The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials Wide Width Women S Shoes used Wide Width Women S Shoes for making shoes Wide Width Women S Shoes do Wide Width Women S Shoes not normally last for Wide Width Women S Shoes thousands of years, so shoes Wide Width Women S Shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Wide Width Women S Shoes Erik Trinkaus believes he has found Wide Width Women S Shoes evidence that the use of Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes began in the Wide Width Women S Shoes period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going Discount Steve Madden Shoes barefoot results Jimmy Chu Shoes in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic Wide Width Women S Shoes shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is called Wide Width Women S Shoes the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits Wide Width Women S Shoes directly beneath Wide Width Women S Shoes the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health Wide Width Women S 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 shoes have leather outsoles; casual David Tate Shoes or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of Wide Width Women S Shoes natural rubber or a Wide Width Women S Shoes synthetic Wide Width Women S Shoes imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of Wide Width Women S Shoes different materials. Often the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes Prada Men Shoes will often have Wide Width Women S Shoes modifications on this design: athletic cleats Wide Width Women S Shoes have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the Wide Width Women S Shoes ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between Wide Width Women S Shoes the outsole and the insole that is typically there for Wide Width Women S Shoes shock absorption. Wide Width Women S Shoes Some types of shoes, Wide Width Women S Shoes like running 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 their shoes. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion Wide Width Women S Shoes boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for a more practical use.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe has an upper Wide Width Women S Shoes part that helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the Wide Width Women S Shoes simplest Wide Width Women S Shoes cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be Wide Width Women S Shoes nothing more than a Wide Width Women S Shoes few straps for holding the sole Wide Width Women S Shoes in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have Wide Width Women S Shoes a more complex upper. This part is often decorated or is made in Wide Width Women S Shoes a certain style to Wide Width Women S Shoes look attractive. Wide Width Women S Shoes The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, Wide Width Women S Shoes describes a Wide Width Women S Shoes method for producing Wide Width Women S Shoes a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can Wide Width Women S Shoes be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open Wide Width Women S Shoes and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: Wide Width Women S Shoes placed inside the shoe when Wide Width Women S Shoes user is not wearing it, to help maintain the Wide Width Women S Shoes shoe's shape.
Shoe polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy Wide Width Women S Shoes material spread on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing Wide Width Women S Shoes cloth: used to apply polish to shoes.
Overshoes Wide Width Women S Shoes or galoshes: a Wide Width Women S Shoes rubber covering placed over shoes Wide Width Women S Shoes for rain and snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for making a Wide Width Women S Shoes shoe longer or wider or for reducing discomfort Wide Width Women S Shoes in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a Ladies Dress Shoes wooden or leather piece which Wide Width Women S Shoes increases Wide Width Women S Shoes the area of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a Wide Width Women S Shoes system used to 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes and supple Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 worn by either gender. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering Wide Width Women S Shoes the ankles. This upper part of the Wide Width Women S Shoes Love Those Shoes Slippers shoe is often Wide Width Women S Shoes made without apertures or openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe Wide Width Women S Shoes featured in women's shoes. Wide Width Women S Shoes Shoes with uppers made high Wide Width Women S Shoes to cover the ankles Wide Width Women S Shoes are also available; a shoe with Wide Width Women S Shoes the upper rising Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 elastic inserts Wide Width Women S Shoes to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped Wide Width Women S Shoes slit to which the laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The word "Oxford" is used Wide Width Women S Shoes by American Wide Width Women S Shoes clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently Wide Width Women S Shoes attached to the vamp; also Wide Width Women S Shoes known as "open Wide Width Women S Shoes lacing". In England, the Blucher is Wide Width Women S Shoes known as the Derby shoe.
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Monk-straps: a Wide Width Women S Shoes buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes Wide Width Women 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 extra layer of leather that "caps" the toe. This is possibly the Wide Width Women S Shoes most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Adrenaline Gts Brooks Running Shoes section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone Wide Width Women S Shoes or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns may be Wide Width Women S Shoes found Wide Width Women S Shoes on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better Wide Width Women S Shoes articles Wide Width Women S Shoes for Wide Width Women S Shoes suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to most of Wide Width Women S Shoes the men's styles being more accepted as Wide Width Women S Shoes unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the Wide Width Women S Shoes US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes with a very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as Wide Width Women S Shoes more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches Wide Width Women S Shoes (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 women for formal occasions or social Wide Width Women S Shoes outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic Wide Width Women S Shoes shoe, but is equipped with Wide Width Women S Shoes a heel, Wide Width Women S Shoes making it a kind Wide Width Women S Shoes of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes exposed to Wide Width Women S Shoes air. They Wide Width Women S Shoes are thus popular Wide Width Women S Shoes for warm-weather wear, because they let the foot be cooler than Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes dress or casual shoe without laces; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes Wide Width Women S Shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more Wide Width Women S Shoes casual. Laces, Wide Width Women S Shoes if present, are usually simple Wide Width Women S Shoes leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas Wide Width Women S Shoes or Wide Width Women S Shoes featuring a white sole. Wide Width Women S Shoes They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
Boots: Long shoes (covering the ankle) frequently made of leather. Some are designed to be used in times Wide Width Women S Shoes of bad weather, or simply as an alternate style Wide Width Women S Shoes of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, Wide Width Women S Shoes as well as work boots and hiking boots.
