The earliest known shoes date from Softspots Shoes about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were Softspots Shoes found in Softspots Shoes Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making Softspots Shoes shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, Softspots Shoes so shoes were Softspots Shoes probably Softspots Shoes in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Softspots Shoes Erik Trinkaus believes he has found Softspots Shoes evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the Softspots Shoes fact that the thickness of the bones Softspots Shoes of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot Softspots Shoes results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a Softspots Shoes shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of Softspots Shoes a shoe is Marc Ecko Shoes called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and Softspots Shoes replaceable insoles, and extra insoles Softspots Shoes are often added for comfort Softspots Shoes or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The Softspots Shoes outsole is the layer Softspots Shoes in direct contact with the Softspots Shoes ground. Dress shoes have leather Softspots Shoes outsoles; casual Softspots Shoes or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made Softspots Shoes of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. Softspots Shoes The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is Softspots Shoes rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic Softspots Shoes cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The Softspots Shoes layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, Softspots Shoes like running shoes, have Softspots Shoes another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure Softspots Shoes down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles Softspots Shoes of their shoes. Softspots Shoes Some shoes may not have a Softspots Shoes midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the Softspots Shoes heel. Its Softspots Shoes function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the Softspots Shoes same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to Softspots Shoes make Softspots Shoes the person look taller, or flat for Softspots Shoes a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part Softspots Shoes that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In Softspots Shoes the simplest cases, Softspots Shoes 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 boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain Softspots Shoes 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be Softspots Shoes used to insert a foot Softspots Shoes into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for Softspots Shoes the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when Softspots Shoes user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on Cheap Skate Shoes shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: Softspots Shoes a rubber covering placed over shoes Softspots Shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for Softspots Shoes cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct Softspots Shoes foot Softspots Shoes problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe Softspots Shoes stretcher: a Softspots Shoes tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a Softspots Shoes shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Softspots Shoes Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual Softspots Shoes shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and Softspots Shoes supple leather uppers, leather Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes an upper Softspots Shoes covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the Softspots Shoes ankles. This upper part of the Softspots Shoes shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe Softspots Shoes featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to Softspots Shoes cover the ankles are also available; a shoe Softspots Shoes 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, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts Softspots Shoes to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's Softspots Shoes shoes can be categorized Softspots Shoes by how they are closed:
Balmorals: Softspots Shoes the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known Softspots Shoes as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" Softspots Shoes is Softspots Shoes used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are Softspots Shoes tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to Softspots Shoes the vamp; also Softspots Shoes known as "open lacing". In Softspots Shoes England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: Softspots Shoes a Softspots Shoes buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's Softspots Shoes shoes can Softspots Shoes also be Softspots Shoes decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. Softspots Shoes This is possibly Softspots Shoes the Softspots Shoes most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): Softspots 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 on the talk page or at requests Softspots Shoes for expansion.
The Softspots Shoes tone Softspots Shoes or style of this article or section may Softspots Shoes not be appropriate Buster Brown Shoes for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns Softspots Shoes may be found on Softspots Shoes the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing Softspots Shoes better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to most of Softspots Shoes the men's styles Softspots Shoes being Softspots Shoes more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low Softspots Shoes heel and a relatively Softspots Shoes short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High Softspots Shoes heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than Softspots Shoes low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn Softspots Shoes by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe Softspots Shoes that Softspots Shoes looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making Softspots Shoes it a kind Blowfish Shoes of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving Softspots Shoes much of the foot Softspots Shoes exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they Softspots Shoes let the Softspots Shoes foot Softspots Shoes be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with Softspots Shoes a contrasting saddle-shaped band Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat Softspots Shoes shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are Softspots Shoes usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a Softspots Shoes white Softspots Shoes sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed Softspots Shoes to Softspots Shoes be used Softspots Shoes in times of Softspots Shoes bad weather, or Softspots Shoes simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking Softspots Shoes boots.
Slippers: For Softspots Shoes indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's Softspots Shoes athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less Chef Shoes difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either Softspots Shoes sex. Emphasis tends to be Softspots Shoes more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or 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 Softspots Shoes with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the Softspots Shoes right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a Character Shoes type Softspots Shoes of shoe featuring molded Softspots Shoes or removable Softspots Shoes studs. Usually worn while playing sports Softspots Shoes such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with Softspots Shoes "spikes" for better Softspots Shoes grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic Softspots Shoes plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each Softspots Shoes spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf courses Softspots Shoes since they cause less damage to Softspots Shoes the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder Softspots Shoes rubber Softspots Shoes soles/heels Maury Shoes so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They Softspots Shoes are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an Transit Shoes extended rubber rand.
Hiking Softspots Shoes shoes or boots: usually Softspots Shoes have a high somewhat stiff Softspots Shoes upper with many lace eyelets, Softspots Shoes to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking Softspots Shoes shoes: Softspots 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: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline Discontinued Born Shoes skates
Ski boot: a large, thick Softspots Shoes plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for Softspots Shoes a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a Softspots Shoes metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless Softspots Shoes pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize Softspots Shoes power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes Softspots Shoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for Softspots Shoes mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare Softspots Shoes feet while providing Softspots Shoes additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such Softspots Shoes as padded removable footbeds, wide toe Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes of their toes. They Softspots Shoes are Softspots Shoes secured by elastic Softspots Shoes straps and ribbons that are tied to the Softspots Shoes 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 thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics Softspots Shoes that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, Softspots Shoes black, or pale tan, although they Softspots Shoes 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 provide both flexibility and traction, and a low Softspots Shoes (one inch or shorter) heel. They are Softspots Shoes secured to the foot by Softspots Shoes laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco Softspots Shoes dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two Softspots Shoes categories for the two Softspots Shoes genres of dances as defined by Softspots Shoes the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes Softspots Shoes are typically lace-ups Softspots Shoes with Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot Softspots Shoes 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 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a Softspots Shoes combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three Softspots Shoes inch heel, which are usually made of leather, Softspots Shoes and often have one or more straps across the instep to Womens Designer Shoes secure the foot during dance. Softspots Shoes 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 protect the ball of a Softspots Shoes dancer's Avia Shoes 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 is frequently worn by acro dancers. Softspots Shoes
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to Softspots Shoes stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, Softspots Shoes waitresses, police, military personnel, Softspots Shoes etc. They are commonly used Softspots Shoes for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other Softspots Shoes workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or Softspots Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear Softspots Shoes has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of Softspots Shoes 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 keep a person's feet Softspots Shoes dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed Softspots Shoes toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some Softspots Shoes shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. Bike Shoes The Softspots Shoes person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Softspots Shoes 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 Softspots Shoes use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with Softspots Shoes most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe Softspots Shoes etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle Softspots Shoes East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Softspots Shoes Alaska) it is Softspots Shoes customary to remove Softspots Shoes shoes when Softspots Shoes entering a house. In some Softspots Shoes areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. Softspots Shoes People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may Softspots Shoes be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the Softspots Shoes feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is Softspots Shoes an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over Softspots Shoes it. Softspots Shoes Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, Softspots Shoes some Softspots Shoes Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
