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| Shoe Glossary |
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Shoes
Customer Service: Glossary.
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Amazing-Shoes-Store.com Presents: The Glossary
of Shoe We realize that the world of shoes can get a little
complicated, and sometimes you may run across a term you don't recognize.
To help clear things up, here's a handy dictionary of Shoe that we
use on our website. |
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A | B |
C | D |
E | F |
G | H |
I | J |
K | L |
M | N |
O | P |
Q | R |
S | T |
U | V |
W
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A
Airport Friendly - A shoe that contains no metal of any sort,
allowing the wearer to pass through airport metal detectors.
All Terrain Sandal - Any sandal that is meant for
use in rafting, hiking, etc. Often waterproofed and with an all
terrain outsole.
Ankle Wrap - Straps that are meant to be wrapped
around and tied around the ankle for a stylish accent.
Apron Toe - A type of toe characterized by a large overlay
that covers the front of the toe and has visible edges or stitching,
to form a sort of "apron" on the front of the shoe.
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B
Bicycle Toe - A type of toe characterized by two stitched
straight line accents, so named because of their similarity to
professional bicycling shoe detailing.
Blucher Toe - A type of toe characterized by a smooth, turned
stitch border around the toe area, like an apron toe style in
reverse.
Boat Shoe - A type of shoe originally meant to be worn aboard
a boat, usually with a siped, non-slip outsole, often with side
lacing details, almost always a casual shoe you can wear with or
without socks.
Boot - Any footwear that rises to the ankle or higher, can be
casual or dressy, practical or fashionable.
Boot Heel - Typically found on boots, this is a wide, stable
type of heel that usually is not very high.
Bootie - A shoe that has the styling of a boot without the
height, also called a shoe-boot or "shootie"
Brocade - A type of fabric, often with embroidered or
embroidered-style elaborate designs, popular with Asian influenced
looks.
Back Seam - The vertical seam at the center of the back of a
shoe or boot.
Brannock Device® -
A device used to measure the
length and width of the foot in order to ensure proper shoe fit..
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C
Cap Toe - A type of toe style with a full toe overlay and a
straight stitching line across the top part of the toe, often seen
in dress shoes.
Casual After Sport - A type of casual shoe that's ideal for
use after athletic activity, with sporty styling and comfort, but
lacking an athletic shoe's technical features.
Cheerleading Shoe - A type of athletic shoe meant for
competitive, high-impact cheerleading activity, often with
switchable color accents to match team colors, and finger notches in
the soles for use in acrobatics.
Chelsea Boot - A type of boot, usually ankle height, in a
pull on style with elastic side panels. Popularized in England.
Cleats - Any traction enhancing spikes or nubs attached to
the sole of an athletic shoe, often used in grass-based sports such
as baseball, soccer, or golf to ensure sure footing.
ClimaCool - A venting and cooling system used by adidas brand
footwear with flexible screened vents to keep feet cool.
Clog - A type of shoe, usually casual and comfortable, with
an open or closed heel and a slip on style.
Column Heel - A type of women's high heel that's round and
column-shaped.
Corporate Casual - A shoe that is clearly casual, but
suitable for most "casual Friday" dress codes or relaxed corporate
styles.
Crepe Sole - A type of sole characterized by a nubbly texture
like crepe paper
Croc Embossed - Leather that has been embossed or stamped in
a pattern simulating crocodile skin
Cross Training - Athletic shoes suitable for cross training
activities, from running to aerobics to weight training
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D
Distressed Leather - Leather that has been rubbed, scratched,
or treated for a stylish effect
Driving Moc - A type of casual moccasin or slip on ideal for
driving, with a flexible outsole, pedal-gripping sole, and a
wraparound protected heel
Dual Density Midsole - Seen in running shoes, a midsole that
employs two different densities of cushioning foam, with denser foam
where the foot would normally tend to roll.
