A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but over time, shoes also became fashion items. Some shoes are worn as safety equipment, such as steel-toe boots, which are required footwear at industrial worksites.
A variety of shoes displayed at the Nordic Museum, including models from 1700 to the 1960s.
The oldest known leather shoe, about 5500 years old, found in Armenia
Esparto sandals from the 6th or 5th millennium BC found in Spain
Footwear of Roman soldiers (reconstruction)
A steel-toe boot is a durable boot or shoe that has a protective reinforcement in the toe which protects the foot from falling objects or compression. Safety shoes are effective in keeping the feet of industrial workers safe from sharp and heavy objects while working in factories.
A pair of well-worn steel-toe shoes
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 safety boots
Safety shoes with removable polymer metatarsal guards
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant anti-static shoes