The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, Softspot Shoes USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he Softspot Shoes has found evidence that the Softspot Shoes use Softspot 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 the toes (other than the big toe) decreased Softspot Shoes during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth Softspot Shoes before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a Softspot Shoes shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior Softspot Shoes bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes Softspot Shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort Softspot Shoes or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or Softspot Shoes Nordstrom Shoes smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles Softspot Shoes made of Softspot Shoes natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Softspot Shoes Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have Softspot Shoes modifications Softspot 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 Softspot Shoes soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock Softspot Shoes 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 Softspot Shoes for the midsoles of their shoes. Softspot Shoes Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part Softspot Shoes of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made Softspot Shoes of the same material as the sole Softspot Shoes of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion Softspot Shoes or to make the Softspot Shoes 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. Closed footwear, such as Tuk Shoes boots, sneakers and most men's 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 foot to Softspot Shoes slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside Softspot Shoes the shoe when user is not wearing it, Softspot Shoes to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply Softspot Shoes polish to shoes.
Overshoes or Softspot Shoes galoshes: a Softspot Shoes rubber covering placed over shoes for rain Softspot Shoes and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Softspot Shoes 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 stretcher: a Softspot Shoes tool for making a shoe longer Softspot Shoes or wider or for Softspot Shoes reducing discomfort Softspot Shoes in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather Softspot Shoes piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of Softspot Shoes shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by Softspot Shoes smooth and supple leather uppers, 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 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 Softspot Shoes is often made without apertures or openings, but may Softspot Shoes also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series Softspot Shoes of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles Softspot Shoes are also available; a shoe with Softspot Shoes the upper rising above Softspot Shoes the Softspot Shoes ankle is Softspot Shoes usually considered a boot but certain styles may be Softspot Shoes referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, Softspot Shoes 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 Softspot Shoes closed:
Balmorals: the vamp Softspot Shoes has a V-shaped slit Softspot Shoes to which the laces are attached; also known as Softspot Shoes "closed lacing". In Softspot Shoes England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word Softspot Shoes "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that Softspot Shoes are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two Softspot Shoes pieces of Softspot Shoes leather independently attached to the vamp; also Softspot Shoes known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a Softspot Shoes Sketcher Shoes buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings Softspot Shoes exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a Softspot Shoes sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is Softspot Shoes possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe Softspot Shoes of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which Softspot Shoes extends down either side of Softspot Shoes the shoe. Brogues can Softspot Shoes be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help Softspot Shoes improve Softspot Shoes this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on Softspot Shoes the talk page or at requests Softspot Shoes 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 suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for Yellow Shoes women, in addition to most of the men's styles Softspot Shoes being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in Softspot Shoes the US and UK as ballerinas, Softspot Shoes ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. Softspot Shoes They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or Softspot Shoes higher. They are often seen as 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 pump: a Softspot Shoes shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, Softspot Shoes but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of Softspot Shoes novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with Softspot Shoes very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually Softspot Shoes made Softspot Shoes 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 Softspot Shoes shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with Softspot Shoes black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual Softspot Shoes shoe without laces; often with tassels, Softspot Shoes buckles, Softspot Shoes 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, Softspot Shoes are usually simple leather (often Softspot Shoes two-tone) with no Softspot Shoes frills. Softspot Shoes Often made of canvas Volleyball Shoes or featuring Softspot Shoes a white sole. Softspot Shoes They Softspot Shoes have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) Softspot Shoes frequently made of leather. Softspot Shoes Some are Softspot Shoes designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress Softspot Shoes wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as Cum On Shoes well as work boots Softspot Shoes and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, Softspot Shoes commonly Softspot Shoes worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and Softspot Shoes special function Softspot Shoes shoes often have less difference Softspot Shoes between the sexes than in Softspot Shoes dress shoes. In Softspot Shoes many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to Softspot Shoes be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made Softspot Shoes out of rubber, cloth, and/or Softspot Shoes plastic to be Softspot Shoes lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: Softspot Shoes very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; Softspot Shoes often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat Softspot Shoes (shoe): a type of shoe featuring Softspot Shoes molded or removable studs. Softspot Shoes Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: Softspot Shoes with "spikes" In Her Shoes 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 with prongs distributed radially Softspot Shoes around the edge of each spike Softspot Shoes are much Softspot Shoes more common today (and 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 Softspot Shoes harder rubber Softspot Shoes soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a Softspot Shoes shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close Softspot Shoes fit, little if any padding, and Softspot Shoes a smooth sticky Softspot Shoes rubber sole with an extended Softspot Shoes rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle Softspot Shoes support on uneven terrain, with extra large 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 holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: Softspot Shoes typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom Softspot Shoes of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very Softspot Shoes wide and have Softspot Shoes extra Softspot Shoes layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless Softspot Shoes pedals, as well as a stiff sole Elevator Shoes 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 Softspot Shoes in winter.
