The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and Dansko Professional Shoes were found in Oregon, USA Dansko Professional Shoes in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making shoes do Dansko Professional Shoes not normally Dansko Professional Shoes last for thousands of Dansko Professional Shoes Herring Shoes years, Dansko Professional Shoes so Dansko Professional Shoes shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the Dansko Professional Shoes use of shoes began in the period between Dansko Professional Shoes about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the Globe Skate Shoes thickness of the bones of Dansko Professional Shoes the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe is Dansko Professional Shoes called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which Dansko Professional Shoes sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often Dansko Professional Shoes added for comfort or health reasons (to control the Dansko Professional Shoes 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 or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber Dansko Professional Shoes or a synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or Dansko Professional Shoes may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often Dansko Professional Shoes the heel of the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while Dansko Professional Shoes the front is leather for style. Dansko Professional Shoes Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats Dansko Professional 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, Dansko Professional Shoes like Dansko Professional Shoes 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 boots
The bottom rear part of a shoe is the heel. Its function is to support Dansko Professional Shoes the heel of the Dansko Professional Shoes foot. They are often made of the same material as Dansko Professional Shoes the sole Dansko Professional Shoes of Stop Squeaking Shoes the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the person Biviel Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding Dansko Professional Shoes the sole in Discount Tuxedo Shoes place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, Dansko Professional Shoes will have a Dansko Professional Shoes more complex upper. This Dansko Professional Shoes part Dansko Professional Shoes is often decorated or is made in a certain style Dansko Professional Shoes to look attractive. The U.S. Patent 3,355,535 , from 1967, describes a method for producing Dansko Professional Shoes a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can Dansko Professional Shoes be used to insert a foot into a shoe Dansko Professional Shoes by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon.
Shoe tree: Dansko Professional Shoes placed Dansko Professional Shoes inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape.
Shoe Dansko Professional Shoes polishing equipment:
Shoe polish: a waxy material Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes for rain and snow Dansko Professional Shoes protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding Dansko Professional Shoes and inner linings. Inserts may also be used Dansko Professional Shoes to correct foot problems.
Shoe Dansko Professional Shoes bag: a bag that protects shoes against damage when they Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes piece which increases the area of ground covered by Dansko Professional Shoes the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in Dansko Professional Shoes a conservation Dansko Professional Shoes exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of Dansko Professional Shoes dress shoes can be Dansko Professional Shoes worn by either gender. Dansko Professional Shoes The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of Dansko Professional Shoes the lower Dansko Professional Shoes foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part Dansko Professional Shoes of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but may also be Dolcis Shoes made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high Dansko Professional Shoes to cover the ankles are also available; a shoe with the upper Dansko Professional Shoes rising above the ankle is usually Shoes Central considered a Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how Dansko Professional Shoes they Dansko Professional Shoes are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the Dansko Professional Shoes laces are attached; also known as "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Dansko Professional Shoes Oxford. The word "Oxford" Dansko Professional Shoes is used by American clothing Dansko Professional Shoes companies to market shoes that 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 Dansko Professional Shoes 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: 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 Dansko Professional Shoes the most popular decoration.
Brogues (American: wing-tips): The toe of the shoe is covered with Dansko Professional Shoes a perforated panel, the Dansko Professional Shoes wing-tip, which Dansko Professional Shoes 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.
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Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to Dansko Professional Shoes writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of Dansko Professional Shoes shoes available for women, in addition to most of the men's Dansko Professional Shoes styles being more accepted Dansko Professional Shoes as unisex. Some Dansko Professional Shoes broad categories Dansko Professional Shoes are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, Dansko Professional Shoes ballet Dansko Professional Shoes pumps or skimmers, are shoes with Dansko Professional Shoes a Dansko Professional Shoes very low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen Dansko Professional Shoes as more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for Dansko Professional Shoes discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for Dansko Professional Shoes formal Dansko Professional Shoes occasions Dansko Professional Shoes or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: Dansko Professional Shoes a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making it a kind of novelty Dansko Professional Shoes dress shoe.
Either Dansko Professional Shoes gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated by Native Americans, a soft Dansko Professional Shoes shoe without a heel and usually made of leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting of a sole and various straps, leaving Dansko Professional Shoes much of the foot exposed to air. 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 the Dansko Professional Shoes instep, Dansko Professional Shoes typically white uppers with Dansko Professional Shoes black "saddle".
