoes in the 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 Bicycle Shoes another material for shock Bicycle Shoes absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Bicycle Shoes Some shoes Bicycle Shoes may 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 Bicycle Shoes of Bicycle Shoes the same material as the sole of the shoe. Bicycle Shoes 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 has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for Bicycle Shoes holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such Discontinued Rockport Shoes as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will Bicycle Shoes have a more complex upper. Bicycle Shoes This part is often decorated or is made in a Bicycle Shoes certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for Bicycle Shoes the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe Bicycle Shoes when user is not wearing it, Bicycle Shoes to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: Bicycle Shoes a waxy Bicycle Shoes material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, Bicycle 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 Bicycle Shoes protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert Bicycle Shoes of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include Bicycle Shoes Journey Shoes padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes Bicycle Shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing Bicycle Shoes discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by Bicycle Shoes the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes are Cheap Nike Shoes characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes Bicycle Shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of Bicycle Shoes leather, enclosing most of the Bicycle Shoes lower foot, but not covering the ankles. Bicycle Shoes This upper part of the shoe Bicycle Shoes is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or Bicycle Shoes even itself consist Bicycle Shoes of a series of Adio Skate Shoes straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also Bicycle Shoes available; a shoe with the upper rising Bicycle Shoes above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may 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 Bicycle Shoes to ease slipping the Bicycle Shoes shoe on.
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 attached; also known as "closed Clown Shoes lacing". In England, the balmoral is Bicycle Shoes known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such Bicycle Shoes as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently Bicycle Shoes attached to the vamp; Bicycle Shoes also known as "open lacing". Bicycle Shoes In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist Bicycle Shoes but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's Bicycle Shoes shoes can also be Bicycle Shoes decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has Bicycle Shoes an extra layer Bicycle Shoes of Bicycle Shoes leather that "caps" the Bicycle Shoes toe. This is Bicycle Shoes possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with Bicycle Shoes a perforated panel, the wing-tip, Bicycle Shoes which extends down Bicycle Shoes either side of the shoe. Brogues Bicycle Shoes can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help Bicycle Shoes improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk Bicycle Shoes page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style Bicycle Shoes of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk Bicycle Shoes page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing Bicycle Shoes better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is Bicycle Shoes a large variety of Bicycle Shoes 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 UK Bicycle Shoes as ballerinas, ballet pumps or Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) Bicycle Shoes or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal Bicycle Shoes than low heels (see article for discussion) and are Bicycle Shoes thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions Bicycle Shoes or social Bicycle Shoes outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but Bicycle Shoes is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: Bicycle Shoes shoe Bicycle Shoes with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated Bicycle Shoes by Native Americans, a 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 Bicycle Shoes to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let Bicycle Shoes the foot Bicycle 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, also known as Bicycle Shoes boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to Bicycle Shoes a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes shoes Bicycle Shoes (covering the Brand Name Shoes ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be Bicycle Shoes used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or Uggs Shoes 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
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Men's and Bicycle Shoes women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. Bicycle Shoes In many cases these shoes can be worn by either Bicycle Shoes sex. Emphasis tends to Bicycle Shoes be more on function than Bicycle Shoes style.
Sneakers/trainers (also Bicycle Shoes called gym shoes or tennis Bicycle Shoes shoes): general Heelys Shoes purpose Bicycle Shoes athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, Bicycle Shoes 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, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe Bicycle Shoes for Bicycle 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 football, or baseball.
A Bicycle Shoes shoe for the Bicycle Shoes right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Bicycle Shoes Originally the spikes or "cleats" were Bicycle Shoes made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with Bicycle Shoes prongs distributed radially around Bicycle Shoes the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause less damage to the Bicycle Shoes greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling Bicycle Shoes alley floors. They are often rented or loaned Bicycle Shoes at Bicycle Shoes bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed Bicycle Shoes for rock climbing. They typically Bicycle Shoes have a close Bicycle Shoes fit, little if any Bicycle Shoes padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or Bicycle Shoes boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff Bicycle Shoes upper with many lace eyelets, Bicycle Shoes to provide ankle support Bicycle Shoes on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on Bicycle Shoes the Bicycle Shoes sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, Bicycle Shoes lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have Bicycle Shoes air holes, may not Bicycle Shoes be water Bicycle Shoes proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They Bicycle Shoes have various attachments for Bicycle Shoes skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding Bicycle Shoes shoes have flat soles Bicycle Shoes for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped 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 walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible Bicycle Shoes shoes that Bicycle Shoes mimic bare feet while providing additional Bicycle Shoes traction and Bicycle Shoes protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and Bicycle Shoes anatomically-correct Bicycle Shoes comfort qualities, Bicycle Shoes such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe Bicycle Shoes boxes Bicycle Shoes and Bicycle Shoes arch Bicycle Shoes support are made especially for those with problematic Bicycle Shoes feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box that is Bicycle Shoes stiffened Bicycle Shoes Jump Shoes with glue and a hardened sole Bicycle Shoes so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied to Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes made of Bicycle Shoes leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, Bicycle Shoes and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can Bicycle Shoes be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that Bicycle Shoes cross over the Bicycle Shoes top of the foot. They are most commonly Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes 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 dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two Bicycle Shoes genres of dances as Bicycle Shoes defined by Bicycle Shoes the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin Bicycle Shoes American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically 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 Bicycle Shoes so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match Bicycle Shoes the dancer's Bicycle Shoes dress. Bicycle Shoes The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight Bicycle Shoes on to the toes and Bicycle Shoes the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch Bicycle Shoes to 3-inch Bicycle Shoes heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, Bicycle Shoes with a Bicycle Shoes reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three Bicycle Shoes inch heel, which are Bicycle Shoes usually made 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. Bicycle Shoes They may be converted to Bicycle Shoes tap 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 Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is Track Shoes frequently worn by Bicycle Shoes acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers Peltz Shoes and Bicycle Shoes non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or Bicycle Shoes comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, Bicycle Shoes military personnel, etc. They are Bicycle Shoes commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle Bicycle Shoes guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of Bicycle Shoes thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as Bicycle Shoes the 14th century.
Patten: Bicycle Shoes a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's Bicycle Shoes feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Bicycle Shoes Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears Bicycle Shoes 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 Lebron James Shoes leather shoes and Bicycle Shoes boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable 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 Bicycle Shoes as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with Bicycle Shoes most Bicycle Shoes athletic sneakers which can Bicycle Shoes be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs Bicycle Shoes shoes in Bicycle Shoes a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, Bicycle Shoes much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a Bicycle Shoes house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host Bicycle Shoes specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do Bicycle Shoes 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, Bicycle Shoes parts of Africa, Korea Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or Bicycle Shoes shoes to touch someone's head or be placed Bicycle Shoes 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 Bicycle Shoes (most Muay Thai kicks are executed Bicycle Shoes with Bicycle Shoes the shin). |
