Shoe and Footwear Glossary
Browse through our online shoe and footwear glossary of terms and styles. Did you know that all the modern footwear styles are derived from seven original shoe types? Those original shoes tyles are: boot, moccasin, monk, mule, oxford, sandal, and the pump. The moccasin is the oldest, dating back over 12,000 years. Most recent is the oxford, appearing approximately 300 years ago.
Aglet -The plastic sheath at the end of a shoelace which makes the lace easier to thread through the eyelet holes of the shoe.
Airport Friendly - A shoe that contains no metal of any sort, allowing the wearer to pass through airport metal detectors
All Terrain Sandal - Often waterproof and with an all terrain sole, any sandal that is meant for outdoor activities such as hiking and rafting
Alpargata - A Spanish or South American sandal-like shoe, usually with rope sole, attached to the foot by thongs
Ankle Wrap - Straps that are meant to be wrapped and styled around the ankle
Approach Shoe - A grip-soled athletic shoe meant to aid rock climbers on the path to and from the climbing area.
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
Arch - The high, curved part of the sole of the foot, located between the ball of the foot and the heel. This term can also refer to the raised area of the insole of a shoe, which is meant to pad and provide support for the arch of the foot.
Back Seam - The vertical seam at the center of the back of a shoe or boot.
Ballerina Flat - A ballet-style flat meant for everyday wear
Balmoral - A sturdy laced walking shoe
Bicycle Toe - A type of toe characterized by two stitched straight line accents, so named because of their similarity to professional bicycling shoe detailing
Bluchers - a high shoe with laces over the tongue
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
Bootie - A shoe that has the styling of a boot without a shaft, also called a shoe-boot or shootie
Break - The natural crease created across the vamp of the shoe from everyday wear
Brocade - A type of fabric, often with embroidered or embroidered-style elaborate designs, popular with Asian influenced looks
Brogue - A heavy, oxford-style shoe featuring pinked and perforated detailing
Burnish - The process of buffing a shoe surface to achieve an antiquing effect of the leather.
Calfskin - Leather created from the skins of very young cows. Calfskin is typically very supple and soft
Calceus - a shoe covering the ankle; worn by ancient Romans
Cambrelle® - A durable, breathable, synthetic material that helps wick away moisture and gives added warmth
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
Chopines - A woman’s shoe with a very high thick sole (see: platforms)
Chukka Boot - A boot style with laces, usually with a plain toe, and is the height of the ankle
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 traction
ClimaCool - A venting and cooling system used by adidas brand footwear with flexible screened vents to keep feet cool
Climatrac® - A durable lining that is quick-drying and extremely breathable.
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
Cordovan - Leather from a horse's posterior. When tanned it becomes a rich black cherry color; so it has evolved into common usage as a color name.
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
Cuban Heel - A broad heel of moderate height with a slightly tapered back and straight front, used in shoes and some boots.
Demi Boot - A style of boot whose shaft is generally no taller than the anklebone
Distressed Leather - Leather that has been rubbed, scratched or treated for a stylish effect
D'Orsay (pronounced "door-say") - A style of pump featuring one or both sides cut-out.
Dri-lex® - A dual layered configuration composed of a moisture absorbing hydrophilic nylon fiber and a moisture resisting hydrophobic polyester layer knitted together.
Driving Moc - A type of casual moccasin or slip on ideal for driving, with a flexible, 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
E.V.A. (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) - A synthetic compound used for outsoles. E.V.A. provides cushioning to the foot and is easily shaped by heat and pressure
Elastane - An elastic fabric made from segmented polyurethane that adds stretch. It's stronger and more durable than rubber. Similar to spandex
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
Eyelet -
A hole through which a lace is threaded; may be reinforced with a metal ring or grommet.
Faux Leather -
Man-made, non-animal material, usually polyurethane, used to simulate real leather
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 thong sandal with a lightweight foam outsole that makes a flip-flop sound as you walk
Footbed - The insole of the shoe, where the foot rests
Forefoot - The area of foot between the ball and the toes
Foxing -
A strip of rubber joining the upper and sole of a shoe. Typically found on canvas sneakers
Full Grain Leather - Leather that shows a natural texture or "grain"
Gait Control - In athletic running or walking shoes, a system to control the foot’s movement within the running or walking step to prevent injury or fatigue
Galoshes -
Waterproof (typically rubber) overshoes or boots meant to protect the foot and footwear from inclement weather.
Gardening Clog - A type of footwear ideal for gardening that is usually backless, rubber and waterproof
Ghillie (pronounced "gil-ee") - A style of footwear in which the laces pass through fabric or leather rings or loops attached to the front opening of the shoe, rather than eyelets
Goodyear Welt - A shoe construction in which the upper and sole of the shoe are stitched together, resulting in greater durability. The resulting seam is visible and runs around the outside of the shoe, where the upper and outsole meet.
Gore-Tex - An advanced, lightweight waterproof material, ideal as a lining
Haircalf - Natural calfskin material with a soft furry texture
Harness Boot - A type of boot characterized by straps across the instep and heel, usually joined by a ring detail
Heel Breast - The forward-facing side of the heel.
Heel Height - Heel height is measured on a vertical line at the breast of the heel, from the bottom surface of the sole where it meets the heel, to the floor. Heel height is measured in increments of 1/8th inches, so an 8/8 heel is one inch high.
Heel Seat -
The part of the shoe directly below where the heel of the foot rests and where the sole and the heel are joined together.
