Shoe dictionary - letter S

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Sabot - Sabots are semi-open slip-on shoes that resemble slippers and are sometimes referred to as clogs. They have a closed upper in the front part and the heel part is open. However, unlike slippers, sabots are worn outside. Originally, the term sabot was used to describe shoes that had a wooden sole. Nowadays, sabots are available for men and women and have a comfortable sole or insole for great comfort during leisure activities. Elegant models of women's sabots are made of high quality leather or faux leather and some have decorative elements such as buckles. Some sabots have a small heel or a slightly higher block heel. However, sporty sabots made of breathable materials such as mesh or textile are also available for men and women.

Sandals - Sandals are considered the oldest form of footwear of all, where the sole is fixed to the foot by straps or bands. In countries with warm climate sandals are worn almost all year round, but in Germany sandals are mainly considered summer shoes. Sandals are available for Ladies, Men and children in various designs and for different purposes. Therefore, there are also differences in the designation of sandals: There are thong sandals, trekking sandals, outdoor sandals, bathing sandals and many other sandals. At the same time, all of them are considered light casual shoes that are worn barefoot (outside the house). For ladies, fancier models with flowers, stones or other decorative elements are also available, which are ideal for feminine outfits.

Sandal - Sandals are the feminine form of sandal and have a heel. Therefore, sandals are purely women's shoes. Similar to the sandal, they have straps or bands that secure the sole to the foot and can be made of different materials. As with many other types of shoes, there are no limits to the design of sandals and they come in classic colors, but also with exciting patterns or pretty decorations. However, the heel shape also varies in women's sandals. For example, there are sandals with block heels that can be worn with elegant dresses and are a great companion for festive occasions. Sandals with wedge heel are also called wedge sandals - this form of sandal fits super to the Summer dress or with an airy skirt.

Shaft - Shaft is the term for the upper part of the shoe and refers to all parts that are above the sole and enclose the foot. The upper can be made up of different parts or just an outer shaft. The term is also used for sandals or Boots shoes.

Lace-up Shoes - Lace-up shoes are generally referred to as any shoes that have a lace-up closure. There are various forms of lace-up shoes for women, men and children. These include lace-up boots, sneakers, and even business shoes with laces. The great advantage of lacing as a closure is the precise fit that can be achieved by lacing. The snug fit of the shoe also ensures a secure hold. In addition, the width of the shoe can be adjusted individually. There are various lacing techniques that achieve a certain effect as a visual detail. But some techniques are intended to relieve certain pressure points, for example, in running shoes. Fashionable lace-up shoes sometimes have eye-catching laces that serve as eye-catchers. Other models, however, have elastic laces that make the shoes easier to put on and take off.

Shoelaces - Shoelaces are usually thin cords that are threaded through eyelets on the shoe and used as part of the lacing system to close the shoe. Shoelaces can have different colors and shapes and are usually made of cotton or synthetic fibers.

Lacing - Lacing is a possible closure method for shoes. It is usually centered over the instep and has eyelets, hooks, loops or punched holes through which the laces are pulled. There are various lacing techniques that influence the overall impression of the lacing and allow for an optimal fit.

Shoe brush - The shoe brush is part of the basic equipment for the care of the shoe. There are different brushes for the respective work step, for example dirt brushes, application brushes or also gloss brushes. In addition, the shoe brush must be matched to the upper material, so as not to stress it too much.

Shoe size - Shoe size differs in length measurements and width measurements. It is used to give the buyer a guide for shoe selection. There is no standard length measure, but the following measures: French, English, North American or Japanese length measure. The width measurement also has different names depending on the length measurement.

Shoe care - Shoe care colloquially refers to the cleaning and subsequent treatment of shoes with Shoe care products to maintain the appearance of the shoes and extend their durability. For this purpose, there are special tools for cleaning such as dirt brushes or detergents. There are also special brushes, waxes or shoe creams for the application of shoe care products.

Shoe trees - Shoe trees are mainly used for leather shoes, so that the leather returns to its original shape after wearing the shoes. Shoe trees are also called shoe shapers, because they are supposed to keep the shoe in shape and thus also prevent walking creases in the leather. However, shoe trees can also be used for all other upper materials. High quality shoe trees are made of wood, cheap models are available in plastic.

Scotchgrain - Scotchgrain is a type of leather from cattle on which a two-tone pattern is imprinted. This gives the leather a typical look and hides any damage on the grain side. However, the pattern is not scratch resistant.

Sailing shoes - Sailing shoes are also called boat shoes and were originally made for sailing. However, sailing shoes are now also worn as comfortable casual shoes. The appearance is similar to moccasins, but sailing shoes have a non-slip sole and in their original form were made of water-resistant leather. The tunneled leather strap around the entry allows for an optimal fit. Models that can be worn in everyday life usually have a treaded sole and an inner lining and padding. Together with high-quality materials and high flexibility, these shoes offer great comfort and stand out for their nautical look. Sailing shoes are available for men and women in different colors and can thus be combined with different outfits.

Skateshoes - Skate shoe is a designation for shoes that are particularly suitable for skating due to special properties. Depending on the requirements, they are available in different variants. So there are flat skate shoes with a relatively thin sole, which offers a particularly good board feeling. However, well-cushioned skate shoes with a flat structure are also available from various manufacturers. In addition, there are high skate shoes that give the ankle sufficient support and better protect against twisting. The sole of the Skate shoes has a fine structure to provide a secure stand on the skateboard. Thick padding and special cushioning systems protect the feet from a hard impact. Despite the chunky-looking shape, skate shoes offer sufficient flexibility and freedom of movement. Reinforcements in particularly stressed areas increase the durability of the shoes.

