Understanding The Anatomy Of Your Shoe
Shoes are now more than just fashion statements. They cradle our feet, support our every step and take the brunt of daily wear and tear. But beneath all that, lies a world of complex design and engineering. Understanding the anatomy of a shoe can be an eye-opener for you, which helps you make an informed decision when purchasing your next shoe. This article looks into the crucial elements of a shoe, and how these parts contribute to overall wear and durability.
Image credit via Pinterest
Delving into the World of Shoe Anatomy
The upper
This is the part of the shoe that covers your foot, from your sole up. All these various parts of the upper are stitched together to transform them all into a single unit. These parts include the quarter, the vamp, the tongue, cap toe, and the counter. They are the most essential parts of the upper that every man should take note of, to help them make a sound decision when purchasing their next shoe.
A leather upper provides you with a more classy and chic look and durability at the same time. On the other hand, other materials such as canvas provides you with more breathability and flexibility. Let’s delve into the other sections of the upper:
The Quarter
In a nutshell, the quarter of the shoe covers the entire side of the shoe up till the back, up until where the laces are and including the leather wrapped behind the heel of the shoe. How the quarter is made can actually determine the style of the shoe, whether it be a closed or opened lacing system.
Vamp
The vamp connects to the quarters. To put it simply, the vamp is the area of the upper that covers the top part of your foot, that is between the tongue and the toe cap.
This is the part of the shoe that bends when we walk. So in that case, it requires utmost care. Since it bends, this is the part of the shoe that has the most creases, especially in leather shoes and would require constant care. Which is why it is essential that every man has his own leather care kit.
Although a little creasing is inevitable, investing in a pair of quality leather shoes, such as our durable full grain leather collection helps. Storing your shoes with a shoe tree can also help prevent creasing as the shoe tree stretches the leather, smoothening it out in the process.
Toe Cap
This is the part of the shoe that is directly in front of the vamp. This is the area of the shoe that covers the front of your foot. The toe caps can vary in different shapes, from your square toes, to round and the pointed ends. The shape of the toe cap heavily influences the end product design and your comfort. If you have wider feet, you definitely would want to opt for either the round toe or square toe. If you’re looking for elegance, then go for the pointed toes.
Naturally, this part of the shoe is reinforced with more leather or even sometimes a steel toe, depending on the shoe and the occasion. The reason why toe caps are reinforced is simple; protection. Toe caps can also have various designs, from your toe-cap brogues to elaborate wingtips - do check out our range of brogues and wingtip classics on our website.
Tongue
The tongue of the shoe is appropriately named based on its appearance. The long, oval-shaped flap extends from the vamp of your shoe and covers the bridge of your foot, to create a symmetrical appearance.
Depending on the style of your shoe, the tongue has a different appearance. For oxfords, since they use a closed-lacing system, the tongues are generally smaller and tighter, which blends in well with the shoe. As compared to derbys or sneakers, where the tongue is bigger. In sneakers, the tongues are thicker and sometimes plushier, giving the whole shoe a sportier look.
Counter
The last part of the shoe upper is the counter. The counter is the part of the shoe that extends from the heel that covers the back of your foot, for the added support. Typically, the counter, same as the toe cap, is also reinforced. The reason for this is because the counter is the part of the shoe that supports your foot and when walking, it supports your entire weight. So it will need to be thicker to offer the necessary support to your foot, to prevent the shoe from collapsing.
These are the more fundamental parts of the upper, which now brings me to the next part of the blog; the sole.
Image credit via Santos Shoes
The Sole
The Sole
The sole is the part of the shoe that is always in contact with the ground. The sole in itself provides two main purposes for the person wearing the shoe: protection and comfort.
To achieve this protection and comfort, shoemakers need to fully grasp the concept of creating the sole, which constitutes the insole, outsole, midsole and heel. By doing so, it will allow shoemakers to make the most durable and well-made shoes, providing sufficient comfort.
Insole
As the name suggests, the insole is the part of the shoe where our feet rests on the inside. This part provides our feet with the comfort and cushioning it requires. Typically, soft leather is used here to provide utmost comfort to your feet. The material has to be comfortable for your feet, so this is something to look out for when purchasing your next shoe.
Outsole
To most people, the outsole is the entirety of the sole other than the upper, however, the outsole is actually just the bottom of the sole, where it is in contact with the ground when we wear them. The thickness of the outsole varies from shoe to shoe, but above all else, the main purpose of the outsole is to provide protection for your feet. This is why the outsole is usually very durable and most of the time, waterproof.
Some common materials of the outsole include rubber, wood and leather. Things to consider are what occasion the shoes are for. Rubber is mostly slip-resistant and more flexible when it comes to the sole. Leather and wood on the other hand are more rigid, which could potentially mean that you won’t be able to wear the shoes throughout the day. Some prefer the aesthetics that leather and wood soles give the shoe, which is why they opt for those.
Midsole
The midsole is the part of the shoe that lies between the insole and outsole. The midsole is rarely seen as providing any use to the shoe, but it actually acts as an extra layer of comfort between the outsole, the part that touches the ground, and the insole, the part that touches your feet. Without it, your feet would almost be able to feel the ground. With the midsole, your feet are slightly elevated, providing them with protection.
The midsole can be made of various materials mainly, cork or foam. The important thing is that the midsole is made of a flexible and durable material. The midsole is one of the most important parts of your shoes as it impacts the feeling of your footwear more than the other parts. An old midsole can stiffen up or even begin to crack or flake. A top-quality midsole can help your shoes last longer.
Heel
Finally, there is the heel. The heel can be made out of various materials. The comfort and support of the heel is mostly dependent on the material it's made of. The heel mostly supports the back of the foot, but it also plays an important role in establishing a relation between the rear and the front of the shoe.
Playing a Supporting Role
The lining of the shoe is the interior of the shoe that wraps your feet. Leather lining, like those in our shoes, offers a more luxurious and elegant feel. On the other hand, synthetic materials offer a sweat-wicking property.
By fully understanding the relationship between shoe anatomy, comfort and durability, you can make better informed decisions during your next purchase. So the next time you're browsing through shoes, remember that you’re not just picking out a style, but you’re investing in your foot care every step of the way.