The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found Cinderella Shoes in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for Cinderella Shoes thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use Cinderella Shoes of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of Cinderella Shoes the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the Cinderella Shoes 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, Cinderella Shoes which Cinderella Shoes sits directly Cinderella Shoes beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable Cinderella Shoes and replaceable insoles, Cinderella Shoes and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The Cinderella Shoes outsole is the layer in Cinderella Shoes direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather Cinderella Shoes outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a Size Womens Shoes single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of Cinderella Shoes different materials. Often Cinderella Shoes the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and Cinderella Shoes traction, while the front is Cinderella Shoes leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have Cinderella Shoes spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many kinds of Cinderella Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes the midsoles of their shoes. Some Cinderella Shoes shoes may not have a Cinderella Shoes midsole at all.
Heel
Women's Cinderella Shoes fashion Cinderella Shoes boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. Cinderella Shoes They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part Cinderella Shoes can be high for fashion or Cinderella Shoes to Cinderella Shoes make Cinderella Shoes the person look taller, or Cinderella Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes straps for holding the Cinderella Shoes sole Cinderella Shoes in Cinderella Shoes place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's Womens Sports Shoes shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part is Cinderella Shoes often decorated or Cinderella Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe Cinderella Shoes open and providing a smooth surface for the foot Cinderella Shoes to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed Cinderella Shoes Skateboarding Shoes inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide Cinderella Shoes protection.
Shoe brush and Cinderella Shoes polishing cloth: used to apply polish to Cinderella Shoes 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 fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe Cinderella Shoes stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or Cinderella Shoes for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece Cinderella Shoes which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to Cinderella Shoes secure shoes.
Types of Cinderella Shoes shoes
Shoes made from real Cinderella Shoes crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, Cinderella Shoes leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn Cinderella Shoes by either Cinderella Shoes gender. The majority of dress Cinderella Shoes shoes have an upper Cinderella Shoes covering, Cinderella Shoes commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This Cinderella Shoes upper part of the shoe Cinderella Shoes is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself Cinderella Shoes consist Cinderella Shoes of a series of straps, e.g. an Cinderella Shoes open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; Cinderella Shoes a shoe with the upper rising above Cinderella Shoes the ankle is usually considered a boot Cinderella Shoes but certain styles may be referred to Cinderella Shoes as high-topped shoes Merril Shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, Cinderella Shoes although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by Cinderella Shoes how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces Martial Arts Shoes are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In Cinderella 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 are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Cinderella Shoes Blucher is known as the Derby Cinderella Shoes shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such Cinderella Shoes as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be Cinderella Shoes decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a Cinderella Shoes sleek appearance and no Cinderella Shoes extra decorations on Cinderella Shoes the vamp.
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Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly Cinderella Shoes the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): Softspot Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The Cinderella Shoes tone Cinderella Shoes 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 suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of Cinderella Shoes shoes Cinderella 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 Cinderella Shoes shoes with Cinderella Shoes a very low heel and Cinderella Shoes a relatively Z-coil Shoes short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen Cinderella Shoes as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They Cinderella Shoes are Cinderella Shoes often seen as having more sex Cinderella Shoes appeal than Cinderella Shoes low Cinderella Shoes heels (see article for Cinderella Shoes discussion) and Cinderella Shoes are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot Cinderella Shoes and sneaker pump: Cinderella Shoes a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a Cinderella Shoes kind of Cinderella Shoes novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe Cinderella Shoes 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 and various straps, leaving much of the foot 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 Cinderella Shoes with a contrasting saddle-shaped Cinderella Shoes band over the instep, typically white Cinderella Shoes 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 boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white Cinderella Shoes sole. They have soft soles/heels to Cinderella Shoes avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of Finn Comfort Shoes bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow Cinderella Shoes boots, as well as work boots Cinderella Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes less Cinderella Shoes difference between the Cinderella Shoes sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn Cinderella Shoes by either sex. Emphasis Cinderella Shoes tends to be more on function than Cinderella Shoes style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called Cinderella Shoes gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or Cinderella Shoes plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running Cinderella Shoes shoes: very similar to Cinderella Shoes above, Cinderella Shoes with additional emphasis Cinderella Shoes on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for