The earliest known shoes date from Wedge Shoes about Wedge Shoes 8000 to 7000 BCE Wedge Shoes and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Wedge Shoes Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that Wedge Shoes the use of shoes began in Wedge Shoes the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact Wedge Shoes that the thickness of the bones Wedge Shoes of the toes (other Wedge 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 Wedge Shoes Chinese Laundry 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 the interior bottom Wedge Shoes of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and Discount Dance Shoes replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often Footjoy Golf Shoes added for comfort or health reasons Wedge Shoes (to Wedge Shoes control the shape, Wedge Shoes moisture, or Wedge Shoes smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the layer Wedge Shoes in direct contact with the Wedge Shoes ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual Wedge Shoes or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural Wedge Shoes rubber or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, Wedge Shoes or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often Wedge Shoes the heel of Wedge Shoes the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will Wedge Shoes often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes Wedge Shoes embedded in the Wedge Shoes outsole to grip the ground; many kinds of dancing Wedge Shoes shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, Wedge Shoes have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the midsoles of Wedge Shoes their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The Wedge Shoes bottom rear Squash Shoes part of a shoe is the heel. Its Wedge Shoes function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This Wedge Shoes part can be high for fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical Wedge Shoes use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an Wedge Shoes upper part that helps Wedge Shoes hold the shoe onto the foot. In the Wedge 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, Wedge Shoes will have a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is Wedge Shoes made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from Wedge Shoes 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a foot into a Wedge Shoes shoe by keeping the shoe open Wedge Shoes and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe Wedge Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: Wedge Shoes insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, Wedge Shoes 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 not being worn.
Shoe Wedge Shoes stretcher: a tool for making Wedge Shoes a shoe longer or wider Wedge Shoes or Wedge Shoes for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather Orange Shoes piece which increases the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure Cool Shoes shoes.
Types of Wedge Shoes shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in Wedge Shoes a conservation exhibit 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 are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide Wedge Shoes profile.
Some Naughty Monkey Shoes designs of dress shoes Wedge Shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper Iron Age Shoes covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of Wedge Shoes the lower Wedge Shoes 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 of a series of Wedge Shoes straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with Wedge Shoes uppers made high to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have Wedge Shoes elastic inserts to ease slipping Wedge Shoes the Wedge Shoes shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can Wedge Shoes be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit Wedge Shoes to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". Wedge Shoes In England, Wedge Shoes the balmoral is known as 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 Wedge Shoes are tied to two pieces Wedge Shoes of leather independently Wedge Shoes attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
Monk-straps: Wedge Shoes a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other Wedge Shoes closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated Wedge Shoes in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no Christmas Shoes Lyrics extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of Wedge Shoes leather Wedge Shoes 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, Wedge Shoes 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 it.
Further Wedge Shoes information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of Wedge Shoes this article or section may Wedge Shoes not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may Wedge Shoes be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to Wedge Shoes writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's Wedge Shoes shoes
There is a Wedge Shoes large variety of shoes available for women, Wedge Shoes 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 shoes with a very low Wedge Shoes heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may Wedge Shoes be shoes Wedge Shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen Wedge Shoes as having Wedge Shoes more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus Wedge Shoes commonly worn by Wedge Shoes women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like Wedge Shoes an athletic shoe, but is Wedge Shoes equipped 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: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to Wedge Shoes air. They are thus Wedge Shoes popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than a Wedge Shoes closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe Wedge Shoes with a contrasting saddle-shaped Wedge Shoes band over the instep, typically Wedge Shoes white uppers with Wedge Shoes black "saddle".
Loafer: a Wedge Shoes dress Wedge Shoes or casual shoe without laces; often with Wedge Shoes tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar Wedge Shoes to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have Wedge Shoes soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some Wedge Shoes are designed to be used Wedge Shoes in times of bad Wedge Shoes weather, or simply as an alternate style of Wedge Shoes casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and Wedge Shoes 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 Leather Shoes function shoes often have less difference between Wedge Shoes the sexes Wedge Shoes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes Wedge Shoes or tennis shoes): Wedge Shoes general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, Wedge Shoes cloth, and/or plastic to be Wedge Shoes lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball Wedge Shoes or tennis.
Running shoes: Wedge Shoes very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for Wedge Shoes the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a Wedge Shoes type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, Wedge Shoes American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet Wedge Shoes ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed Wedge Shoes radially around the edge of each spike are much Sas Shoes For Women 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 Wedge Shoes shoes and athletic shoes. They Wedge Shoes have Wedge Shoes harder rubber soles/heels so as not Wedge Shoes to damage Wedge Shoes bowling alley floors. They are often Wedge Shoes rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat Wedge Shoes stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more Wedge Shoes flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight Wedge Shoes than the hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating Wedge Shoes shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of Wedge Shoes the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline Wedge Shoes skates
Ski boot: a large, thick Wedge Shoes plastic Wedge Shoes boot specially designed for attachment to Wedge Shoes the ski.
Skateboarding Wedge Shoes shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide Wedge Shoes and have extra Wedge Shoes layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat Wedge Shoes to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole Wedge Shoes to maximize power Wedge Shoes transfer and Wedge Shoes support the Wedge Shoes foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. Wedge Shoes 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 with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, Wedge Shoes such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and Wedge Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes a hardened sole so the dancer can stand 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 or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with Wedge Shoes thicker material under the ball Wedge Shoes and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus Wedge Shoes more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that Wedge Shoes cross over the top of the foot. They are most commonly pink, Wedge Shoes white, Wedge Shoes black, or pale tan, although Wedge Shoes they may be made in specialty colours such as Wedge Shoes red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide Wedge Shoes both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to Wedge Shoes the foot by Wedge Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both Wedge Shoes are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom Wedge Shoes shoes are typically lace-ups with Wedge Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's Wedge Shoes weight Wedge Shoes across Wedge Shoes the foot while Latin Wedge Shoes American shoes Wedge Shoes have Wedge Shoes higher heels designed Wedge Shoes to Wedge Shoes throw Wedge Shoes the dancer's weight Wedge Shoes on Wedge Shoes to Wedge Shoes 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 and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Wedge Shoes Also known as dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a Wedge Shoes reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which Wedge Shoes are usually made of Wedge Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes that protect the ball of a dancer's foot Wedge Shoes from skin abrasions Wedge Shoes while executing turns. From Wedge Shoes a distance, Wedge 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 dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to Wedge Shoes stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They Wedge Shoes are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Wedge Shoes Sometimes they are Wedge Shoes used for Wedge Shoes uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, Wedge Shoes police, military personnel, etc. They Wedge Shoes are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or Wedge Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn Wedge Shoes for Wedge Shoes tens of thousands of Wedge Shoes years. Shoes of Wedge Shoes the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still Wedge Shoes worn today, are Wedge 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 into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes Wedge Shoes are made of hard but Wedge Shoes deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person Wedge Shoes is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some Wedge Shoes extent) and appearance, especially for Wedge Shoes leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to Wedge Shoes enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When Wedge Shoes unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste Wedge Shoes and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled 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, Wedge Shoes parts of the Middle East and Africa, Wedge Shoes much of Northern Europe and Canada, as well Wedge Shoes as Alaska) Wedge Shoes it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas of the United Cheerleading Shoes 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 Wedge Shoes this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow 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 considered rude to show the soles of the feet to others (even accidentally, such as Wedge Shoes by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme Wedge Shoes insult for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching Wedge Shoes heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, Wedge Shoes some Muay Thai boxers Wedge Shoes insult each other by "kicking" Wedge Shoes the opponent's Wedge Shoes head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
