The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to Stretching Shoes 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA Stretching Shoes in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do not normally last Stretching Shoes for thousands of years, Stretching Shoes so shoes were Stretching Shoes probably Stretching Shoes in use Stretching Shoes 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 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact Stretching Shoes Reebok Basketball Shoes that the Stretching Shoes thickness of the bones of Stretching Shoes the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going Stretching Shoes barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a Stretching Shoes 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 layer in direct contact with the Stretching Shoes ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber Stretching Shoes Shoes Running Heelys or a synthetic imitation. Stretching Shoes The outsole Stretching Shoes may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of the sole is Stretching Shoes rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats Stretching Shoes 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 insole that is typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running Stretching Shoes shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most Stretching Shoes pressure Stretching Shoes down. Different companies use different Stretching Shoes materials for the midsoles of Outdoor Shoes their shoes. Some Stretching Shoes shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function Stretching Shoes is Stretching Shoes to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the same Stretching Shoes material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make Stretching Shoes the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an Stretching Shoes upper part that helps hold Stretching Shoes the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a Stretching Shoes more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in a certain style to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , Stretching Shoes 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 by keeping the shoe open Stretching Shoes and providing a Stretching Shoes smooth surface Stretching Shoes for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe Stretching 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 polish to shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and Stretching Shoes snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various 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 not 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 the area Stretching Shoes of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to Stretching Shoes secure shoes.
Types of shoes
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, 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 Stretching Shoes worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have New Shoes Lyrics an upper covering, Stretching Shoes commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. Stretching Shoes This upper part Stretching Shoes of the shoe is often made Stretching Shoes without apertures or openings, Stretching Shoes but Stretching Shoes may also Stretching Shoes be made with openings or even itself consist of a Stretching Shoes series Stretching Shoes of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Stretching Shoes Shoes with uppers Stretching Shoes made high Stretching Shoes to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes by laces or zippers, although Stretching Shoes some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the Stretching Shoes shoe on.
Men's Stretching Shoes shoes
Men's shoes can be Stretching Shoes categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has Stretching Shoes a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also Stretching Shoes known as "closed lacing". Stretching Shoes In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies Stretching Shoes to market shoes that are not balmorals, such Stretching Shoes as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces Stretching Shoes of Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can also be decorated in Stretching Shoes various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and no extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has Stretching Shoes an extra layer of leather that "caps" the Stretching Shoes toe. This is possibly the Stretching Shoes most popular decoration.
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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 it.
Further Stretching 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 Stretching Shoes concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's Stretching Shoes guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes Stretching Shoes available for women, in Stretching Shoes addition to Stretching Shoes most of the men's styles being more accepted as unisex. Some Stretching Shoes broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of Stretching Shoes the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as Stretching Shoes more comfortable than shoes Stretching Shoes with Stretching Shoes a higher heel.
High heels may Stretching Shoes be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) Stretching Shoes or higher. They are often seen as having more sex Stretching Shoes appeal than low Stretching Shoes heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for Stretching Shoes formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot Stretching Shoes and sneaker pump: a shoe Stretching Shoes that looks like an athletic shoe, but is 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 Stretching Shoes heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft shoe without a heel Stretching Shoes and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting Cheap Shoes Online of a sole and various straps, leaving much of the foot Used Trippen Shoes exposed to Stretching Shoes air. They are thus popular Stretching Shoes for warm-weather wear, because Stretching Shoes they let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over Stretching Shoes the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also Stretching Shoes known as boat shoes and deck shoes: similar to a Stretching Shoes loafer, Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes Avia Aqua Shoes (covering Stretching Shoes the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow Stretching Shoes boots, as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: For indoor Stretching Shoes use, commonly worn with pajamas.
Athletic Stretching Shoes shoes
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function Stretching Shoes shoes often have less difference Stretching Shoes between the sexes 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 or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made Stretching Shoes out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, Stretching Shoes flexible, and have good Stretching Shoes traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar Stretching Shoes to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe for the right foot.
