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A B C D E F G H
I J K L M
N O P Q
R S T U V
W X Y Z
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[A]
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Abrasion Resistance
The degree to which a material is able to withstand surface wear, rubbing, and other
forces.
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Achilles Tendon
The heavy tendon attached to the oscalsis or heel bone. Acts as a lever in raising
the foot off the ground.
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Air Bag
Shock absorber.
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Air Jet
Air circulation system.
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Air Relax
Removable soles.
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Air Step
Sole with air caution.
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Anatomic
Relating or conforming to the physical structure of the body. As applied to shoes,
it refers to the natural shape of the foot.
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Arch
The bony framework of the foot extending from the heel forward to the toes and sustained
by the muscles and ligaments in the form of an arch. Also, the bottom curve of a
shoe last from heel to ball.
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Arch Support
A device or orthotic of leather, metal or other material shaped to the counter of
the foot's arch. Inserted or built into a shoe to support the arch.
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Artificial Leather
A manufactured material, usually an impregnated and coated material, finished to
resemble leather.
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[B]
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Back Seam
The posterior seam joining the quarters of the uppers.
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Backing
A piece of fabric laminated to leather or other fabric to make the leather or shoe
fabric stronger and firmer.
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Ball
The fleshy part of the foot just back of the toes or the corresponding part of the
last. It is the widest part of the sole.
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Bellows Tongue
A broad folding tongue stitched to the shoe quarter on either side. Used chiefly
for work and sport shoes to prevent water and snow from penetrating to the foot
at the front opening of the shoe.
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Biomechanics
The science that examines the internal and external forces acting on a human body,
more specifically their effect on stress and strain on body tissues and their production
of motion.
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Break
The wrinkle formed in the vamp of a shoe across the ball when the shoe is flexed
in wear. A properly fitted shoe will break so that the wrinkle is neither noticeable
nor uncomfortable. An improperly fitted shoe may have a break that is both noticeable
or irritating to the foot.
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Breathability
The ability of the upper to transpire, thereby ventilating the foot.
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Bunion
An inflammatory swelling at the base of the great toe, frequently leading to permanent
enlargement of the toe joint.
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Burnishing
Polishing to secure a bright, glossy finish. In shoemaking, sole edges and heels
are waxed and burnished.
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[C]
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Canvas
A strong, coarse cloth of cotton, flax, hemp or other fibers. Popular for shoe uppers,
beach and bathing footwear and certain kinds of shoe reinforcements.
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Chukka
An ankle heigh blucher boot pattern with 2 or 3 eyelets or a strap with buckle.
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Closure
A method of inclosing, binding or confining, i.e. laces, straps, zipper.
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Cobbler
A repairer or maker of shoes.
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Collar
A narrow strip of leather stitched around the top of a shoe for ornamental effect.
A cuff is similar to a collar but usually wider.
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Counter
A reinforcement placed between the exterior and lining at the back of the shoe to
prevent the upper from collapsing and the heel moving. Also known as a stiffener.
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[D]
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Delamination
Tendency of a fabric to be pulled apart (layer separation) by normal surface forces
or shear tensions.
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Denier
A weight per unit length measure of any linear material. Denier is a direct numbering
system for which the low numbers represent the finer sizes and the higher numbers
the coarser sizes.
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Detailing
Refers to our planning special refinements of a shoe, such as fine or fancy stitching.
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D-Rings
Lacing rings (for speed lacing).
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[E]
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Embossing
Depressing a specific pattern in leather or fabrics.
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EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)
Copolymer used in the manufacturing process to increase durability of the shoe.
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[F]
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Fiberboard
A composition material in sheet form, made from vegetable fibers. Used for counters,
insoles, midsoles and heel lifts.
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Foxing
A shoe component which reinforces or covers the shoe at a point of particular wear
or stress, such as the heel area or the joint between sole and upper.
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[G]
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Gaiter
An ankle-high shoe with elastic gore in the sides.
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Gore-Tex
A perfect fit, light flexible and shock absorbing soles are fundamental elements
to the design of any shoe. In addition an optimal inner climate to the shoe is crucial
for the overall comfort.
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Goring
A woven fabric with rubber threads, forming an elastic material. Used in footwear
as side gores, sleeve gores, front gores, finger gores, and gore panels.
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Gusset
A section of leather or elastic inserted in the tongue or as a side piece to give
additional room when the foot is being placed in the shoe.
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[H]
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Heel Strike
Posterior heel contact against the treading surface.
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[I]
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Insole
A layer of material (leather, cellulose, etc.) shaped to the bottom of the last,
sandwiched between the outsole and sole of the foot. The shoe's structural anchor
to which the upper, counter, linings, box toes, etc. are attached.
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Instep
A layer of material (leather, cellulose, etc.) shaped to the instep of the shoe
for comfort and protection.
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[J]
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[K]
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[L]
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Last
A piece of wood, metal or synthetic material roughly following the shape of the
foot and acting as a form on which the shoe is made.
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Lateral
The outside area of the foot.
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Lining
The inside layer of a shoe upper. Made of fabric, leather or other material.
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[M]
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Medial
Inside area of the foot.
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Metatarsals
The long bones of the foot between the toes and ankle.
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[N]
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Nap
The woolly or fuzzy surface finish of some fabrics and some leathers such as suede
and side leather.
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NSRA (National Shoe Retailers Association)
The association whose members are primarily independent retailers and small to medium
chain stores and specialty stores.
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NSTA (National Shoe Traveler's Association)
The association whose members are traveling salesmen handling shoes and related
products on the wholesale and retail levels.
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Negative Heel
A heel whose plane is lower than the ball of the foot or shoe.
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Neoprene
An elastomer, neoprene is widely used in footwear for outsoles, heels and welting,
to impregnate cellulose fibers for insoles and counters, and as an adhesive.
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[O]
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Oiling Off
Coating the surface of leather with oil.
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Orthopedic Devices
Any device of leather, metal or other material included in the construction of a
shoe, or inserted in a shoe to prevent or correct foot defects and deformities.
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Orthotic
Molded insert in a shoe that provides support at the arch, heel or ball of the foot.
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Outsole
The outermost sole of a shoe, the surface of which is exposed to wear.
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Overlay
A piece of contrasting or harmonizing leather or other material attached to the
shoe upper for decorative purposes.
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[P]
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Perforate
To decorate an upper with a series of regularly spaced holes made either one after
another by a perforation machine or all together by a perforating die.
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Plantar Arch
The main longitudinal arch of the foot.
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Plate
A flat piece of material, (steel, aluminum, leather or plastic) molded to form an
arch support.
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Podiatry
The branch of medicine that specializes in the care of the foot in health and illness.
Sometimes known as "lchiropody."
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Polyurethane
Widely used for outsole heel lifts and as a finish for patent leathers.<
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