Shoe
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Shoe (disambiguation).
Image:Lotsofshoes.JPG A shoe is an item of footwear.
Contents |
Parts of a shoe
Sole
The bottom of a shoe, which supports the wearer's foot, is called the sole. It usually consists of several layers, and is usually a separate piece from the upper shoe (though not always, as in the case of wooden shoes).
Insole
The insole is the interior bottom of the shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot. Many shoes have removable and repalceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons. (To control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe, for example.)
Midsole
The midsole is a layer situated between the insole and the outsole, found in some shoes. Often it will provide cusioning and shape to the insole.
Image:Bristol.zoo.crocshoes.arp.jpg
Outsole
The outsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. The material of the outsole varies depending on the function, dressiness, and quality of the shoe, but is generally very durable material, since it experiences the most stress. Dressier shoes have leather outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic immitation. The outsole may comprise a single 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 distinct modifications on this design: athletic cleats have spikes empedded in the outsole to grip the ground; many kinds of dancing shoes have much softer or harder soles.
Heel
Some shoes have a distinctive raised heel; often this is a separate piece from the outsole and can be replaced. Leather was used in the past, and is still used in some performance tennis shoes, but harder materials are usually more desirable. Plastic, rubber, or polymer materials are now also used. some shoes, such as the vivo barefoot use a kevlar sole for high flexibility. Fortified cork is sometimes used in heels or soles so the shoes are lightweight.
Vamp, or upper
Any shoe also has an upper part that separates the foot from the air, and helps hold the shoe onto the foot. In the simplest cases, such as sandals or flip flops, this may be nothing more than a few straps for holding the sole in place under the foot. Closed footware, such as boots, sneakers and most mens shoes, will usually have a more complex upper.
Laces
A shoelace is a long piece of string or cord that hold a shoe closed. Usually it is attached by being threaded through a series of small holes in the shoe, called eyelets. To aid this, many shoeslaces are tipped with small solid plastic bits called aglets.
Tongue
In some shoes and boots the tongue is a flap-like, usually flexible, part that goes underneath the laces.
Accessories to shoes
- shoe horn - can be used to insert a foot into a shoe by keeping the shoe open and providing a smooth surface for the foot to slide upon. Some shoes are difficult to put on without the help of a shoe horn.
- shoe tree - placed inside the shoe when user is not wearing it, to help maintain the shoe's shape
- shoe polishing equipment - used for boots also
- shoe polish - a material spread on leather shoes to improve appearance, glossiness, and protection
- polishing cloth - a piece of fabric, often cotton flannel, used to apply polish to the shoe
- overshoes - a rubber covering placed over shoes for rain and snow protection
- orthotic insert - inserts for cushioning, improved fitting, or reduced abrasion. These include padding and inner linings. The insert may also be for the correction of foot problems
- shoe bag - a bag, generally of a flannel fabric, that protects the shoes against damage when packed in the bag
Types of shoes
Shoes fall into one of the following categories: dress, casual, work, snow, athletic and boots.
Dress Shoes
Image:Leather-Shoes.jpg Dress shoes are categorized by smooth and supple leather uppers, leather soles, and narrow sleek shape.
Dress shoes are commonly made to be worn by one of the sexes but some designs can be worn by either. The majority of dress shoes have an upper covering, commonly made of leather, enclosing most of the lower foot, but not covering the ankles. This upper part of the shoe is often made without apertures or openings, but also made with openings or even a connected series of straps, e. g. an open toe feature in women's shoes. Shoes with ankle length (covering the ankles) upper bodies are also available. Such shoes often have zippers to open them.
Men's dress shoes
- Balmoral - the vamp has a V shaped 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 (misused, rather) by American clothing companies targeting the masses, such as J. Crew and Banana Republic, to market shoes that are not Oxfords, such as rubber-sole bluchers.
- Blucher - the laces are tied to two pieces of leather independently attached to the vamp; also known as "open lacing." In England, the blucher is known as the Derby shoe.
