The earliest known shoes date from 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 in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Mauri Gator Shoes Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use 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 Mauri Gator Shoes the toes (other than the big toe) decreased Mauri Gator Shoes during this period, on the premise that going barefoot Mauri Gator Shoes results in greater Mauri Gator Shoes bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a Mauri Gator Shoes shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called Mauri Gator Shoes the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom Mauri Gator Shoes of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Mauri Gator Shoes Many shoes have removable and Mauri Gator Shoes replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole Mauri Gator Shoes is the layer in direct contact with Mauri Gator Shoes the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate Mauri Gator Shoes pieces of Mauri Gator Shoes different materials. Often the heel Osiris Shoes of the sole is rubber Mauri Gator Shoes for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have Mauri Gator Shoes spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer Mauri Gator Shoes in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock 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 for the midsoles of Mauri Gator Shoes their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion Mauri Gator Shoes boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is Mauri Gator Shoes the Mauri Gator Shoes heel. Its function is to support Mauri Gator Shoes the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same Mauri Gator Shoes material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make Mauri Gator Shoes the person look taller, or flat Mauri Gator Shoes for a more practical use.
Vamp, or Mauri Gator Shoes upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. Mauri Gator Shoes In Mauri Gator Shoes the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, Mauri Gator Shoes this may be nothing more than a Mauri Gator Shoes few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as Mauri Gator Shoes boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will Mauri Gator Shoes have a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to Mauri Gator Shoes look Mauri Gator Shoes attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper Mauri Gator Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can Mauri Gator Shoes be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface Mauri Gator Shoes for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when Mauri Gator Shoes user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to Mauri Gator Shoes improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing Mauri Gator Shoes cloth: used to apply polish to 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 stretcher: a tool for making a Mauri Gator Shoes shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of Mauri Gator Shoes a shoe.
Snow shoe: a Mauri Gator Shoes wooden Mauri Gator Shoes or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the Mauri Gator Shoes shoe.
Shoelaces: a system Mauri Gator Shoes used to secure shoes.
Types of Mauri Gator 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 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 Mauri Gator Shoes most of the lower foot, but not covering the Mauri Gator Shoes ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, Mauri Gator Shoes but Mauri Gator Shoes may also be made with Mauri Gator Shoes openings or even Mauri Gator Shoes itself consist of a Mauri Gator Shoes series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, Mauri Gator Shoes a Mauri Gator Shoes high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although Mauri Gator Shoes some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the Mauri Gator Shoes 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 lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The Mauri Gator Shoes word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not Mauri Gator Shoes balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied Mauri Gator Shoes to two pieces of Mauri Gator Shoes leather independently attached to the vamp; Mauri Gator Shoes also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known Mauri Gator Shoes as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: 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 Mauri Gator Shoes decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance Mauri Gator Shoes and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather Mauri Gator Shoes that "caps" the toe. This Mauri Gator Shoes is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe Mauri Gator Shoes is covered Mauri Gator Shoes with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends Mauri Gator Shoes down Mauri Gator Shoes 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 Mauri Gator Shoes talk page or Mauri Gator Shoes at requests Mauri Gator Shoes for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found Mauri Gator Shoes on the talk page. Mauri Gator Shoes See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes Mauri Gator 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 Mauri Gator Shoes and UK as ballerinas, ballet Mauri Gator Shoes pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may Mauri Gator Shoes be seen as Mauri Gator Shoes more Mauri Gator Shoes comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be Mauri Gator Shoes shoes with heels 2 inches Mauri Gator Shoes (5 cm) or 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 Mauri Gator Shoes sneaker pump: Mauri Gator Shoes a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making Mauri Gator Shoes it a kind of novelty dress Mauri Gator Shoes 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 and various straps, leaving Mauri Gator Shoes much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular Mauri Gator Shoes for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot Mauri Gator Shoes be cooler than a closed-toed shoe Mauri Gator Shoes would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white 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 Mauri Gator Shoes usually simple leather (often two-tone) Mauri Gator Shoes with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring Mauri Gator Shoes a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering Mauri Gator Shoes the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in Mauri Gator Shoes times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate 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 Mauri Gator Shoes the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym Mauri Gator Shoes shoes or tennis shoes): Mauri Gator Shoes general purpose athletic shoes; made out of Mauri Gator Shoes 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 Mauri Gator Shoes additional emphasis Mauri Gator Shoes on cushioning.
