AGLET
The sheath at the end of a shoelace which makes threading through the eyelet easier.

ANKLE BOOT
A shoe that is similar to a boot but without the height.

ANKLE STRAP
A strap at the rear of the shoes that encirlces the ankle.

ARCH
The curved part of the sole of the foot, between the ball of the foot and the heel.

BACK SEAM
The seam at the centre of the back of the shoe.

BALL
The area of the foot between the big toe and the arch of the foot.

BELLOWS TONGUE
A stitched tongue that gives protection to the foot from the elements and the ingress of debris

BOAT SHOE
A shoe that was originally worn aboard a boat. A casual shoe that can be worn with or without socks. A non slip sole provides grip.

BOOT
A shoe that covers from the foot and ankle and all or part of the leg.

BOX/BLOCK
This is the stiff toe found in ballet shoes that encases the toe.

BROGUE
The word is translated from Gaelic meaning shoe. Originally from Ireland or Scotland. They are leather shoes decorated with punched and serrated designs.

CHELSEA BOOT
A boot, ankle height, with elasticated sides that can be easily pulled on the foot.

CHUKKA BOOT
Ankle height boot with laces.

CLEATS
These are the spikes or bumps attached to the soles of athletic shoes such as baseball, football and golf.

CM-EVA
Compression moulded ethylene vinyl acetate foam

CONE HEEL
A rounded heel that starts wide and tapers to a point.

CUBAN HEEL
A broad heel with a slightly tapered back and straight front.

EVA
Materiasl used to make the midsoles of a shoe. EVA compresses and becomes flatter over time as the air is squeezed out. It is a relatively cheap material and is found on many entry level cheaper shoes. EVA is soft, light and flexible.

FEATHER
The part where the upper of the shoe meets the sole.

FLATS
Shoes with very low or no heel.

FLIP-FLOP
A lightweight foam outsole sandal that makes a flip flop sound when walking.

FOREFOOT
The area of the foot between the ball and toes.

GAITERS
A covering for ankle and foot. Buttoned or zipped down the sides. Often fitted with a strap which passes under the shoe

GIRTH
The circumference of a shoe that measures around the ball of the foot.

HEEL
Part of the shoe that raises the rear. The top of the heel that touches the upper is known as the heel seat. The part that touches the floor is known as the heel top piece.

HEEL HEIGHT
This is measured on a vertical line at the back of the heel, from the bottom surface of the sole, where it meets the heel, to the floor. Heel heights are generally measured in increments of 1/8ths of an inch. So an 8/8 heel is a heel of one inch in height.

INSEAM
This is a hidden seam that holds together a welted shoe. It holds all of the welt, upper, lining and insole.

INSOLE
The part that the foot rests on.

INSTEP
The area of the foot between the toes and ankle. It can also be used to describe the top front part of the shoe, which is know generally as the vamp.

JELLY
A sandal of shoe made from rubber material. Usually made in bright colours.

JODHPUR BOOT
Also known as the CHELSEA boot. A boot, ankle height, with elasticated sides that can be easily pulled on the foot.

KITTEN HEEL
A heel that is usually under 1 inches.

LACES
Material strung through eyelets of a shoe in order to close the shoe and adjust its fit.

LOAFER
Trademarked design for an open casual leather shoe having a wide flat heel.

MARY JANE
A shoe for women with a strap across the instep

MERSEY BOOT
Also known as the Beatle Boot. It has zipped sides and a slight raised heel.

MIDSOLE
The part of the show between the very bottom and the foot. It is usually cushioned.

MOCCASIN
A slip on style of shoe with thick visible stitching.

OPEN TOE
A shoe with a front opening at the toe.

PATENT LEATHER
Leather which has been given a high glossy finish. Modern patent leathers have a plastic coating.

PILGRIM SHOE
A flat pointed shoe with a buckle across the front.

PLATFORM
Shoes, boots or sandals that have a thick sole. Made from materials such as cork, plastic, rubber.

RAND
A leather strip 2 cms wide and 3 cms thick that is nailed onto the insolde of a shoe. It is combined with a welt to form the top part of a show. The rand can also describe a welt in the heel.

RIDING BOOT
A boot designed specifically for equestrian. Knee high with a low heel.

SAFETY SHOE
A shoe or boot for use in industry. With steel toe caps and oil reistant material.

SCREW STRETCHER
A tool for widening the shoe by hand

SEMI BROGUE
A shoe with perforations and a plain toe cap. Also known as half brogues.

SHOE
A general term for an external covering of the foot

SHOE SIZE
The shoe size is based on variations of one third of an inch. the differnce between half sizes if one sixth of an inch.

SLINGBACK
Backless shoes with a rear strap that goes around the upper heel.

SNEAKERS
Alos known as trainers. They are athletic shoes, very lightweight offering good traction and flexibility.

SPATS
A short gaiter covering just the upper part of the foot and ankle. they fasten under the shoe.

STILETTO
A high tapered narrow heel. Also called a spike heel.

STRAPPY SANDALS
A sandal with lots of straps.

SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
Materials other than leather material.

THONG SANDAL
A sandal that has a piece of material that slips between the toes, particualrly the big and second toe.

TONGUE
A piece of material sewn into the vamp of a laced shoe.

TREAD
The under surface of the foot or shoes that touches the ground.

UPPER
All of the top part of the shoe that covers the foot, from heel to toe.

VAMP
The front, centre piece of a shoe's upper.

WAIST
The arcgh and instep of the foot.

WEDGE HEEL
A heel that is extended from the sole of the shoe

WELLINGTON
A pull on boot, usually made of rubber.

WIDTH
This is the width of the shoe measured at the ball of the foot. Measured in one sixth of an inch they cover increments from AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EEE, EEEE.

WRESTLING SHOE
An athletic shoe with a flexible outsole covered in laces.