The earliest known shoes date from Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes in use long before this. Peltz Shoes Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus Pay Less Shoes believes he has found evidence that the use Pay Less Shoes of Pay Less Shoes shoes Pay Less Shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of Pay Less Shoes the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) Pay Less Shoes decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot Pay Less Shoes results in greater bone growth before Pay Less Shoes this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe Pay Less Shoes is Pay Less Shoes called the sole.
Insole
The insole Pay Less Shoes is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Pay Less Shoes Many Pay Less Shoes shoes Pay Less Shoes have Pay Less Shoes removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of Pay Less Shoes the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Pay Less Shoes Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented Pay Less Shoes shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, Pay Less Shoes or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber Pay Less Shoes for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications Pay Less Shoes on this 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 Pay Less Shoes the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some Pay Less Shoes types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the Pay Less Shoes heel where one Pay Less Shoes puts the most pressure down. Different companies use Pay Less Shoes different materials for Pay Less Shoes the midsoles of their shoes. Some Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the Pay Less Shoes shoe. This part Pay Less Shoes can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, Pay Less Shoes or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the Lebron James Shoes foot. In the simplest cases, Pay Less Shoes such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more Pay Less Shoes than a few straps for holding Pay Less Shoes the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, Pay Less Shoes will 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 shoe open and providing a smooth surface for the Pay Less Shoes foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when Pay Less Shoes user is not wearing it, to Pay Less Shoes help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: Bicycle Shoes a waxy material spread Pay Less Shoes on shoes to Pay Less Shoes improve Pay Less Shoes appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used Pay Less Shoes to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed Pay Less Shoes over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials Pay Less Shoes Wholesale Women Shoes for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow Pay Less Shoes shoe: Pay Less Shoes a wooden or leather piece which increases the area Pay Less Shoes of ground covered by the Pay Less Shoes shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to Pay Less Shoes secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from Pay Less Shoes real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit Pay Less Shoes at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress Capezio Dance Shoes shoes Pay Less Shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are Pay Less Shoes characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress Pay Less Shoes shoes can 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 without apertures or openings, Pay Less Shoes but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an Pay Less Shoes open toe featured Pay Less Shoes in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers Pay Less Shoes made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered Fallen Shoes a boot Pay Less Shoes but certain styles Pay Less Shoes may be referred to as high-topped shoes Pay Less Shoes or high-tops. Usually, a Pay Less Shoes high-topped shoe is secured by laces or Pay Less Shoes zippers, although Pay Less Shoes some styles have elastic inserts Pay Less Shoes to ease slipping the shoe Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" Pay Less Shoes is used by American clothing Pay Less Shoes companies Pay Less Shoes to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: Pay Less Shoes the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This 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 down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the Pay Less Shoes talk page or at requests Pay Less Shoes for expansion.
The tone or style of this Pay Less Shoes article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may Pay Less Shoes be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a Pay Less Shoes large variety of shoes available Pay Less Shoes for Pay Less Shoes 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 as ballerinas, ballet pumps Pay Less Shoes or skimmers, are shoes with Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes more comfortable Pay Less Shoes than shoes with a higher Pay Less Shoes heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches Pay Less Shoes (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as Pay Less Shoes having more sex appeal Pay Less Shoes than low heels (see article for discussion) and are Pay Less Shoes thus Pay Less Shoes commonly worn by women for formal occasions Pay Less Shoes or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a Marty S Shoes shoe that looks Pay Less Shoes like an athletic shoe, but 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 and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole Pay Less Shoes and Pay Less Shoes various straps, leaving much of Pay Less Shoes the foot Pay Less Shoes exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with Pay Less Shoes a contrasting saddle-shaped Pay Less Shoes band over the instep, typically white uppers with black Pay Less Shoes "saddle".
