Anatomy of a Walking Shoe

Parts of a Walking Shoe

1. Lining – The soft fabric located inside of the shoe. Improves overall comfort
2. Eyelets – Small holes on either side of the tongue that guides the shoelaces in place
3. Eyestays – The strips of fabric that houses the eyelets and laces
4. Lacing – Most walking shoes will use either traditional laces or velcro
5. Toe cap – The end of the shoe. Often reinforced for added durability
6. Ventilation holes – Helps to make the shoe more breathable and eliminate moisture
7. Heel panel – Fabric that covers the heel portion of the shoe
8. Tongue – A well-padded tongue helps to improve comfort and overall fit
9. Toe guard – A rubber toe guard that rises above the outsole helps to increase durability and makes walking easier
10. Insole – The footbed on which the feet rest on. Provides comfort and orthotic support
11. Last – Sits below the insole, the last is what the rest of the shoe is built around. Determines the shape of the shoe as well
12. Midsole – The abundant cushioning found in-between the insole and outsole. Often foam-based and thicker in the heel
13. Heel counter – The rigid plastic insert in the back of the heel that helps provide structural support for the heel
14. Collar – A well-padded collar helps to improve comfort and ankle support
15. Outsole – The bottom of the walking shoe that provides traction
16. Arch – The middle area of the shoe. Often has arch support for more comfortable walking
17. Tread – A herringbone tread pattern helps provide superior traction on a variety of surfaces
18. Flex grooves – Improves the flexibility of the shoe for full range of motion