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E
Elastic Gore - An elastic fabric panel inserted into shoes to
provide stretch
Energy Return - In running and athletic shoes, it is the
response after the foot strikes the ground, a sort of propulsion
that helps maintain an effective "gait" or stride
Engineer Boot - Originally worn by the Army Corps of
Engineers, it is a work style pull on boot characterized by instep
and top straps
Espadrille - Any shoe that has woven rope or rope-look trim,
usually in the sole area
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F
Faux Leather - Simulated non-animal leather-like material,
usually polyurethane
Fisherman Sandal - Type of sandal with woven or stitched
vertical and horizontal straps, often with a closed toe
Fitness - Athletic shoes ideally suited for gym-style
workouts
Flat Heel - Shoes with a very low or no heel height
Flip-Flop - A type of sandal, usually a thong, with a
lightweight foam outsole that makes a "flip-flop" sound when you
walk.
Footbed - the insole of the shoe, where the foot rests
Full Grain Leather - Leather that shows a natural texture or
"grain"
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G
Gait Control - In athletic running or walking shoes, a system
of controlling the foot's movement within the running or walking
step to prevent injury and fatigue
Gardening Clog - A type of footwear that is usually backless,
rubber, and waterproof, ideal for gardening
Gore-Tex - An advanced, lightweight waterproof material,
ideal as a lining
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H
Haircalf - Natural calfskin material with a soft furry
texture
Handle Drop - In handbags, the length measured between the
top of the bag and the center point of the handle
Harness Boot - A type of boot characterized by straps across
the instep and heel, usually joined by a ring detail
Herringbone Tweed - A type of tweed fabric with a jagged line
pattern
Houndstooth Check - A type of pattern with a diagonal "tooth"
checked design
Huarache - A type of woven sandal-like casual shoe,
originating in Mexico and Central America
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I
Insole - The part of the shoe that the foot rests upon,
usually cushioned
Instep - The area of the foot between the toes and the ankle,
or the top front part of a shoe
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J
Jelly or Jellie - A type of soft rubbery material, often
transparent or translucent
Jodhpur Boot - Also called a Chelsea Boot, an ankle height
slip on boot with elastic side panels
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K
Kitten Heel - A type of heel that is set forward, usually low
height
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L
Last - A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in
making or repairing shoes
Light Hiking - Athletic shoes that are ideal for day hikes or
"approach" hiking but are not ideal for long backpacking hikes or
climbing
Lining - The material inside a shoe
Lucite - A type of clear hard plastic that is often used in
dress shoes
Lug Sole - A sole with a heavy three dimensional traction
pattern
Lycra/Neoprene - A blend of stretch fabric and neoprene
rubber, ideal for a waterproof and sporty soft lining
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M
Mary Jane - A type of women's shoe characterized by a strap
across the instep
Mersey Boot - Also known as "Beatle Boots," dress boots with
a zippered side and a slightly raised heel
Microfiber - A type of closely knit smooth fabric often used
in shoes
Midsole - The part of the shoe between the very bottom and
where the foot rests, often cushioned
Moc Toe - A type of toe design with a seam and stitching
details, originally seen in moccasins
Moccasin - Possibly the earliest type of shoe, a slip on
style with visible stitching, often with a soft leather bottom
Mod Style - Style characteristic of the "Mod" era in the
1960's, with bold, high contrast geometric patterns and pop-art
details
Monk Strap - A type of shoe designed like an oxford, but with
a strap closure across the instep rather than a lace up front
closure
Motorcycle Boot - Boots ideal for riding a motorcycle, often
with thick, durable soles
Mule - A closed toe shoe with no back
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N
Nappa Leather - A type of leather characterized by its
stretchy, soft, smooth texture
Negative Heel - Popular in comfort footwear, a type of
footbed with a lowered heel area designed for more natural foot
placement
Nubuck - A type of leather that has been "bucked" or sanded
for a smooth texture with a slight nap
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O
Orthotic - A full or partial insole specifically designed for
comfort and support
Outsole - The very bottom of the shoe, the part that contacts
the ground
Overlay - Detailing on a shoe made by layering material on
top of other material
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P
Patent Leather - A type of leather that has been varnished