Track shoes: Mauri Gator Shoes lightweight; Mauri Gator Shoes often with plastic or Mauri Gator Shoes metal cleats
A shoe for the right Mauri Gator Shoes foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Mauri Gator Shoes Usually worn while playing sports such as Mauri Gator Shoes 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 Mauri Gator Shoes of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made Mauri Gator Shoes of synthetic plastic-like materials with Mauri Gator Shoes prongs distributed Mauri Gator Shoes radially around the edge of each spike are much 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 harder rubber soles/heels so as not Mauri Gator Shoes to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed Mauri Gator Shoes for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky Mauri Gator Shoes rubber sole Mauri Gator Shoes with an extended rubber Mauri Gator Shoes rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with Mauri Gator Shoes many Mauri Gator Shoes lace Mauri Gator Shoes eyelets, to provide ankle Mauri Gator Shoes support Mauri Gator Shoes on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running Mauri Gator Shoes shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may Mauri Gator Shoes have Mauri Gator Shoes air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating Mauri Gator Shoes shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating Mauri Gator Shoes on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski Mauri Gator Shoes boot: a large, Mauri Gator Shoes thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding Mauri Gator Shoes shoes have Mauri Gator Shoes flat soles for a better grip on a Mauri Gator Shoes skateboard. They Mauri Gator Shoes are very wide and have extra Mauri Gator Shoes layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or Mauri Gator Shoes plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a Mauri Gator Shoes stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are Mauri Gator Shoes used for mostly recreational Mauri Gator Shoes 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 Mauri Gator Shoes and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable Mauri Gator Shoes footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch Mauri Gator Shoes support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for Mauri Gator Shoes ballet dancing. Mauri Gator Shoes These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and Mauri Gator Shoes a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. Mauri Gator Shoes They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that Mauri Gator Shoes are Mauri Gator Shoes tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either Mauri Gator Shoes continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker Mauri Gator Shoes material under the ball and heel of the foot, and Mauri Gator Shoes thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed Mauri Gator Shoes to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured Mauri Gator Shoes by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, Mauri Gator Shoes or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to Mauri Gator Shoes provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) Winter Shoes 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 Mauri Gator Shoes 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 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 Mauri Gator Shoes Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw Mauri Gator Shoes the dancer's Mauri Gator Shoes weight on to the toes and Mauri Gator Shoes the soles are more flexible. Men's Mauri Gator Shoes Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to Mauri Gator Shoes 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch Mauri Gator Shoes to 3-inch heels, open-toed Mauri Gator Shoes and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Mauri Gator Shoes Also known as Mauri Gator Shoes dansneakers, Mauri Gator Shoes these are a combination of a 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, Mauri Gator Shoes and often 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 Mauri Gator Shoes may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Mauri Gator Shoes Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the Mauri Gator Shoes manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of Mauri Gator Shoes a dancer's foot from skin Mauri Gator Shoes abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes. Mauri Gator Shoes
Ballet shoes.
Jazz Mauri Gator Shoes shoes. This style is frequently Crock Shoes worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are Mauri Gator Shoes designed to stand heavy wear, to protect Mauri Gator Shoes the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used Mauri Gator Shoes for uniforms or comfort by nurses, Mauri Gator Shoes waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, Mauri Gator Shoes and other Mauri Gator Shoes workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or 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 Mauri Gator Shoes to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th Mauri Gator Shoes century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, Mauri Gator Shoes popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: Mauri Gator Shoes the historical shoe of Mauri Gator Shoes many Mauri Gator Shoes North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are Mauri Gator Shoes made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken Mauri Gator Shoes in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially Mauri Gator Shoes for Mauri Gator Shoes leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: Mauri Gator Shoes heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can Mauri Gator Shoes have their Mauri Gator Shoes soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can Mauri Gator Shoes be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed Mauri Gator Shoes 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 who Mauri Gator Shoes makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most Mauri Gator Shoes parts of the world Mauri Gator Shoes (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much Mauri Gator Shoes of Mauri Gator Shoes Northern Europe Mauri Gator Shoes and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to Mauri Gator Shoes remove shoes Mauri Gator Shoes when Mauri Gator Shoes entering a house. Mauri Gator Shoes In 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 Mauri Gator Shoes their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud Mauri Gator Shoes or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, Mauri Gator Shoes 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 Mauri Gator Shoes the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is Mauri Gator Shoes an Mauri Gator Shoes extreme insult for the foot, socks, or Mauri Gator Shoes shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching Mauri Gator Shoes heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, Mauri Gator Shoes some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai Mauri Gator Shoes kicks are executed with the shin). Mauri Gator Shoes |
