The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, Z-coil Shoes the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for Z-coil Shoes thousands of years, so shoes Z-coil Shoes were Z-coil Shoes probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found Z-coil Shoes evidence that the use of shoes began Z-coil Shoes in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the Z-coil Shoes thickness of Z-coil Shoes the bones of Z-coil Shoes the toes (other Z-coil Shoes than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the Z-coil Shoes premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Z-coil Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The Z-coil Shoes insole is the interior Z-coil Shoes bottom of a shoe, which Z-coil Shoes sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles Z-coil Shoes are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The Z-coil Shoes outsole is the layer in direct Z-coil Shoes contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made Z-coil Shoes of natural Z-coil Shoes rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may Z-coil Shoes comprise a Z-coil Shoes single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability Z-coil Shoes and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications 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 soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock Z-coil Shoes absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another Z-coil Shoes material for shock absorption, usually beneath the Z-coil Shoes heel where one puts the most Z-coil Shoes pressure down. Different Z-coil Shoes 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 a Z-coil Shoes shoe is the heel. Its function Z-coil Shoes is to support the heel Z-coil Shoes of the Z-coil Shoes foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high Z-coil Shoes for fashion or Volleyball Shoes to make the person look taller, or flat for Z-coil Shoes a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an Cum On Shoes upper part Z-coil Shoes that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. Z-coil Shoes In the simplest cases, such as Z-coil Shoes sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps Z-coil Shoes for holding the sole in Z-coil Shoes place. Closed footwear, Z-coil Shoes such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a Z-coil Shoes more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a Z-coil Shoes certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing Z-coil Shoes a Z-coil Shoes shoe-upper Z-coil Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a Z-coil Shoes shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth Z-coil Shoes 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 on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing Z-coil Shoes cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or Z-coil Shoes galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert Z-coil Shoes of various materials Z-coil Shoes 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 Z-coil Shoes damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe Z-coil Shoes longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the Z-coil Shoes shoe.
Shoelaces: a system Z-coil Shoes used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a In Her Shoes conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and Z-coil Shoes casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, Elevator Shoes leather soles, and Z-coil Shoes narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy New Balance Tennis Shoes leather uppers, non-leather Z-coil Shoes outsoles, and wide Z-coil Shoes profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can Z-coil Shoes be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, Z-coil Shoes commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the Z-coil Shoes shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of Z-coil Shoes a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in Z-coil Shoes women's shoes. Shoes with Z-coil Shoes 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, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces Z-coil Shoes or zippers, although some styles Z-coil Shoes have elastic inserts Z-coil Shoes to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's Z-coil Shoes shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: Z-coil Shoes the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces Z-coil Shoes are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In Z-coil Shoes England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is Z-coil Shoes used by American clothing companies to Z-coil Shoes market shoes that are not balmorals, Z-coil Shoes such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as Z-coil Shoes "open lacing". In England, the Blucher 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 shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of Z-coil Shoes leather that "caps" the toe. This Z-coil Shoes is Z-coil Shoes possibly the most Z-coil Shoes popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe Z-coil Shoes of the Z-coil Shoes shoe is covered with a perforated panel, Z-coil Shoes 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 Z-coil 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 Z-coil Shoes women, in addition to most of the men's Z-coil Shoes styles being Z-coil Shoes more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps Z-coil Shoes or skimmers, are Z-coil Shoes shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing Z-coil Shoes much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as Saucony Shoes more comfortable Z-coil Shoes than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes Z-coil Shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They Z-coil Shoes 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 Z-coil Shoes or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, Z-coil Shoes but is equipped with a heel, making it a Z-coil Shoes kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe Z-coil Shoes with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: Z-coil Shoes 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 thus Z-coil Shoes popular for Z-coil Shoes warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a Z-coil Shoes closed-toed shoe Z-coil Shoes would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress Z-coil Shoes or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also Z-coil Shoes known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if Z-coil Shoes present, Z-coil Shoes are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with Z-coil Shoes no frills. Often Z-coil Shoes made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to Size Womens Shoes avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes Z-coil Shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in Z-coil Shoes times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate Z-coil Shoes style of casual or dress Z-coil Shoes wear. Styles include Z-coil Shoes rubber Z-coil Shoes boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and Z-coil Shoes hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly Z-coil Shoes worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and Z-coil Shoes special Z-coil Shoes function shoes often have less difference between the sexes Z-coil Shoes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by Z-coil Shoes either sex. Emphasis tends to be more Z-coil Shoes on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis Z-coil Shoes shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, Z-coil Shoes 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, Z-coil Shoes with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A Z-coil Shoes shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually Z-coil Shoes worn while playing sports such as rugby, Z-coil Shoes 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" Z-coil Shoes were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much Z-coil Shoes more common today (and are required Z-coil Shoes on many golf Z-coil Shoes courses since Z-coil Shoes they cause less damage Womens Sports Shoes to the greens).
