The Important Parts of Walking and Running Shoes (2024)

Updated on May 22, 2022

Shoe Upper

The shoe upper is the fabric or leather portion of the shoe that encases your foot. It is sewn or glued to the midsole. An important part of the shoe upper is the toe box, which houses your toes and allows them send force forward. If the toe box feels tight and you often end up with blisters around your toenails, you would likely benefit from wide-fit shoes that offer a wider toe box.

Shoe uppers often have elements stitched on for reinforcement or just for style. To avoid irritation from these, some shoes have them molded on without seams inside. Look for seamless designs if irritation is a problem for you.

The shoe upper keeps your foot secure and often provides built-in technology that allows sweat to evaporate.

Materials: For athletic shoes, the upper is usually made of breathable mesh fabric. You may see leather or synthetics that imitate leather for walking shoes, comfort shoes, trail shoes, and boots. Waterproof uppers have a liner of Goretex or similar material.

Midsole

The midsole is between the outer sole (which contacts the ground) and the shoe upper. It is made of materials and elements designed to give the shoe various degrees of cushioning, support, and flexibility. The midsole provides added comfort and cushioning for your foot, and is especially critical when you're logging long miles.

Materials: Midsoles of athletic shoes are usually made of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane.

Different colors of materials show the different densities. In general, the denser and more supportive polyurethane is gray, with the lighter and cushier EVA in white. The more gray they have, the more support they offer. The more white you see, the more flexible and cushioned your shoes are.

The midsole also contains other cushioning elements such as gel and encapsulated air.Motion control shoes and stability shoes may have a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) medial post to add extra stability and control overpronation.

Outer Sole or Outsole

The shoe sole, found on the bottom of an athletic shoe, is where the foot meets the ground. It is usually made of carbon rubber, blown rubber or a combination of both. Carbon rubber is stiffer, lasts longer, and may be used in the high-wear areas of the sole, with the softer blown rubber in other areas.

Since the outsole is the part of your shoe that touches the ground—whether that's pavement, rubber, or trail—it provides traction for grip and protection from the elements.

Lasting

The shoe lasting is the final layer between the midsole and the insole or sock liner. It is where the upper is attached to the sole.There are different types, with Strobel lasting being the most common in athletic shoes. If you remove the sock liner, you can usually see the stitching of the upper to the last.

Shoe lasting keeps your foot comfortable and serves as a springboard each time you step down, allowing you to maintain energy as you move.

Insole or Sockliner

The insole or sock liner is a thin foam layer or insert inside the shoe above the midsole and lasting. It protects your foot from rubbing against the seams or glued connection of the lasting to the upper. It is often removable and you may want to replace it with the insole of your choice or an orthotic or arch support.

Heel Counter

The heel counter is rigid support at the back of the heel above the sole. It is encased in the back of the upper. It provides stability to the movement of the heel, keeping the back of your foot secure in the shoe.

Heel Collar

The heel collar or heel cuff surrounds your ankle at the top of the shoe. It keeps the shoe in place. The collar is usually thicker than the rest of the upper and may be padded for extra comfort.

The heel collar often extends farther up the back of the ankle and may have an Achilles notch to support the Achilles tendon. It may have a finger loop to allow you to pull the shoe on more easily.

Shoe Tongue

The tongue of the shoe is attached to the shoe upper under the lacing and eyelets. It protects the top of the foot from rubbing against the lacing system. It may be padded to provide extra comfort, or it may be very thin (as seen in minimalist shoes). In trail shoes, the tongue is often fully attached to each side of the shoe to prevent trail debris from getting into the shoe.

The shoe tongue may have slits and a flap or a sewn piece to allow you to thread your shoelaces through it at the midpoint of the tongue. This is used to help keep the tongue from slipping from side to side.

Eyelets and Shoe Lacing System

The lacing system allows you to customize the fit of the shoe. The number and arrangement of the eyelets allow more or less adjustment.

Eyelets that extend further into the heel collar allow you more flexibility in getting a secure lacing using various lacing techniques. Shoelaces may be round or flat and have some degree of elasticity.

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