Loafer: 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, if present, are Pay Less Shoes usually simple leather Womens Dress Shoes (often two-tone) with Pay Less 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 shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made Pay Less Shoes of leather. Some are designed Pay Less Shoes to be used in times of bad Pay Less Shoes weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles Pay Less Shoes include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
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Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between Pay Less Shoes the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either Pay Less Shoes sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called Pay Less Shoes gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, Pay Less Shoes 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: Pay Less Shoes lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of Pay Less Shoes shoe featuring Pay Less Shoes molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as 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 Pay Less Shoes "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable Pay Less Shoes "soft Pay Less Shoes spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge Pay Less Shoes of each spike are Pay Less Shoes much Pay Less Shoes more common today (and are required on many golf Pay Less Shoes courses since they Pay Less Shoes cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style Pay Less Shoes between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber Pay Less Shoes soles/heels so as not Pay Less Shoes to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned Pay Less Shoes at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a Pay Less Shoes shoe designed for rock climbing. Pay Less Shoes They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber Pay Less Shoes rand.
Hiking shoes or Pay Less Shoes boots: usually have Pay Less Shoes a high somewhat stiff upper with many Pay Less Shoes lace Pay Less Shoes eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on Pay Less Shoes 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 Pay Less Shoes not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline Pay Less Shoes skates
Ski boot: a large, Pay Less Shoes thick plastic boot specially Pay Less Shoes designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes Pikolinos Shoes have flat soles for a better grip Pay Less Shoes on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling Pay Less Shoes shoes are equipped with a Pay Less Shoes metal or plastic Pay Less Shoes cleat to interface with clipless pedals, Pay Less Shoes as well Pay Less Shoes as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the Pay Less Shoes foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in Pay Less Shoes thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used Pay Less Shoes 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 with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded 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 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 Pay Less Shoes leather, with Pay Less Shoes either Pay Less Shoes continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The Pay Less Shoes sole is typically made of Pay Less Shoes leather, with thicker material under the ball Pay Less Shoes and heel of Pay Less Shoes the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the Pay Less Shoes arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics Pay Less Shoes that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale Pay Less Shoes tan, although they may be made in specialty colours Pay Less Shoes such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized Pay Less Shoes sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a Pay Less Shoes low (one inch or Pay Less Shoes 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 genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Pay Less Shoes Both are characterised by Pay Less Shoes suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups Pay Less Shoes with Pay Less Shoes 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically Pay Less Shoes court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can Pay Less Shoes be Pay Less Shoes finished with a greater variety of 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 to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have Pay Less Shoes 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed Pay Less Shoes and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and a Pay Less Shoes dance shoe, Pay Less Shoes with a 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 Pay Less Shoes 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 by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that Pay Less Shoes protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give Pay Less Shoes 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, Pay Less Shoes viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, Pay Less Shoes to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. Pay Less Shoes They are generally Pay Less Shoes made from sturdy leather uppers Pay Less Shoes and non-leather Pay Less Shoes outsoles. Pay Less Shoes Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, Pay Less Shoes military personnel, etc. They are commonly Pay Less Shoes used Pay Less Shoes for Pay Less Shoes protection in industrial Pay Less Shoes settings, construction, Pay Less Shoes mining, and other Pay Less Shoes workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes Pay Less Shoes and soles or Pay Less Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, Pay Less Shoes which are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: Pay Less 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 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a Pay Less Shoes long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe Pay Less Shoes of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears Pay Less 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 Pay Less Shoes some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Pay Less Shoes Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Pay Less Shoes Not all shoes Pay Less Shoes can have their soles 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 Pay Less Shoes Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes Pay Less Shoes in a shop is Pay Less Shoes 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, as well as Alaska) Pay Less Shoes it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of Pay Less Shoes the United States, especially the Midwest, Pay Less Shoes it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless Pay Less Shoes a host specifically Pay Less Shoes invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud Pay Less Shoes or snow into the house. For Stonefly Shoes some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may Pay Less Shoes be provided for guests.
In the Pay Less Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea 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 Thailand, it is an extreme insult for Pay Less Shoes the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching Pay Less Shoes heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai Pay Less Shoes boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot Pay Less Shoes (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
