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Shoe (Women & Men)
A shoe is an item of footwear.
Sole
The bottom of a shoe, which gives the shoe its structure, is named the sole. It 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 replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons. (To control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe, for example.)
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 imitation. 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 embedded 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 other 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. Although higher heels are usually only worn by women, a surprising number of men wear heels, as they have since approximately 1500, first to keep their feet in the stirrups, then for fashion, predominantly throughout the counts in the 1600s and 1700s. Wear of heels by men resurfaced briefly in the 1970s, and has again resurfaced, not only in fashion shows, but on the streets in major cities.
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
shoe inserts
Sole
The bottom of a shoe, which gives the shoe its structure, is named the sole. It 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 replaceable insoles, and extra insoles are often added for comfort or health reasons. (To control the shape, moisture, or smell of the shoe, for example.)
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 imitation. 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 embedded 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 other 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. Although higher heels are usually only worn by women, a surprising number of men wear heels, as they have since approximately 1500, first to keep their feet in the stirrups, then for fashion, predominantly throughout the counts in the 1600s and 1700s. Wear of heels by men resurfaced briefly in the 1970s, and has again resurfaced, not only in fashion shows, but on the streets in major cities.
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
shoe inserts
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