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Last updated: July 18, 2022 5 min read  Whether you’re running around the track, pacing yourself through a marathon, [doing a high-intensity interval training workout](https://www.nike.com/a/shoes-for-hiit-workouts) or easing into your favorite sneakers for a [walk around the neighborhood](https://www.nike.com/a/best-shoes-for-walking), the different types of shoes and their various parts are working in different ways to support you and your feet. You may not have thought about all the parts of a shoe before, but understanding how they are designed and put together can help you [select the right sneaker](https://www.nike.com/a/buy-right-running-shoes) for your needs, especially if you’re looking for shoes with a particular fit or function, like shoes for [wide feet](https://www.nike.com/a/best-shoes-for-wide-feet) or shoes for [trail running](https://www.nike.com/a/trail-running-shoes-stability). ## What Are the Parts of a Shoe Called? There are typically about 23 different parts of a shoe. It’s not just the heel, the tongue and the laces, which most of us can point out, but rather a more complex breakdown of parts. Toward the back of the shoe, you’ll find the: - Tongue top - Tongue front - Tongue foam - Tongue lining - Collar lining - Collar foam - Heel lining - Heel counter - Foxing Within the front half of the shoe, there’s the: - Eyestay - Eyestay reinforcement - Eyelets - Laces - Quarter - Quarter overlay - Vamp - Tip - Tip reinforcement  Along the bottom, there are three different soles — the two outsoles at the toe and heel, and the midsole. These all lay below the strobel. When specifically [looking at a Nike shoe](https://www.nike.com/w/new-shoes-3n82yzy7ok), you can’t forget to mention the most recognizable component either — the Swoosh. It may not have a function when it comes to the fit of your shoe, but it certainly makes a style statement all on its own. This list may feel long, but the many shoe parts work together to give you the most comfortable, high-performance fit possible for the type of activity you’re doing on your feet.  ## On the Top While all the parts on the top of your shoe serve a particular function, many of them are also about style. __Laces__, for example, are a necessary component when it comes to fit, but they also contribute to the style of the shoe. Think about the pop of color that neon laces can bring to your look. Other elements include the __eyelets__ and __eyestay__, which work together to hold the laces. The eyelets are the hole the laces go through, and the eyestay is the material that holds the eyelets in place. The top of your shoe is also made up of the __quarter__, which is the area covering the sides and back of the foot, and the __tongue__, which plays a very important role. You may sometimes feel like it’s that pesky piece you’ve got to pull up each time you get your shoe on, but it actually protects the top of your foot and prevents the laces from rubbing. When it comes to the upper part of your shoe, look for sneakers made from soft, breathable materials for added comfort. Exploring shoes made sustainably can give you a comfortable upper, with fabrics made from [sustainable materials](https://www.nike.com/sustainability/materials) that have proven their worth when it comes to sneakers. [Nike Flyknit](https://www.nike.com/flyknit), for example, is a lightweight fabric precision-engineered with an average of 60 percent less waste than in traditional footwear upper manufacturing. And [Nike Flyleather](https://www.nike.com/flyleather), while it looks, feels and smells like natural leather, is made by binding at least 50 percent recycled leather fibers with synthetic fibers using a water-powered process, ultimately creating less waste and a lower impact on climate change compared to full grain leather. ## At the Heel The heel is probably one of the most important parts of the shoe from the perspective of the wearer. Without the right cushioning and comfort, the shoes won’t last. They may rub and cause blisters, making your feet sore instead of supporting them while you’re on the move. This area of your shoe starts with the __collar__, which is where you insert your foot. It should have its own padding to keep your foot comfortable from the moment you put your shoes on. There’s also __collar foam__, which provides cushioning to both your heel and ankle, and the __collar lining__, which encloses the seams in the back of your shoe while enhancing comfort. __Foxing__ is the material at the heel. It covers the entire back of the shoe, and is what will start to wear away quickly if your sneakers don’t fit right. Right behind it is the __heel counter__, the stiffest piece of material in the back of your shoe. It helps maintain the shoe’s shape. ## Under the Foot Also considered on the most important parts of the shoe is the bottom. Having the right materials in place here plays a big role in comfort. Not enough support, or even the wrong shape, can leave foot and leg muscles sore after a workout. The sole and strobel make up what sits under your foot, with the sole of the shoe composed of three separate parts: 1. The __strobel__ is the piece of fabric that lays in the bottom of your shoe directly below your foot. 2. The __midsole__ is the foam layer, responsible for cushioning. 