The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and Think Shoes were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes Think Shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so Think Shoes shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 Think Shoes and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) Think Shoes decreased during this period, on the Think Shoes premise that going Think Shoes barefoot results Discount Dance Shoes in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Think Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which Think Shoes 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 Footjoy Golf Shoes of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes Think Shoes have outsoles made of Think Shoes 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 and traction, while the front Think Shoes 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 and the Think Shoes insole Think Shoes that Think Shoes is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like Think Shoes running shoes, Think Shoes have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where Think Shoes one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different Think Shoes materials Think Shoes for the midsoles of Think Shoes their shoes. Some Think Shoes shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's Think Shoes fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe Think Shoes is the Think Shoes 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 part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has Think Shoes an upper part that helps 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 in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers Think Shoes and most men's shoes, will have a more complex upper. This part Think Shoes is often decorated Think Shoes or Think Shoes is made in a certain style to look attractive. Think Shoes The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe Think Shoes by keeping the Think Shoes shoe open Think Shoes and providing Think Shoes a smooth surface for the foot to slide Think Shoes upon.
Shoe tree: placed inside the shoe when user is Think Shoes not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material Think Shoes spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide Think Shoes protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a Think Shoes rubber covering placed over shoes for Squash Shoes rain Think Shoes and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various Think Shoes materials for cushioning, improved fit, or 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 Think Shoes not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a Think Shoes shoe longer or wider or Think Shoes for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered Think Shoes by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used Think Shoes to secure shoes.
Types of Think Shoes shoes
Shoes made from real Think Shoes crocodile skin, Think Shoes in a conservation exhibit Think Shoes at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather Think Shoes soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather Think Shoes uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn Think Shoes by either gender. The majority of Think Shoes 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 made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist Think Shoes of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers Think Shoes made high to cover Think Shoes the ankles are also available; a shoe with the Think Shoes upper rising above the ankle Think Shoes is usually considered a boot but certain Think Shoes styles may be referred to Think Shoes as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe Think Shoes is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to Think Shoes ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they Think Shoes are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a Think Shoes V-shaped slit to which the laces Think Shoes are attached; also known Think Shoes as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are Think Shoes not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: Think Shoes the laces are tied to Think Shoes two pieces of leather independently Think Shoes attached to the vamp; also Think Shoes known as "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 can also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: Think Shoes have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations 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): Think Shoes The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues Think Shoes can Think Shoes be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further Think Shoes 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 found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to Think Shoes writing 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. Think Shoes Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet Orange Shoes pumps Cool Shoes or skimmers, are shoes with a very low Think Shoes heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are Think Shoes popular for warm-weather wear, and may Think Shoes be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High Think Shoes Naughty Monkey Shoes heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having Think Shoes more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus Think Shoes 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 Think Shoes shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe Think Shoes with very Think Shoes thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Think Shoes Americans, a soft shoe Think Shoes without a heel and Think Shoes usually Think Shoes made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the Think Shoes foot exposed to air. Think Shoes 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 Iron Age Shoes the Think Shoes instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe Think Shoes without Think Shoes 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 Think Shoes simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a Think Shoes white sole. Think Shoes They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering Christmas Shoes Lyrics the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to Think Shoes be used in times of bad weather, or simply 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: Think Shoes For indoor use, commonly worn Think Shoes with pajamas.
Athletic shoes
Men's and women's athletic Think Shoes shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes Think Shoes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn Think Shoes by either sex. Emphasis tends Leather Shoes to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes Think Shoes or tennis shoes): general Think Shoes purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, Think Shoes and/or plastic to Think Shoes be lightweight, flexible, and have Think Shoes good Think Shoes traction. Special Think Shoes varieties are Think Shoes available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or Think Shoes metal Think Shoes cleats
A shoe for the Think Shoes right foot.
Cleat (shoe): Think Shoes 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" Think Shoes for Think Shoes better Think Shoes grip Think Shoes in grass and wet ground. Think Shoes Originally the Think Shoes spikes or "cleats" were Think Shoes made of metal but replaceable "soft Think Shoes spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed Think Shoes radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf Think Shoes courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style Think Shoes between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. Think Shoes They have harder rubber Think Shoes soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. Think Shoes They are often rented or loaned Think Shoes at Think Shoes bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a Think Shoes smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or Think Shoes boots: Think Shoes usually have Think Shoes a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace Think Shoes 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 Think Shoes water proof.
Skating shoes: typically Think Shoes called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe Think Shoes portion.
Ice skates
Roller Think Shoes skates
Inline skates
Ski Sas Shoes For Women boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed Think Shoes for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have Cheerleading Shoes flat soles Think Shoes for a better grip on a skateboard. Think Shoes They are very wide Think Shoes and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface Wedge Shoes 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 Think Shoes and protection.
Orthopedic Think Shoes shoes
Orthopedic or Think Shoes "comfort" shoes Think Shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those Think Shoes with problematic feet.
Dance Think Shoes shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box that Think Shoes is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that Think Shoes are tied to Think Shoes the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Think Shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., Think Shoes split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker Think Shoes material under Think Shoes the Think Shoes ball and heel of Me Too Shoes the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material Think Shoes 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 Think Shoes are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours Think Shoes such as Think Shoes red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both Think Shoes flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom Think Shoes shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Think Shoes Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the dancer's Think Shoes dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight Think Shoes across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's Think Shoes 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 Think Shoes while Ladies' Think Shoes Latin shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a 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 during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may be Think Shoes converted to Think Shoes tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, Think Shoes these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing Think Shoes turns. From a distance, flesh colored Think Shoes foot thongs give a Think Shoes dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet Life Stride Shoes shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro Think Shoes dancers.
A foot thong, viewed 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 Think Shoes sturdy Think Shoes leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort Think Shoes by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are Think Shoes commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and Think Shoes other workplaces. Protective features may Think Shoes include steel-tipped toes and Think Shoes soles or ankle Think Shoes guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, Think Shoes which are still worn today, Think Shoes are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European wooden Think Shoes overshoe used Think Shoes to keep Think Shoes a person's feet Think Shoes 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 Think Shoes in Europe in Think Shoes the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard Think Shoes but Think Shoes deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material Think Shoes reforms to fit the Think Shoes wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in Think Shoes the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to 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 wear out. Think Shoes Not all shoes can have their Think Shoes soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can Think Shoes be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception can Think Shoes be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who Think Shoes 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 Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some Think Shoes 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, Think Shoes mud or snow into Think Shoes the house. For some societies, including those Think Shoes in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Think Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Think Shoes Korea and Thailand, it is considered Think Shoes rude Think Shoes to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the Think Shoes legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the Think Shoes foot, socks, or Think Shoes shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching 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). |
