The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. Vegetarian Shoes However, the materials used Vegetarian Shoes for making shoes do Vegetarian Shoes not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of Vegetarian Shoes shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on Vegetarian Shoes the fact that Vegetarian Shoes the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that Vegetarian Shoes going barefoot Vegetarian Shoes results in Vegetarian Shoes greater Vegetarian Shoes bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing Vegetarian Shoes 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 and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or Vegetarian Shoes health reasons Vegetarian Shoes (to control the shape, moisture, or smell Vegetarian Shoes of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; Vegetarian Shoes casual or work-oriented shoes have Vegetarian Shoes outsoles made of natural rubber or Merril Shoes 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 for durability and traction, while the front is Vegetarian Shoes leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications 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 the outsole and the Vegetarian Shoes insole that Vegetarian Shoes is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running Vegetarian Shoes shoes, have another material Vegetarian Shoes for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies Vegetarian Shoes use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may not have Vegetarian Shoes a midsole Vegetarian Shoes at all.
Heel
Women's fashion Vegetarian Shoes boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often Vegetarian Shoes made of the Vegetarian Shoes same Vegetarian Shoes material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make Vegetarian Shoes 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 Vegetarian Shoes the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, Vegetarian Shoes this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed Vegetarian Shoes footwear, such Vegetarian Shoes as Vegetarian Shoes boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex Vegetarian Shoes upper. This Vegetarian Shoes part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to Vegetarian Shoes look attractive. The Vegetarian Shoes 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 Vegetarian Shoes surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside Vegetarian Shoes the shoe when user is not wearing it, Vegetarian Shoes to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material Vegetarian Shoes spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or Martial Arts Shoes galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes Vegetarian Shoes for Softspot Shoes rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) Vegetarian Shoes shoe insert: insert of various materials Vegetarian Shoes for cushioning, improved fit, Vegetarian Shoes or reduced Vegetarian Shoes abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot Vegetarian Shoes problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: Vegetarian Shoes a tool for Vegetarian Shoes making Vegetarian Shoes a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground Vegetarian Shoes covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used Vegetarian Shoes to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, Vegetarian Shoes in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress Vegetarian Shoes shoes are categorized Vegetarian Shoes by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek Vegetarian Shoes figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, Vegetarian Shoes non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of Vegetarian Shoes leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the Z-coil Shoes ankles. This upper part of the Vegetarian Shoes shoe Vegetarian Shoes is often made without Vegetarian Shoes apertures or openings, but may also Vegetarian Shoes be made with Vegetarian Shoes openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to Vegetarian Shoes cover the ankles are also available; Vegetarian Shoes a shoe with the upper rising above the Vegetarian Shoes ankle is usually considered a boot but Vegetarian Shoes certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or Vegetarian Shoes 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.
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 Vegetarian Shoes lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as Vegetarian Shoes the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not Vegetarian Shoes balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two Vegetarian Shoes pieces of leather Vegetarian Shoes independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: Vegetarian 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 Vegetarian Shoes on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" Vegetarian Shoes the toe. This is possibly the Vegetarian 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 Vegetarian Shoes found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found Vegetarian Shoes on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this Vegetarian Shoes 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 suggestions.(December 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 and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes Vegetarian Shoes with a very low heel and a relatively Vegetarian Shoes short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and Vegetarian Shoes may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 Vegetarian Shoes inches (5 cm) or Vegetarian Shoes higher. They are often seen as Vegetarian Shoes having Vegetarian Shoes more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women Vegetarian Shoes for formal occasions Vegetarian Shoes or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making Vegetarian Shoes it a Vegetarian Shoes kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick Vegetarian Shoes soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, Vegetarian Shoes 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 to Vegetarian Shoes air. They are thus popular Vegetarian Shoes for warm-weather wear, because they Vegetarian Shoes let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band Vegetarian Shoes over the instep, Vegetarian Shoes typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or Vegetarian Shoes casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or Vegetarian Shoes coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but Vegetarian Shoes more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of Vegetarian Shoes canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring Vegetarian Shoes or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the Vegetarian Shoes ankle) frequently made of leather. Some Vegetarian Shoes are designed to Vegetarian Shoes be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate Vegetarian Shoes 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 