Bowling Z-coil Shoes shoes: intermediate style between Z-coil Shoes ordinary dress Z-coil Shoes shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as Z-coil Shoes not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often Z-coil Shoes rented or loaned at bowling Z-coil Shoes 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 extended rubber rand.
Hiking Z-coil Shoes shoes Z-coil Shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff Z-coil Shoes upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven Z-coil Shoes terrain, with Z-coil Shoes extra Z-coil Shoes large traction on the Z-coil Shoes sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole Z-coil Shoes than the running shoe, lighter Z-coil Shoes in weight Z-coil Shoes than Z-coil Shoes the hiking boot, may have air Z-coil Shoes holes, Z-coil Shoes may Z-coil Shoes not be water Z-coil Shoes 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, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip Z-coil Shoes on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the Z-coil Shoes skateboarders Z-coil Shoes feet.
Cycling shoes are Z-coil Shoes equipped with a metal Z-coil Shoes or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a Z-coil Shoes stiff sole Z-coil Shoes to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are Z-coil Shoes used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic Z-coil Shoes or "comfort" shoes are made with Z-coil Shoes 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 is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand Z-coil Shoes on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied to the Z-coil Shoes dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., Z-coil Shoes split-sole). The sole is Z-coil Shoes typically made of leather, with thicker material under Z-coil Shoes the Z-coil Shoes ball and heel of the foot, and Z-coil Shoes thinner and thus more flexible material under Z-coil Shoes the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are Z-coil Shoes usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, Z-coil Shoes black, or pale tan, although they may be made Z-coil Shoes in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized Z-coil Shoes sole (i.e., split-sole) Z-coil Shoes to provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They Z-coil Shoes are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for Z-coil Shoes the two genres of dances as defined Z-coil Shoes by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Skateboarding Shoes 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. Merril Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, Z-coil Shoes usually made of fabric so that Z-coil Shoes they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel Z-coil Shoes distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the Z-coil Shoes 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 Z-coil Shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are Z-coil Shoes a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber Z-coil Shoes toe.
Character shoes. Shoes Z-coil Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have Z-coil Shoes one or more straps Z-coil Shoes across the instep to secure the foot during dance. Z-coil Shoes They may Z-coil Shoes 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 Z-coil Shoes FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial Z-coil Shoes foot covers that protect 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 of having bare Z-coil Shoes feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed Z-coil Shoes to stand heavy wear, to protect Z-coil Shoes the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy Z-coil Shoes leather uppers and non-leather Z-coil Shoes outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for Z-coil Shoes 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 Z-coil Shoes to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the Z-coil Shoes middle ages, they continued in Z-coil Shoes use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed Z-coil Shoes toe, popular Z-coil Shoes in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but Z-coil Shoes deformable material. After a person wears them Z-coil Shoes multiple times, the Z-coil Shoes material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken Martial Arts Shoes in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and Z-coil Shoes boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: Z-coil Shoes soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with Z-coil Shoes most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind Z-coil Shoes as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a Z-coil Shoes shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Softspot Shoes Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it Z-coil Shoes is customary to remove shoes when entering a Z-coil 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 or snow into the Z-coil Shoes house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided Z-coil Shoes for guests.
In the Z-coil Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to Z-coil Shoes others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). 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 heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
