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 New Balance Tennis Shoes normally last for thousands of years, so shoes New Balance Tennis Shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes began in New Balance Tennis Shoes the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years 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 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 directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable New Balance Tennis Shoes and New Balance Tennis Shoes replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons New Balance Tennis Shoes (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct New Balance Tennis Shoes contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual New Balance Tennis Shoes or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. New Balance Tennis Shoes The outsole may comprise a New Balance Tennis Shoes single piece, or New Balance Tennis Shoes may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles New Balance Tennis Shoes of their shoes. Some shoes New Balance Tennis Shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe New Balance Tennis Shoes is the heel. Its function is to support the New Balance Tennis Shoes heel of the foot. They are often made of the same New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 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 holding the sole in place. New Balance Tennis Shoes Closed footwear, such as boots, New Balance Tennis Shoes sneakers and most men's shoes, New Balance Tennis Shoes will have a more complex upper. This part New Balance Tennis Shoes is often decorated or is made in a certain style to New Balance Tennis Shoes look attractive. The New Balance Tennis Shoes U.S. Patent New Balance Tennis Shoes 3,355,535 Nordstrom Shoes , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to New Balance Tennis Shoes insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe New Balance Tennis Shoes open and providing a smooth surface for the New Balance Tennis Shoes foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside New Balance Tennis Shoes the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe New Balance Tennis Shoes polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes fit, or reduced abrasion. New Balance Tennis Shoes These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: New Balance Tennis Shoes a bag New Balance Tennis Shoes that protects shoes against damage when they are New Balance Tennis Shoes not New Balance Tennis Shoes being worn.
Shoe stretcher: New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes the area of ground New Balance Tennis Shoes covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to New Balance Tennis Shoes secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes New Balance Tennis Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by New Balance Tennis Shoes smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow New Balance Tennis Shoes sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, New Balance Tennis Shoes and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an Tuk Shoes upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most New Balance Tennis Shoes of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures New Balance Tennis Shoes or openings, but may New Balance Tennis Shoes also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open New Balance Tennis Shoes toe New Balance Tennis Shoes featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers New Balance Tennis Shoes made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the New Balance Tennis Shoes ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may New Balance Tennis Shoes be referred to as high-topped New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped New Balance Tennis Shoes shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping New Balance Tennis Shoes the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized New Balance Tennis Shoes by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has New Balance Tennis Shoes a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also New Balance Tennis Shoes known as "closed lacing". In New Balance Tennis Shoes England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces New Balance Tennis Shoes are tied to two pieces of New Balance Tennis Shoes leather independently attached to the vamp; also New Balance Tennis Shoes known as "open lacing". In New Balance Tennis Shoes England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the Sketcher Shoes most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be New Balance Tennis Shoes found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
|
Further information might be New Balance Tennis Shoes found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this New Balance Tennis Shoes article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's New Balance Tennis Shoes guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety New Balance Tennis Shoes of shoes available for women, in addition to most of the men's styles being more accepted New Balance Tennis Shoes as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, New Balance Tennis Shoes known in the New Balance Tennis Shoes US and UK as New Balance Tennis Shoes ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a New Balance Tennis Shoes relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may New Balance Tennis Shoes be seen as more comfortable than New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes New Balance Tennis Shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as New Balance Tennis Shoes having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker New Balance Tennis Shoes pump: a shoe that looks like New Balance Tennis Shoes an athletic shoe, but is New Balance Tennis Shoes equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress New Balance Tennis Shoes shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a New Balance Tennis Shoes soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of New Balance Tennis Shoes a sole and various straps, leaving much of New Balance Tennis Shoes the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for New Balance Tennis Shoes warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band New Balance Tennis Shoes over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: New Balance Tennis Shoes a dress or casual 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 more casual. Laces, New Balance Tennis Shoes if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white New Balance Tennis Shoes sole. They have soft soles/heels to New Balance Tennis Shoes avoid New Balance Tennis Shoes marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed New Balance Tennis 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 indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special New Balance Tennis Shoes function shoes often New Balance Tennis Shoes have less difference between the New Balance Tennis Shoes sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn Yellow Shoes by New Balance Tennis Shoes either sex. Emphasis tends to be New Balance Tennis Shoes more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or New Balance Tennis Shoes tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball New Balance Tennis Shoes or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often New Balance Tennis Shoes with New Balance Tennis Shoes plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or