Loafer: a dress or casual shoe without laces; often Dansko Professional Shoes with tassels, Dansko Professional Shoes buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boating shoes, also known as boat shoes Dansko Professional Shoes and deck shoes: similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces, Dansko Professional Shoes if present, are usually simple Dansko Professional Shoes leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Dansko Professional Shoes 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 of leather. Some are designed to be used in times of bad weather, or simply as an Dansko Professional Shoes alternate style of casual or Dansko Professional Shoes dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and Dansko Professional 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 function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In Dansko Professional Shoes 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): Dansko Professional Shoes general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft Dansko Professional Shoes spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like Dansko Professional Shoes materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much Dansko Professional Shoes more common today (and are Dansko Professional Shoes required on many golf courses Dansko Professional Shoes since they cause less Dansko Professional Shoes damage to Dansko Professional Shoes the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress Dansko Professional Shoes shoes Dansko Professional Shoes and athletic shoes. They have Dansko Professional Shoes harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling Dansko Professional Shoes alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe Dansko Professional Shoes designed for rock Dansko Professional Shoes climbing. They typically have a close fit, Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes on uneven Dansko Professional Shoes terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter Dansko Professional Shoes in Dansko Professional Shoes weight than the hiking boot, may have Dansko Professional Shoes air holes, may not be Dansko Professional Shoes 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 One Of Shoes large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles Dansko Professional Shoes for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes Dansko Professional Shoes are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to Dansko Professional Shoes 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 are used for mostly Dansko Professional Shoes recreational purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible Dansko Professional Shoes shoes that mimic Dansko Professional Shoes bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or Dansko Professional Shoes "comfort" shoes are made with pedorthic Dansko Professional Shoes and Dansko Professional Shoes anatomically-correct comfort qualities, Dansko Professional Shoes such as padded removable footbeds, wide toe boxes and arch support are made especially for those with problematic Dansko Professional Shoes feet.
Dance shoes
Pointe shoes. Designed for ballet dancing. These have a toe box that is stiffened with glue and a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of Dansko Professional Shoes their toes. They are secured by elastic straps Dansko Professional Shoes and ribbons that are tied Dansko Professional Shoes to the dancer's ankles.
Ballet shoes Heel-less slippers Dansko Professional 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 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 Dansko Professional Shoes elastics Dansko Professional Shoes that cross over the top of the foot. Dansko Professional Shoes They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically Dansko Professional Shoes have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to Dansko Professional Shoes provide both flexibility and traction, and Dansko Professional Shoes a Dansko Professional Shoes low (one inch or shorter) heel. They are secured to the foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. Dansko Professional 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 Dansko Professional Shoes by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent Dansko Professional Shoes leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with Dansko Professional Shoes low 2-inch heels, usually Dansko Professional Shoes made of fabric Dansko Professional Shoes so that they can be finished with a Dansko Professional Shoes greater variety of colours to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight Dansko Professional Shoes across the foot Dansko Professional Shoes while Latin American Dansko Professional Shoes shoes have higher Dansko Professional Shoes heels designed Dansko Professional Shoes to throw the Dansko Professional Shoes dancer's weight on to Dansko Professional Shoes the toes Dansko Professional Shoes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin shoes Dansko Professional Shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as Dansko Professional Shoes dansneakers, these are a combination of a Dansko Professional Shoes sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made Dansko Professional Shoes of leather, and often Dansko Professional Shoes have one or more straps across the Dansko Professional Shoes instep to secure the foot Dansko Professional Shoes during dance. They may come in 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 Dansko Professional Shoes are slip-on, partial foot covers that protect the ball Dansko Professional Shoes of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance Dansko Professional Shoes of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This Dansko Professional Shoes style is frequently worn by acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed Dansko Professional Shoes from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy wear, to protect the wearer, and provide Dansko Professional Shoes high traction. They Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes Dansko Professional Shoes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of thousands of years. Shoes of the Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes keep a person's feet dry outdoors. First worn in the middle ages, they continued in use Dansko Professional Shoes 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 are made of Dansko Professional Shoes hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple Dansko Professional Shoes times, the material reforms to fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water Dansko Professional Shoes resistance (to Dansko Professional Shoes some Dansko Professional Shoes 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 Dansko Professional Shoes wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be Dansko Professional Shoes treated as trash or municipal solid waste and disposed of. The exception Dansko Professional Shoes can be with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into Dansko Professional Shoes other raw materials. See Nike Grind as an example.
Someone who makes or repairs Dansko Professional Shoes shoes in a shop is called Dansko Professional Shoes a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
In most parts of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Dansko Professional Shoes Africa, much Dansko Professional Shoes of Northern Europe and Canada, as well as Alaska) it is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In some areas Dansko Professional Shoes of the United Dansko Professional Shoes States, especially the Midwest, Dansko Professional Shoes it is expected that visitors remove their shoes unless a host specifically Dansko Professional Shoes invites them to leave their shoes on. Dansko Professional Shoes People do Dansko Professional Shoes this to avoid bringing Dansko Professional Shoes dirt, mud or Dansko Professional Shoes snow into the Dansko Professional Shoes house. For some societies, including those in Asia, indoor footwear may be provided for guests.
In the Middle East, parts of Africa, Korea Dansko Professional Shoes and Thailand, it Dansko Professional Shoes is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to Dansko Professional Shoes others (even accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult for the foot, Dansko Professional Shoes socks, or shoes to touch someone's Dansko Professional Shoes head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely Dansko Professional Shoes 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). Dansko Professional Shoes |
