A variety of shoes displayed at theNordic Museum, including models from 1700 to the 1960s.
Ashoe is an item offootwear intended to protect and comfort the humanfoot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but over time, shoes also became fashion items. Some shoes are worn as safety equipment, such assteel-toe boots, which are required footwear at industrial worksites.
Additionally, shoes have often evolved into many different designs;high heels, for instance, are most commonly worn by women during fancy occasions. Contemporary footwear varies vastly in style, complexity and cost. Basicsandals may consist of only a thinsole and simple strap and be sold for a low cost. High fashion shoes made by famousdesigners may be made of expensive materials, use complex construction and sell for large sums of money. Some shoes are designed for specific purposes, such asboots designed specifically formountaineering orskiing, while others have more generalized usage such assneakers which have transformed from a special purpose sport shoe into a general use shoe.
Traditionally, shoes have been made fromleather,wood orcanvas, but are increasingly being made fromrubber,plastics, and otherpetrochemical-derived materials.[1] Globally, the shoe industry is a $200 billion a year industry.[1] 90% of shoes end up in landfills, because the materials are hard to separate, recycle or otherwise reuse.[1]
The earliest known shoes are sagebrush barksandals dating from approximately 7000 or 8000 BC, found in theFort Rock Cave in theUS state ofOregon in 1938.[5] The world'soldest leather shoe, made from a single piece of cowhide laced with a leather cord along seams at the front and back, was found in theAreni-1 cave complex inArmenia in 2008 and is believed to date to 3500 BC.[6][7]Ötzi the Iceman's shoes, dating to 3300 BC, featured brown bearskin bases, deerskin side panels, and a bark-string net, which pulled tight around the foot.[6] TheJotunheimen shoe was discovered in August 2006: archaeologists estimate that this leather shoe was made between 1800 and 1100 BC,[8][9] making it the oldest article of clothing discovered in Scandinavia. Sandals and other plant fiber based tools were found inCueva de los Murciélagos inAlbuñol in southern Spain in 2023, dating to approximately 7500 to 4200 BC, making them what are believed to be the oldest shoes found in Europe.[10]
It is thought that shoes may have been used long before this, but because the materials used were highly perishable, it is difficult to find evidence of the earliest footwear.[11]
Footprints suggestive of shoes or sandals due to having crisp edges, no signs of toes found and three small divots where leather tying laces/straps would have been attached have been atGarden Route National Park,Addo Elephant National Park andGoukamma Nature Reserve inSouth Africa.[12] These date back to between 73,000 and 136,000 BP. Consistent with the existence of such shoe is the finding ofbone awls dating back to this period that could have made simple footwear.[12]
Another source of evidence is the study of the bones of the smaller toes (as opposed to the big toe); it was observed that their thickness decreased approximately 40,000 to 26,000 years ago. This ledarchaeologists to deduce the existence of common rather than an occasional wearing of shoes as this would lead to less bone growth, resulting in shorter, thinner toes.[13] These earliest designs were very simple, often mere "foot bags" of leather to protect the feet from rocks, debris, and cold.
Americas
Many early natives in North America wore a similar type of footwear, known as themoccasin. These are tight-fitting, soft-soled shoes typically made out of leather orbison hides. Many moccasins were also decorated with various beads and other adornments. Moccasins were not designed to be waterproof, and in wet weather and warm summer months, mostNative Americans wentbarefoot.[14] The leaves of thesisal plant were used to maketwine for sandals in South America while the natives of Mexico used theYucca plant.[15][16]
Africa and Middle East
As civilizations began to develop, thong sandals (precursors to the modernflip-flop) were worn. This practice dates back to pictures of them inancient Egyptian murals from 4000 BC. "Thebet" may have been the term used to describe these sandals in Egyptian times, possibly from the cityThebes. TheMiddle Kingdom is when the first of these thebets were found, but it is possible that it debuted in theEarly Dynastic Period.[17] One pair found in Europe was made ofpapyrus leaves anddated to be approximately 1,500 years old. They were also worn inJerusalem during the first century of the Christian era.[18] Thong sandals were worn by many civilizations and made from a vast variety of materials. Ancient Egyptian sandals were made from papyrus and palm leaves. TheMasai of Africa made them out ofrawhide. In India they were made from wood.