- wing-tip - The toe of the shoe is covered with a perforated panel, the wing-tip, which extends down either side of the shoe. Wing-tips can be found in both balmoral and blucher styles.
- monk-strap
Women's dress shoes
Image:MulticolorSandalette.jpg
- Normal heels
- Flat shoes - usually called "flats"
- Ballerina shoes - mimicking the appearance of ballet shoes, pointe shoes.
- Medium height heels ("kitten" heels have less than 2 inches of height)
- High heels
- Stiletto heels - high heels
- Open-toed
- Strap upper body shoes
Either sex
- Clogs
- Platform shoes - shoes with very thick soles and heels, mainly worn by women in the U.S
- Moccasins - originated by American Indians
Casual Shoes
Casual shoes are characterized by sturdy leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and wide profile.
- Mary Jane (shoe)
- Espadrilles - a casual sandal, with a canvas top and a rope sole
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.
- Gym shoes (often called sneakers or trainers in slang) - general purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties available for basketball or tennis.
- Running shoes - very similar to above
- Boating shoes - also similar to above. They have soft soles/heels to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck.
- Track shoes - often have cleats
- Football shoes - have cleats
- Golf shoes
- 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 are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Walking shoes - have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be water proof.
- Climbing shoes
- Orthopedic shoes - specially designed for people with foot problems.
- Skating shoes - typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion.
- Ice Skates
- Figure skating
- Speed skating
- Ice skating
- Roller skates
- Roller blades
- Ski boots
- Skateboarding shoes- used for skateboarding but also worn by teeagers for fashion
- Cycling shoes are equipped with a metal cleat to interface with clipless pedals
- Sneaker boots and sneaker pumps - a shoe that looks like an athletic shoe, but is equipped with a high heel and thus makes it hard to be used for anything but as dress shoes.
Dancing shoes
- Dance shoes - special shoes made for tap dancing.
- Pointe shoes - shoes designed for professional ballet dancing.
- Tango/Flamenco dance shoes.
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 uniforms or comfort by nurses, waitresses, police, military personnel, etc. They are commonly used for protection in industrial settings, construction, mining, and other workplaces. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes and soles or ankle guards.
Snow shoes
Snowshoes are special shoes for walking in thick snow. In temperate climates, snowshoes are used for mostly recreational purposes in winter.
Boots
Boots are special shoes that are used in times of bad weather. Styles include rubber boots and snow boots, as well as some boots that work as work shoes.
Maintenance
- Breaking-in - Some shoes are made of hard but deformable material. After a person wears them multiple times, the material deforms 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 out. Not all shoes are designed to enable this.
- Sole replacement - soles also wear out. Not all shoes can have their soles replaced.
- Shoelace replacement.
Someone who makes or repairs shoes in a shop could be called a cobbler.
Shoe etiquette
Image:Zapato.jpg 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 is customary to remove shoes when entering a house. In the US it is not a "custom", but it is very common. People do this to avoid bringing dirt, mud or snow into the house.
In the Middle East 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, socks, or shoes to touch someone's head or be 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 opponent's head with their foot (most Muay Thai kicks are executed with the shin).
See also dress code.
Sizes
- Units for shoe sizes vary widely around the world. European sizes are measured in Paris Points, which are worth two-thirds of a centimetre. The UK and American units are approximately one-quarter of an inch, starting at 8¼ inches. Men's and women's shoe sizes often have different scales. Shoes size is often measured using a Brannock Device, which can determine both the width and length of the foot.
Shoe companies
See the category shoe companies for a list of shoe companies.
See also
- Footwear
- Shoelaces
- Boot
- Imelda Marcos
- Sandals
- Slippers
- Skates
- List of literature about footwear
- List of shoe designers
- Foot odor
External links
- International Shoe Size Conversion Charts, from i18nguy's website, offers more information.
- The History of Footwear
- The Political History of Shoesca:Calçat
da:Sko de:Schuh es:Zapato fi:Kenkä fr:Chaussure it:Scarpa ja:靴 nl:Schoen pl:But pt:Sapato simple:Shoe sv:Skor zh:鞋