Wrestling New Balance Tennis Shoes shoes are light, Saucony Shoes flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic Softspot Shoes shoes
Orthopedic or Softspot Shoes "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as Softspot Shoes padded removable Softspot Shoes footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for Softspot Shoes 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 Softspot Shoes so the dancer can stand on the tips of Softspot Shoes their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and Size Womens Shoes ribbons Softspot Shoes that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet Softspot Shoes shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas Softspot Shoes or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole Softspot Shoes (i.e., split-sole). The sole is Softspot Shoes typically made of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus Softspot Shoes more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers Softspot Shoes are usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made Softspot Shoes in specialty colours Softspot Shoes such as red or blue.
Jazz Womens Sports Shoes shoes. These typically have a two-part, Softspot Shoes rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to Softspot Shoes provide both flexibility and traction, and Softspot Shoes a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic Softspot Shoes inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance Softspot Shoes 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 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 Softspot Shoes made of fabric so that they can be 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 Softspot Shoes Latin American shoes Softspot Shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's Softspot Shoes weight on to the Softspot Shoes toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have Softspot Shoes 1.5-inch to 2-inch Softspot Shoes shaped heels while Softspot Shoes Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also Softspot Shoes known as dansneakers, these are Softspot Shoes a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, Softspot 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 Softspot Shoes one Softspot Shoes or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They Softspot Shoes may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may Softspot Shoes be Softspot Shoes converted Softspot Shoes to tap shoes Softspot Shoes by attaching taps.
Foot Softspot Shoes thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a Softspot Shoes dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a Softspot Shoes distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes. Softspot Shoes
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This Softspot Shoes style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed 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 sturdy Softspot Shoes leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used Softspot Shoes for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military Softspot Shoes personnel, etc. They are commonly used Softspot Shoes for protection in Softspot Shoes industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes Skateboarding Shoes and soles or Softspot Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to Softspot Shoes keep a Softspot Shoes person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: Softspot Shoes a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the Softspot Shoes historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a Softspot Shoes person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the Softspot Shoes wearer's feet. The person is said Softspot Shoes to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some Softspot Shoes 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 shoes can have their soles Softspot Shoes replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes Softspot Shoes can be treated as Softspot Shoes trash Softspot Shoes or municipal solid waste and disposed Softspot Shoes of. The Softspot Shoes exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. Softspot Shoes See Nike Grind as Softspot Shoes an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In Softspot Shoes most parts of the Softspot Shoes world (Asia, Eastern Europe, Softspot Shoes parts of the Middle Softspot Shoes East and Africa, much of Northern Europe Softspot Shoes and Canada, Softspot Shoes as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering Softspot Shoes Merril Shoes a house. In some areas of Softspot Shoes the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their Softspot Shoes shoes unless a host Softspot Shoes specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to Softspot Shoes avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be Softspot Shoes provided Softspot Shoes for guests.
In the 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, Martial Arts Shoes it is an Softspot Shoes extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's Softspot Shoes head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai Softspot Shoes boxers insult each other Softspot Shoes by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