Cinderella Shoes the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable Cinderella Shoes studs. Usually worn Cinderella 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 in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials Cinderella Shoes with prongs distributed radially around the edge of Cinderella Shoes each spike are much more common today (and are Cinderella Shoes required on many golf courses Cinderella Shoes since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary Cinderella Shoes dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They Cinderella Shoes are often Cinderella Shoes rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe Cinderella Shoes designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, Cinderella Shoes little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole Goth Shoes with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes Cinderella 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 on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running Cinderella Shoes shoe, lighter Cinderella Shoes in weight than the hiking American Eagle Shoes boot, may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various Cinderella Shoes attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller Cinderella Shoes Vegetarian Shoes skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have Cinderella Shoes flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are Cinderella Shoes very wide and Cinderella Shoes have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic Cinderella Shoes cleat to interface with clipless pedals, Cinderella Shoes as well Cinderella Shoes as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick Cinderella Shoes snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare Cinderella Shoes feet while Cinderella Shoes providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with Cinderella Shoes 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.
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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 Cinderella Shoes elastic straps and ribbons Cinderella Shoes that are tied to Cinderella Shoes the dancer's Cinderella Shoes ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made Cinderella Shoes of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The Cinderella Shoes sole is typically Cinderella Shoes made of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus Cinderella Shoes more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by Cinderella Shoes elastics that cross over the top of the Cinderella Shoes foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or Cinderella Shoes pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such Cinderella Shoes as Cinderella Shoes red or blue.
Jazz Cinderella Shoes shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) Cinderella Shoes to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or Cinderella Shoes shorter) Cinderella Shoes heel. Cinderella Shoes They are secured Cinderella Shoes to the foot by laces Cinderella Shoes or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They Cinderella Shoes fall into Cinderella Shoes 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 Cinderella Shoes soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically Cinderella Shoes lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch Cinderella Shoes heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater Cinderella Shoes variety of Cinderella Shoes colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel Cinderella Shoes distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the Cinderella Shoes dancer's weight on to the toes Softwalk Shoes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to Cinderella Shoes 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch Cinderella Shoes heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a Cinderella Shoes reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and Cinderella Shoes often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the Vans Skate Shoes foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled Cinderella Shoes varieties. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, Cinderella Shoes 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 a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style Cinderella Shoes is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to Cinderella Shoes stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide Cinderella Shoes high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms Cinderella Shoes or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective Cinderella Shoes features may include steel-tipped Cinderella Shoes toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has Gravity Defyer Shoes been worn Cinderella Shoes for tens of Cinderella Shoes thousands of years. Shoes Cinderella Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, Cinderella Shoes are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden Cinderella Shoes overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn Cinderella Shoes in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: Cinderella Shoes a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Cinderella Shoes Europe in Cinderella Shoes the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of Cinderella Shoes many North American Indian Cinderella Shoes tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Cinderella Shoes Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After Cinderella Shoes a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the Cinderella Shoes wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: Cinderella Shoes for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather Cinderella Shoes shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to Cinderella Shoes enable this.
Sole replacement: soles Cinderella Shoes also wear out. Not all shoes can have their Cinderella Shoes soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can Cinderella Shoes 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 Grind as an example.
Someone Lehigh Safety Shoes who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a Cinderella Shoes 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) 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 their shoes unless Cinderella Shoes a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those Cinderella Shoes in Asia, indoor Cinderella Shoes footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Cinderella Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the Cinderella Shoes feet to others (even accidentally, such as by Cinderella Shoes crossing the Cinderella Shoes legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an Cinderella Shoes extreme insult Cinderella Shoes for the foot, socks, or shoes Cinderella Shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although Cinderella Shoes feet touching Cinderella Shoes heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" Cinderella Shoes the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