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
Injection Molded Construction - A type of sole unit construction created by injecting melted PVC or a similar material into the sole mold. Injection molded construction is an efficient way to mass-produce footwear
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
Jelly or Jellie - A type of soft rubbery material, often transparent or translucent
Jelly Shoes -
Shoes made entirely of PVC
Jodhpur Boot - Also called a Chelsea Boot, an ankle height slip on boot with elastic side panels
Kitten Heel - A type of tapered, low heel that is slightly set forward
Kiltie - A decorative, fringed tongue over the vamp of a shoe
Laces - A strip of material strung through the eyelets of a shoe in order to pull the shoe closed and adjust its girth.
Last - A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in making or repairing shoes
Lift -
One of the several layers of leather or leather-board used make a heel.
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
Loafer - A slip-on shoe, completely without fasteners
Louis Heel - High heel with graceful curves on the sides and back. Originally designed for King Louis XIV, of France
Lucite - A type of clear, hard plastic that is often used in special occasion and evening 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
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
Midsole - The part of the shoe between the outsole and where the foot rests, usually 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 of the 1960s, 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
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
Orthotic - A full or partial insole specifically designed for comfort and support
Outsole - The very bottom of the shoe that contacts the ground
Overlay - Detailing on a shoe made by layering material on top of other material
Overpronation - Occurs when the foot rolls too far inward
Oxford - A traditional term describing a low shoe laced or tied over the instep.
Patent Leather - A type of leather that has been varnished for a shiny finish
Peau de soie - A soft satin weave of silk or rayon, with a grainy and dull luster
Pebbled Grain -
An embossed-leather grain finish that resembles a pebble surface
Peep Toe - A narrow opening at the front of a shoe that allows the toes to show
Penny-Loafer -
A slip-on style shoe with a slit over the instep where a penny traditionally was placed for good luck
Pinked - Detailing characterized by a sawtooth edge
Platform Shoe -
A style of shoe featuring a thicker sole at the front; the heel is typically high to accommodate the higher height of the sole
Polyurethane - A type of man-made material that can have the look and feel of leather
Pronation - The inward roll of the foot that occurs as the heel strikes the ground
PU - The commonly-used abbreviation for polyurethane
Pumps - Women's dress shoes, usually slip on, often with enclosed toe and sides
Retro - Referring to popular style of the past
Riding Boot - A boot designed specifically for equestrian activities. Usually knee-high, with goring and a low heel. This term can also describe boots that are designed to look like riding boots
Rim - The part of the shoe where the foot enters. Another term for collar or topline
Roper - A type of Western boot characterized by a lower shaft, flared top and medium round toe
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
Saddle Shoes - Shoes with a contrast colored instep overlay or "saddle," usually found on golf shoes or retro styles
Safety Shoe - A shoe or boot designed specifically for wear in an industrial setting. This style of shoe often includes protective features such as steel-toe reinforcement and waterproof and oil-resistant materials
Sandal - A simple form of footwear where the shoe is held to the foot by strips of leather or fabric
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
Shearling -
Sheepskin or lambskin with the wool still attached. Used often as a lining for shoes and boots
Siped - A type of outsole with narrow grooves or channels, often found in boat shoes
Slide -
A shoe featuring an open toe and open back, with a band across the toe. Can be flat or heeled
Slingback - Shoes that are backless with a rear strap that goes around the upper heel, usually with a buckle or elastic panel
Slip-On - A style of footwear which is simply slipped on to the foot with no further adjustment
Slipper -
A flat shoe that is easily slipped on, usually meant for indoor wear and lined for comfort and warmth
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
Spectator - A type of shoe characterized by contrasting heel and toe overlays, usually a mid-heeled tailored style
Split Leather -
A type of leather used in shoes that is made from the lower layers of a hide that have been split away from the upper or grain
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
Steel Toes - Steel toes are most frequently found in industrial-style footwear that is meant to prevent injury in the workplace. Steel toes are tested by the A.N.S.I (American National Standard Institute) for their ability to maintain a minimum clearance when compressed by different weights
Stiletto - A high, tapered, narrow heel, also called a "spike" heel, named for a type of slim knife
Straight Lasted -
A type of last used to create a very straight shoe that helps to prevent severe pronation
Strappy Sandal - A sandal characterized by a multiple strap design
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
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 - A fabric with a durable but soft texture that simulates nubuck leather
Tru-Moc -
A shoe in which the bottom is a single piece of leather, stitched around a last. The vamp is usually attached by whip stitching to the bottom of the shoe so it encloses the foot. Also known as moccasin.
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
Underpronation - Occurs when the foot does not roll inward enough
Unit Bottom -
A single shoe bottom made from a mold of rubber or plastic. It includes the sole, platform heel or wedge
Upper - The part of the shoe that covers the top part of the foot, from heel to toe
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
Vegetarian Shoes -
Shoes made of non-leather or synthetic materials
Vibram® -
A type of durable, non-slip, outsole typically found on hiking boots. Vibram® is a registered trademark of Vibram S.P.A.
Walker - A comfortable, low-heeled shoe designed for walking
Water Sports - Any sport such as rafting, kayaking or surfing that requires waterproof, quick-drying footwear with all terrain traction
Waterproof Leather - Shoes that have been specially treated to prevent the entry of water
Wedge Heel - A heel which extends from the back of the shoe to the ball of the shoe, following its contour
Wellington -
A Style of pull-on boots with no trim, often made of rubber, for inclement weather
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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