Have you ever wondered exactly what the parts of your shoes are called? We all know the most common terminologies of heel, sole and insole, and which part of the shoes they relate to. But if you don’t work in the shoe industry you may never have heard of an outsole, shank, or toe box?
Many people who are familiar with sewing will recognize the term eyelet as the hole with a metal covering that protects the edges of the shoes from fraying.
The cushioned material that is placed at the bottom of the shoes is called an insole, but it can also be referred to as an innersole or a footbed. The part of the shoes that we usually refer to as the upper is also known as the vamp. This is the part of the shoe that holds the shoe onto your foot. The vamp and the heel give the whole shoe style.
The tongue is the long part of the shoe that sits on the top part of your foot. It protects your foot from the laces used to tie the shoes onto your feet. Children have the most trouble with this part of their shoes, and must be taught to pull the tongue out so it sits correctly without chaffing their feet.
If ever your shoes have squeaked when you have walked, this noise will come from the shank. The shank is a piece of metal that is placed between the sole and the bottom of the shoe. It supports the foot from heel to foot arch. It can be made from other materials but steel is the most popular. It adds strength and weight to the shoes. Varying the material the shank is made from will alter the weight. Nylon shanks are more flexible than steel shanks.
The upper of the shoe has a lining. This covers the whole of the inside of the shoe and is used for comfort and protection.
Learning the basics of how shoes are made can help us determine which shoes we want to buy. The next time you are buying a pair of shoes check the quality of workmanship.
