The earliest known Debut Shoes Au shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE 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 Debut Shoes Au were probably in use long before Debut Shoes Au this. Physical anthropologist Erik Debut Shoes Au Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 Debut Shoes Au and 26,000 years ago, based on the fact that the thickness of the bones of the toes (other Debut Shoes Au than the Debut Shoes Au big toe) decreased during this period, on the premise that going barefoot results in greater bone growth before this period.[1]
Parts of Debut Shoes Au a shoe
Gluing a new outsole to an athletic shoe
Sole
The bottom of Debut Shoes Au a Debut Shoes Au shoe is called the sole.
Insole
The insole is the interior Debut Shoes Au bottom of a shoe, which Debut Shoes Au sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are Debut Shoes Au often added for comfort or health reasons (to Debut Shoes Au control the shape, moisture, or Debut Shoes Au smell of the shoe).
Outsole
The outsole is the Debut Shoes Au layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes have Debut Shoes Au leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic imitation. The Debut Shoes Au outsole may comprise a single piece, or may comprise separate pieces of different materials. Often the heel of Debut Shoes Au the sole is rubber for durability and traction, while Debut Shoes Au the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes Debut Shoes Au embedded in the outsole Debut Shoes Au to grip the ground; Wheely Shoes many kinds of dancing shoes have much Debut Shoes Au softer or harder soles.
Midsole
The layer in between the outsole and the Debut Shoes Au insole that is Debut Shoes Au typically there for shock absorption. Debut Shoes Au Some types of shoes, like Debut Shoes Au Rent Snow Shoes Boston running shoes, have another material for Debut Shoes Au shock absorption, usually beneath the heel where one puts the most Debut Shoes Au pressure down. Different companies use different materials for the Nautica Deck Shoes midsoles of Debut Shoes Au their shoes. Some Debut Shoes Au shoes may not have a midsole at all.
Heel
Women's fashion boots
The Debut Shoes Au bottom rear Debut Shoes Au part of a shoe is the heel. Debut Shoes Au Its function is to support the heel of the foot. They are often made of the Debut Shoes Au same material as the sole of the shoe. This part can be Debut Shoes Au high for fashion Debut Shoes Au or to make the person Debut Shoes Au look Debut Shoes Au 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 or flip flops, this may be nothing more than Debut Shoes Au a few straps for holding the sole in place. Closed footwear, such as boots, sneakers and most men's shoes, will have a Debut Shoes Au 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 , from 1967, describes a method Debut Shoes Au for producing a shoe-upper (Hain 1967).
Accessories to shoes
Shoehorn: can be used to insert a Debut Shoes Au foot Debut Shoes Au into Debut Shoes Au a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing Debut Shoes Au a smooth surface for the foot to 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: Debut Shoes Au 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 snow protection.
(Orthopedic) shoe insert: insert of various materials for cushioning, improved fit, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and Debut Shoes Au inner linings. Inserts may also be used to correct foot problems.
Shoe bag: Debut Shoes Au a bag that protects shoes against damage when they Debut Shoes Au are not being Debut Shoes Au worn.
Shoe Debut Shoes Au stretcher: a tool for making a shoe longer or wider Debut Shoes Au or for reducing discomfort in areas of a shoe.
Snow shoe: a wooden or leather piece which increases the area of ground covered by the Debut Shoes Au shoe.
Shoelaces: a system used to secure shoes.
Types of shoes
Shoes Debut Shoes Au made from real crocodile skin, in a conservation exhibit at Bristol Zoo, Debut Shoes Au England.
Dress Debut Shoes Au and casual shoes
Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and Debut Shoes Au narrow sleek figure. Debut Shoes Au Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather Debut Shoes Au uppers, Debut Shoes Au non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
Some designs of dress shoes can be worn by either gender. Debut Shoes Au The majority Debut Shoes Au of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper Debut Shoes Au part of Debut Shoes Au the shoe is Debut Shoes Au often made without apertures or Debut Shoes Au openings, but may also be made with openings or even itself consist of a series of straps, e.g. an open toe Debut Shoes Au featured in women's shoes. Shoes with uppers made high Debut Shoes Au to cover the ankles are Debut Shoes Au also available; a shoe with the upper rising above the ankle is usually considered a boot Debut Shoes Au but certain styles may be referred to as high-topped shoes or Debut Shoes Au high-tops. Usually, a high-topped shoe is secured by laces or zippers, although Debut Shoes Au some styles have Debut Shoes Au elastic inserts to ease slipping the shoe on.
