Footwear facts for kids

Various high-heeled footwear

Footwear is anything you wear on your foot. It includes shoes, boots, and sandals. Footwear helps protect your feet from rough ground. It can also keep your feet dry or warm in cold weather.

Different Kinds of Footwear

Sneakers are a type of footwear

Bowling shoes are a type of athletic shoe

Vibram FiveFingers toe shoes

A pair of Sandals

A climbing shoe

• Shoes cover your whole foot. They protect your feet and the soles (bottoms) of your feet. Shoes are made from many materials. These include leather, fabric, and plastic. There are different types of shoes:
  • Athletic shoes are also called "running shoes" or "sneakers." They are made for playing sports or doing fun activities. They often use fabric, rubber, and plastic. Some athletic shoes, like spikes, help you grip the ground when running fast.
  • Dress shoes are worn with fancy clothes. People wear them with a suit and tie or a tuxedo. Dress shoes are usually dark and shiny. They are often made from polished leather. People in jobs like business or law wear them. Workers in restaurants or stores might also wear dress shoes.
  • Work shoes are made for people who work in places like construction sites or factories. These shoes often have a steel cap over the toes. This protects your toes from heavy objects. They are usually made of strong leather. This keeps your feet safe from sharp things or dangerous chemicals.

• Sandals cover the bottom of your foot. They have straps or ties to hold them on. People wear sandals in warm places like the Philippines and Cuba. You might also wear sandals indoors, like in a sauna.

• Boots are footwear that protects your foot and ankle. Boots are taller and bigger than shoes or sandals. Some boots are high enough to protect the lower part of your leg, called the calves.
  • Rain boots are also known as rubber boots. They are made from rubber or plastic. Rain boots keep your feet dry from water and rain. People who work on fishing boats or as farmers wear them. This keeps their feet from getting wet. Workers in chemical factories wear them too. This protects their feet from dangerous chemicals.
  • Winter boots keep your feet warm in cold weather. People in cold countries like Canada and Sweden wear them. Winter boots can be made from leather, fabric, or plastic. They have insulation like wool or fur inside. This helps keep your feet warm. Most winter boots also keep your feet dry.
  • Work boots are also called "construction boots." They are for people who work in construction or factory jobs. Like work shoes, they often have a steel toe cap. This protects your toes. They are usually made of strong leather. This keeps your feet safe from sharp objects or chemicals. Some work boots have a flat piece of steel in the sole. This protects your foot from sharp nails. Many countries require construction workers to wear work boots for safety.

• Socks are clothing for your foot, ankle, and calf. Socks soak up perspiration (sweat) from your feet. They also stop your foot from rubbing against your shoe or boot. This rubbing can cause blisters. Both boys and girls wear socks. Socks are often made from cotton or man-made fabrics. There are different kinds of socks:
  • Athletic socks are made of cotton or man-made fabric. They are for people doing sports or fun activities.
  • Dress socks are worn with dress shoes and fancy clothes. People wear them with a suit and tie or a tuxedo. Dress socks are usually dark, like black or dark blue. People in jobs like business or law wear them. Workers in restaurants or stores might also wear dress socks.
  • Winter socks are made to keep your feet warm in cold weather. People in cold countries like Canada and Sweden wear them. Winter socks are often made with wool. Wool is a warm fabric that helps to insulate your feet.
  • There are also foot and leg coverings for women that are like socks. These are made from polyester or other man-made materials. They are called pantyhose, nylons, or tights.

How Footwear is Made

Made by Hand

In many places, people make their own footwear by hand. They use simple tools. A simple pair of sandals can be made by cutting a foot-shaped sole. This is done from a thick, flexible material like rubber. Then, straps of fabric, rope, or leather are added. This is done with a needle and thread. Simple boots can be made by hand from animal hide with fur. They are sewn together with strong thread.

Made in a Factory

Many people wear footwear made in a factory. Machines in shoe and boot factories can make footwear much faster. This is quicker than people making them by hand with a needle and thread.

Images for kids

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  A pair of long socks

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  An artist's impression of Ötzi's right shoe. Ötzi is a male mummy found in the Italian Alps in September 1991 in remarkably well-preserved condition.

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  A football boot from 2018. It has no leather tongue and a low heel. It also has a sock-style fastener. This design helps the foot move freely and naturally.

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  Footwraps used by the Finnish Army until the 1990s.

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  Socks.

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  Toe socks.

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  Tabi socks.

See also

In Spanish: Calzado para niños