Volleyball Shoes removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, New Balance Tennis Shoes football, American football, New Balance Tennis Shoes or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: New Balance Tennis Shoes with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the New Balance Tennis Shoes spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft New Balance Tennis Shoes spikes" made of synthetic New Balance Tennis Shoes plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike New Balance Tennis Shoes are much more common today (and New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to New Balance Tennis Shoes damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at New Balance Tennis Shoes bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock New Balance Tennis Shoes climbing. They New Balance Tennis Shoes typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a New Balance Tennis Shoes smooth sticky New Balance Tennis Shoes 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, New Balance Tennis Shoes with extra large New Balance Tennis Shoes traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have air New Balance Tennis Shoes holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. New Balance Tennis Shoes They have New Balance Tennis Shoes various attachments for skating on the bottom New Balance Tennis Shoes of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski New Balance Tennis Shoes boot: a large, thick New Balance Tennis Shoes plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. New Balance Tennis Shoes They are very wide and have extra layers of padding New Balance Tennis Shoes to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless New Balance Tennis Shoes pedals, as well New Balance Tennis Shoes as a stiff sole to maximize power New Balance Tennis Shoes transfer New Balance Tennis Shoes and support New Balance Tennis Shoes the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate New Balance Tennis Shoes climates, 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 or "comfort" shoes are made New Balance Tennis Shoes with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support Cum On Shoes are New Balance Tennis Shoes made especially New Balance Tennis Shoes for those with New Balance Tennis Shoes problematic New Balance Tennis Shoes feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have New Balance Tennis Shoes a toe box that is stiffened with New Balance Tennis Shoes glue and a New Balance Tennis Shoes hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that New Balance Tennis Shoes are tied to the dancer's New Balance Tennis Shoes ankles.
|
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers New Balance Tennis Shoes made New Balance Tennis Shoes of canvas or leather, with either continuous or New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are New Balance Tennis Shoes most commonly pink, New Balance Tennis Shoes white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have New Balance Tennis Shoes a two-part, New Balance Tennis Shoes rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility New Balance Tennis Shoes and traction, and a low (one New Balance Tennis Shoes inch or New Balance Tennis Shoes shorter) heel. They are secured to New Balance Tennis Shoes the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by New Balance Tennis Shoes the IDSF New Balance Tennis Shoes (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by New Balance Tennis Shoes suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch New Balance Tennis Shoes heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are New Balance Tennis Shoes typically court New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes with low 2-inch heels, New Balance Tennis Shoes usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a New Balance Tennis Shoes greater New Balance Tennis Shoes variety of New Balance Tennis Shoes colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed New Balance Tennis Shoes to throw the New Balance Tennis Shoes dancer's weight on to the toes and the New Balance Tennis Shoes soles are more flexible. Men's New Balance Tennis 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a New Balance Tennis Shoes reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes hard-soled varieties. They may be converted to tap New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot New Balance Tennis Shoes Paws and FootUndeez, depending on New Balance Tennis Shoes the New Balance Tennis Shoes manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give In Her Shoes a dancer the appearance of New Balance Tennis Shoes having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style New Balance Tennis Shoes is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes sturdy New Balance Tennis Shoes leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort New Balance Tennis Shoes by nurses, waitresses, New Balance Tennis Shoes police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include New Balance Tennis Shoes steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the New Balance Tennis Shoes past include:
Espadrilles: New Balance Tennis Shoes these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as New Balance Tennis Shoes early as the 14th century.
Patten: New Balance Tennis Shoes a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early New Balance Tennis Shoes 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the New Balance Tennis Shoes 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe New Balance Tennis Shoes of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes New Balance Tennis Shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After New Balance Tennis Shoes a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's New Balance Tennis Shoes feet. The person is said to have New Balance Tennis Shoes broken in the New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes.
Polishing: for protection, New Balance Tennis Shoes water resistance (to New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 out. Not all New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or New Balance Tennis Shoes municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled New Balance Tennis Shoes and New Balance Tennis Shoes turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes New Balance Tennis Shoes in a shop is called a New Balance Tennis Shoes cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, New Balance Tennis Shoes 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 New Balance Tennis Shoes their shoes unless a host specifically invites them New Balance Tennis Shoes to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud New Balance Tennis Shoes or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor New Balance Tennis Shoes footwear may be provided for guests.
In the New Balance Tennis Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it New Balance Tennis Shoes is considered rude to show the soles New Balance Tennis Shoes of the feet to others (even New Balance Tennis Shoes accidentally, such as by New Balance Tennis Shoes crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for Elevator Shoes the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head New Balance Tennis Shoes or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each New Balance Tennis Shoes other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks New Balance Tennis Shoes are executed with the shin). |