Slippers: Rogan S Shoes For indoor use, commonly worn Wide Width Women S Shoes with Wide Width Women S 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. In many cases these shoes can be Wide Width Women S Shoes worn by Wide Width Women S Shoes either Wide Width Women S Shoes sex. Emphasis tends to be more on function than style.
Sneakers/trainers (also called gym shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; Wide Width Women S Shoes made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have Wide Width Women S Shoes good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or Wide Width Women S Shoes tennis.
Running shoes: very similar Wide Width Women S 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): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as Wide Width Women S Shoes rugby, football, American Wide Width Women S Shoes football, or baseball.
A shoe for the right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of Wholesale Diabetic Shoes metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed Wide Width Women S Shoes radially around Wide Width Women S Shoes the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf Wide Width Women S Shoes courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and Wide Width Women S Shoes athletic shoes. They have harder Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber Wide Width Women S Shoes rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat Wide Width Women S Shoes stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support Wide Width Women S Shoes on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible Wide Width Women S Shoes sole than Wide Width Women S Shoes the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, Abused Shoes may have air holes, may not be Wide Width Women S Shoes water proof.
Skating Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes: typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline Wide Width Women S Shoes skates
Ski boot: a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a Wide Width Women S Shoes better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders Wide Width Women S Shoes feet.
Cycling Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as Wide Width Women S Shoes 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, Wide Width Women S Shoes flexible shoes Munro American Shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and Wide Width Women S Shoes protection.
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Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with Wide Width Women S Shoes pedorthic Wide Width Women S Shoes and anatomically-correct comfort qualities, such 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes dancing. These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes made of canvas or leather, with either continuous or two-part sole (i.e., split-sole). The sole is typically made of leather, with thicker material under Wide Width Women S Shoes the ball Wide Width Women S Shoes and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be Wide Width Women S Shoes pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by elastics that cross over Wide Width Women S Shoes the top of the foot. They are most Wide Width Women S Shoes commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such Wide Width Women S Shoes as red or blue.
Jazz Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes. These typically Wide Width Women S Shoes have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility Wide Width Women S Shoes and traction, and a low (one Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Wide Width Women S Shoes Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be Wide Width Women S Shoes finished with a greater variety Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes higher heels designed Wide Width Women S Shoes to throw the Wide Width Women S Shoes dancer's 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 while Ladies' Latin shoes have 2,5-inch Wide Width Women S Shoes to 3-inch heels, Wide Width Women S Shoes open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as dansneakers, these are a Wide Width Women S Shoes combination of a sneaker and a Wide Width Women S Shoes dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber Wide Width Women S Shoes toe.
Character shoes. Wide Width Women S Shoes Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which Wide Width Women S Shoes are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the instep Wide Width Women S Shoes to secure Wide Width Women S Shoes the foot during dance. They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may be converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot Wide Width Women S Shoes thongs. Variously called called Wide Width Women S Shoes Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the Wide Width Women S Shoes manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot Wide Width Women S Shoes from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot Wide Width Women S Shoes thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by acro Wide Width Women S Shoes dancers.
A foot Wide Width Women S Shoes thong, viewed Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used for Wide Width Women S Shoes uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, Wide Width Women S Shoes construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped Wide Width Women S Shoes toes and Wide Width Women S Shoes soles or Wide Width Women S Shoes ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the past include:
Espadrilles: these sandals, which are still 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, Wide Width Women S Shoes they continued in use even into Wide Width Women S Shoes the early 20th Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 are Wide Width Women S Shoes made of hard but deformable Ann Marino Shoes material. After a person wears them multiple Wide Width Women S Shoes times, the material reforms Wide Width Women S Shoes to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said 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 wear Wide Width Women S Shoes out. Not all Wide Width Women S Shoes shoes are Wide Width Women S Shoes designed to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their Wide Width Women S Shoes soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be Wide Width Women S Shoes treated as trash or municipal solid waste Wide Width Women S Shoes and disposed of. The exception can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other Wide Width Women S Shoes raw Wide Width Women S Shoes materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes Wide Width Women S Shoes in a shop is called a Wide Width Women S Shoes cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 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 Wide Width Women S Shoes to Wide Width Women S Shoes avoid Wide Width Women S Shoes bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor Wide Width Women S Shoes footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Wide Width Women S Shoes Middle East, parts of Wide Width Women S Shoes Africa, Wide Width Women S Shoes Korea and Thailand, 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 an extreme insult for the foot, Wide Width Women S Shoes socks, or shoes to Wide Width Women S Shoes touch someone's head or be Wide Width Women S Shoes 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 Zebra Shoes opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
