The Anatomy of a Shoe

We thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of terms used to describe a shoe and its different parts, think of it as a shoe glossary! Not all shoes have these exact parts but it’s good to know! Below you can find a diagram to highlight The Anatomy of a Shoe alongside a glossary of the meanings of the components.

Upper

Typically made from Leather of Suede when we are talking about formals, the Upper of a shoe is the part which covers the foot. Consisting of several smaller components, the upper is the largest part of a shoe, covering the entire foot anything above the sole.

Collar

The collar is the part of the shoe which goes round the top of the quarter, it’s the area where you put your foot into the shoe. It is also known as a ‘topline’.Some of our styles come padded in order to give the wearer added protection

Quarter

This is the part of the upper which covers the back and also the sides. It usually starts where the vamp ends and wraps around the back of the heel. The back section by the heel is sometimes strengthened which helps support the foot.

Tongue

This is probably one of the most well-known parts of a shoe. This is the softer material which sits just below the laces or fastening on the quarter of the shoe. They provide cushion and comfort to distribute the pressure of a shoes fastening across the top of your foot.

Toe

This part of the shoe is pretty self-explanatory. However, some shoes might have a ‘toe-cap’ which its designed to add strength to the front area of the shoe. It’s the part of the shoe which gets most wear and tear.  

Vamp

The section of upper that covers the front of the foot, it goes far as the back which joins to the quarter.

Heel

This is the part of the shoe at the rear which elevates and supports the back of the foot. Some more formal dress shoes have a separate heel piece which you can get replaced if it got damaged.

Lining

The lining is the part of the shoe which is on the inside. The sides, top and heel area all come in to contact with the whole foot. The lining doesn’t do to much as it mainly covers the seams of the shoe, but it also increases the lifespan of the shoe. They come in a range of different materials which have different purposes such as to cushion your foot or for performance shoes for sports tend to be more breathable.

Counter

This is a piece of material at the back of the shoe towards the heel. Its purpose is to strengthen the back of the shoe and support the surrounding material.

Mid-sole 

A mid-sole is the area which is under the in-sole and above the outsole. It’s quite an important part of the shoe as it provides a lot of support and also tends to be cushioned.

Outsole

This is the part of the shoe which is at the bottom of the shoe which is most in contact with the ground, this also means that needs to be a durable material, such as leather which is breathable, or Rubber which offers more durability in a wider range of weathers. The bottom of the outsole needs to have enough grip to prevent you from slipping which is very important with any shoe!

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