Shoes are more complicated than you think – if you look closely you will find that they are made of many different parts and materials and that several different methods are used to fix them together. Click on the shoe for a guided tour.

Looking at the outside of the shoe you might be able to name several different parts. Click on the shoe to find out more …. This shoe is made of leather – look closely at the toe of the shoe to see the pattern punched into the upper. Lace s Toe Sole Heel Upper The shiny finish has only been applied to one half of the shoe so you can see what the shoe looks like with treated and untreated leather. Continue

If you look at a cross section of a shoe you start to see a whole lot more. Click on the shoe to find out about its different parts. Heel made of thick leather layers Outer lining made of thin, supple leather Insole leather, made in two parts for extra comfort Shank Cork Filing Inner Lining fabric layer between outer sole and lining Welt strip of leather stitched to the upper as an attach- point for the sole Outer Sole made of thick leather Can you see how the heel is attached to the upper? What do you think is used to fix the insole, linings and outer sole together? Continue

If you strip away some of the layers of a shoe you can see even more …. Click on the shoe to find out about the different parts. Wel t Outer Sole made of varnished leather Filing The space enclosed by the welt is filled with cork. Shank Wooden form that sits under the arch of the shoe to support the foot. Heel rubber insert to help with grip Can you see the pattern made on the leather sole? Why do you think cork is used as a filler? End of Tour Waxed / Cotton Threads Used to stitch sole and welt together