ANATOMY OF A SHOE

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In addition to knowing the ins and outs of your feet, it is important to understand the basic anatomy of a high heel. Whether a sports shoe is advertised with an EVA midsole, or a dress shoe is described as having a full leather upper, understanding the various parts of the shoe and why they are important will help you to become a confident consumer who makes smart choices when purchasing shoes. Use the handy glossary to look up definitions of a shoe’s major parts. Following the glossary, you will find pictures of shoes with the parts labeled. Shoe Glossary Aglet: The plastic casing on the end of a shoelace that makes it easier to pass through the eyelet. Arch Support: Support for the arch of the foot. Arch support features are usually incorporated into a shoe’s footbed or insole. The insole is built-up so that a firm ridge lies immediately below the foot’s arch. Arch supports can also be inserted separately into the shoe. Back Seam: The vertical seam at the back of the shoe that runs from the bottom of the heel up to the Achilles tendon. Collar: Material that is stitched to the rim of the shoe (see topline). Collars are often padded for comfort. Eyelet: The hole that the lace passes through. Eyelets are usually rimmed with plastic, metal, cord, leather or some other material that makes it easy for the lace to pass through. Feather: The part of the shoe where the upper meets the sole.