The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found G H Bass Shoes in G H Bass Shoes Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials G H Bass Shoes used for making shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found G H Bass Shoes evidence that the use of G H Bass Shoes shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based G H Bass Shoes on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in G H Bass Shoes greater bone growth before G H Bass Shoes this period.[1]
Parts G H Bass Shoes of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior G H Bass Shoes bottom of a shoe, G H Bass Shoes which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have G H Bass Shoes removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort G H Bass Shoes or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the G H Bass Shoes layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. G H Bass Shoes The outsole may comprise a G H Bass Shoes single piece, or may comprise separate G H Bass Shoes pieces of different materials. Often G H Bass Shoes the heel of the G H Bass Shoes sole is rubber for durability 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 G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes puts G H Bass Shoes the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some G H Bass Shoes shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe G H Bass Shoes is the heel. Its G H Bass Shoes function is to support the heel of G H Bass Shoes the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. G H Bass Shoes This part can be high G H Bass Shoes for fashion or G H Bass Shoes to make the person look taller, or flat for a G H Bass Shoes more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper G H Bass Shoes part that helps G H Bass Shoes hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole G H Bass Shoes in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a G H Bass Shoes more complex upper. This part is World Shoes often decorated or is made in a certain G H Bass Shoes style to look attractive. The G H Bass Shoes U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a G H Bass Shoes method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: G H Bass Shoes can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to G H Bass Shoes improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or G H Bass Shoes galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain G H Bass Shoes and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced G H Bass Shoes abrasion. These include padding and G H Bass Shoes inner linings. G H Bass Shoes Inserts may also be used G H Bass Shoes to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that Usa Made Shoes protects shoes against G H Bass Shoes damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: G H Bass Shoes a wooden or G H Bass Shoes 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 Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress G H Bass Shoes and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, G H Bass Shoes leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes G H Bass 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 most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often G H Bass Shoes made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even G H Bass Shoes itself consist G H Bass Shoes of a series of G H Bass Shoes straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes G H Bass Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also G H Bass Shoes available; a shoe with the upper rising above G H Bass Shoes the ankle is usually considered a boot G H Bass Shoes but certain styles may be referred to G H Bass Shoes as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, G H Bass Shoes a high-topped shoe is G H Bass Shoes secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe G H Bass Shoes on.
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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 G H Bass Shoes lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American G H Bass Shoes clothing companies to market shoes that are not G H Bass Shoes Wolverine Durashock Shoes balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two G H Bass Shoes pieces of leather independently attached G H Bass Shoes to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe G H Bass Shoes is covered with G H Bass Shoes a G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may G H Bass Shoes not G H Bass Shoes be G H Bass Shoes appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better G H Bass Shoes articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available G H Bass Shoes for women, in addition to most of G H Bass Shoes the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US G H Bass Shoes and UK as G H Bass Shoes ballerinas, ballet 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, G H Bass Shoes and may be G H Bass Shoes seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High G H Bass Shoes heels may G H Bass Shoes be shoes with 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 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 G H Bass Shoes gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: G H Bass Shoes shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made G H Bass Shoes of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting G H Bass Shoes of a 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 would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band G H Bass Shoes over the G H Bass Shoes instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe G H Bass Shoes without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or G H Bass Shoes coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known G H Bass Shoes as boat shoes and deck shoes: G H Bass Shoes similar G H Bass Shoes to a loafer, but more G H Bass Shoes casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple G H Bass Shoes leather (often two-tone) with no G H Bass Shoes frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white Geisha Shoes sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat G H Bass Shoes deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in G H Bass Shoes times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate G H Bass Shoes style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots G H Bass Shoes and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly Discount Tap Shoes worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function 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): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic G H Bass Shoes to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special G H Bass Shoes varieties are available for G H Bass Shoes basketball or tennis.
Running Barbara Waters Shoes Size shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
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Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the G H Bass Shoes right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring G H Bass Shoes molded or removable studs. G H Bass Shoes Usually worn while playing sports G H Bass Shoes such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better G H Bass Shoes grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made G H Bass Shoes of synthetic plastic-like materials with G H Bass Shoes prongs distributed radially around G H Bass Shoes the edge of each spike are much more common G H Bass 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 soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. G H Bass Shoes They are often rented or loaned at G H Bass Shoes bowling alleys.
Climbing G H Bass Shoes shoes: a shoe designed for rock G H Bass Shoes climbing. They G H Bass Shoes typically have a close fit, little if any padding, G H Bass Shoes and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an G H Bass Shoes extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high G H Bass Shoes somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking 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: G H Bass 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: G H Bass Shoes a large, 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 G H Bass Shoes padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface G H Bass Shoes with clipless pedals, as well as a G H Bass Shoes stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are G H Bass Shoes special shoes for walking in G H Bass Shoes thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are G H Bass Shoes light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes G H Bass Shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct G H Bass Shoes comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, G H Bass Shoes wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for G H Bass Shoes those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. G H Bass Shoes Designed for ballet G H Bass Shoes dancing. These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of G H Bass Shoes their G H Bass Shoes toes. G H Bass Shoes They are G H Bass Shoes secured by elastic G H Bass Shoes straps and ribbons that are G H Bass Shoes tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes are usually secured by elastics that G H Bass Shoes cross over the top of the foot. They are G H Bass Shoes most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to G H Bass Shoes the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for G H Bass Shoes the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede G H Bass Shoes soles. G H Bass Shoes Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels Ballet Shoes Merseyside and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with G H Bass Shoes low 2-inch heels, usually G H Bass Shoes made of G H Bass Shoes fabric so G H Bass Shoes that G H Bass Shoes they can be finished with a greater variety G H Bass Shoes of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel G H Bass 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 toes and the soles are G H Bass Shoes more flexible. G H Bass Shoes Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch G H Bass Shoes to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' G H Bass Shoes Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
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Dance sneakers. Also known as G H Bass Shoes dansneakers, these G H Bass Shoes are G H Bass Shoes a combination G H Bass Shoes of a G H Bass Shoes sneaker and a dance G H Bass Shoes shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. G H Bass Shoes Shoes with G H Bass Shoes a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the G H Bass Shoes instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may be converted to G H Bass Shoes tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these G H Bass Shoes are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored G H Bass Shoes foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes. G H Bass 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 to stand G H Bass Shoes heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high G H Bass Shoes traction. They are generally made from sturdy G H Bass Shoes leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are G H Bass Shoes used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial G H Bass Shoes settings, construction, G H Bass Shoes mining, G H Bass Shoes and other G H Bass Shoes workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and G H Bass Shoes soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes European wooden overshoe used to keep a person's feet dry outdoors. G H Bass Shoes First worn in the middle ages, they G H Bass Shoes continued in use even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: G H Bass Shoes a shoe G H Bass Shoes with a G H Bass Shoes long-pointed toe, popular in G H Bass Shoes Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple G H Bass Shoes times, the material Narrow Width Shoes For Men reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said G H Bass Shoes to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes G H Bass Shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels G H Bass Shoes periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all G H Bass Shoes shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash G H Bass Shoes or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned G H Bass Shoes into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and G H Bass Shoes Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as G H Bass Shoes Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering G H Bass Shoes a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is G H Bass Shoes 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 G H Bass Shoes house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided G H Bass Shoes for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude G H Bass Shoes to show the soles of the feet to G H Bass Shoes others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, G H Bass Shoes it G H Bass Shoes is an extreme insult G H Bass Shoes for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an G H Bass Shoes extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by G H Bass Shoes "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the G H Bass Shoes shin). |
