The earliest known shoes date from about Squash Shoes 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last Squash Shoes for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before Squash Shoes this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he Squash Shoes has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, Squash Shoes based Squash Shoes on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than Squash Shoes the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going Squash Shoes barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to Squash Shoes an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a Squash Shoes shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, Squash Shoes which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and Squash Shoes extra insoles are often added for comfort or health Squash Shoes reasons (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress Squash Shoes shoes have leather outsoles; casual Squash Shoes or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural Squash Shoes rubber Squash Shoes or Squash Shoes a Squash Shoes 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 is leather for style. Specialized shoes Squash Shoes will often have modifications Squash Shoes on this design: Squash Shoes athletic cleats have spikes embedded Squash Shoes in the outsole to Squash Shoes grip the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder Squash Shoes soles.
Midsole
The Squash Shoes layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for Squash Shoes shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where Squash Shoes one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of their shoes. Some shoes Squash Shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of Squash Shoes a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support Squash Shoes the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of Squash Shoes the shoe. This Squash Shoes 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 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 Squash Shoes a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have Squash Shoes a more complex upper. Squash Shoes This part Squash Shoes is often decorated Squash Shoes or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing a Squash Shoes shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a Squash Shoes smooth surface for the foot 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 Squash Shoes 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 Squash Shoes or galoshes: a rubber Squash Shoes covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of Squash Shoes various materials for cushioning, improved Squash Shoes fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. Inserts Squash Shoes may also Squash Shoes be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not Squash Shoes 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 which increases Squash Shoes the area of ground covered by the Squash Shoes shoe.
Shoelaces: a Squash Shoes system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from Squash Shoes real crocodile Squash Shoes skin, in a conservation Squash Shoes exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress Squash Shoes and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth Squash Shoes and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek Squash Shoes figure. Casual Squash Shoes shoes Squash Shoes are characterized by sturdy leather Squash Shoes uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of Squash Shoes dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made Squash Shoes of Squash Shoes leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures Squash Shoes or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open Squash Shoes toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe Squash Shoes with the upper Squash Shoes rising above the ankle is usually considered a Squash Shoes boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped Squash Shoes shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured Squash Shoes by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
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Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a Squash Shoes V-shaped slit to Squash Shoes which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". Squash Shoes In England, the Squash Shoes balmoral is Squash Shoes known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that Squash Shoes 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 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 Squash Shoes be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: 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): The toe of the shoe is covered with a Squash Shoes perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Brogues can be found in Squash Shoes both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further Squash 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 Squash Shoes concerns may be found on Squash Shoes the talk page. See Wikipedia's Squash Shoes guide to writing better articles Squash Shoes for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is Squash Shoes a large Squash Shoes 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, Squash Shoes known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet Squash Shoes pumps Squash Shoes or skimmers, are shoes with a very Squash Shoes low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be Squash Shoes seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher Squash Shoes heel.
High Squash Shoes heels Ferragamo Shoes may be shoes with heels Squash Shoes 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by Womens Size Shoes women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, Squash Shoes but is Squash Shoes equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty dress Squash Shoes shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: Skater Shoes originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole Squash Shoes and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They Hoover Shoes are thus popular for warm-weather Squash Shoes wear, Squash Shoes because Squash Shoes they let Squash Shoes the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with Squash Shoes a contrasting Squash Shoes saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers Squash Shoes with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress 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, Squash Shoes if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) 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 the ankle) frequently made Squash Shoes of leather. Squash Shoes Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include Squash Shoes 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 Squash Shoes women's athletic shoes and special function Squash Shoes shoes often have less Squash Shoes difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. Squash Shoes In many cases these shoes can be Squash Shoes worn by either sex. Emphasis Squash Shoes 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, and have good Squash Shoes traction. Squash Shoes Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running Squash Shoes shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
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Track shoes: lightweight; Squash Shoes often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe Squash Shoes for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring Squash Shoes molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as Squash Shoes rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe Squash Shoes for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of Squash Shoes metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the 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. They have harder rubber Squash Shoes soles/heels Squash Shoes so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned Squash Shoes at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed Squash Shoes for rock Squash Shoes climbing. They typically have a Squash Shoes close fit, little Squash Shoes if Squash Shoes any padding, and a smooth sticky Squash Shoes rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes Squash Shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with Squash Shoes many lace eyelets, Squash Shoes Soft Walk Shoes to provide ankle support on Squash Shoes uneven Squash Shoes terrain, with extra large traction on Squash Shoes the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, Squash Shoes may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the Squash Shoes shoe Squash Shoes portion.
Ice skates
Roller Squash Shoes skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: Squash Shoes a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the Spira Shoes ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very Squash Shoes 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 shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes Squash Shoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling Squash Shoes shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes Squash Shoes are made with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, Squash Shoes such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes Squash Shoes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance Squash Shoes shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. Squash Shoes These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips Squash Shoes of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps and ribbons that are tied Squash Shoes to the Squash Shoes dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., Squash Shoes split-sole). Squash Shoes The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker material under Squash Shoes 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 Squash Shoes that cross over Squash Shoes the top of the foot. They are Squash Shoes most Squash Shoes commonly pink, Squash Shoes white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. Nurse Shoes These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., Squash Shoes split-sole) to provide both flexibility and Squash Shoes 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 shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are Squash Shoes characterised by Squash Shoes suede soles. Squash Shoes Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent Squash Shoes leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished Squash Shoes with a greater Squash Shoes variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the Squash Shoes foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more Squash Shoes flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes have Squash Shoes 2,5-inch to Squash Shoes 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
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Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, Squash Shoes these are a combination of a Squash Shoes sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three Dunham Shoes inch heel, which are usually made of leather, Squash Shoes and often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in Squash Shoes 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 Squash Shoes the Squash Shoes ball of a 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 shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed Squash Shoes to stand heavy wear, to Squash Shoes protect the wearer, Saucony Running Shoes and provide high traction. They are generally made from Squash Shoes sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for Squash Shoes protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear Squash Shoes has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of Chinese Laundry Shoes the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still worn today, are found as early as the 14th century.
Patten: a European Squash Shoes wooden overshoe used to keep a person's Squash Shoes feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in Squash Shoes use even into the early Squash Shoes 20th Squash Shoes century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed Squash Shoes toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some Squash Shoes shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have Squash Shoes broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance Squash Shoes (to Discount Dance Shoes some extent) and Squash Shoes 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 unfit Squash Shoes for use, shoes can be treated as Squash Shoes trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The Squash Shoes exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can Squash Shoes be recycled Squash Shoes and turned into other raw materials. See 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 Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is Squash Shoes customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of Squash Shoes the Squash Shoes United States, especially the Midwest, it is expected that visitors Squash Shoes remove their shoes unless a host specifically invites them to leave their shoes Squash Shoes on. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into Squash Shoes the Squash Shoes house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided Squash Shoes for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea and Thailand, Squash Shoes 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 Squash Shoes an extreme insult Squash Shoes for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch Squash Shoes someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching Squash Shoes heads is an extremely Squash Shoes rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Squash Shoes Thai boxers insult Squash Shoes Footjoy Golf Shoes each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their Squash Shoes foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