for a shiny finished
Peekaboo Toe - A type of closed toe with a small open panel
allowing a glimpse of toe
Pinked - Detailing characterized by a sawtooth edge
Polyurethane - A type of manmade material that can be made to
have the look and feel of leather
Pronation - The inward rolling of the foot during running or
walking, potentially a source of injury
PU - The commonly used abbreviation for polyurethane
Pumps - Women's dress shoes, usually slip on, often with
enclosed toe and sides
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Q
Quarter Panel - The sides of the shoe from the heel to the
toe
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R
Retro - Referring to popular style of the past
Ruched - A type of detailing characterized by gathered or
pleated material with stitching accents
Running - Cushioning - Running shoes characterized by a high
degree of cushioning in the insole and midsole, designed for runners
in need of maximum shock absorption
Running - Stability - Running shoes characterized by a high
degree of stabilizing elements, designed for runners in need of gait
control
Running - Supportive Cushioning - Running shoes with a
combination of cushioning and stabilized support, designed for
runners needing both
Running - Trail - Running shoes designed for
running both on and off road, with increased stability and traction
for irregular terrain
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S
Saddle Shoes - Shoes with a contrast colored instep overlay
or "saddle," usually found on golf shoes or retro styles
Scalloped - A type of detailing characterized by round wavy
edges
Sculpted Heel - A type of high heel molded in one piece,
usually out of high-impact plastic
Siped - A type of outsole with narrow grooves or channels,
often found in boat shoes
Slingback - Shoes that are backless with a rear strap that
goes around the upper heel, usually with a buckle or elastic panel
Slouched - Shoes with a baggy, gathered design that
"slouches" down, usually found in boots
Snip Toe - A type of toe that is tapered, with a squared
front as if "snipped"
Sole - Another word for outsole, the bottom part of the shoe
Spandex/Neoprene - A combination of stretchy Spandex fabric
and soft neoprene rubber, a soft and waterproof material usually
used as a lining
Stacked Heel - A heel that has horizontal lines, indicating
that it is made up of stacked layers of leather, or a heel with that
appearance
Stiletto - A high, tapered, narrow heel, also called a
"spike" heel, named for a type of slim knife
Strappy Sandal - A sandal characterized by a multiple strap
design
Studio-Aerobic - Athletic shoes ideally meant for aerobics
and other studio fitness activities
Suede - Leather that has been sanded or roughed to produce a
surface with a soft texture or "nap"
Sueded Fabric - Fabric that has been given a soft nap to
simulate the feel of suede leather
Supination - The rolling of the foot outward to the side
while running or walking, can lead to serious injury
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T
Tailored - Characterized by a fitted, precise design that
follows the contours of the foot
Thong Sandal - Any sandal that has material that fits between
the toes, especially the big and second toes
Toe Ridge - A horizontal ridge added into the footbed of some
sandals to anchor and provide support and cushioning for the toes
Toe Thong Post - The part of a thong sandal that actually
fits between the toes
Trubuck - An fabric with a durable but soft texture that
simulates nubuck leather
T-Strap - A type of shoe with a single vertical strap linking
the toe and ankle/heel areas
Turf Cleats - Permanent or removable plastic or rubber cleats
on athletic shoes
Twill Fabric - A woven fabric material characterized by a
smooth surface and durable wear
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U
Upper - The part of the shoe that covers the top part of the
foot, from heel to toe
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V
Vachetta Leather - A type of soft cow leather
Vamp - The front center part of a shoe's upper
Vegetable Tanned - Leather that has been tanned using a
vegetable process, ideal for those with allergies to chromium or
other tanning chemicals
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W
Water Sports - Any sports such as rafting,
kayaking, surfing, etc. that require footwear that is waterproof,
quick drying, with all terrain traction
Western - Roper - A type of Western boot
characterized by a lower shaft, flared top, and medium round toe
Wing Tip - A type of shoe with overlays and
stitched, perforated trim, usually a dress style
Work - Non-Safety - Work boots that do not have a
steel safety toe
Work - Safety - Work boots that have a steel
safety toe and conform to ANSI safety standards specified
Wrestling Shoe - Athletic shoes ideal for
Greco-Roman wrestling, usually with a flexible split outsole and
covered laces to conform to rules
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