function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function Vegetarian Shoes than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or Vegetarian 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 or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type Vegetarian Shoes of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually Vegetarian Shoes worn Vegetarian Shoes while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip Vegetarian Shoes in Vegetarian Shoes grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or Vegetarian Shoes "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are Vegetarian Shoes required on many golf courses since they cause less Vegetarian Shoes damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes Vegetarian Shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber Vegetarian Shoes soles/heels so as not to damage Vegetarian Shoes bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little Vegetarian Shoes if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes Vegetarian Shoes or boots: usually have a Vegetarian Shoes high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to Vegetarian Shoes provide ankle support Vegetarian Shoes on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than Vegetarian Shoes the running shoe, lighter in weight Vegetarian Shoes than the hiking Vegetarian Shoes boot, may have air Vegetarian Shoes holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They Vegetarian Shoes have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion. Vegetarian Shoes
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding Vegetarian Shoes shoes have flat soles Vegetarian Shoes for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide Vegetarian Shoes and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface Vegetarian Shoes 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 Vegetarian Shoes snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly Vegetarian Shoes recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet Vegetarian Shoes while providing Vegetarian Shoes 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 Vegetarian Shoes support are made Vegetarian Shoes especially Vegetarian Shoes for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Vegetarian Shoes Designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened Vegetarian Shoes sole so the Vegetarian Shoes Finn Comfort Shoes dancer can stand on the Vegetarian Shoes 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 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 Vegetarian Shoes thus more flexible material under Vegetarian Shoes the arch so that the Vegetarian Shoes foot Vegetarian Shoes can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. Vegetarian Shoes They are most Vegetarian Shoes commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have Vegetarian Shoes a Vegetarian Shoes two-part, rubberized sole Vegetarian Shoes (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and Vegetarian Shoes traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They Vegetarian Shoes are secured to the foot by Vegetarian Shoes 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. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom Vegetarian Shoes Goth Shoes shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Vegetarian Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of Vegetarian Shoes fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to Vegetarian Shoes match the dancer's dress. The Vegetarian Shoes low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes Vegetarian Shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to Vegetarian Shoes the Vegetarian Shoes toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped Vegetarian Shoes heels while Ladies' Vegetarian Shoes Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, Vegetarian Shoes these are a combination of a Vegetarian Shoes sneaker and a dance shoe, 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 Vegetarian Shoes across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in Vegetarian Shoes soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They Vegetarian Shoes may be converted to tap shoes Vegetarian Shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Vegetarian Shoes Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the Vegetarian Shoes manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect Vegetarian Shoes the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot Vegetarian Shoes thongs give Vegetarian Shoes a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern Vegetarian Shoes 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 Vegetarian Shoes to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made Vegetarian Shoes from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They Vegetarian Shoes are commonly used for Vegetarian Shoes protection in industrial settings, construction, Vegetarian Shoes mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical Vegetarian Shoes shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands Vegetarian Shoes of years. Shoes Vegetarian Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which Vegetarian Shoes are still worn today, are Vegetarian Shoes found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even Vegetarian Shoes into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with Vegetarian Shoes a Vegetarian Shoes long-pointed Vegetarian Shoes toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some Vegetarian Shoes shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person Vegetarian Shoes wears them multiple times, Vegetarian Shoes the material Vegetarian 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 Vegetarian Shoes 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 shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated Vegetarian Shoes as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed Vegetarian Shoes of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned Vegetarian Shoes into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone Vegetarian Shoes who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most Vegetarian Shoes parts Vegetarian Shoes of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it Vegetarian Shoes is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas Vegetarian Shoes of the Vegetarian Shoes United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host Vegetarian Shoes specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or Vegetarian Shoes snow into the house. For Vegetarian Shoes some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may Vegetarian Shoes be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, Vegetarian Shoes parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered Vegetarian Shoes rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it Vegetarian Shoes is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or American Eagle Shoes be placed 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 Vegetarian Shoes head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). Vegetarian Shoes |
