The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938[1]. However, the materials used for making Memory Foam Shoes shoes do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Memory Foam Shoes Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period Memory Foam Shoes between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago, based on the Memory Foam Shoes fact that the Memory Foam Shoes thickness of Memory Foam Shoes the bones of the toes (other than the big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this Memory Foam Shoes period.[1]
Parts of a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of a Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes with the ground. Dress shoes have leather outsoles; casual or Memory Foam Shoes work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural Memory Foam Shoes rubber or a Memory Foam Shoes synthetic imitation. The outsole may comprise a single Memory Foam Shoes 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 will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes embedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many Memory Foam Shoes kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or Memory Foam Shoes harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between Memory Foam Shoes the Memory Foam Shoes outsole and the insole that is Memory Foam Shoes typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have another material for shock absorption, usually beneath Memory Foam Shoes the Memory Foam Shoes heel where one Memory Foam Shoes puts the most pressure down. Different companies Memory Foam Shoes 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 E Z Strider Shoes is the heel. Its function is to support the heel of the Memory Foam Shoes foot. They are Memory Foam Shoes often made of the same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be high for fashion or to make the Memory Foam Shoes person look taller, or flat for a more practical Memory Foam Shoes use.
Vamp, Memory Foam Shoes or upper
Any shoe has an upper part that helps hold the Memory Foam Shoes shoe onto the foot. Memory Foam Shoes In the simplest cases, Memory Foam Shoes such as sandals or flip flops, this Memory Foam Shoes may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole Memory Foam Shoes in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a 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 , Memory Foam Shoes from 1967, describes a method for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be Memory Foam Shoes used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and Memory Foam Shoes providing a smooth surface for the foot to Memory Foam Shoes 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 polish: a waxy material spread Memory Foam Shoes on shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and provide protection.
Shoe brush and polishing cloth: used to apply polish to Memory Foam Shoes shoes.
Overshoes or galoshes: a rubber Memory Foam Shoes covering Memory Foam Shoes placed over shoes for rain and 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 Memory Foam Shoes bag that protects shoes against damage when they are not being Memory Foam Shoes worn.
Shoe stretcher: a tool for Memory Foam Shoes making a shoe longer Memory Foam Shoes or wider or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area Memory Foam Shoes of ground covered by the shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation Toddler Athletic Shoes exhibit at Bristol Zoo, England.
Dress and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple Memory Foam Shoes leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek figure. Casual shoes are characterized Memory Foam Shoes by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. The majority Memory Foam Shoes of dress shoes have Memory Foam Shoes an upper covering, commonly made of leather, Memory Foam Shoes enclosing most of the Memory Foam Shoes lower foot, but not Memory Foam Shoes covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, Memory Foam Shoes but may also be 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 Ice Cream Skater Shoes high to cover the ankles Memory Foam Shoes are also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot but certain styles may be referred Memory Foam Shoes to Memory Foam Shoes as high-topped shoes or high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although some styles have elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes Memory Foam Shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are Memory Foam Shoes attached; Memory Foam Shoes also known as "closed lacing". In Memory Foam Shoes England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. The Memory Foam Shoes word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes Memory Foam Shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces Memory Foam Shoes are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing". In England, the Memory Foam Shoes Blucher is known as the Derby Memory Foam Shoes shoe.
Monk-straps: a buckle and strap instead of lacing
Various other closings Memory Foam Shoes exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can Memory Foam Shoes also be decorated in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and Memory Foam Shoes no extra Memory Foam Shoes decorations on the vamp.
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Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather Memory Foam 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, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of Memory Foam Shoes the shoe. Memory Foam Shoes Brogues can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found Memory Foam Shoes on Memory Foam Shoes the talk page or at requests for expansion.
The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia.
Specific concerns Memory Foam Shoes may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide Memory Foam Shoes to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There is a large variety of shoes available for women, in addition to Memory Foam Shoes most of the men's styles Memory Foam Shoes being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK Memory Foam Shoes as ballerinas, ballet pumps or skimmers, are shoes Memory Foam Shoes with a Memory Foam Shoes very Memory Foam Shoes low heel and a relatively short vamp, exposing Memory Foam Shoes much of the instep. They are popular for warm-weather wear, and may be seen as more Memory Foam Shoes comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) or higher. They are Memory Foam Shoes often seen as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for Memory Foam Shoes discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women Memory Foam Shoes for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a heel, making Memory Foam Shoes it Memory Foam Shoes a kind of novelty dress shoe.
Either gender
Women's sandals
Clog
Platform shoe: shoe with very thick soles and heels
Moccasin: originated Memory Foam Shoes by Native Americans, a soft shoe Memory Foam Shoes 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 air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they Memory Foam Shoes let the foot be Memory Foam Shoes cooler Memory Foam Shoes than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically Memory Foam Shoes white uppers Memory Foam 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 Memory Foam Shoes more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no frills. Often made of canvas or Memory Foam Shoes featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching Memory Foam Shoes a boat deck.
Boots: Long Memory Foam Shoes shoes (covering 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 boots, as well Memory Foam Shoes as work boots and hiking Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes difference between the sexes than Memory Foam Shoes 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 out of rubber, cloth, and/or Memory Foam Shoes plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and Memory Foam Shoes 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; Memory Foam Shoes often with plastic or metal cleats
A shoe Memory Foam Shoes for the And One Shoes right foot.
