| If you have had the time or desire to stare at | | | | of your foot, like you are standing on a shovel |
| someone's boots, you would have noticed that | | | | with bare feet? Frequently, this is caused by the |
| there are many parts to one. Each part has a | | | | shank not being the same shape as your foot. |
| purpose for the person wearing them. I will not | | | | The outsole receives the most amount of abuse, |
| bore you with the details of every boot part | | | | so it is, arguably, the most important part of the |
| there is, but I will show what some are and their | | | | boot. Outsoles are made out of two main |
| significance. | | | | materials: leather and synthetic materials. Leather |
| The shaft is a long, cylindrical part that goes up | | | | is a natural, breathable material that conforms |
| the leg. Shafts come in many heights and can be | | | | nicely to your foot. It comes in many thicknesses |
| very decorative. They can have colored stitch | | | | to accommodate different needs. The only |
| patterns and embroidery, or tooling by hand or | | | | reason some steer away from leather soles is |
| machine. If you can think it, someone can make it | | | | that they tend to wear out quickly when they |
| and put it on a shaft. This allows the owner to | | | | are wet. |
| personalize their boots if they want to. | | | | Synthetic soles offer greater durability in moisture |
| The shaft is also for the protection of the leg. | | | | and other liquids, but they come with one nasty |
| Just like shin guards, chaps, and protective vests, | | | | side effect: heat. Leather allows heat to dissipate |
| this part of the boot offers the wearer protection | | | | through the sole, but synthetic soles trap it. |
| against heat, cold, sharp objects, and prevents | | | | Synthetic soles usually offer greater longevity and |
| objects from entering the boot from the top and | | | | can offer more slip and chemical resistance, but |
| causing discomfort. | | | | can you take the heat? For many, the answer is |
| The shank is located between the midsole and | | | | answered for them, due to the nature of where |
| outsole, and runs parallel with the foot between | | | | the boots are worn. Also, some prefer the |
| the ball of the foot and the heel. This significant | | | | cushion of a synthetic sole over a leather one. |
| part of the boot is commonly called the "arch | | | | Whatever your preferences may be or how you |
| support". | | | | wear them, boots are worth staring at. Most |
| Shanks are made from steel, carbon fiber, plastic, | | | | boots are made by hand, so even in this age of |
| fiberglass, and even aluminum. They can be flat, | | | | mass production, no two pair are exactly, or fit |
| forked, dished, and contoured. Have you ever | | | | exactly, alike. This makes each one unique, and an |
| discovered that some boots feel great on your | | | | expression of the individual. |
| feet, while others seem to cause pain in the arch | | | | |