While thong sandals were commonly worn, many people in ancient times, such as theEgyptians,Hindus andGreeks, saw little need for footwear, and most of the time, preferred being barefoot.[19] The Egyptians and Hindus made some use of ornamental footwear, such as a soleless sandal known as a "Cleopatra",[citation needed] which did not provide any practical protection for the foot.
Asia and Europe
The ancient Greeks largely viewed footwear as self-indulgent, unaesthetic and unnecessary. Shoes were primarily worn in the theater, as a means of increasing stature, and many preferred to go barefoot.[19] Athletes in theAncient Olympic Games participated barefoot—and naked.[20] Even thegods and heroes were primarily depicted barefoot, as well as thehoplite warriors. They fought battles in bare feet andAlexander the Great conquered his vast empire with barefoot armies. The runners ofAncient Greece had also been believed to have run barefoot.[21]
Footwear of Roman soldiers (reconstruction)
TheRomans, who eventually conquered the Greeks and adopted many aspects of their culture, did not adopt the Greek perception of footwear and clothing.Roman clothing was seen as a sign of power, and footwear was seen as a necessity of living in a civilized world, although the slaves and paupers usually went barefoot.[19] Roman soldiers were issued withchiral (left and right shoe different) footwear.[22] Shoes for soldiers had riveted insoles to extend the life of the leather, increase comfort, and provide better traction. The design of these shoes also designated the rank of the officers. The more intricate the insignia and the higher up the boot went on the leg, the higher the rank of the soldier.[23] There are references to shoes being worn in theBible.[24] In China and Japan, rice straws were used.[citation needed]
Starting around 4 BC, the Greeks began wearing symbolic footwear. These were heavily decorated to clearly indicate the status of the wearer. Courtesans wore leather shoes colored with white, green, lemon or yellow dyes, and young woman betrothed or newly married wore pure white shoes. Because of the cost to lighten leather, shoes of a paler shade were a symbol of wealth in the upper class. Often, the soles would be carved with a message so it would imprint on the ground. Cobblers became a notable profession around this time, with Greek shoemakers becoming famed in the Roman empire.[25]
Middle Ages and early modern period
Asia and Europe
A common casual shoe in thePyrenees during the Middle Ages was theespadrille. This is a sandal with braided jute soles and a fabric upper portion, and often includes fabric laces that tie around the ankle. The term isFrench and comes from theesparto grass. The shoe originated in theCatalonian region ofSpain as early as the 13th century, and was commonly worn bypeasants in the farming communities in the area.[16]
New styles began to develop during the Song dynasty in China, some of them resulting from the binding of women's feet, first used by the noble Han classes, but soon spreading throughout Chinese society. The practice allegedly started during the Shang dynasty, but it grew popular byc. AD 960.[26]
When theMongols conquered China, they dissolved the practice in 1279, and the Manchus banned foot binding in 1644. The Han people, however, continued the practice without much government intervention.[26]
In medieval times shoes could be up to two feet long, with their toes sometimes filled with hair, wool, moss, or grass.[27] Many medieval shoes were made using theturnshoe method of construction, in which the upper was turned flesh side out, and was lasted onto the sole and joined to the edge by a seam.[28] The shoe was then turned inside-out so that the grain was outside. Some shoes were developed with toggled flaps ordrawstrings to tighten the leather around the foot for a better fit. Surviving medieval turnshoes often fit the foot closely, with the right and left shoe being mirror images.[29] Around 1500, the turnshoe method was largely replaced by the welted rand method (where the uppers are sewn to a much stiffer sole and the shoe cannot be turned inside-out).[30] The turn shoe method is still used for somedance and specialty shoes.
