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Safety Shoes Glossary

ACHILLES DIP
• A dip in the heel lining that allows the Achilles to be cushioned.

ACHILLES FLEX NOTCH
• Area at the back portion of the heel to prevent irritation of the Achilles tendon.

ANATOMICAL FIT
• A shoe that follows the dimensions, curves, contours and shape to the human foot. It provides a natural fit for comfort and performance.

ANATOMICAL LAST
• Shape construction where the top surface of the midsole mirrors the shape of the foot to promote stability.

ARCH LUG
• Located on the medial side of the outsole to provide additional support. It helps reduce the rate of pronation.

ARCH SUPPORT
• Protects and supports the foot’s natural instep area.

ARCH‐LOCK
• Midfoot wrap provides superior control and support.

ASYMMETRIC HEEL
• This type of heel collar reduces ankle stress and strain associates with high jumping.

BALMORAL
• Oxford design where the laces come together into a “V” at the bottom of the vamp. (Does not allow as much adjustment)

BELLOW TONGUE
• A folded tongue stitched in under the lace holes.

BLOWN RUBBER
• Rubber that is expanded during the molding process. The result is a lightweight, flexible, rubber outsole material which provides added cushioning and maintains durability.

BLUCHER
• Oxford shoe design using two separate lace stays allowing for better adjustment and easier access into the shoe.

BOARD LASTED
• Fiberboard is glued to the insole of an upper, between the midsole and innersole for stability and firmness.

BOOTIE
• A complete lining of the upper, from under foot to top lining. It is used to seal waterproof boots. As in a “Gor‐tex” bootie.

CAMBRELLE® NYLON
• This nylon provides exceptional comfort, wicks away moisture, and is abrasion‐resistant.

CARBON RUBBER
• This dense rubber compound has a carbon additive that makes it more durable and resistant to abrasion.

CM‐EVA
• The compressed and molded form of sheet EVA, wherein the structure and shape of the material may be contoured for improved fit and function.

COLLAR
• Material located around the top of the heel for added comfort and support.

COMBINATION LAST
• A construction technique wherein the upper is slipped onto the last in combination with a ¾ length fiber board reinforcement for stability. The forefoot is then stitched together by fabric before gluing it to the midsole. Provides rearfoot stability and forefoot flexibility.

COMPSOITE SHANK
• This epoxy and fiberglass shank replaces the steel shank in non‐metallic footwear. Generally lighter than steel.

CORDURA®
• DuPont Cordura® is a durable textile material that is easy to take car of, yet is very resistant to abrasion, tears or punctures.

CRUMPLE ZONE
• Designed to help absorb impact and center your foot at the point of heel contact. Achieved by adding angled flex grooves in the heel of the mid and outsole.

CURVED LAST
• This refers to the shape or curvature on the base of each last. A curved last will reflect a bent‐line or curvature from center heel to tow. A curved or semi‐curved last is designed to work with the curvature of the human foot to promote a natural footstrike.

DECOUPLED HEEL
• A segmented heelsticke area that deflects impact to help absorb shock and slow that rate of pronation. It provides a more efficient ride because of a smoother transition through the footsticke.

DENIER
• A measure of thickness for fabric materials on a 1‐1000 scale. A higher denier represents a stronger material.

DENSITY
• Measure of firmness of the material in a midsole or outsole.

DUAL DENSITY MIDSOLE
• A midsole with two degrees of firmness. The firmness of the two materials is located on the inner (medial) side to help control pronation.

DURAHIDE
• A synthetic material that is similar to leather. It is soft and durable.

DURAOMETER
• Scale of 1 to 100 that measures the firmness of a midsole.

E.V.A. (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate)
• A soft, cellular foam material known for its lightweight, flexible and cushioning properties. Found in most athletic footwear.

EXTERNAL HEEL COUNTER
• Molded collar which supports the base of the heel counter for increased motion control. It is located on the outside of the shoe surrounding the heel area.

EXTERNAL HEEL STABILIZER
• Molded TPU device designed to cradle the heel and provides medial and lateral stability, keeping the foot centered at impact.

EYELET LACING
• A traditional shoe lacing that consists of eyelets set in the throat, above the edges of the shoe’s tongue, held closed with a type of string lacing.

EYESTAY
• Reinforcement around the lace holes of a shoe.

FLARE
• Refers to the width of the heel at the bottom of the outersole in relation to the width of the heel at the top of the midsole.

FLEX GROOVES
• Usually found in the midsole or forefoot for increased flexibility.

FLEX NOTCHES
• Cutouts in the forefoot midsole that provide added flexibility to a shoe.

FOOTBED
• A molded and contoured removeable insole placed directly under the foot.

FOREFOOT
• Area of the foot that extends from the middle of the metararsals to the ends of the toe.

FOXING
• Reinforcement on a shoe that provides medial and lateral support to the foot in a wrap‐around way. It surrounds the entire toe area.

FULL‐GRAIN LEATHER
• Top layer of cowhide. It is the strongest and most durable part of the hide.

GHILLIE LACING
• A system of webbing loops or rings to secure the lacing of the upper, used in place of eyelets.

GORE‐TEC®
• Gore‐Tex® fabric is created by laminating the Gore‐Tex® membrane between a durable liner and a protective fabric. The membrane is waterproof, yet allows sweat vapor to pass through it for breathability.

GORE‐TEX® BOOTIE
• The patented bootie is an all encompassing waterproof and breathable barrier that completely surrounds your foot. Water cannot penetrate, yet perspiration vapor can escape.

GUIDANCE CONTROL
• The concept that stability can be created through various approaches within the shoe design.

GUSSET TONGUE
• Added padding to the tongue. It can be ‘V‐Shaped” or cut at any angle for mobility and flexibility.

