Anatomy of a Shoe

Understanding the basic construction of shoes will help you make more informed decisions and select shoes that fit your foot and needs.

Shoes are made up of five major components:

• The toe box is the tip of the shoe that provides space for the toes. Toe boxes are generally rounded, pointed, or squared and will determine the amount of space provided for the toes.
• The vamp is the upper middle part of the shoe where the laces are commonly placed. Sometimes Velcro is used instead of laces.
• The sole consists of an insole and an outsole. The insole is inside the shoe; the outsole contacts the ground. The softer the sole, the greater the shoe's ability to absorb shock.
• The heel is the bottom part of the rear of the shoe that provides elevation. The higher the heel, the greater the pressure on the front of the foot.
• The last is the part of the shoe that curves in slightly near the arch of the foot to conform to the average foot shape. This curve enables you to tell the right shoe from the left.

The material from which a shoe is made can affect fit and comfort. Softer materials decrease the amount of pressure the shoe places on the foot. Stiff materials can cause blisters. A counter may be used to stiffen the material around the heel and give added support to the foot.

Structure of a Basic Shoe:
The following is a description of the basic anatomy of a shoe.
Toe box - the very tip of the shoe that provides space for your toes. The toe box can be either rounded or pointed; these designs determine the amount of space allowed for your toes.
Vamp - the upper, middle section of a shoe where the laces are typically found, although Velcro can sometimes take the place of laces.
Insole and Outsole - the insole is inside of the shoe; the outsole contacts the ground.
The softer the sole, the greater the shoe's ability to absorb shock.

Heel - the bottom area at the rear of the shoe that provides proper elevation. More pressure is put on your foot with a higher heel.
The last section of a shoe is the area that curves in slightly to conform to the average foot shape, allowing you to decipher from the right and the left shoe

Structure of Men's Shoes:
The following are some characteristics specific to men's shoes:
Roomy Toe Box. The toe box usually has an appropriate amount of horizontal and vertical space along with a low heel (typically about half-an-inch-high).
Hard or Soft Soles. Soles can be made of hard materials, such as leather, or soft materials such as crepe; however, softer soles tend to be more comfortable and will protect your feet and help keep them comfortable.

Structure of Work Shoes:
Work shoes are available with varying characteristics dependent on the wearer's occupation
Work boots are often made of thick leather with steel toe boxes that can be worn to protect your feet from injury.
Boots are available with different levels of traction.

Structure of Women's Shoes:
The following are some considerations for women's shoes:
Low-heeled shoes (one inch or lower) with a wide toe box are the best choice. They have a wide toe box that can support the front part of the foot.
High-heeled, pointed-toe shoes can lead to numerous problems including discomfort or injury to the toes, ankles, knees, calves, and back .
Most high-heeled shoes have a pointed, narrow front area that crowds and forces toes into an unnatural position.
The higher the heel, the more stress and pressure is put on the ball of the foot and on the forefoot, causing further discomfort.
Low-heeled shoes can also cause discomfort if they don't fit well.

Structure of Athletic Shoes:
Since athletic shoes are meant for high levels of activity, they have some unique characteristics, including:
Protects players from specific stresses encountered for a given sport. Variations in design, material and lacing characteristics are meant to protect your feet.
Shoes are specific to each sport; the amount of cushioning and stability needed for different activities will determine the type of shoe recommended.
Well-fitted shoes need to be comfortable; a good fit will reduce blisters and other skin conditions

Men's Shoes

Most men's shoes conform to the shape of the feet and have a roomy toe box with sufficient horizontal and vertical space and a low heel (usually about half an inch high). Soles made of either hard materials (such as leather) or soft materials (such as crepe) can be worn, but softer soles tend to be more comfortable. If you stand for extended periods of time, shoes with soft, pliable. and cushioned soles will protect your feet and help keep them comfortable.

The best shoes for men are good quality oxford styles, shoes ordinarily associated with wing-tip or cap toe designs. Also suitable are slip-ons, dressy loafers, and low dress boots.

It is advisable to have three to five pairs of shoes for business so that you can alternate your shoes on a daily basis.

Women's Shoes

The best shoe for women's feet is a walking shoe with laces (not a slip-on), a composition sole, and a relatively wider heel with a rigid and padded heel counter, no more than three-quarters of an inch in height.
Some women inflict punishment on their feet from improper footwear that can bring about unnecessary foot problems. Some of the problems result from high-heeled shoes (generally defined as pumps with heels of more than two inches).

A study conducted by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society found that:

• Nine out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small for their feet.
• Eight out of 10 women say their shoes are painful.
• More than 7 out of 10 women have developed a bunion, hammertoe, or other painful foot deformity.
• Women are nine times more likely to develop a foot problem because of improper fitting shoes than a man.
• Nine out of 10 women's foot deformities can be attributed to tight shoes.

High-heeled, pointed-toe shoes can cause numerous orthopedic problems, leading to discomfort or injury to the toes, ankles, knees, calves, and back. Many high-heeled-shoes also have a pointed, narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape. These shoes distribute the body's weight unevenly, placing excess stress on the ball of the foot and on the forefoot. This uneven distribution of weight, coupled with the narrow toe box characteristic of most high heels, can lead to discomfort, bunions, hammertoes, and other deformities.

The height of the heel makes a dramatic difference in the pressure that occurs on the bottom of the foot. As heel height increases, the pressure under the ball of the foot may double, placing greater pressure on the forefoot as it is forced into the pointed toe box.

To relieve the abusive effects of high heels, women should limit the amount of time they wear them and alternate these shoes with good quality sneakers or flats for part of the day. Look for comfortable and attractive walking pumps for work and social activities, that blend fashion appeal with athletic shoe-derived construction, reinforced heels, and wider toe room for greater comfort. Low-heeled shoes (one inch or lower) with a wide toe box are the ideal choice for women. An ample toe box that can accommodate the front part of the foot is as important as the heel in determining fit.