By the 15th century,pattens became popular by both men and women inEurope. These are commonly seen as the predecessor of the modernhigh-heeled shoe,[31] while the poor and lower classes in Europe, as well as slaves in the New World, were barefoot.[19] In the 15th century, theCrakow wasfashionable inEurope. This style of shoe is named because it is thought to have originated inKraków, the capital ofPoland. The style is characterized by the point of the shoe, known as the "polaine", which often was supported by awhalebone tied to the knee to prevent the point getting in the way while walking.[32] Also during the 15th century,chopines were created inSpain, and were usually 7–8 in (180–200 mm) high.[33] These shoes became popular inVenice and throughout Europe, as astatus symbol revealing wealth and social standing. During the 16th century, royalty, such asCatherine de Medici orMary I of England, started wearing high-heeled shoes to make them look taller or larger than life. By 1580, even men wore them, and a person with authority or wealth was often referred to as, "well-heeled".[31] In 17th century France, heels were exclusively worn by aristocrats.Louis XIV of France outlawed anybody from wearing red high heels except for himself and his royal court.[34]
Eventually the modern shoe, with a sewn-on sole, was devised. Since the 17th century, most leather shoes have used a sewn-on sole. This remains the standard for finer-quality dress shoes today. Until around 1800, welted rand shoes were commonly made without differentiation for the left or right foot. Such shoes are now referred to as "straights".[35] Only gradually did the modern foot-specific shoe become standard.
Shoemaking became more commercialized in the mid-18th century, as it expanded as acottage industry. Largewarehouses began to stock footwear, made by many small manufacturers from the area.
Until the 19th century, shoemaking was a traditional handicraft, but by the century's end, the process had been almost completely mechanized, with production occurring in large factories. Despite the obvious economic gains ofmass production, the factory system produced shoes without the individual differentiation that the traditional shoemaker was able to provide.
In the 19th century Chinese feminists called for an end to foot binding, and a ban in 1902 was implemented. The ban was soon repealed, but it was banned again in 1911 by the new Nationalist government. It was effective in coastal cities, but countryside cities continued without much regulation. Mao Zedong enforced the rule in 1949 and the practice is still forbidden. A number of women still have bound feet today.[26]
Woman's shoe, China, possibly Shanxi or Ningbo style, late 19th to early 20th century
The first steps towards mechanisation were taken during theNapoleonic Wars by the engineer,Marc Brunel. He developed machinery for the mass production of boots for the soldiers of theBritish Army. In 1812, he devised a scheme for making nailed-boot-making machinery that automatically fastened soles to uppers by means of metallic pins or nails.[36] With the support of theDuke of York, the shoes were manufactured, and, due to their strength, cheapness, and durability, were introduced for the use of the army. In the same year, the use of screws and staples was patented byRichard Woodman. Brunel's system was described bySir Richard Phillips as a visitor to his factory inBattersea as follows:
By the late 19th century, the shoemaking industry had migrated to the factory and was increasingly mechanized. Pictured, the bottoming room of the B. F. Spinney & Co. factory inLynn, Massachusetts, 1872.
