Anatomy of a Walking Shoe

By Perry Hua

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