Parts of a Walking Shoe

1. Lining - The soft fabric located inside of the shoe. Improves overall comfort
2. Eyelets - Small holes on either side of the tongue that guides the shoelaces in place
3. Eyestays - The strips of fabric that houses the eyelets and laces
4. Lacing - Most walking shoes will use either traditional laces or velcro
5. Toe cap - The end of the shoe. Often reinforced for added durability
6. Ventilation holes - Helps to make the shoe more breathable and eliminate moisture
7. Heel panel - Fabric that covers the heel portion of the shoe
8. Tongue - A well-padded tongue helps to improve comfort and overall fit
9. Toe guard - A rubber toe guard that rises above the outsole helps to increase durability and makes walking easier
10. Insole - The footbed on which the feet rest on. Provides comfort and orthotic support
11. Last - Sits below the insole, the last is what the rest of the shoe is built around. Determines the shape of the shoe as well
12. Midsole - The abundant cushioning found in-between the insole and outsole. Often foam-based and thicker in the heel
13. Heel counter - The rigid plastic insert in the back of the heel that helps provide structural support for the heel
14. Collar - A well-padded collar helps to improve comfort and ankle support
15. Outsole - The bottom of the walking shoe that provides traction
16. Arch - The middle area of the shoe. Often has arch support for more comfortable walking
17. Tread - A herringbone tread pattern helps provide superior traction on a variety of surfaces
18. Flex grooves - Improves the flexibility of the shoe for full range of motion