The earliest Size Womens Shoes known shoes Size Womens 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 Size Womens Shoes not normally Size Womens Shoes 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 shoes began in Size Womens Shoes the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the Size Womens Shoes fact that the thickness of the bones of the Size Womens Shoes toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts Size Womens Shoes of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Size Womens Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior Size Womens Shoes bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, Size Womens Shoes and extra insoles are often added for comfort Size Womens Shoes or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in Size Womens Shoes direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made Size Womens Shoes of Size Womens Shoes natural rubber or a synthetic Size Womens Shoes imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate Size Womens Shoes pieces of different materials. Often the heel Size Womens Shoes of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for Size Womens Shoes style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: Size Womens Shoes athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip Size Womens Shoes the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes Size Womens 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 of shoes, like running shoes, Size Womens 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 their Size Womens Shoes shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion Size Womens Shoes boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the Size Womens Shoes heel Size Womens Shoes of the foot. Size Womens Shoes They are often made of the same material as Size Womens Shoes the sole of the Size Womens Shoes shoe. This part can Size Womens Shoes be high for fashion or to make Size Womens Shoes the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part Size Womens Shoes that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing Size Womens Shoes more than a few straps for holding Size Womens Shoes the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be Size Womens Shoes used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: placed 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 Size Womens Shoes on shoes to improve Tuk Shoes appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to Size Womens Shoes shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed Size Womens Shoes over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe Size Womens Shoes insert: Sketcher Shoes insert of various Size Womens Shoes materials for cushioning, improved fit, or Size Womens Shoes reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Size Womens Shoes Inserts Size Womens Shoes may Size Womens Shoes also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they Size Womens Shoes are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: Size Womens Shoes a tool for making a shoe longer or wider Size Womens Shoes or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow Size Womens Shoes shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the Size Womens Shoes area of ground covered by the Size Womens Shoes shoe.
Shoelaces: a Yellow Shoes system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made Size Womens Shoes from real crocodile skin, Volleyball Shoes 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. Size Womens Shoes Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather Size Womens Shoes uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of Size Womens Shoes dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the Size Womens Shoes lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of Size Womens Shoes straps, e.g. an open Size Womens Shoes toe Cum On Shoes featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers Size Womens Shoes made high to cover the ankles are also available; a Size Womens Shoes shoe Size Womens Shoes with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a Size Womens Shoes boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces Size Womens Shoes or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease Size Womens Shoes slipping the Size Womens 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 Size Womens Shoes the laces are attached; Size Womens Shoes also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the In Her Shoes Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes England, the Blucher is known as the Derby Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes can also be Size Womens Shoes decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a Size Womens Shoes sleek Size Womens Shoes appearance and no extra decorations on Size Womens Shoes the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that Size Womens Shoes "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with Size Womens Shoes 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 Elevator Shoes this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or Size Womens Shoes style of this article or section may not be Size Womens Shoes appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for Size Womens Shoes suggestions.(December Size Womens Shoes 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available Size Womens Shoes 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 with a very low heel Size Womens Shoes and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather Size Womens Shoes wear, and Size Womens Shoes may be seen as more Size Womens Shoes comfortable than shoes with a higher Size Womens Shoes heel.
High heels may Size Womens Shoes be shoes with Size Womens Shoes heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly Size Womens Shoes worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes thus Size Womens Shoes popular for Size Womens Shoes warm-weather wear, because they Size Womens Shoes let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with Size Womens Shoes a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with Size Womens Shoes black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or Size Womens Shoes coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known Size Womens Shoes as boat shoes and deck Size Womens Shoes 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 sole. They have Size Womens Shoes soft Size Womens Shoes soles/heels to Size Womens Shoes avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the Size Womens Shoes ankle) frequently Size Womens Shoes made of leather. Some are designed to be used in 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 Size Womens Shoes work boots and hiking boots.
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Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic Size Womens Shoes shoes and special function shoes Size Womens 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 than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): Size Womens Shoes general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, Size Womens Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat Size Womens Shoes (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable Size Womens Shoes studs. Usually worn while playing Size Womens Shoes sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes soles/heels so as not Size Womens Shoes to damage bowling alley floors. They are often Size Womens Shoes rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a Size Womens Shoes shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber Size Womens Shoes rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a Size Womens Shoes high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on Size Womens Shoes uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible Size Womens Shoes sole than the running shoe, lighter Size Womens Shoes in weight than Size Womens Shoes the hiking boot, may have Size Womens Shoes air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have Size Womens Shoes various attachments for skating on the bottom 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 Size Womens Shoes have Size Womens Shoes flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are Size Womens Shoes very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or Size Womens Shoes plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as Size Womens Shoes a stiff sole to maximize power transfer Size Womens Shoes and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special Size Womens Shoes shoes for walking in thick snow. In Size Womens Shoes temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly Size Womens Shoes recreational 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 and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe 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 Size Womens Shoes is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the Size Womens Shoes dancer can stand on the tips of New Balance Tennis Shoes their toes. They are secured by elastic straps Size Womens Shoes and ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of Size Womens Shoes canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., Size Womens Shoes split-sole). The sole is typically Size Womens Shoes made of leather, with Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are Size Womens Shoes 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 in specialty colours Size Womens Shoes such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. Size Womens Shoes These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a Size Womens Shoes low Size Womens Shoes (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into Size Womens Shoes two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both Size Womens Shoes are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom Size Womens Shoes shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are Size Womens Shoes typically court shoes with low 2-inch Size Womens Shoes heels, usually made Size Womens Shoes of fabric so that they can be finished with a Size Womens Shoes greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across Size Womens Shoes the foot Size Womens Shoes while Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch Size Womens Shoes to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as Size Womens Shoes dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker Size Womens Shoes and a dance shoe, with a Saucony Shoes 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 across the instep Size Womens Shoes to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They Size Womens Shoes may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending Size Womens Shoes on the Size Womens Shoes manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This Size Womens Shoes style is frequently worn by Size Womens Shoes acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed Size Womens Shoes to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from Size Womens Shoes sturdy leather uppers and Size Womens Shoes non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection Size Womens Shoes in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include Size Womens Shoes steel-tipped Size Womens Shoes toes and soles or Size Womens Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands Size Womens Shoes of Size Womens Shoes years. Size Womens Shoes Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, Size Womens Shoes which are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used Size Womens Shoes to keep a person's feet dry Size Womens Shoes outdoors. First worn Size Womens Shoes in the middle ages, they continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular Size Womens Shoes in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the Size Womens Shoes historical shoe of many North Size Womens Shoes American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to Size Womens Shoes fit the wearer's Size Womens Shoes feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather Size Womens Shoes 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 Size Womens Shoes their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception Size Womens Shoes can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Size Womens Shoes Grind as Size Womens Shoes an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes Size Womens Shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In Size Womens Shoes most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle Size Womens Shoes East and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Size Womens Shoes Canada, Size Womens Shoes as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some Size Womens Shoes areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected Size Womens Shoes that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them Size Womens Shoes to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid Size Womens Shoes bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Size Womens Shoes 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, it is Size Womens Shoes an extreme insult Size Womens Shoes for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be Size Womens Shoes placed over it. Although feet touching heads is Size Womens Shoes an extremely rare occurrence Size Womens Shoes in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the Size Womens Shoes opponent's head with their foot Size Womens Shoes (most Muay Thai kicks are executed Size Womens Shoes with the shin). |
