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Parts of a Shoe

By: jane baron Click author's name for more of his/her articles

When looking for orthopedic or specialized shoes, it is important to know exactly what you are looking for. And in order to be an informed consumer, you have to get comfortable with shoe terminology. Review the list below of common shoe parts to prepare before your next shoe-shopping expedition.

Feather. The part of the shoe where the upper meets the sole.
Heel Counter. A firm piece of plastic concealed within the fabric of the shoe. The heel counter cups the heel and provides extra support. To find out if a shoe has a heel counter, press your thumbs against the back of the heel. If the heel bends easily, there is no heel counter.

Insole. The part of the sole you see when you look inside your shoe. Insoles are often curved to provide arch support. They are also often removable.

Midsole. The part of the sole concealed between the insole and the outer sole. Midsoles vary widely in weight, support and flexibility. The bulk of technology is focused on this area, so if you have special requests for cushioning or flexibility, make sure the midsole is designed the way you want it.

Outer sole. The part of the sole that comes into contact with the ground.

Quarter. The part of the upper that covers the sides and rear of the heel. The quarter usually contains a heel counter for extra support.

Seat. The part of the insole that holds the heel in place.

Shank. A thin piece of metal that runs from the heel across the arch of the foot and provides shape to the shoe and support to the foot. The shank is concealed between the insole and the outer sole of the shoe.

Toe Box. The front part of the shoe that contains your toes. Toe Boxes sometimes have toe caps that are stitched over the material of the upper and are either decorative or provide protection for the toes.

Tongue. The part of the shoe that sits on the top of your foot and is designed to protect your foot from rubbing against the shoe’s laces.

Upper. The part of the shoe that covers the top of the foot. Together, the upper and the entire sole (insole, midsole and outer sole) make up the basic building blocks of a shoe.

Vamp. Part of the upper, the vamp is the part of the shoe that usually contains laces, Velcro or a buckle of some sort (i.e., whatever is used to fasten the shoe).

Welt. A strip of material that covers the feather and reinforces the area where the upper meets the sole.

Dansko

Often cited as one of the most comfortable brands of shoes out there, Dansko sandals and shoes proudly bear the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. Dansko manufactures a wide variety of clogs, sandals, heels, boots and shoes in style that are sure to please both men and women.
When shopping for Dansko’s keep in mind that the company divides its merchandise into collections (or “families”) of shoes that all share the same contoured foot bed, outer sole and heel height. These features of the shoe are the most important when it comes to determining the support the shoe offers your feet. The rest of the shoe (the upper) is simply style. The collections that Dansko offers include: Stapled clog, Sausalito, Stockbridge, Next Gen, Capri, Louvre, Cambridge, Chatham, Charleston, Golden Gate, Notting Hill and Left Bank. Chances are that if a shoe from a certain collection fits you really well, then other shoes from that same collection will give you the same great fit.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Jane Barron works for OddShoeFinder.com,a free online website that helps people find mismatched footwear.Get more information on deformed feet, corrective shoes or foot length difference.