In another building I was shown his manufactory of shoes, which, like the other, is full of ingenuity, and, in regard to subdivision of labour, brings this fabric on a level with the oft-admired manufactory of pins. Every step in it is affected by the most elegant and precise machinery; while, as each operation is performed by one hand, so each shoe passes through twenty-five hands, who complete from the hide, as supplied by the currier, a hundred pairs of strong and well-finished shoes per day. All the details are performed by the ingenious application of the mechanic powers; and all the parts are characterised by precision, uniformity, and accuracy. As each man performs but one step in the process, which implies no knowledge of what is done by those who go before or follow him, so the persons employed are not shoemakers, but wounded soldiers, who are able to learn their respective duties in a few hours. The contract at which these shoes are delivered to Government is 6s. 6d. per pair, being at least 2s. less than what was paid previously for an unequal and cobbled article.[37]
However, when the war ended in 1815,manual labour became much cheaper, and the demand for military equipment subsided. As a consequence, Brunel's system was no longer profitable and it soon ceased business.[36]
Americas
Similar exigencies at the time of theCrimean War stimulated a renewed interest in methods of mechanization and mass-production, which proved longer lasting.[36] A shoemaker inLeicester, Tomas Crick, patented the design for a riveting machine in 1853. His machine used an iron plate to push iron rivets into the sole. The process greatly increased the speed and efficiency of production. He also introduced the use ofsteam-poweredrolling-machines for hardening leather and cutting-machines, in the mid-1850s.[38]
Advertisement in an 1896 issue ofMcClure's for "The Regal".Attila, a former shoe factory from the 1910s inTampere,Finland
The sewing machine was introduced in 1846, and provided an alternative method for the mechanization of shoemaking. By the late 1850s, the industry was beginning to shift towards the modern factory, mainly in the US and areas of England. A shoe-stitching machine was invented by the American Lyman Blake in 1856 and perfected by 1864. Entering into a partnership with McKay, his device became known as the McKay stitching machine and was quickly adopted by manufacturers throughoutNew England.[39] As bottlenecks opened up in the production line due to these innovations, more and more of the manufacturing stages, such as pegging and finishing, became automated. By the 1890s, the process of mechanisation was largely complete.
On January 24, 1899, Humphrey O'Sullivan ofLowell, Massachusetts, was awarded apatent for a rubber heel for boots and shoes.[40]
Globalization
A process for manufacturing stitchless, that is, glued, shoes—AGO—was developed in 1910. Since the mid-20th century, advances in rubber, plastics, synthetic cloth, and industrial adhesives have allowed manufacturers to create shoes that stray considerably from traditional crafting techniques. Leather, which had been the primary material in earlier styles, has remained standard in expensive dress shoes, but athletic shoes often have little or no real leather. Soles, which were once laboriously hand-stitched on, are now more often machine stitched or simply glued on. Many of these newer materials, such as rubber and plastics, have made shoes less biodegradable. It is estimated that most mass-produced shoes require 1000 years to degrade in alandfill.[41] In the late 2000s, some shoemakers picked up on the issue and began to produce shoes made entirely fromdegradable materials, such as the Nike Considered.[42][43]
In 2007, the global shoe industry had an overall market of$107.4 billion, in terms ofrevenue, and is expected to grow to $122.9 billion by the end of 2012.[needs update] Shoe manufacturers in thePeople's Republic of China account for 63% of production, 40.5% of global exports and 55% of industry revenue. However, many manufacturers inEurope dominate the higher-priced, higher value-added end of the market.[44]
Athletic sneaker collection has also existed as a part of urban subculture in the United States for several decades.[46] Recent decades have seen this trend spread to European nations such as theCzech Republic.[47] ASneakerhead is a person who owns multiple pairs of shoes as a form of collection and fashion.
In theBible'sOld Testament, the shoe is used to symbolize something that is worthless or of little value. In theNew Testament, the act of removing one's shoes symbolizes servitude.Ancient Semitic-speaking peoples regarded the act of removing their shoes as a mark of reverence when approaching a sacred person or place.[48] The removal of the shoe also symbolizes the act of giving up a legal right. InHebrew custom, if a man chose not tomarry his childless brother's widow, the widow removed her brother-in-law's shoe to symbolize that he had abandoned his duty. InArab custom, the removal of one's shoe also symbolized the dissolution of marriage.[48]
InArab culture, showing the sole of one's shoe is considered an insult, and tothrow a shoe and hit someone with it is considered an even greater insult. Shoes are considered to be dirty as they frequently touch the ground, and are associated with the lowest part of the body—thefoot. As such, shoes are forbidden inmosques, and it is also considered unmannerly to cross the legs and display the soles of one's shoes during conversation. This insult was demonstrated in Iraq, first whenSaddam Hussein's statue was toppled in 2003, Iraqis gathered around it and struck the statue with their shoes.[49] In 2008, United States PresidentGeorge W. Bush had a shoethrown at him by a journalist as a statement against the war in Iraq.[50] More generally,shoe-throwing or shoeing, showing the sole of one's shoe or using shoes toinsult are forms of protest in many parts of the world.[51][52]
Empty shoes may also symbolize death. InGreek culture, empty shoes are the equivalent of the American funeral wreath. For example, empty shoes placed outside of a Greek home would tell others that the family's son has died in battle.[53] TheShoes on the Danube Bank is a memorial inBudapest, Hungary, to honor the Jews who were killed by fascistArrow Cross militiamen in Budapest duringWorld War II.