HEEL COUNTER
• Rigid piece of leather or synthetic material that surrounds the heel for stability and rearfoot control.

HOOK AND LACE CLOSURE
• This type of closure provides a secure, easy closing system.

INJECTED‐MOLDED EVA
• A process that inject EVA foam into molds to make it uniform and durable.

INSTEP
• The prminent area above the arch and the highest point on the foot.

INTEGRATED LACING
• A variation on Ghilly lacing which utilizes logo stripes in the lacing system to improve lateral stability.

KEVLAR®
• Manufactured by DuPont®, Kelvar® is a highly abrasion‐resistant compound used to reinforce high‐impact wear areas such as on the toe of a steel work boot.

LAST
• The 3‐Dimensional foot form around which the upper of the shoe is built. The last determines the size and dimensions of the shoe. A shoe’s last is commonly described in relation to its construction and /or shape.

LASTING
• Procurement in which the upper of the shoe is joined to the midsole.

LATERAL
• Referring to the outer side of the shoe or foot

LEATHER UPPER
• Leather upper provides natural comfort and durability.

MEDIAL
• Referring to the inner side of the shoe or foot.

MEDIAL MIDSOLE POST
• A stabilizing device made of denser EVA foam or plastic that is located on the medial side of the rearfoot area to limit excessive pronation.

MEMORY FOAM
• A high density foam which maintains the shape of whatever it comes in contact with. It provides custom fit capabilities to collar and tongue linings.

MESH
• Material in the upper that allows breathability. It is also light than leather.

METATARSAL
• The five long bones of the foot that form the instep.

MICROFIBRE
• A breathable synthetic material that is soft, supple, durable and easy‐to‐ clean.

MIDFOOT
• Middle of the foot between the heel bone and the metatarsal heads.

MIDFOOT SHANK
• Reinforcement on the midsole for additional torsional stability.

MIDSOLE
• The portion of the shoe between the upper and the outersole that provides cushioning.

MIDSOLE POST
• A stabilizing device made from more dense material which acts to control pronation and guide the runner into a proper gait cycle.

NEOPRENE
• A polychloroprene elastomer developed as a thin layer of closed cell foam.

OUTSOLE
• The bottom layer of the shoe that consists of one or more rubber compounds. The outsole design is usually configured to enhance traction.

OVERPRONATION
• Excessive pronation or over rotation of the foot. Can cause or aggravate many common foot and lower limb problems. Requires the use of footwear with maximum support.

POLYETHYLENE
• Synthetic material used to make some midsoles and innersoles.

POLYURETHANE
• A cushioning foam used for extra cushioning, it is heavier than EVA.

PRONATION
• The natural inward rotation of the foot as it relates to the gait‐cycle. A normal foot lands on the outside heel and pronates slightly to help absorb shock.

PROTECTIVE TOE CAPS
• An additional layer added to the toe area of a shoe or boot.

RAND
• Strip of leather or rubber composition cemented to the margin of the sole, with bold stitching to simulate a welted construction.

RESILIENCY
• A measure of the ability of a material to return energy or rebound.

SCOTCHGUARD®
• Specially treated water‐repellent nylon material that keeps the foot dry and shoe light, even in wet conditions.

SEMI CURVED LAST
• Shoe last whose shape falls between a straight lasted shoe and a curve lasted shoe.

SHANK
• Provides torsional stability and strength to the midfoot of the shoe.

SHOCK DISPERSION
• Ability of a shoe to absorb or distribute the shock of a shoe strike which is caused when the body lands with each foot strike.

SLIP LASTED
• Shoe construction with the upper of the shoe being attached to the midsole without the use of a fibreboard. It offers increased flexibility.

SOLID LUGGED OUTSOLE
• Provides long‐wearing durability and traction.

STABILTY
• Degree of support and motion control a boot gives to the foot during the gait cycle.

STABILITY LAST
• A last that adds medial (inside) stability. It is often used in shoes designed to prevent excessive pronation and provide motion control.

STEEL SHANK
• This is a reinforcing piece of steel which runs from the center of the heel to the front of the arch, laminated within the lasting board, providing support.

STITCHED TOE
• Rubber material at the front of the shoe is stitched, as well as glued for increased durability.

STRAIGHT LAST
• Little or no curve from heel to toe. It provides excellent support on the inner portion of the foot.

STRETCH UPPER MATERIALS
• Molds to the foot to enhance fit and performance.

SYNTHETIC LEATHER
• A strong, light polyurethane‐based leather substitute that allows for easy maintenance.

THERMOPLASTIC MEDIAL POST
• The thermosplastic stability post aids in controlling the foot through the gait cycle and prevents over pronation.

THINSULATE®
• This thermal insulation is lightweight, warm, moisture resistant and breathable, and made by 3M®.

TOE BOX
• The frontal portion of the upper that surrounds the toes.

TOE BUMPER
• Rubber tip of the outsole that wraps up and on to the front of the toe box.

TOE CAP
• Protective section added to the exterior of the big toe area of the boot for durability.

TOP LINE
• The upper most portion of the collar that rests under the ankle bones.

TONGUE
• Flap that starts at the vamp of the boot and goes the length of the top of the shoe. It is padded to offer cushioning from the laces.

TPR
• Thermo plastic rubber is often used to provide durability and stability.

TPU
• Thermo plastic urethane used in devices to prevent overpronation.

UNDERPRONATION
• Less than average degree of pronation or under rotation.

UPPER
• Top part of the boot above the midsole and outersole that encase the foot.

VAMP
• Front part of the upper that covers the base of the instep and toes.

VIBRAM®
• Special rubber compound which ensures high abrasion resistance and optimized grip.

WELDING
• A process of directly fusing material onto mesh or synthetic uppers without the use of seams or stitching, making for a seamless construction.