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 Elevator Shoes this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has Elevator Shoes found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and Elevator Shoes 26,000 years ago, based on the Elevator Shoes fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big Elevator Shoes toe) decreased Elevator Shoes during this period, Elevator Shoes on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new Elevator Shoes outsole to Elevator Shoes an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is Elevator Shoes the interior bottom of a shoe, Elevator Shoes which sits Elevator Shoes directly Elevator Shoes beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, Elevator Shoes and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer Elevator Shoes in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes Elevator Shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have Elevator Shoes outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole Elevator Shoes may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the Elevator Shoes sole is rubber for durability Elevator Shoes and traction, while Elevator Shoes the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often Elevator Shoes have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole Elevator Shoes to grip the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes Elevator Shoes have Elevator Shoes much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the Elevator Shoes outsole and the insole that is Elevator Shoes typically Elevator Shoes there for Elevator Shoes shock absorption. Some types of Elevator Shoes shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock Elevator Shoes absorption, usually beneath the Elevator Shoes heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of Elevator Shoes a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often Elevator Shoes made Elevator Shoes of the same Elevator Shoes material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper Elevator Shoes 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 Elevator Shoes a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most Elevator Shoes men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look Elevator Shoes 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 slide Elevator Shoes upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user Elevator Shoes is not wearing it, to help Elevator Shoes 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 polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert Elevator Shoes 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 Elevator Shoes protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: Elevator Shoes a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort Elevator Shoes in areas of Elevator Shoes a Elevator Shoes shoe.
Snow shoe: a Elevator Shoes wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used Elevator Shoes to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from Elevator Shoes real crocodile skin, Elevator Shoes in a Elevator Shoes conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and Osiris Shoes narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized Elevator Shoes by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather Elevator Shoes outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be Winter Shoes worn by either gender. Elevator Shoes The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly Elevator Shoes made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, Elevator Shoes but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often Elevator Shoes made without apertures or Elevator Shoes openings, Elevator Shoes but may also be made with openings or even Elevator Shoes itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high Elevator Shoes to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is Elevator Shoes 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, Elevator Shoes although some Elevator Shoes styles have Elevator Shoes elastic Elevator Shoes inserts to Elevator Shoes ease slipping the 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 Elevator Shoes are attached; also Elevator Shoes known as "closed Elevator Shoes lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing Elevator Shoes companies to Elevator Shoes market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole Elevator Shoes bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces Elevator Shoes are tied to two Elevator Shoes pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Elevator Shoes Blucher Elevator Shoes is known 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 Elevator Shoes shoes Elevator Shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on Elevator Shoes the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most Elevator Shoes popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe Elevator Shoes is Elevator Shoes covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends Elevator Shoes down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be Crock Shoes 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 for expansion.
The tone or style of Elevator Shoes this article Elevator Shoes or section may not Elevator Shoes be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide Elevator Shoes to Elevator Shoes writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of 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 shoes with a very low Elevator Shoes heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the Elevator Shoes instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be Elevator Shoes seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels Elevator Shoes 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having Elevator Shoes more sex appeal than low heels (see article for Elevator Shoes discussion) Mauri Gator Shoes and are thus commonly Elevator Shoes worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but Elevator Shoes is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either Elevator Shoes gender
Women's Elevator Shoes sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe Elevator Shoes with Elevator Shoes very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft Elevator Shoes shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a Elevator Shoes 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 Elevator Shoes would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe Elevator Shoes with a contrasting saddle-shaped band Elevator Shoes over the instep, typically white Elevator 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, Elevator Shoes if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching Elevator Shoes a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes Elevator Shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Elevator Shoes Some are designed to be used in times Elevator Shoes of bad Elevator Shoes weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as Elevator Shoes well as work Elevator Shoes boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For Elevator Shoes indoor Elevator Shoes use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic Elevator Shoes shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes Elevator Shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
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Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis Elevator Shoes shoes): general purpose Elevator Shoes athletic shoes; Elevator Shoes made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic Elevator Shoes to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, Elevator Shoes with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: Girls Shoes lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat Elevator Shoes (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A Elevator Shoes shoe Elevator Shoes for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better Elevator Shoes grip in grass Elevator Shoes and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but Elevator Shoes replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like Elevator Shoes materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today Elevator Shoes (and are required on Elevator Shoes many golf courses since they cause less damage Elevator Shoes to the greens).
Bowling Elevator Shoes shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and Elevator Shoes athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley Elevator Shoes floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: Elevator Shoes a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have Elevator Shoes a close fit, little if any padding, and Elevator Shoes a smooth sticky Elevator Shoes rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle Elevator Shoes support on uneven terrain, with Elevator Shoes extra large traction on the Elevator Shoes sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible Elevator Shoes sole than the running shoe, lighter Elevator Shoes 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 skates
Ski boot: a large, Elevator Shoes 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 wide and have extra layers of Elevator Shoes padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped Nordstrom Shoes with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in Elevator Shoes thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in Elevator Shoes winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, Elevator Shoes 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 Elevator Shoes comfort qualities, such as padded removable Elevator Shoes footbeds, wide toe boxes and Elevator Shoes arch support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe Elevator Shoes 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 elastic straps and Elevator Shoes ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, Elevator Shoes with either continuous or Elevator Shoes two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). Elevator Shoes 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 that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or Elevator Shoes pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz Elevator Shoes shoes. These typically have Elevator Shoes a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low Elevator 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 two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by Elevator Shoes the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are Elevator Shoes typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes Tuk Shoes with Elevator Shoes low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to Elevator Shoes match the dancer's dress. Elevator Shoes The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the Elevator Shoes foot while Elevator 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 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 Elevator Shoes known as dansneakers, these Elevator Shoes are a combination of a sneaker and a Elevator Shoes dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with Elevator Shoes a Elevator Shoes one to three inch Elevator Shoes heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the Elevator Shoes instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled Elevator Shoes (suede) or hard-soled Elevator Shoes varieties. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Elevator Shoes Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a Elevator Shoes distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer Elevator Shoes the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This Sketcher Shoes style is frequently worn by acro dancers. Elevator Shoes
A foot Yellow Shoes thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect Elevator Shoes the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from Elevator Shoes sturdy leather uppers Elevator Shoes and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they Elevator Shoes are used for uniforms or comfort Volleyball Shoes by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective Elevator Shoes features may include Elevator Shoes steel-tipped toes and soles or Elevator Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, Elevator Shoes which Elevator Shoes are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use Elevator Shoes even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed Elevator Shoes toe, popular in Elevator Shoes Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are Elevator 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 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. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their Elevator Shoes soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for Elevator Shoes use, shoes can 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 Elevator Shoes as Elevator Shoes an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in Elevator Shoes a shop is called Elevator Shoes a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts Elevator Shoes of the Middle East and Africa, much of Elevator Shoes Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes Elevator Shoes when entering a Elevator Shoes house. 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 their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud Elevator Shoes or snow Cum On Shoes into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided 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 Elevator Shoes crossing the Elevator Shoes In Her Shoes legs). Elevator Shoes In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching Elevator Shoes heads is an Elevator Shoes extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Elevator Shoes Thai kicks Elevator Shoes are executed with Elevator Shoes the shin). |