The basic anatomy of a shoe is recognizable, regardless of the specific style of footwear.
All shoes have asole, which is the bottom of a shoe, in contact with the ground. Soles can be made from a variety of materials, although most modern shoes have soles made fromnatural rubber,polyurethane, orpolyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds.[54] Soles can be simple—a single material in a single layer—or they can be complex, with multiple structures or layers and materials. When various layers are used, soles may consist of an insole, midsole, and an outsole.[55]
Theinsole is the interior bottom of a shoe, which sits directly beneath the foot under the footbed (also known as sock liner). The purpose of the insole is to attach to the lasting margin of the upper, which is wrapped around thelast during the closing of the shoe during the lasting operation. Insoles are usually made of cellulosic paper board or synthetic non woven insole board. Many shoes have removable and replaceable footbeds. Extra cushioning is often added for comfort (to control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe) or health reasons (to help deal with differences in the natural shape of the foot or positioning of the foot during standing or walking).[55]
Theoutsole is the layer in direct contact with the ground. Dress shoes often have leather or resin rubber outsoles; casual or work-oriented shoes have outsoles made of natural rubber or a synthetic material like polyurethane. The outsole may comprise a single piece or may be an assembly of separate pieces, often of different materials. On some shoes, the heel of the sole has a rubber plate for durability and traction, while the front is leather for style. Specialized shoes will often have modifications on this design: athletic or so-called cleated shoes like soccer, rugby, baseball and golf shoes have spikes embedded in the outsole to improve traction.[55]
Themidsole is the layer in between the outsole and the insole, typically there for shock absorption. Some types of shoes, like running shoes, have additional material forshock absorption, usually beneath the heel of the foot, where one puts the most pressure down. Some shoes may not have a midsole at all.[55]
Theheel is the bottom rear part of a shoe. 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 fashion or to make the person look taller, or flat for more practical and comfortable use.[55] On some shoes the inner forward point of the heel is chiselled off, a feature known as a "gentleman's corner". This piece of design is intended to alleviate the problem of the points catching the bottom of trousers and was first observed in the 1930s.[56] A heel is the projection at the back of a shoe which rests below theheel bone. The shoe heel is used to improve the balance of the shoe, increase the height of the wearer, alter posture or other decorative purposes. Sometimes raised, thehigh heel is common to a form of shoe often worn by women, but sometimes by men too. See alsostiletto heel.
Theupper 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. Closed footwear, such as boots, trainers 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 upper is connected to the sole by a strip of leather, rubber, or plastic that is stitched between it and the sole, known as awelt.[55]
Most uppers have a mechanism, such as laces, straps with buckles, zippers, elastic, velcro straps, buttons, or snaps, for tightening the upper on the foot. Uppers with laces usually have a tongue that helps seal the laced opening and protect the foot from abrasion by the laces. Uppers with laces also have eyelets or hooks to make it easier to tighten and loosen the laces and to prevent the lace from tearing through the upper material. Anaglet is the protective wrapping on the end of the lace.
Thevamp is the front part of the shoe, starting behind the toe, extending around the eyelets and tongue and towards back part of the shoe.
