The earliest Steel Toed Shoes known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, Steel Toed Shoes the materials used for making shoes do not normally Steel Toed Shoes last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use Steel Toed Shoes long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he Steel Toed Shoes has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years Steel Toed Shoes ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the Steel Toed Shoes big Steel Toed Shoes toe) decreased Steel Toed Shoes during this period, on Pay Less Shoes the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before Steel Toed Shoes this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Steel Toed Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of Steel Toed Shoes a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits Steel Toed 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 Steel Toed Shoes the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Steel Toed Shoes Dress Steel Toed Shoes shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made Steel Toed Shoes of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a Steel Toed Shoes single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the Steel Toed Shoes sole is Steel Toed Shoes rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this Steel Toed Shoes design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded 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 Steel Toed Shoes and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of Steel Toed Shoes shoes, like running Steel Toed Shoes shoes, have Steel Toed Shoes another material Steel Toed Shoes for Steel Toed Shoes shock Steel Toed Shoes absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use Steel Toed Shoes different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part Steel Toed Shoes of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of Steel Toed Shoes the Steel Toed 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 Steel Toed Shoes shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In Knapp Shoes the Steel Toed Shoes simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more Steel Toed Shoes than a few Steel Toed Shoes straps for holding the sole Steel Toed Shoes in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's Steel Toed Shoes shoes, will Steel Toed Shoes 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 , 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 Steel Toed Shoes shoe open Steel Toed Shoes and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain Steel Toed Shoes the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes Steel Toed Shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, 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) Steel Toed Shoes shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be Steel Toed Shoes used to correct foot Steel Toed Shoes problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when Steel Toed Shoes they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a Steel Toed Shoes tool for making a Steel Toed Shoes shoe Steel Toed Shoes longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a Ballroom Dancing Shoes shoe.
Snow shoe: Steel Toed Shoes a Steel Toed Shoes wooden or leather piece Steel Toed Shoes which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made Steel Toed Shoes from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Steel Toed Shoes Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth Steel Toed Shoes and supple leather uppers, leather Steel Toed Shoes soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes Steel Toed Shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can Steel Toed Shoes be worn by either gender. The majority 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 Steel Toed Shoes without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or Steel Toed Shoes even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's Steel Toed Shoes shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above Steel Toed Shoes 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, Steel Toed Shoes although some Steel Toed Shoes styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they Steel Toed Shoes are closed:
Balmorals: the Steel Toed Shoes vamp Steel Toed Shoes 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 Steel Toed Shoes "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied Steel Toed Shoes to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, Steel Toed Shoes the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various Steel Toed Shoes other closings exist but are Steel Toed Shoes less popular such Steel Toed Shoes as Steel Toed Shoes side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various Steel Toed Shoes ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and Steel Toed Shoes no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an Steel Toed Shoes extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This Steel Toed Shoes is possibly the most popular decoration.
|
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends Steel Toed Shoes down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be Steel Toed Shoes found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please Steel Toed Shoes help improve this Steel Toed Shoes section Steel Toed Shoes by expanding Steel Toed Shoes it.
Further Steel Toed Shoes information might be found Steel Toed Shoes on the talk page or at Steel Toed Shoes requests for expansion.
