Understanding Shoe Terminology

A shoe is a complex piece of clothing, and while it looks easy, it’s not. Understanding what someone is talking about when referencing shoes isn’t always easy, either. To take this frustration away, we have a list of the most common terms so that the next time you look for shoes, you will be a pro.

Styles

Some say that there are as many styles of the shoe as there are people in the world. From casual to business, classic to modern, the terms can get pretty confusing. As such, we’ve shown some of the most popular options that people are most familiar with.

Algonquin Toe

The Algonquin Toe received its name from the Indian tribe of the same name. It was designed by adopting the idea of a split toe. Joining two pieces of material (most commonly leather) together at the shoe’s welt offers a unique and stylish look.

Bicycle Toe

The Bicycle Toe is easily recognizable by its two stitched accents. They are straight-lined and look professional and stylish, offering a perfect shoe for a business dress or casual.

Engineer Boot

The Engineer Boot has been made famous by the military. Now it is a work style boot that many have adopted because people love the straps and functionality.

Flip-Flop

Most everyone knows what a flip flop is. They are the most popular summer shoe and come in almost every style and colour. Most find them comfortable to wear, although it can get uncomfortable between the toes.

The Inside Of Your Shoe

The inside of a shoe is just as complicated as the outside, and there are just as many pieces. While not all shoes have a plethora of details, some do. So it’s essential to have your terms down, so you know what you’ve got.

Tongue Padding

The Tongue Padding is the piece of the shoe that sticks out under your laces. It is between the upper part of the tongue and will provide the user with an added layer of comfort.

The Filler

The Filler is the material that fills the space between the midsole and your insole.  The process is found more often in a fancier shoe. Dress shoes tend to be more traditional in how they are made and have a more classic look, which is where this type of construction comes in.

Collar Padding

The Collar Padding is another part of the filling. It is used between the upper part of the shoe and the lining. They also help with your ankles. When considering what to purchase, people don’t think about their ankles and the pain they can cause themselves. That is where collar padding comes in. It helps to add comfort to the wearer’s ankles as well as helping with undue pain.

Vamp Lining

Believe it or not, vamp lining has nothing to do with Dracula or the walking undead. It’s the material that is used to protect the front of your shoe. The vamp lining can be made of a different material than the rest of the shoe, and it can have a fascinating shape. Vamp lining also makes up a key component of safety shoes.

The Puff

The Puff doesn’t refer to shoes with pom-poms. What it is is the reinforcement that is placed in the shoe. It is put in the front of the shoe to give your toes the shape and offers unbridled support of your feet. While it offers similar capabilities to a toe cap, there are significant vital differences.

The External Of Your Shoe

The external of your shoe is going to be what you see the most. While some shoes have twenty or more components, others don’t have quite that many. There are, however, some universal terms, and shoes will have these in their makeup.

The Collar

The Collar is just as it sounds. It is located at the top of the shoe, where you place your foot inside. In most cases, it has extra padding to eliminate rubbing and pressure for the wearer. It will also appear as a different colour than the shoe to add a stylish look in many cases.

The Sole

The sole is the most common part of the shoe, and it is located below your foot. The sole is also made of three different parts. These parts include the following.

• The insole
• The midsole
• The outsole

The insole is the part of the sole inside the shoe that offers your feet a better fit. It also provides additional comfort and warmth to keep your feet as comfortable as possible.

The midsole is found on certain types of shoes, but not on all. As its name implies, it is the piece that goes in the middle of the insole and the outsole. Athletes have popularized it as it offers their shoes a better suspension. The midsole is also the area of the shoe where control is located and cushioning is found. As it is most often made with plastic materials, it has a look that resembles foam rubber.

The outsole is what is exposed to the ground. Like the other soles, it is made of a variety of composite materials. The goal for the outsole is to protect from the weather and elements, can grip, and to last a long time.

Eyelet

The Eyelets are one of the most manageable parts of the shoe to recognize. It is the part of the shoe where you tie your shoelaces. They are tiny holes that are made of plastic in most cases but metal in others. You will find different styles, and there are different numbers regarding the eyelet holes. Shoes can also have an extra eyelet, which is used for employing a heel lock. When you tie it correctly, it will prevent blisters. The extra eyelet is most commonly found on gym shoes.

Now You Are Ready

Now that you have the basic terms down, you can understand the ins and outs of your shoe. Knowing makes all the difference, and now when you look at a shoe, you will be able to appreciate the design and know what type of shoe you need for your lifestyle.