The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 Sperry Shoes to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes Sperry Shoes do not normally Sperry Shoes last for thousands of years, so shoes were Sperry Shoes probably in use long Sperry Shoes before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence Sperry Shoes that Sperry Shoes the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on Sperry Shoes the premise that going barefoot results in greater Sperry Shoes bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to Sperry Shoes an athletic Sperry Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which Sperry Shoes sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have Sperry Shoes removable and replaceable Sperry Shoes insoles, and extra insoles are Sperry Shoes often added for comfort or health Sperry Shoes reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the Sperry Shoes shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Sperry Shoes Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, Sperry Shoes or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have Sperry Shoes modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded Sperry Shoes in the outsole to grip the ground; Sperry Shoes 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 absorption. Some types of shoes, like Sperry Shoes running 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 shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. Sperry Shoes They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This Sperry Shoes part can be high for fashion or to Sperry Shoes make the person look taller, or flat for a Sperry Shoes more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any Sperry Shoes shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest Sperry Shoes cases, Sperry 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 have a more complex upper. This part is Sperry Shoes often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 Sperry Shoes , from 1967, describes a method for producing Sperry Shoes a Sperry Shoes shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert Sperry Shoes a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for Sperry Shoes the Sperry Shoes foot Sperry Shoes to slide upon.
Shoe Sperry Shoes tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain Sperry Shoes 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 Sperry Shoes to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts may also be Sperry Shoes used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: Sperry Shoes a bag that protects shoes against 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: a wooden or leather piece Sperry Shoes 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 and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow Sperry Shoes sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized Sperry Shoes by sturdy leather uppers, Sperry Shoes non-leather Sperry Shoes outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can Sperry Shoes 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 Sperry Shoes 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 straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with Sperry Shoes uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered Sperry Shoes a boot but certain styles may be referred to as Sperry Shoes high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces Sperry Shoes or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes Sperry Shoes can be categorized Sperry Shoes by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces Sperry Shoes are Sperry Shoes attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral Sperry Shoes is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American 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 Sperry 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 Sperry Shoes can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra Sperry Shoes decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra Sperry Shoes layer of leather that "caps" Sperry Shoes the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side Sperry Shoes of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher Sperry Shoes styles. Please help Sperry Shoes improve this Sperry Shoes section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk Sperry Shoes page or at requests for expansion.
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Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. Sperry Shoes See Wikipedia's guide to writing Sperry 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 Prada Shoes the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the Sperry Shoes US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes Sperry Shoes with Sperry Shoes a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing Sperry Shoes much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable Sperry Shoes than shoes with Sperry Shoes a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. Sperry Shoes They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus Sofft Shoes commonly worn by Sperry Shoes women for formal occasions Sperry Shoes or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: Sperry Shoes a shoe that looks like Sperry Shoes an Sperry Shoes 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 thick Sperry Shoes soles Tennis Shoes and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: Sperry Shoes open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving Sperry Shoes much of the Sperry Shoes foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for Sperry Shoes 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 Sperry Shoes over the instep, typically white uppers Sperry Shoes with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress Sperry Shoes or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or Sperry Shoes coin-holders Sperry Shoes (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and Sperry Shoes deck shoes: similar to a loafer, Sperry Shoes but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) Sperry Shoes with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering Sperry Shoes the ankle) frequently made Sperry Shoes of leather. Some are designed to Sperry Shoes be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and Stride Rite Shoes snow boots, as Sperry Shoes well Sperry Shoes as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor Sperry Shoes use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference Sperry Shoes between the sexes than in dress Sperry Shoes shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends Sperry Shoes to be more on function Sperry Shoes than style.
Sneakers/trainers Sperry Shoes (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; Sperry Shoes made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be Sperry Shoes lightweight, Sperry Shoes flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties Sperry Shoes are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with Sperry Shoes plastic or metal Sperry Shoes cleats
A shoe for the Sperry Shoes right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, 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" were made of metal but replaceable Sperry Shoes "soft spikes" made of synthetic Sperry Shoes plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the Sperry Shoes edge of each spike are much more common 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. Sperry Shoes They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling Sperry Shoes alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe Sperry Shoes designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close Diabetic Shoes fit, little if any padding, and a Sperry Shoes smooth sticky rubber sole with an Sperry Shoes extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: Sperry Shoes usually have a high somewhat stiff upper Sperry Shoes with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle Sperry Shoes support on Sperry Shoes uneven terrain, with extra large Sperry Shoes traction Sperry Shoes on the sole.
Walking Sperry Shoes shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have Sperry Shoes air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating Sperry Shoes shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller Sperry Shoes skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the Sperry Shoes ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a Prom Shoes better grip Sperry Shoes on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped 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 Sperry Shoes shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes Sperry Shoes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are Sperry Shoes light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and Sperry Shoes protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made Sperry Shoes with Sperry Shoes pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable Sperry Shoes footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially Sperry Shoes for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
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Pointe shoes. Designed Sperry Shoes 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 Sperry Shoes are secured by elastic straps Sperry Shoes and ribbons that are tied to Sperry Shoes the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole Sperry Shoes (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of the foot, Sperry Shoes and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its Diesel Shoes utmost. Sperry Shoes Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over the top of the Sperry Shoes foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in Sperry Shoes specialty colours Sperry Shoes 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 Sperry Shoes a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance Sperry Shoes shoes.
Ballroom shoes. Sperry Shoes They Sperry Shoes fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Sperry Shoes Both are characterised by suede Sperry Shoes soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Sperry Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch Sperry Shoes heels, usually made of fabric Sperry Shoes so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours Sperry Shoes to match the dancer's dress. Sperry Shoes The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's Sperry Shoes weight on to the toes Sperry Shoes and the soles Sperry Shoes are more flexible. Sperry Shoes Men's Latin Sperry Shoes 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 Sperry Shoes combination of a Sperry Shoes sneaker and a Sperry Shoes dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and Sperry Shoes often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may Sperry Shoes be converted to Sperry Shoes tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot Sperry Shoes covers that protect the ball Sperry Shoes of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions Sperry Shoes while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet Sperry Shoes shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work Sperry Shoes shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand Sperry Shoes heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. Orthopedic Shoes They are generally made from sturdy Sperry Shoes leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes Sperry Shoes they are used for uniforms or comfort Sperry Shoes by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection Sperry Shoes 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 tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as Sperry Shoes the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used Sperry Shoes to keep a Sperry Shoes person's feet 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 toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes Sperry Shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to Sperry Shoes fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some Sperry Shoes extent) Sperry Shoes 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 soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When Sperry Shoes unfit Sperry Shoes for use, shoes can be treated as trash or Sperry Shoes municipal Sperry Shoes solid Sperry Shoes waste and Sperry Shoes disposed of. The exception can be Sperry Shoes with most athletic sneakers which Sperry Shoes can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Sperry Shoes Grind as an example.
Someone Sperry Shoes who makes or Sperry Shoes repairs shoes Sperry Shoes in a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most Sperry Shoes parts of the world Sperry Shoes (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, Sperry Shoes much of Northern Sperry Shoes Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected Sperry Shoes that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically Sperry Shoes invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this Sperry Shoes to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. Sperry Shoes For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for Sperry Shoes guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the Sperry Shoes soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it Sperry Shoes is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Sperry Shoes Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" Sperry Shoes the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are Sperry Shoes executed with the shin). |
