Shoe Anatomy - Shoeology 101

The basic anatomy or make up of a shoe is similar across almost every style of footwear. Whether we are talking about men's dress shoes, women's heels or even casual snearkers, every type of shoe has two major parts. These two parts of a shoe can be broken up into the sole, which makes up the base of the shoe and often includes a heel, and the upper which helps hold the shoe in place on the foot. Refer to the figure below as we take a more in depth look into the make up and anatomy of shoes.

The Sole - bottom of the shoe that makes contact with the ground.

The sole can be considered the "soul" of a shoe, as it is the base and foundation of the shoe and typically determines the style of the shoe. The soles of shoes are made from a variety of different materials including leather, wood, rubber and polyurethane. They can be as simple as a single layer, such as in sandals and slippers or complex with multiple layers as found in most athletic shoes. Shoes with multiple layered soles, usually consist of an insole, midsole and an outsole.

Insole - found inside the shoe, this is the part of the shoe that makes direct contact with the foot. From a structural standpoint, the insole is the part of the sole that attaches to the upper. Shoes will typically have a thin layer of fabric covering the insole called a sock liner or will include a separate footbed for added comfort, cushioning and support.

Midsole - middle of the sole found between the insole and the outsole, the midsole functions as a shock absorber and is typically found in running shoes and other styles of athletic footwear.

Outsole - bottom of the sole that makes direct contact with the ground. Depending on the style of shoes, different materials are used offering different tread and traction.

Heel - bottom rear part of the shoe, offering heel support for the foot. The heel can be high or flat depending on the style and type of footwear and the look that is desired.

The Upper - top portion of the shoe that makes contact with the majority of the foot.

The upper is like the "body" of the shoe that secures the shoe to the foot. This is the part of the shoe with the most decorative elements to give a shoe a specific style and look. The upper of a shoe is connected to the sole by a strip of material stitched between the two, which is known as a welt. Uppers usually have features to adjust and tighten the fit of the shoe with laces which are always accompanied by eyelets, or straps, buckles, velcro, buttons or elastic.

Tongue - piece of the shoe that runs along the upper to make it easier to put on and take off shoes and protect the foot from the different forms of enclosures.

Vamp - front part of the shoe, typically starting behind the toes and extending around the tongue towards the middle of the shoe.

Toebox - often considered part of the vamp, this is the very front area of the shoes covering the toes extending a half inch further back then the longest toe.

Lining - covers the inside of the shoe for a softer and more comfortable feel against the foot.

Quarter - rear and sides of the upper behind the vamp.

Counter - or heel counter serves as a heel reinforcement and counter balance to keep it in place inside the shoes and prevent slippage.