Different Parts of a Shoe - Textile Learner

Introduction:
Shoe is a footwear item which is used to covering for a foot with a sole and a heel. It helps to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. Shoes are usually made of leather, having a thick and somewhat stiff sole and a lighter top. It differs from a boot on not extending so far up the leg.

Anatomy / Components / Parts of a Shoe:
A shoe consists of a number of different components. Some terms refer to parts that all shoes have, such as the sole; while other terms may only apply to certain types or style of shoes. Fundamentally, a shoe consists of two main parts: a shaft and a base, which are combined during shoe construction.

Different parts of a shoe are described below:

Insoles: An insole is a layer of material that is placed inside the shoe, which acts as a layer between the sole and the wearer’s foot. Along with performing the function of hiding the joint with the upper, an insole adds comfort to the wearer.

Heels: The heel is that part of the sole that raises the rear part of the shoe in relation to the front. The heel seat is typically shaped to match the form of the upper. The part of heel that comes in contact with the ground is known as the top piece.

Outsoles: Outsoles are the exposed parts of the sole that come in contact with the ground. Outsoles are produced using a variety of materials. Various properties required from the outsole are grip, durability, and water resistance.

Breasts: The breast is the forward-facing part of the heel that lies under the arch of the sole.

Counters: Between the lining and upper of the shoe, the counter, a stiff piece of material, is placed at the heel of a shoe to help in maintaining the shape of the shoe.

Feathers: The feather is that part of the shoes where the upper’s edge meets the sole.

Eyelets: The holes through which laces are passed, these are often reinforced with metal or plastic. Lace-up shoes can have as little as one eyelet, lace-up boots can have nine or more.

Linings: Most shoes have linings on the inside of the shoe around the vamp and quarter for the purpose of improving comfort and increasing the lifespan of the shoe.

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Puffs: A puff is a reinforcement inside the upper, which provides the toe with its shape and support.

Quarters: The quarter is the rear and side part of the upper that covers the heel.

Seats: Seats are that part of the shoes where the heel of the fit sits in the shoes.

Shanks: A shank is a piece of metal inserted between the sole and insole of the shoe lying against the arch of the foot.

Tongue: It is a very flexible strip of material present in those shoes which employ shoelaces. The part of the shoe that makes contact with the top of your foot. On a lace-up shoe, it resides underneath the eyestay and laces.

Soles: The sole is the entire part of the shoe that sits below the wearer’s foot.

Uppers: The upper is the entire part of the shoe that covers the foot.

Shoelace: Connecting the medial and lateral parts after one puts their shoes on and aiding in keeping their shoes on their feet.

Top piece: A top piece is that part of the heel that comes in contact with the ground.

Topline/Cuff: The top edge of the upper.

Vamps: Vamps are the section of the upper that cover the front of the foot and join to the quarter.

Lace Guard: It is sometimes considered part of the quarter and sometimes part of the vamp.

Welts: A welt is the strip of material that joins the upper to the sole.

Throats: The front of the vamp next to the toe cap is called the throat.

Toe box/Toy caps: Shoes may have a toe cap in the front upper of the shoe.

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Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.