Did you know that there are seven anatomical parts of the shoe? Shoe anatomy is even more fascinating than you may initially think.
The very fact that our shoes keep us grounded makes them the perfect companion for our feet. And when you consider this deeper, referring to the shoe as anatomical makes perfect sense!
So let’s delve deeper into the shoe manufacturing process. We take a look at what’s involved in making shoe anatomy come to life!
- Advertisement -
What Are the Seven Parts of the Shoe Anatomy?
There are seven main components of a sneaker or any other type of footwear. These are the Toe Cap, Vamp, Upper, Lining, Insole, Midsole, and Outsole.
And, each of these uses different materials depending on the use case. Let’s take a look at each one.
Toe Cap
This part covers your toes, and it protects them from getting hurt while walking around all day long. It also helps keep moisture away from your skin, so your foot stays dry throughout the day. These are available in leather, synthetic material, rubber, or plastic.
- Advertisement -
Vamp
A vamp is usually found near the top of the toe cap, where it meets the upper. It helps to protect the user’s toes and offers wiggle room. It’s also the part of the shoe that creases the most as you walk.
Lining
Your lining is often made up of cotton, polyester or nylon. Its purpose is to protect your foot from rubbing during movement. It also helps absorb shock and prevent blisters.
Insole
Athletes often use an insoles sole because it allows them to move freely without feeling like they’re wearing something heavy.
An example would be an athletic trainer who needs to walk yet needs comfort. Insoles are generally made of foam, gel, memory foam, EVA, latex, or other types of cushioning.
Midsole
This is the middle part of the shoe where most of its weight resides. It absorbs shock and dampens vibrations. Most midsole designs consist of two layers with either a soft outer layer or a firm inner core.
Outsole
This is the last piece of the shoe. It provides grip and traction on various surfaces. It consists of hard plastics, rubbers, ceramics, metals, composites, etc.
Shoe Design Stage
Each stage of shoe design differs depending on whether the shoe is custom-made or a more generic fit. But we’ll look at each step in its most common order to give you an idea of what’s involved.
The Lasting Process
To make a lasting impression on your foot, the shoe needs perfect shaping. This means taking measurements from all sides of your foot. Such measurements include length, width, height, and arch shape so that they’re replicable exactly during production.
This stage also involves creating an outline drawing. The drawing serves as a template for the last to follow.
It’s important to note here that the last itself doesn’t actually mold around your foot. Instead, it creates a negative space where the upper material will fit inside.
So while the last may look like a solid piece of wood or plastic, it’s not. It’s a guide for how much room should exist between the soles and uppers.
Once the design enters completion, the next step is cutting out the lasts. In most cases, CNC machines help the cutting process.
But manual methods have their place too. Once cut, each goes through a few steps before assembly with other parts like laces or eyelets.
Shoe Development Stage
A shell pattern is then designed in this phase. Think of the shell pattern as a stencil.
This stencil allows the shoemaker to explore the shoe design until satisfactory. Let’s take a look at what happens once the design is set.
Check out these Kimono sneakers for a variety of design ideas!
Upper Construction and Assembly
Now, the upper construction begins. Here, the various materials used to create the shoe are sewn together by hand.
Depending on the type of fabric chosen, stitching techniques vary. For example, Suppose the fabric is thick enough. Then sewing could take hours, whereas thin fabrics need less time.
Lining and Soles – Construction and Assembly
Most shoes use some synthetic leather for the lining. The soles are usually constructed separately and attached later. They come in different shapes and sizes based on the style of shoe. Some styles even include removable insoles!
There are many ways to construct sneakers. One popular method uses rubberized outsoles combined with polyurethane midsoles.
Another option is to combine both rubber and polyurethane into one unit. Still another way is to use only rubber outsoles without any support underneath.
Attaching the Uppers to the Soles
The last is now ready to receive the upper. When attaching, there are different ways you can go about doing this. Which method you use depends on the style of shoes you’re looking to produce.
Some manufacturers use adhesives, while others prefer glues. Whichever method you choose, it’s always best to test one sample before mass-producing.
Finishing Touches
Even after all the above stages are complete, your shoe will still need finishing touches. These include things like adding in decorative details, applying coloration, or polishing.
Shipping
Finally, when everything’s complete, the product gets shipped off to its destination. The shipping process varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Factors such as size, weight, complexity can all affect shipping. Some manufacturers ship straight to the consumer.
Shoe Anatomy is Key to Knowing How to Make Shoes
Knowing shoe anatomy is a must if you want to make shoes. Not only does it mean you know how to build the shoe up, but it means that you can focus on getting it right the first time. And, it’ll make your custom sneakers a little more special.
Keep reading for more awesome content.
Comments are closed.