Loafer - Loafer is a colloquial term for the loafer, a shoe for simply slipping on. The English term is slip-on, while loafer is used in English-speaking countries for slippers. Therefore, confusion can easily arise. The loafer in the German sense is a light and comfortable shoe without a closure, which is available for Men and Ladies are available. However, sporty models of the loafer are also available for children. The original design of loafers is similar to moccasins and was popular at American universities in the 1930s. Later, loafers became popular in Germany as well. The most famous variants include the penny loafer as well as the tassel loafer, which are made of elegant smooth leather and worn with stylish casual clothing.

Sneaker - The term sneaker stands for sporty shoes that are not worn for sports, however, but for everyday wear on the street. The name originated in the English-speaking world from the word "sneak", which means "to sneak". Since sneakers were initially light sports shoes with a thin rubber sole, with which you could literally sneak, they received this designation. Nowadays, there are various forms and the most diverse designs for Ladies, Men and Kids, but one thing distinguishes all sneakers: They are particularly comfortable. In addition to sporty designs, there are also elegant sneakers that are made especially for fashion-conscious ladies. Another trend is retro sneakers, which are reminiscent of running shoes from the 80s, for example.

Sole - The sole is located in the lower part of the shoes. The sole is divided into the inner sole and the outsole. The inner sole has direct contact with the feet and, depending on the material used, can significantly influence the foot climate in the shoes. In the sports shoe sector in particular, a functional midsole is also processed in the shoe sole. This has, for example, cushioning properties. A wide variety of materials are used in all areas of the sole, which provide grip on the ground, for example, depending on the area of application of the shoes. In addition, with the external design of the sole of the shoe can also meet fashionable aspects.

Summer shoes - Summer shoe is a very general term for different types of shoes that can be worn in summer. Summer shoes are available for men, women and children, but especially for women the choice is much more diverse. Summer shoes for ladies include, for example. Sandals and sandals, but also mules, dianettes and Ballerinas. Mules can also be considered summer shoes for ladies. Alpargatas and flip-flops are available for men and women, and some for children. With shorts, men can also wear loafers or moccasins. However, airy sneakers with a textile or mesh upper also go well with many summer outfits.

Sports shoes - The term sports shoes includes various shoes that have special properties for a particular sport. These include, for example, running shoes, tennis shoes or soccer shoes. The requirements for a shoe differ depending on the sport. For example, a running shoe is constructed quite differently than a basketball shoe. There are also differences in the shape and design of sports shoes for men and women. A woman's foot is constructed differently than a man's foot, which is why the last shape for the production of the shoes must be adapted to the gender. Sports shoes also include sports sandals, which were originally developed for white water rafting. However, sports sandals are now also available for other sports, such as trekking.

Spring - The difference in height between the forefoot and the heel is known as the spring. For normal street shoes for men, a drop of 15-30 mm is common. For women's shoes, the drop is defined by the heel height. This is contrasted with so-called "zero drop" shoes, in which the sole is constructed so that the heel is exactly as high or lower than the rest of the sole. Primarily for health reasons, these shoes are valued for having no or negative heel drop.

Stabilizing shoes - Stabilizing shoes are a type of running shoes made for runners with overpronation. In overpronation, the ankle buckles inward too much. For this reason, stability shoes have a pronation support that is incorporated into the inner edge of the shoe to provide stability to the foot. This support is colored on the respective running shoes so that it can be recognized by the customer when buying. Stability shoes are available for men and women from different manufacturers and for different requirements. Stability shoes, which are made for the road, usually have good cushioning and are intended for quiet runs. However, there are also trail shoes that have a slight pronation support to provide sufficient stability in rough terrain.

Boots - Boots are shoes with a shaft that reaches at least above the ankle. In this respect, they differ from ankle boots, whose shaft is lower than that of the boot. There are Boots with different heel shapes, for example, boots with a wedge heel or with a block heel. The type of closure also varies: lace-up boots or boots with zippers are available, as well as boots that simply slip on. Often boots are considered winter footwear, but there are also boots without warm lining that are worn in the transitional season. Unlined boots for women are great to combine with dresses or skirts, but also go well with skinny jeans. Winter boots usually have a sturdy, and in some cases waterproof upper material and a non-slip sole. Other forms of boots are rubber boots, overknees, wide-leg boots or even riding boots.

Ankle boot - Ankle boot is a name for shoes that resemble boots, but have a lower shaft. The shaft usually reaches the ankle or slightly higher in ankle boots. This type of footwear is available in a wide variety for women, but ankle boots are also available for men and children. They usually have an elegant design and can be equipped with various closures and decorative elements, such as buckles. There are lace-up ankle boots and slip-on ankle boots, some of which have a zipper or elastic inserts. Ankle boots also differ greatly in heel height and heel shape. Particularly popular forms of the ankle boot are Ankle boots and Chelsea boots.

Stiletto He el - This type of heel can also be referred to as a high heel or stiletto heel. This refers to a heel that has been popular for centuries and is mainly used in women's pumps. This heel is elegant and very feminine. The tread area is very small, so this type of heel is also called spiked heels. It is crucial that the body weight rests on the forefoot or on the toes.

Supination - Supination is an outward rotation or outward edging of the feet. This means that there is a lifting of the inner edge of the foot while the outer area of the foot lowers. This type of deformity causes more stress on the joints and ligaments of the feet. The foot comes up on the outer edge first when walking. The causes can be of different nature. The fact is that with supination, the natural cushioning function of the feet is severely impaired, which can lead to foot, knee and spinal damage. Supination is visible by excessive wear of the outer edge of the shoes.

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