It’s easy to disregard the simple details when you become a sneaker veteran. However, it never hurts to refresh your memory with the basics. And if you’re new to the footwear and sneaker industry, this will be a handy guide to use. Today, we’re gonna break down the basic sneaker anatomy for you! And you’ll be able to name your shoe parts from A to Z when you’re done. So, are you ready to start learning what goes where? Oh, but before we dive into these words and definitions, make sure you know your general sneakerhead terms. After all, you don’t wanna feel like a noob, do you?
Sneaker Anatomy – Know Your Shoe’s Details!
Are you ready to know all the nitty gritty details about your sneakers? If you wanna be a real sneakerhead, the only right answer is yes! So, let’s get started with the classic Air Force 1 Low as our reference silhouette. Before we dive into the details, if you look down at your kicks, it’s divided into four parts. The top of the shoe is the part you can directly see. Meanwhile, the inner side of your shoe is the medial side, and the opposite part is the lateral side. Finally, the bottom part of your kicks is the sole unit!
The Upper
If you look at the front of the shoe, that area is called the toe box. It includes the top part, aka the vamp, which usually has the perforations for breathability. The bit that wraps around the vamp is the tip of the toe box. Now, further back, we have the laces area that consists of the eyelets, in which the laces go. And then, we have the eyestays, aka the area that houses the eyelets on either side of the tongue.
Now, laces themselves have their own bits! The tips of the laces can be simple or fancy, and they’re called aglets. They’re there to protect the end of the laces from coming undone or fraying. Finally, lace locks and dubrae are pieces of accessories that serve different purposes!
Moving on, we have the back part of the shoe, which consists of the heel area. The upper part where you insert your foot is the collar. And the back part is the heel counter. This bit is usually sturdier to protect the heel of the foot. Heel counters finally connect on top with the inner liner of the shoe.
The Sole
Well, the sole unit can honestly make or break a pair of sneakers regardless of how pretty it looks. You see, your foot usually sits on the insole, sometimes also called a Strobel. Underneath that is where the magic of sneaker tech happens. You see the midsole is the middle area where the cushioning systems like Air, Zoom, or Boost sit. And finally, that whole unit sits on the outsole which comes in direct contact with the floor! So, that’s everything you should know about your sneaker anatomy. If you wanna learn more about the world of sneakers and the latest drops, our blog’s got you covered. Godspeed!