Themedial is the part of the shoe closest to a person's center of symmetry, and the lateral is on the opposite side, away from their center of symmetry. This can be in reference to either the outsole or the vamp. Most shoes haveshoelaces on the upper, connecting the medial and lateral parts after one puts their shoes on and aiding in keeping their shoes on their feet. In 1968,Puma SE introduced the first pair of sneakers withVelcro straps in lieu of shoelaces, and these became popular by the 1980s, especially among children and the elderly.[57][58]
Thetoe box is the part that covers and protects the toes. People with toe deformities, or individuals who experience toe swelling (such aslong-distance runners) usually require a larger toe box.[59]
Diagram of a typical dress shoe. The area labeled as the "Lace guard" is sometimes considered part of the quarter and sometimes part of the vamp.
Most types of shoes are designed for specific activities. For example,boots are typically designed for work or heavy outdoor use.Athletic shoes are designed for particular sports such as running, walking, or other sports. Some shoes are designed to be worn at moreformal occasions, and others are designed for casual wear. There are also a vast variety of shoes designed for different types of dancing. Orthopedic shoes are special types of footwear designed for individuals with particular foot problems or special needs. Clinicians evaluate patient's footwear as a part of their clinical examination. However, it is often based on each individual's needs, with attention to the choice of footwear worn and if the shoe is adequate for the purpose of completing their activities of daily living.[60] Other animals, such asdogs andhorses, may also wear special shoes to protect their feet as well.
Depending on the activity for which they are designed, some types of footwear may fit into multiple categories. For example,Cowboy boots are considered boots, but may also be worn in more formal occasions and used asdress shoes.Hiking boots incorporate many of the protective features of boots, but also provide the extra flexibility and comfort of manyathletic shoes.Flip-flops are considered casual footwear, but have also been worn in formal occasions, such as visits to theWhite House.[61][62]
A pair of athletic running shoesBowling centers maintain bowling shoes for rental to patrons, to prevent damage to lane approaches.
Athletic shoes are designed for various sports activities, focusing on maximizingfriction between the foot and the ground. These shoes often utilize materials likerubber to achieve this purpose.[63] The earliest athletic shoes, dating to the mid-19th century, weretrack spikes with metalcleats for increased traction. Over time, athletic shoe design evolved, with companies likeReebok andAdidas contributing to the development of modern athletic shoes. Notable innovations include rubber-soled athletic shoes and the introduction of specialized shoes for different sports, such asbasketball andgolf. More recently, minimalist shoes have gained popularity asbarefoot running became popular by the late 20th and early 21st century, maintaining optimum flexibility and natural walking while also providing some degree of protection. Their purpose is to allow one's feet and legs to feel more subtly the impacts and forces involved in running, allowing finer adjustments in running style.[64][16][65]
The earliest rubber-soled athletic shoes date back to 1876 in the United Kingdom, when the New Liverpool Rubber Company madeplimsolls, or sandshoes, designed for the sport ofcroquet. Similar rubber-soled shoes were made in 1892 in the United States by Humphrey O'Sullivan, based onCharles Goodyear's technology. TheUnited States Rubber Company was founded the same year and produced rubber-soled and heeled shoes under a variety of brand names, which were later consolidated in 1916 under the name,Keds. These shoes became known as, "sneakers", because the rubber sole allowed the wearer to sneak up on another person. In 1964, the founding ofNike byPhil Knight andBill Bowerman of theUniversity of Oregon introduced many new improvements common in modern running shoes, such as rubber waffle soles, breathablenylon uppers, and cushioning in the mid-sole and heel. During the 1970s, the expertise ofpodiatrists also became important in athletic shoe design, to implement new design features based on how feet reacted to specific actions, such as running, jumping, or side-to-side movement for men and women.[16]
A pair of Converse All-Stars
Shoes specific to the sport ofbasketball were developed byChuck Taylor, and are popularly known asChuck Taylor All-Stars. In 1969, Taylor was inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of this development, and in the 1970s, other shoe manufacturers, such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and others began imitating this style of athletic shoe.[66] In April 1985, Nike introduced its own brand of basketball shoe which would become popular in its own right, theAir Jordan, named after the then-rookieChicago Bulls basketball player,Michael Jordan. The Air Jordan line of shoes sold $100 million in their first year.[67]
