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 do not normally last for thousands of years, New Shoes so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes New Shoes he has found evidence that the New Shoes use of shoes began in the New Shoes period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years New Shoes ago, based on Cheerleading Shoes the fact that the thickness New Shoes of the bones of the toes (other New Shoes than the big toe) decreased during New Shoes this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone New Shoes growth before this period.[1]
Parts New 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 New Shoes the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have New Shoes removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health Wedge Shoes reasons (to control the shape, New Shoes moisture, or smell of New Shoes the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress New Shoes shoes New Shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented New Shoes 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. New Shoes Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will New Shoes often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; New Shoes many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the New Shoes outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like New Shoes running shoes, have another material for shock New Shoes 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 New Shoes a midsole at New 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 of the shoe. This New Shoes part can be high for fashion New Shoes or to make the person look taller, or New Shoes flat for a more New Shoes practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip New Shoes flops, this may be nothing New Shoes more than a few straps for holding New Shoes the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. New Shoes This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 New Shoes , from New Shoes 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper New Shoes (Hain 1967).
Accessories to Me Too Shoes shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by New Shoes 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, to help maintain the New Shoes 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 polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over New Shoes shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert New Shoes of various materials for cushioning, improved New Shoes fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding New Shoes and inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe New Shoes bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage New Shoes when New Shoes they are not New Shoes being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider or for reducing New Shoes discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: New Shoes a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes New 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, New Shoes leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are New Shoes characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and New Shoes wide profile.
Some designs New Shoes 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 Life Stride Shoes lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This New Shoes upper New Shoes part of the shoe is New Shoes often New Shoes made without apertures or openings, New Shoes 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 New Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are New Shoes also available; a New Shoes shoe with the upper rising above the ankle New Shoes is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or New Shoes high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the New Shoes vamp has a V-shaped slit to which New Shoes the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. New Shoes The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as New Shoes rubber-sole New Shoes bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied New Shoes to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is New Shoes known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: Think Shoes 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 New Shoes extra layer of leather that "caps" 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 of the shoe. Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding New Shoes it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style New Shoes of this article or New Shoes section may not be New Shoes 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 New Shoes 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 as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are New Shoes shoes with a very low heel and New Shoes a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They New Shoes are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen Red Satin Shoes as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen New Shoes as having more sex appeal New Shoes 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: New Shoes a New Shoes shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either New Shoes gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel New Shoes 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 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 over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny New Shoes loafers).
Boating shoes, New Shoes also known New Shoes as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, Spinning Shoes but more casual. Laces, if present, are New Shoes usually simple leather (often New Shoes two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to New Shoes avoid marring or scratching a boat New Shoes deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are New Shoes designed to be used in New Shoes times of bad weather, New Shoes or simply New Shoes as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor use, commonly worn with New Shoes 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. New Shoes In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to New Shoes be more on function than style.
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Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made New Shoes out of rubber, New Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running New Shoes shoes: very similar to New Shoes above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often New Shoes with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right New Shoes foot.
Cleat (shoe): a New Shoes type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while New Shoes playing sports such as rugby, New Shoes football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. New Shoes Originally the spikes or "cleats" were New Shoes made of metal New Shoes but replaceable New Shoes "soft spikes" New Shoes made New Shoes of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs New Shoes distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause New Shoes 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 New Shoes to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, New Shoes little if any padding, and a smooth New Shoes sticky rubber sole with an extended New Shoes rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high New Shoes somewhat stiff Fashion Shoes upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: New 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: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the New Shoes bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: New Shoes a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for New Shoes a better New Shoes grip on a skateboard. New Shoes They are very wide and have New Shoes extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal New Shoes or plastic cleat to Free Shoes interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff New Shoes sole to New Shoes maximize New Shoes power transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking New Shoes in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are New Shoes light, flexible shoes New Shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and New Shoes protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with New Shoes pedorthic New Shoes and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such New Shoes 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 New Shoes so the dancer can stand New Shoes on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas New Shoes or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., New Shoes split-sole). The New Shoes sole is typically made of leather, with thicker material under the ball and heel of New Shoes the foot, and thinner and thus more New Shoes flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to New Shoes its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually New Shoes secured by elastics that cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, New Shoes although they may be made in specialty colours such New Shoes as New Shoes red or blue.
Jazz New Shoes shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized New Shoes sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide New Shoes both flexibility and traction, and a low Special Occasion Shoes (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco New Shoes dance New Shoes shoes.
Ballroom shoes. New Shoes They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances New Shoes as New Shoes defined by the New Shoes IDSF (International New Shoes DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised New Shoes by suede soles. New Shoes Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels New Shoes and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch New Shoes heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while New Shoes Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on New Shoes to the toes and New Shoes the soles are more flexible. Men's Paul Green Shoes Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels New Shoes while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are New Shoes a combination of a New Shoes sneaker and a 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 New Shoes during dance. They may come New Shoes in soft-soled New Shoes (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 New Shoes covers that protect the ball of New Shoes a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, New Shoes flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro New Shoes dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy New Shoes wear, New Shoes to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They New Shoes are generally made from sturdy New Shoes leather uppers and New Shoes non-leather 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 New Shoes worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: New Shoes these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as the New Shoes 14th New Shoes century.
Patten: a European wooden overshoe used to keep New Shoes a person's feet New Shoes dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use New Shoes even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with New Shoes a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North New Shoes American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of New Shoes hard but deformable material. After a person New Shoes wears them New Shoes multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said New Shoes to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically New Shoes wear out. Not all shoes New Shoes are designed to New Shoes enable this.
Sole replacement: soles New Shoes also wear out. New Shoes Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes New Shoes can be New Shoes treated as trash or Christian Louboutin Shoes municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned New Shoes into other New Shoes raw materials. See New Shoes 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 Africa, much of Northern New 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 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 New Shoes into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is New Shoes considered rude to show the soles of the New Shoes feet to others (even New Shoes accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it New Shoes is New Shoes an extreme insult for New Shoes the foot, socks, or shoes to touch New Shoes someone's head or New Shoes be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is New Shoes an extremely rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" New Shoes the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