Cleat (shoe): a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as Memory Foam Shoes rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
A shoe for the Memory Foam Shoes right foot.
Golf shoes: with "spikes" for better grip in Memory Foam Shoes grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable Memory Foam Shoes "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 Memory Foam Shoes on many golf courses since Memory Foam Shoes they Memory Foam Shoes cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: Memory Foam Shoes intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes Memory Foam Shoes and athletic shoes. They Memory Foam Shoes have harder rubber Memory Foam Shoes soles/heels Memory Foam Shoes so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a Memory Foam Shoes shoe designed Memory Foam Shoes for rock climbing. They typically have Memory Foam Shoes a close fit, Memory Foam Shoes little if any padding, and Memory Foam Shoes a Memory Foam Shoes smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber Memory Foam Shoes rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually Memory Foam Shoes have a high somewhat 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 flexible Memory Foam Shoes sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight Memory Foam Shoes than Memory Foam Shoes the hiking boot, may have air holes, Memory Foam Shoes 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: Memory Foam Shoes a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment Memory Foam Shoes to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They Memory Foam Shoes are very wide and Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational Memory Foam Shoes 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, Memory Foam Shoes 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 dancing. These have a toe box that is Memory Foam Shoes stiffened with glue and Memory Foam Shoes a hardened sole so the dancer can stand on the tips of their toes. They are secured by Memory Foam Shoes elastic straps and ribbons that are Memory Foam Shoes tied to the Memory Foam Shoes dancer's ankles.
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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 thicker material under Memory Foam Shoes the ball and heel of the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot Memory Foam Shoes can be pointed to its utmost. Ballet slippers are usually secured by Memory Foam Shoes elastics Memory Foam Shoes that cross over the top of the foot. Memory Foam Shoes They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale Memory Foam Shoes tan, although they may be made in Memory Foam Shoes specialty Memory Foam Shoes colours such as red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, Memory Foam Shoes rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to Timberland Shoes With Heel provide Memory Foam Shoes both flexibility and traction, and a low Memory Foam Shoes (one inch or Memory Foam Shoes shorter) heel. They Memory Foam Shoes are secured to the Thom Mcann Shoes foot by laces or elastic inserts.
Tango/flamenco dance shoes.
Ballroom shoes. They fall into two categories for the Memory Foam Shoes two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Memory Foam Shoes Federation): Ballroom and Latin American. Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are typically lace-ups with 1-inch Memory Foam Shoes heels and Memory Foam Shoes patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes with low 2-inch heels, usually made Memory Foam Shoes of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours Memory Foam Shoes to match the dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes Memory Foam Shoes the dancer's weight across Memory Foam Shoes the foot while Latin American shoes have higher heels designed to throw Memory Foam Shoes the dancer's weight on to the toes and the soles are more flexible. Men's Latin shoes typically have Memory Foam Shoes 1.5-inch to 2-inch shaped heels while Ladies' Latin Memory Foam Shoes shoes have 2,5-inch to 3-inch heels, Memory Foam Shoes open-toed and strapped.
Dance sneakers. Also known as Memory Foam Shoes dansneakers, these are a combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber Memory Foam Shoes toe.
Character shoes. Shoes with a one to Memory Foam Shoes three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across the Memory Foam Shoes instep to secure the foot during dance. They may come Memory Foam Shoes in soft-soled (suede) Memory Foam Shoes or hard-soled varieties. They may be Memory Foam Shoes converted to tap shoes by attaching taps.
Foot thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the manufacturer, these Memory Foam Shoes are slip-on, Memory Foam Shoes partial foot Memory Foam Shoes covers that protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions Memory Foam Shoes while executing turns. From a distance, flesh colored foot thongs give a dancer the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet Memory Foam Shoes 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 stand heavy wear, Memory Foam Shoes to Memory Foam Shoes protect the wearer, and provide high Memory Foam Shoes traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. Sometimes they are used Memory Foam Shoes for uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial Memory Foam Shoes settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Historical shoes
Footwear has been worn for tens of Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes overshoe used to Memory Foam Shoes 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 are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, Memory Foam Shoes the material reforms to fit the wearer's Memory Foam Shoes feet. The person is said to have broken in the Memory Foam Shoes shoes.
Polishing: Memory Foam Shoes for protection, water resistance (to some extent) and appearance, especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed Memory Foam Shoes to enable this.
Sole replacement: soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When Memory Foam Shoes unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste and Memory Foam Shoes disposed of. The exception can be Memory Foam Shoes with most athletic sneakers which can be recycled and turned into other Memory Foam Shoes raw Memory Foam Shoes materials. See Nike Grind Memory Foam Shoes as an example.
Someone Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes is Memory Foam Shoes 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 Memory Foam Shoes specifically invites them to leave their shoes on. People do this to avoid Memory Foam Shoes 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, Memory Foam Shoes parts Memory Foam Shoes of Africa, Korea and Thailand, it is considered rude to show the soles of the feet to Memory Foam Shoes others (even Memory Foam Shoes accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In Memory Foam Shoes addition, in Thailand, it is an Memory Foam Shoes extreme insult for Memory Foam Shoes the foot, Memory Foam Shoes socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet Memory Foam Shoes touching heads Memory Foam Shoes is an extremely Memory Foam Shoes rare occurrence in any society, some Muay Thai boxers insult each other by "kicking" the opponent's head with their Memory Foam Shoes foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin). |
