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 Free Shoes do not normally last for thousands of Free Shoes years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that Free Shoes the use of shoes began in the period between about Free Shoes 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness Free Shoes of the Free Shoes bones of the toes (other Free Shoes than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of Wedge Shoes 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 bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, 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 Free Shoes layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes Free Shoes have Free Shoes leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise Me Too Shoes a single piece, 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 modifications on this design: Free Shoes Life Stride Shoes athletic cleats have spikes Free Shoes embedded Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes 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 puts Free Shoes the Free Shoes most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their Free Shoes shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at Free Shoes 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. They are often made of the same material as the sole Free Shoes of Free Shoes the shoe. This part can be high Free Shoes for fashion or to make the person look Free Shoes taller, Free Shoes or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the Free Shoes simplest cases, 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 Free Shoes complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made Free Shoes in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for Free Shoes producing a shoe-upper Free Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping Free Shoes the shoe open and providing a smooth Free Shoes surface for the foot Free Shoes 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 cloth: used to apply Free Shoes polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a Free Shoes rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of Free Shoes various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and Free Shoes inner Free Shoes linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a Free Shoes bag that protects shoes against damage when Free Shoes they are not being Free Shoes worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: Free Shoes a wooden or leather Free Shoes piece which increases the area Free Shoes of ground covered by Free Shoes the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system Free Shoes used to secure shoes.
Types Free Shoes of Free Shoes shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual Free Shoes shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn Free Shoes by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, Free Shoes enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering Free Shoes the ankles. This upper part 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. Free Shoes Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is Free Shoes usually considered a boot but certain styles Free Shoes may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or Free Shoes zippers, Free Shoes although some styles have elastic inserts Free Shoes to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp Free Shoes has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. Free Shoes The word "Oxford" Free Shoes 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 is known as the Derby Free Shoes shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less Free Shoes popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in various Free Shoes ways:
Plain-toes: have a Free Shoes sleek appearance Free Shoes and no extra decorations Free Shoes on the vamp.
Cap-toes: Free Shoes has an extra layer Free Shoes of leather that "caps" the toe. This Free Shoes is Free Shoes possibly the most popular Free Shoes decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in Free Shoes both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve Free Shoes this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for Free Shoes expansion.
The tone Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes to writing Free 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 the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK Free Shoes as ballerinas, ballet pumps Free Shoes or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. Free Shoes They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes Free Shoes with Free Shoes a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex Free Shoes appeal than low heels (see article Free Shoes for discussion) and are Free Shoes thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot Free Shoes and sneaker pump: a shoe that Free Shoes looks like an Free Shoes athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty Free Shoes dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very Free Shoes thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes Free Shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, Free Shoes leaving much of Free Shoes the foot exposed to air. Free Shoes They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let Free Shoes the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black Free Shoes "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with Free Shoes tassels, buckles, Free Shoes or coin-holders (penny Free Shoes loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but Free Shoes more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas Free Shoes or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to Free Shoes avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used Free Shoes in times of Free Shoes bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of Free Shoes casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and Free Shoes hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, Think Shoes commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's Free Shoes and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases Free Shoes these shoes can be worn Free Shoes 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 to be lightweight, flexible, Free Shoes and have good traction. Special varieties Free Shoes are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: Free Shoes very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; Free Shoes often with Free Shoes plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a Free Shoes type of Free Shoes shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while Free Shoes 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 "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge Free Shoes 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: Free Shoes intermediate Free Shoes style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage Free Shoes bowling alley floors. They are Free Shoes often rented Free Shoes or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for Free Shoes rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber Free Shoes sole with Red Satin Shoes an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on Free Shoes uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes water proof.
Skating Free Shoes shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for Free Shoes skating on the bottom of Free Shoes the shoe Free Shoes portion. Free Shoes
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot Free Shoes specially designed for attachment to the Free Shoes ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a Free Shoes skateboard. They Free Shoes are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a Free Shoes 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 thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are 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 or "comfort" shoes are made Free Shoes with pedorthic and anatomically-correct Spinning Shoes 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 Free Shoes stiffened with glue and Free Shoes a hardened sole so Free Shoes the Free Shoes dancer can stand on the tips of Free Shoes their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and Free Shoes ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less Free Shoes slippers Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes material under the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus Free Shoes more flexible Free Shoes material under the arch so that the foot Free Shoes can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured Free Shoes by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty Free Shoes colours Free Shoes such as Free Shoes red Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes to the foot by Free Shoes laces Free Shoes or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into Free Shoes two categories Free Shoes for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin Free Shoes American. Free Shoes Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Free Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be Free Shoes finished with a greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's Free Shoes weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have Free Shoes higher Free Shoes heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes Free Shoes and the soles are Free Shoes more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Free Shoes Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, Free Shoes these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one Free Shoes to three inch heel, Free Shoes which are usually made of Free Shoes leather, and often have one or Free Shoes 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. Free 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 Free Shoes dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe Free Shoes shoes.
Ballet Free Shoes shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn Free Shoes by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed Free Shoes from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers Free Shoes and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used Free Shoes for uniforms or comfort by nurses, Free Shoes waitresses, police, Free Shoes military personnel, Free Shoes etc. They Fashion Shoes are commonly used Free Shoes for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective Free Shoes features may include Free Shoes steel-tipped Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes still worn today, are Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a Free Shoes shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular Free Shoes in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Free Shoes Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable Free Shoes material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to Free Shoes fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When Free Shoes unfit for use, shoes Free Shoes can be treated as trash or Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes Grind as an example.
Someone who makes Free Shoes 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 Free Shoes and Africa, much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes Free Shoes when entering a 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 Free Shoes this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or Free Shoes snow Free Shoes into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle Free Shoes East, parts of Africa, Korea Free Shoes and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others Free Shoes (even accidentally, such as by crossing Free Shoes the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to Free Shoes touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although Free Shoes feet touching heads is an Free Shoes extremely Free Shoes 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). |