Cleat (shoe): Stretching 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" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the Cushion Running Shoes spikes or "cleats" were made of metal Stretching Shoes but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge Stretching Shoes of each spike are much more common today Stretching Shoes (and are required on many Stretching Shoes golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress Stretching Shoes shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not 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, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large Stretching Shoes traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the Stretching Shoes hiking boot, 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 shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have Stretching Shoes flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers Stretching Shoes of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling Stretching Shoes shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface Stretching Shoes with clipless pedals, as well Stretching Shoes as a stiff sole to maximize power Stretching Shoes transfer and support the foot.
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes with pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such Stretching Shoes as Stretching Shoes padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support Stretching Shoes are made especially for those with problematic feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet Stretching Shoes dancing. These have a Stretching Shoes toe box Stretching Shoes that is stiffened Stretching Shoes with glue and a hardened Stretching Shoes sole so the dancer can stand on the tips Stretching Shoes of their toes. They are secured by elastic straps Stretching Shoes and ribbons Stretching Shoes that Stretching Shoes are tied to the dancer's ankles.
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Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers made of canvas or leather, with either Stretching Shoes continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with Stretching Shoes thicker Stretching Shoes material under the ball and heel of the Stretching Shoes foot, and Stretching Shoes thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch Stretching Shoes so Stretching Shoes that the foot can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are Stretching Shoes usually secured Stretching Shoes by elastics that cross over the top of the Stretching Shoes foot. They are Stretching Shoes most commonly pink, white, black, or pale Stretching Shoes tan, although they may be made in specialty colours Stretching Shoes such as red Stretching Shoes or Stretching Shoes blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to Stretching Shoes provide both flexibility and traction, and a low (one inch or Stretching Shoes shorter) heel. They are secured to the Stretching Shoes foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco Stretching Shoes dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the two genres of dances as Stretching Shoes defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups Stretching Shoes with 1-inch heels and patent leather Stretching Shoes uppers. Stretching Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with Stretching Shoes low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric Stretching Shoes so that they can be Stretching Shoes finished with a greater Stretching Shoes variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight on to the toes and the Stretching Shoes soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have Stretching Shoes 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. Also Stretching Shoes known as dansneakers, Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes often have one or more straps across the instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or Stretching 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 Stretching Shoes manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a Stretching Shoes dancer the appearance of Stretching Shoes having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz Stretching Shoes shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to Stretching Shoes protect the wearer, and provide high traction. They are generally made from 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 protection in industrial settings, construction, Stretching Shoes mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped Stretching Shoes toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear Stretching Shoes has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Stretching Shoes Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are Stretching Shoes still Stretching Shoes worn today, are 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 Stretching Shoes in Europe in the 1400s.
Moccasins: Stretching Shoes the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some 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 broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some extent) Stretching Shoes and appearance, Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes Stretching Shoes can be treated Stretching Shoes as trash or municipal solid waste Stretching Shoes and disposed Stretching Shoes of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other raw Poppy Seeds In The Shoes materials. See Nike Grind as West Bloom Shoes an example.
Someone who makes or Stretching Shoes repairs shoes in a shop is called Stretching Shoes a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the Stretching Shoes world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts Stretching Shoes 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 Stretching Shoes house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Midwest, it is Stretching Shoes expected that visitors remove their Stretching Shoes shoes unless a Stretching Shoes host specifically invites Stretching Shoes them to leave their shoes on. People Stretching Shoes do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or Stretching Shoes snow into the house. Stretching Shoes For some societies, including Stretching Shoes those in Asia, indoor footwear may Stretching Shoes be provided for guests.
In the Stretching Shoes Middle East, parts of Africa, Stretching Shoes Korea and Stretching Shoes Thailand, it is considered rude Stretching Shoes to Stretching Shoes show the soles Stretching Shoes of Stretching Shoes the feet to others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme Stretching Shoes insult for the Stretching Shoes foot, socks, or Stretching Shoes shoes to touch Stretching Shoes someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely Stretching Shoes rare occurrence Stretching Shoes in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are Stretching Shoes executed with the shin). |
