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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New making shoes do not normally Steve Madden Womens Shoes New last for thousands of years, so shoes were Steve Madden Womens Shoes New probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New this Steve Madden Womens Shoes New period, on the premise that Steve Madden Womens Shoes New going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior Steve Madden Womens Shoes New bottom Steve Madden Womens Shoes New of a shoe, which sits directly beneath Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the foot. Many Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoes have Steve Madden Womens Shoes New removable and replaceable insoles, and extra Steve Madden Womens Shoes New insoles Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are often added for comfort or health reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability Steve Madden Womens Shoes New and traction, while the front is leather for Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock Steve Madden Womens Shoes New absorption, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New usually beneath the heel where one Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New rear part of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the simplest cases, such as sandals or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in Steve Madden Womens Shoes New place. Closed footwear, such Steve Madden Womens Shoes New as boots, sneakers and Steve Madden Womens Shoes New most men's shoes, will have a more complex Calgary Ab Running Shoes upper. This part 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 for producing Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a shoe-upper Steve Madden Womens Shoes New (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 upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material spread on shoes to Steve Madden Womens Shoes New improve appearance, glossiness, and provide Steve Madden Womens Shoes New protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a rubber covering placed over Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoes for rain and Steve Madden Womens Shoes New snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved Steve Madden Womens Shoes New fit, or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for Steve Madden Womens Shoes New making a shoe longer or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New wider or for reducing Steve Madden Womens Shoes New discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New ground covered by Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a Shoe Nike Running Golf Shoes conservation exhibit Steve Madden Womens Shoes New at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part Steve Madden Womens Shoes New of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New but may also be Steve Madden Womens Shoes New made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a boot but certain styles Steve Madden Womens Shoes New may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although Steve Madden Womens Shoes New some styles Steve Madden Womens Shoes New have Steve Madden Womens Shoes New elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are Steve Madden Womens Shoes New closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a Steve Madden Womens Shoes New V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 "open lacing". In England, the Blucher Shoes Running Women Finish Line is known as Running Shoes Clearance Nike the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New vamp.
Cap-toes: has Steve Madden Womens Shoes New an extra layer of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New leather Steve Madden Womens Shoes New that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The Running Shoes Nyc toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New wing-tip, which extends down either side of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve Steve Madden Womens Shoes New this section Steve Madden Womens Shoes New by expanding it.
Further Steve Madden Womens Shoes New information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be Handy Running Shoes found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing Steve Madden Womens Shoes New better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to most Steve Madden Womens Shoes New of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as Steve Madden Womens Shoes New ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very Steve Madden Womens Shoes New low heel and a relatively short Steve Madden Womens Shoes New vamp, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be Running Shoes On Line seen as more comfortable than shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New with Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a higher heel.
High Steve Madden Womens Shoes New heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are Steve Madden Womens Shoes New often seen as having Steve Madden Womens Shoes New more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New social outings.
Sneaker Steve Madden Womens Shoes New boot and sneaker Steve Madden Womens Shoes New pump: a shoe that looks like Steve Madden Womens Shoes New an Steve Madden Womens Shoes New athletic Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoe, but is equipped Steve Madden Womens Shoes New with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: Steve Madden Womens Shoes New originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting Steve Madden Womens Shoes New of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot Steve Madden Womens Shoes New exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because Steve Madden Womens Shoes New they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the instep, typically white uppers Steve Madden Womens Shoes New with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New featuring a white sole. They Steve Madden Womens Shoes New have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New leather. Some are designed to be used in Steve Madden Womens Shoes New times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include Steve Madden Womens Shoes New rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers Steve Madden Womens Shoes New (also called Steve Madden Womens Shoes New gym shoes or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball Steve Madden Womens Shoes New or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar Steve Madden Womens Shoes New to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic Steve Madden Womens Shoes New or metal cleats
A shoe for Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable Steve Madden Womens Shoes New studs. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New Usually worn while Steve Madden Womens Shoes New playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with Steve Madden Womens Shoes New "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal Steve Madden Womens Shoes New but replaceable "soft Steve Madden Womens Shoes New spikes" Steve Madden Womens Shoes New made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs Steve Madden Womens Shoes New distributed radially around the edge of each spike are Steve Madden Womens Shoes New much more common today (and Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are required on many golf Steve Madden Womens Shoes New courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented Steve Madden Womens Shoes New or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a Steve Madden Womens Shoes New close fit, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually Steve Madden Womens Shoes New have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace Steve Madden Womens Shoes New eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than Steve Madden Womens Shoes New the running shoe, lighter Steve Madden Womens Shoes New in weight than the hiking boot, may have air Steve Madden Womens Shoes New holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New They have Steve Madden Womens Shoes New various attachments for skating Steve Madden Womens Shoes New on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially Articles On Adidas Running Shoes designed Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat Steve Madden Womens Shoes New to interface with Steve Madden Womens Shoes New clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are used for Steve Madden Womens Shoes New mostly Steve Madden Womens Shoes New recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are Steve Madden Womens Shoes New light, flexible shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New that mimic bare feet Steve Madden Womens Shoes New while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded Steve Madden Womens Shoes New removable footbeds, wide Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 on the tips of their toes. They are secured by Steve Madden Womens Shoes New elastic straps and Steve Madden Womens Shoes New ribbons Steve Madden Womens Shoes New that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less Steve Madden Womens Shoes New slippers Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 are 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New made in specialty colours such Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic Shoes Kangaroos Running Satin inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories Steve Madden Womens Shoes New for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF Steve Madden Womens Shoes New (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically Steve Madden Womens Shoes New lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with Steve Madden Womens Shoes New low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so Steve Madden Womens Shoes New that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 Steve Madden Womens Shoes New and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a sneaker and a Steve Madden Womens Shoes New dance shoe, with a 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 to secure the foot during dance. They may 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 FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New ball of Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a dancer's foot from Steve Madden Womens Shoes New skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New flesh colored Steve Madden Womens Shoes New foot thongs Steve Madden Womens Shoes New give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New
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 heavy wear, to protect the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers Steve Madden Womens Shoes New and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New they are Steve Madden Womens Shoes New used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly Steve Madden Womens Shoes New used for Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past Steve Madden Womens Shoes New include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe Steve Madden Womens Shoes New with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many Steve Madden Womens Shoes New North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard Steve Madden Womens Shoes New but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms Steve Madden Womens Shoes New to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: Steve Madden Womens Shoes New for Steve Madden Womens Shoes New protection, water Steve Madden Womens Shoes New resistance (to Steve Madden Womens Shoes New some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New are designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: 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 most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Steve Madden Womens Shoes New Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a shop is called a cobbler.
Shoe Steve Madden Womens Shoes New etiquette
In most parts of the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Africa, much of Northern Steve Madden Womens Shoes New Europe Steve Madden Womens Shoes New and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering Steve Madden Womens Shoes New a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New it is expected that visitors remove their shoes Steve Madden Womens Shoes New unless a host specifically invites Steve Madden Womens Shoes New them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud Steve Madden Womens Shoes New or snow into the house. Steve Madden Womens Shoes New For some societies, including those in Asia, Steve Madden Womens Shoes New indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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 an Ffix Find Running Shoes In Disc extreme insult for the Steve Madden Womens Shoes New foot, socks, or Steve Madden Womens Shoes New shoes to touch someone's head or be placed Running Shoes Reveiws over it. Although feet touching Steve Madden Womens Shoes New 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). Steve Madden Womens Shoes New |