Men's shoes
Men's shoes can be categorized by how they are closed:
Balmorals: the vamp Debut Shoes Au has a V-shaped slit to which the laces are attached; also known Debut Shoes Au as Mens Versace Shoes "closed lacing". In England, the balmoral is known as the Oxford. Debut Shoes Au The word "Oxford" is used by American clothing companies to market shoes that are not balmorals, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
Bluchers: the laces are tied to two pieces of leather Debut Shoes Au independently attached to the vamp; Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au other closings exist but are less popular such as side-elastic closings.
Men's shoes can Debut Shoes Au also Debut Shoes Au be decorated Debut Shoes Au in various ways:
Plain-toes: have a sleek appearance and Debut Shoes Au no Debut Shoes Au extra decorations on the vamp.
Cap-toes: has an extra layer of leather 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 Debut Shoes Au either side of the shoe. Brogues can be Debut Shoes Au found in both balmoral and blucher styles. Please help Debut Shoes Au improve this section by expanding it.
Further 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 Debut Shoes Au concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions.(December 2007)
Women's shoes
There Debut Shoes Au is a large variety of Debut Shoes Au shoes available for women, in addition to most of Debut Shoes Au the men's Debut Shoes Au styles being more accepted as unisex. Some broad categories are:
Pumps, known in the US and UK as ballerinas, ballet pumps or Debut Shoes Au 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 more comfortable than shoes with a higher heel.
High heels may be shoes with heels 2 inches (5 cm) Debut Shoes Au or higher. They are Debut Shoes Au often seen Roman Shoes Inspiration as having more sex appeal than low heels (see article for discussion) and are thus commonly worn by women for formal occasions or social outings.
Sneaker boot and sneaker pump: a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a Debut Shoes Au heel, making Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au Americans, a Debut Shoes Au soft shoe without a heel and usually made of Debut Shoes Au leather.
Sandals: open shoes consisting Vans Shoes For Women of a sole and various Debut Shoes Au straps, leaving much of the foot exposed to air. They are thus popular for warm-weather wear, because they let the Debut Shoes Au foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over Debut Shoes Au the instep, typically Debut Shoes Au white Debut Shoes Au uppers 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 more casual. Laces, if present, are usually simple leather (often two-tone) with no Debut Shoes Au frills. Often made of canvas or featuring a white sole. They have soft soles/heels Debut Shoes Au to avoid marring Debut Shoes Au 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 alternate style of casual or dress wear. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well Debut Shoes Au 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 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 Baseball Umpire Shoes or tennis shoes): general purpose athletic shoes; made out Debut Shoes Au of rubber, Debut Shoes Au cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good Debut Shoes Au traction. Special Transvestite Shoes varieties are available Debut Shoes Au for basketball or tennis.
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Running shoes: very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes: lightweight; often with Crocodile Dress Shoes plastic or metal Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au rugby, football, American football, or baseball. Debut Shoes Au
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 metal but Debut Shoes Au replaceable "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 on many golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes: intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They Jazz Original Shoes Men27s Saucony are often Debut Shoes Au rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes: a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, Debut Shoes Au and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots: usually have a high somewhat stiff Debut Shoes Au upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes: Debut Shoes Au have a more flexible sole than the Baseball Umpire Plate Shoes running Debut Shoes Au shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have Debut Shoes Au air Debut Shoes Au holes, may not be water proof.
Skating Debut Shoes Au shoes: typically called skates. They have various Lace Up Wedding Shoes attachments for skating on the bottom of the Debut Shoes Au shoe portion. Debut Shoes Au
Ice skates
Roller skates
Inline skates
Ski Debut Shoes Au boot: a large, Debut Shoes Au thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes have flat soles for a better grip on Debut Shoes Au a Debut Shoes Au skateboard. They are Debut Shoes Au very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet.
Cycling shoes are equipped with Debut Shoes Au a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to Debut Shoes Au maximize power transfer and Debut Shoes Au support the foot.
Snowshoes are Debut Shoes Au special shoes for Debut Shoes Au walking in thick Debut Shoes Au snow. In temperate Debut Shoes Au climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational Debut Shoes Au purposes in winter.
Wrestling shoes are light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing Debut Shoes Au additional traction and protection.