Asbarefoot running became popular by the late 20th and early 21st century, many modern shoe manufacturers have recently designed footwear that mimic this experience, maintaining optimum flexibility and natural walking while also providing some degree of protection. Some of these shoes include theVibram FiveFingers,[68]Nike Free,[69] andSaucony's Kinvara and Hattori.[70][71] Mexicanhuaraches are also very simple running shoes, similar to the shoes worn by theTarahumara people of northern Mexico, who are known for their distance running abilities.[72]Wrestling shoes are also very light and flexible shoes that are designed to mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
Many athletic shoes are designed with specific features for specific activities. One of these includesroller skates, which have metal or plastic wheels on the bottom specific for the sport of roller skating. Similarly,ice skates have a metal blade attached to the bottom for locomotion acrossice.Skate shoes have also been designed to provide a comfortable, flexible and durable shoe for the sport ofskateboarding.[73]Climbing shoes are rubber-soled, tight-fitting shoes designed to fit in the small cracks and crevices forrock climbing.Cycling shoes are similarly designed with rubber soles and a tight fit, but also are equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface withclipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.[74] Some shoes are made specifically to improve a person's ability toweight train.[75] Sneakers that are a mix between an activity-centered and a more standard design have also been produced: examples includeroller shoes, which feature wheels that can be used to roll on hard ground, andSoap shoes, which feature a hard plastic sole that can be used forgrinding.
Boots are a specialized type of footwear that covers the foot and extends up the leg. They serve both functional and fashion purposes, offering protection from elements like water, snow, and mud while also being a fashion statement.
Cowboy boots, for instance, are known for their distinctive style and are popular among cowboys in thewestern United States.Hiking boots, on the other hand, are designed for comfort and support during long walks in rough terrains.Snow boots are ideal for wet or snowy weather, providing warmth and protection against the elements. Additionally, boots are used in specialized activities like skiing, ice skating, and climbing due to their unique features tailored to these activities.[76][77][78][79]
Boots may also be attached tosnowshoes to increase the distribution of weight over a largersurface area for walking insnow.Ski boots are a specialized snow boot which are used inalpine orcross-country skiing and designed to provide a way to attach the skier to his/herskis usingski bindings. The ski/boot/binding combination is used to effectively transmit control inputs from the skier's legs to the snow.Ice skates are another specialized boot with a metal blade attached to the bottom which is used to propel the wearer across a sheet ofice.[80]Inline skates are similar to ice skates but with a set of three to four wheels in lieu of the blade, which are designed to mimic ice skating on solid surfaces such as wood or concrete.[81]
Boots are designed to withstand heavy wear to protect the wearer and provide good traction. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. They may be used foruniforms of thepolice ormilitary, as well as for protection in industrial settings such asmining andconstruction. Protective features may includesteel-tipped toes and soles orankle guards.[82]
Dress and casual
Dress shoes are characterized by their smooth leather uppers, leather soles, and sleek design, suitable for formal occasions. In contrast, casual shoes have sturdier leather uppers, non-leather outsoles, and a wider profile for everyday wear. Some dress shoe designs are unisex, while others are specific to men or women.
Men's
This male dress shoe, known as aderby shoe, is distinguished by its open lacing.
Men's dress shoes include styles like Oxfords, Derbies, Monk-straps, and Slip-ons, each with its unique characteristics in terms of lacing, decoration, and formality.
Women's
High heel sandals
Women's shoes cover a wide range of styles, including high heels, mules, slingbacks, ballet flats, and court shoes, with high-heeled footwear being a popular choice for formal occasions.
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 let the foot be cooler than a closed-toed shoe would.
Saddle shoe: leather shoe with a contrasting saddle-shaped band over the instep, typically white uppers with black "saddle".
Slip-on shoe: a dress or casual shoe without shoelaces or fasteners; often with tassels, buckles, or coin-holders (penny loafers).