The tone or style of 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 articles for Steel Toed Shoes suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is Steel Toed Shoes a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to most of the men's Steel Toed Shoes styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the Steel Toed Shoes instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may Steel Toed Shoes be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be Steel Toed Shoes shoes with Steel Toed Shoes heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. Steel Toed Shoes They are often seen Steel Toed Shoes as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly Steel Toed Shoes worn by women Steel Toed Shoes for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker Steel Toed Shoes boot and Steel Toed Shoes sneaker pump: a shoe Wholesale Nike Shoes that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a Steel Toed Shoes kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform Steel Toed Shoes shoe: shoe with Steel Toed Shoes very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and Steel Toed Shoes usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes Steel Toed 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 Steel Toed Shoes let the foot Steel Toed Shoes be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: Steel Toed Shoes leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: Steel Toed 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, Steel Toed Shoes but more casual. Steel Toed Shoes Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often Steel Toed Shoes two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or Steel Toed Shoes featuring Steel Toed Shoes a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes Steel Toed Shoes (covering Steel Toed Shoes the ankle) frequently Steel Toed Shoes made of Steel Toed Shoes leather. Steel Toed Shoes Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or Steel Toed Shoes dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as Hockey Shoes well as work boots Steel Toed Shoes and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and Shoes Polo Sports Casual Running women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by Steel Toed Shoes either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also Steel Toed Shoes called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose Steel Toed Shoes athletic Steel Toed Shoes shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Steel Toed Shoes Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running Steel Toed Shoes shoes: very similar to above, with Steel Toed Shoes additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; Steel Toed Shoes often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe Steel Toed Shoes featuring Steel Toed Shoes molded or Steel Toed Shoes removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, Steel Toed Shoes football, Steel Toed 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 Steel Toed Shoes metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of Vaneli Shoes synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required Steel Toed Shoes on many golf Steel Toed Shoes courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: Steel Toed Shoes intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and Steel Toed Shoes athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage Steel Toed Shoes bowling alley floors. Steel Toed Shoes They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: Steel Toed Shoes a shoe designed for Steel Toed Shoes rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little Steel Toed Shoes if any padding, and a smooth sticky Steel Toed 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, with extra large traction Steel Toed Shoes on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have air holes, may Steel Toed Shoes not Steel Toed Shoes be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments Steel Toed Shoes for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller Steel Toed Shoes skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the Steel Toed Shoes ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles Steel Toed Shoes for a better grip on a Steel Toed Shoes 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 shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made Steel Toed Shoes with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as Steel Toed Shoes padded Steel Toed Shoes removable footbeds, wide toe 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 Steel Toed Shoes sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part Steel Toed Shoes sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole Steel Toed Shoes is typically made of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of Steel Toed Shoes 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 most commonly Steel Toed Shoes pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such Steel Toed Shoes as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, Cheap Jordan Shoes and a low Steel Toed Shoes (one inch or shorter) Steel Toed Shoes heel. They are Steel Toed Shoes secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They Punkrose Shoes fall into two categories for Steel Toed Shoes the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Steel Toed Shoes 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 Steel Toed Shoes made Steel Toed Shoes of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the Steel Toed Shoes dancer's Steel Toed Shoes dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have Steel Toed Shoes higher heels designed to throw Steel Toed Shoes the dancer's weight on to the toes and the Steel Toed Shoes soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch Steel Toed Shoes to 2-inch shaped heels while 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, Steel Toed Shoes with Steel Toed Shoes a Steel Toed Shoes Iodegradable Running Shoes reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one Steel Toed Shoes to three inch Steel Toed Shoes heel, which are usually made of leather, and often Steel Toed Shoes 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. They Steel Toed Shoes may Steel Toed Shoes be converted to 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 Steel Toed Shoes ball of a dancer's Steel Toed Shoes foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh Steel Toed Shoes 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 from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed Steel Toed Shoes to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are Steel Toed Shoes generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Steel Toed Shoes Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands Steel Toed Shoes of years. Shoes of the past Steel Toed Shoes include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn Steel Toed Shoes today, are found as early as Steel Toed Shoes the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the Steel Toed Shoes middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: Steel Toed Shoes a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of Steel Toed Shoes many Steel Toed Shoes North American Steel Toed Shoes Manolo Blahnik Shoes Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material Steel Toed Shoes 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 Steel Toed Shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can Buy Shoes Online have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and Steel Toed Shoes disposed of. Steel Toed Shoes 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 Steel Toed Shoes or repairs shoes Steel Toed Shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Steel Toed Shoes Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove Steel Toed Shoes shoes when entering a Steel Toed Shoes house. In Steel Toed Shoes some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, Steel Toed Shoes mud or snow into the house. For some Steel Toed Shoes societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Steel Toed Shoes Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is Steel Toed Shoes considered rude Steel Toed Shoes to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by Steel Toed Shoes crossing the legs). Steel Toed Shoes In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, Steel Toed Shoes some Muay Thai boxers insult each Steel Toed Shoes other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