Orthopedic shoes
Orthopedic or "comfort" shoes are made with Debut Shoes Au pedorthic and anatomically-correct comfort Debut Shoes Au 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 dancing. These have a toe box that is Debut Shoes Au stiffened with glue and 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). Debut Shoes Au The Debut Shoes Au sole is typically made of leather, with thicker Debut Shoes Au material under the Debut Shoes Au ball and Debut Shoes Au heel of the foot, and thinner and thus more flexible material under the arch so that the foot can be pointed Debut Shoes Au to its utmost. Ballet Debut Shoes Au slippers are usually secured Debut Shoes Au by elastics that Debut Shoes Au cross over the top of Debut Shoes Au the foot. They are most commonly pink, white, black, or pale Debut Shoes Au tan, although they may be made in specialty colours such as Debut Shoes Au red or blue.
Jazz shoes. These typically have a two-part, rubberized sole (i.e., split-sole) to provide both flexibility Debut Shoes Au and traction, and a low (one inch Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au Cynthia Rowley Shoes the two genres of dances as defined by the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation): Ballroom and Latin Debut Shoes Au American. Debut Shoes Au Both are characterised by suede soles. Mens' Ballroom shoes are Debut Shoes Au typically lace-ups with 1-inch heels and patent leather uppers. Ladies' Ballroom shoes are typically court shoes Debut Shoes Au with low 2-inch heels, usually made of fabric so that they can be finished with a greater variety of colours to match the Debut Shoes Au dancer's dress. The low Ballroom heel distributes the dancer's weight across the foot while Debut Shoes Au Latin American Debut Shoes Au shoes Debut Shoes Au have higher heels designed to throw the dancer's weight Debut Shoes Au on to Debut Shoes Au the toes Debut Shoes Au and Debut Shoes Au the Debut Shoes Au 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. Also known as dansneakers, these are a Debut Shoes Au combination of a sneaker and a dance shoe, with a reinforced rubber toe.
Character Debut Shoes Au shoes. Debut Shoes Au Shoes with a one to three inch heel, which are usually made of leather, and often have one or more straps across Debut Shoes Au the instep to secure the Debut Shoes Au foot during Debut Shoes Au dance. Debut Shoes Au They may come in soft-soled (suede) or hard-soled varieties. They may Debut Shoes Au be converted to tap shoes by Debut Shoes Au attaching taps.
Foot Debut Shoes Au thongs. Variously called called Foot Paws and FootUndeez, depending on the Debut Shoes Au manufacturer, these are slip-on, partial foot covers that Debut Shoes Au protect the ball of a dancer's foot from skin abrasions while executing turns. From a distance, flesh Debut Shoes Au colored foot thongs Debut Shoes Au give a dancer Debut Shoes Au the appearance of having bare feet.
Modern pointe shoes.
Ballet shoes.
Jazz shoes. This style is frequently worn by Debut Shoes Au acro dancers.
A foot thong, viewed from the underside.
Work shoes
Work shoes are designed to stand heavy Debut Shoes Au 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 uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial Wide Width Satin Wedding Shoes settings, Debut Shoes Au construction, mining, Debut Shoes Au and other workplaces. Protective features may include Debut Shoes Au steel-tipped toes and soles or 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, they continued in Debut Shoes Au use Debut Shoes Au even into the early 20th century.
Poulaine: a shoe with a long-pointed toe, popular in Europe in the Debut Shoes Au 1400s.
Moccasins: the historical shoe of many North American Indian tribes.
Maintenance
Breaking-in: Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After Debut Shoes Au a Debut Shoes Au person wears them multiple times, the material reforms to Debut Shoes Au Wide With Satin Wedding Shoes fit the wearer's feet. The person is said to have broken in the shoes.
Polishing: for protection, water resistance (to some Debut Shoes Au extent) and appearance, Debut Shoes Au especially for leather shoes and boots.
Heel replacement: heels periodically wear out. Not all shoes are designed to Debut Shoes Au enable this.
Sole replacement: soles Debut Shoes Au also wear out. Not all shoes can have Debut Shoes Au their soles replaced.
Shoelace replacement.
When unfit for use, shoes can be treated as trash or municipal solid waste Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au when entering a house. In some areas of the United States, especially the Debut Shoes Au Midwest, it is expected that visitors remove their shoes Debut Shoes Au unless a Debut Shoes Au host specifically Debut Shoes Au invites them to leave their shoes on. People Debut Shoes Au do this to avoid bringing Debut Shoes Au 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 Debut Shoes Au feet to others (even Debut Shoes Au accidentally, such as by crossing the legs). In addition, in Thailand, it is an extreme insult Debut Shoes Au for the foot, socks, or shoes to touch Debut Shoes Au someone's head or be placed over it. Although feet touching heads is an extremely rare occurrence in any society, Debut Shoes Au 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). |
