Parts of a Shoe

Since I've been on the topic of shoes for the past couple of days, why not go all the way and discuss the different parts of a shoe, right? I think that it is just right for me to start breaking a shoe to its parts. This way, when I start discussing shoes again in the future, we will all be on the same page.

Source: Cameron Kippen (2004), The History of Shoes: Shoe Making

A shoe is basically divided into two major parts - the Upper and the Sole. The Upper and the Sole  are subdivided into parts as well.

The Upper is the part of the shoe that holds onto the foot. This is the entire part of the shoe that covers the foot. The Upper can be subdivided into the Quarter and the Vamp.

• Quarter - This is the part of the Upper that covers the sides and the rear of the foot. The rear part of the Quarter is strengthened by the Counter. 
• Counter - This is the stiff piece of material that strengthens the rear part of the Quarter that helps maintain the shape of the shoe.
• Vamp - This is the section of the Upper that covers the front of the foot. Some shoe designs use a continuous piece of leather for the Vamp and the Quarter. Some shoes may have a Toe cap on the Vamp.
• Toe cap - This helps add strength to the Vamp that receives a lot of stress and wear from use. This could be decorative in nature or for protection such as steel toe caps.

The Sole is the entire part of the shoe that sits below the foot. The Sole is subdivided into the Insole, the Midsole, and the Outsole.

• Insole - This is the interior bottom of the shoe that sits directly beneath the foot. The Insole adds comfort to the wearer while hiding the joins between the Upper.
• Midsole - The layer between the Insole and the Outsole that is typically for shock absorption. Some shoes may not have a Midsole.
• Outsole - The exposed part of the Sole that is in contact with the ground. The Outsole may be a single piece or may have an additional part such as a Heel.
• Heel - This is the bottom rear part of the Outsole. Its function is to support the heel of the foot. This can can be high to make a person look taller or flat for a more practical and comfortable use.

Other shoe parts are as follows:

• Throat - The front section of the Vamp next to the Toe cap.
• Throat line - The seam that joins the Vamp and the Quarter.
• Tongue - A part of the Vamp that protects the front of the foot from the pressure of the laces.
• Foxing - An external piece of leather that covers the Counter externally.
• Eye stay - This refers to the point where the lacing is attached to the Vamp.
• Eyelets - Holes on the Eye stay where laces are sewn.
• Top line - The top edge of the sides and rear of the Quarter.
• Top piece - This is the ground contact section of the Heel.
• Welt - A strip of material used to join the Upper and the Sole.
• Feather - The part of the shoe where the Upper's edge meets the Sole.

There you go. A basic introduction to the different parts of a shoe. I am thinking of blogging about the different kinds of Mens shoes next. I know it is going to be a very tedious blog post. Wish me luck!