Boat shoes, also known as "deck shoes": similar to a loafer, but more casual. Laces are usually simple leather with no frills. Typically made of leather and featuring a soft white sole to avoid marring or scratching a boat deck. The first boat shoe was invented in 1935 byPaul A. Sperry.
Dancers use a variety of footwear depending on the style of dance and the surface they will be dancing on. Pointe shoes, for instance, are designed for ballet dancing, featuring a stiffened toe box and hardened sole to allow dancers to stand on the tips of their toes. Ballet shoes, on the other hand, are soft, pliable shoes made of canvas or leather, providing flexibility and comfort for ballet dancing. Other dance shoe types include jazz shoes, tango, and flamenco shoes, ballroom shoes, tap shoes, character shoes, and foot thongs, each designed to meet the specific needs of different dance styles.
Orthopedic heavy duty black leather school uniform shoes
Orthopedic shoes are specially designed to alleviate discomfort associated with various foot and ankle disorders, such asblisters, bunions, calluses, and plantar fasciitis. They are also used by individuals with diabetes,unequal leg length, or children with mobility issues.[83][84][85] These shoes typically feature a low heel, wide toe box, and firm heel for added support. Some orthopedic shoes come with removable insoles or orthotics to provide extra arch support.[16]
Shoe sizes are indicated by a numerical value representing the length of the shoe, with different systems used globally. European sizes are measured in Paris Points, while the UK and American units are based on whole-number sizes spaced at one barleycorn (1/3 inch) with UK adult sizes starting at size 1 =8+2⁄3 in (22.0 cm). In the US, this is size 2. Men's and women's shoe sizes often use different scales[citation needed], and some systems are measured using aBrannock Device which considers the width and length size values of the feet. The Mondopoint system, introduced in the 1970s by International Standard ISO 2816:1973 "Fundamental characteristics of a system of shoe sizing to be known as Mondopoint" and ISO 3355:1975 "Shoe sizes – System of length grading (for use in the Mondopoint system)" includes measurements of both length and width of the foot.[86][87]
Toddler-sized shoe.
Accessories
Various accessories are used to enhance the functionality and comfort of shoes. Crampons provide traction on icy terrain, foam taps adjust shoe fit, heel grips prevent slipping, and ice cleats enhance stability on slippery surfaces. Overshoes protect shoes from rain and snow, while shoe bags are used for storage. Shoe brushes and polishing cloths maintain shoe appearance, while shoe inserts offer additional comfort.
Removal of shoes
"Plzz REMOVE YOUR SHOES" sign at entrance tostupa.Nubra, India
In many places in the world, shoes are removed when moving from exteriors to interiors, particularly in homes[88][89] and religious buildings.[90] In many Asian countries, outdoor shoes are exchanged for indoor shoes orslippers.[91]Fitness center etiquette encourages the exchange of outdoor shoes for indoor shoes, both to prevent dirt and grime from being transferred to the equipment and to ensure that participants are wearing the right shoes for their activities.[92]
^Trinkaus, E.; Shang, H. (July 2008). "Anatomical Evidence for the Antiquity of Human Footwear: Tianyuan and Sunghir".Journal of Archaeological Science.35 (7):1928–1933.Bibcode:2008JArSc..35.1928T.doi:10.1016/j.jas.2007.12.002.
^Swann, June (2001).History of Footwear in Norway, Sweden and Finland: Prehistory to 1950. Kungl. Vitterhets, historie och antikvitets akademien.ISBN9789174023237.
^Genesis 14:23, Deuteronomy 25:9, Ruth 4:7-8, Luke 15:22.
^Ledger, Florence (1985).Put Your Foot Down: A Treatise on the History of Shoes. C. Venton.ISBN9780854751112.
^R. Boughey. Size Labelling of Footwear. Journal of Consumer Studies & Home Economics. Volume 1, Issue 2. June 1977. DOI:10.1111/j.1470-6431.1977.tb00197.x
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