3. The __outsole__ is the bottom layer, the one that comes into contact with outside surfaces. It’s often rubber, and provides traction. Sometimes it’s broken down into the heel and tip. The midsole and outsoles sit underneath the strobel, making a neat stack of cushioning that varies in thickness based on what type of shoe you’re wearing. This part of your sneaker will also vary in flexibility to accommodate the type of exercise you’re doing when in them. ## Shop Nike Running Shoes [View All](https://www.nike.com/w/running-shoes-37v7jzy7ok) - [Nike Vomero Plus \ Men's Road Running Shoes \ __$180__](https://www.nike.com/t/vomero-plus-mens-road-running-shoes-5npsVBwT/HV8150-108) - [Nike Vomero Plus \ Women's Road Running Shoes \ __$180__](https://www.nike.com/t/vomero-plus-womens-road-running-shoes-8AH6updi/HV8154-110) - [Nike Zoom Fly 6 \ Men's Road Racing Shoes \ __$180__](https://www.nike.com/t/zoom-fly-6-mens-road-racing-shoes-wn2ALjkm/FN8454-404) - [Nike Zoom Fly 6 \ Women's Road Racing Shoes \ __$180__](https://www.nike.com/t/zoom-fly-6-womens-road-racing-shoes-HZkwmBM5/FN8455-500) - [Nike Pegasus Premium \ Men's Road Running Shoes \ __$220__](https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-premium-mens-road-running-shoes-kWXqW9yR/HQ2592-102) - [Nike Pegasus Premium \ Women's Road Running Shoes \ __$220__](https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-premium-womens-road-running-shoes-OHKEqA2b/IV5669-121) - [Nike Pegasus 42 \ Men's Road Running Shoes \ __$145__](https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-42-mens-road-running-shoes-S1bYkOza/IB1873-105) - [Nike Pegasus 42 \ Women's Road Running Shoes \ __$145__](https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-42-womens-road-running-shoes-VCB6baKU/IB1881-103) - [Nike Vomero Premium \ Men's Road Running Shoes \ __$230__](https://www.nike.com/t/vomero-premium-mens-road-running-shoes-l11miwwa/HQ2050-600) - [Nike Vomero Premium \ Women's Road Running Shoes \ __$230__](https://www.nike.com/t/vomero-premium-womens-road-running-shoes-HACQbkxM/HM5973-600) Originally published: November 22, 2021 Resources [Gift Cards](https://www.nike.com/gift-cards) [Corporate Sales](https://www.nike.com/corporate-sales) [Find a Store](https://www.nike.com/retail) [Membership](https://www.nike.com/membership) [Nike Journal](https://www.nike.com/stories) [Site Feedback](https://www.nike.com#site-feedback) Help [Get Help](https://www.nike.com/help) [Order Status](https://www.nike.com/orders/details/) [Shipping and Delivery](https://www.nike.com/help/a/shipping-delivery) [Returns](https://www.nike.com/help/a/returns-policy) [Order Cancellation](https://www.nike.com/help/a/change-cancel-order) [Payment Options](https://www.nike.com/help/a/payment-options) [Gift Card Balance](https://www.nike.com/orders/gift-card-lookup) [Contact Us](https://www.nike.com/help/#contact) Company [About Nike](https://about.nike.com/en) [News](http://news.nike.com/) [Careers](https://jobs.nike.com/) [Investors](http://investors.nike.com/) [Purpose](https://purpose.nike.com/) [Sustainability](https://www.nike.com/sustainability) [Accessibility](https://www.nike.com/us/en/accessibility/#introduction) Promotions & Discounts [Student](https://www.nike.com/help/a/student-discount) [Military](https://www.nike.com/help/a/military-discount) [Teacher](https://www.nike.com/help/a/teacher-discount) [First Responders & Medical Professionals](https://www.nike.com/help/a/first-responder-discount) [Birthday](https://www.nike.com/help/a/birthday-terms-promo) [Resources](https://www.nike.com/help) [Gift Cards](https://www.nike.com/gift-cards) [Corporate Sales](https://www.nike.com/corporate-sales) [Find a Store](https://www.nike.com/retail) [Membership](https://www.nike.com/membership) [Nike Journal](https://www.nike.com/stories) [Site Feedback](https://www.nike.com#site-feedback) [Help](https://www.nike.com/help) [Get Help](https://www.nike.com/help) [Order Status](https://www.nike.com/orders/details/) [Shipping and Delivery](https://www.nike.com/help/a/shipping-delivery) [Returns](https://www.nike.com/help/a/returns-policy) [Order Cancellation](https://www.nike.com/help/a/change-cancel-order) [Payment Options](https://www.nike.com/help/a/payment-options) [Gift Card Balance](https://www.nike.com/orders/gift-card-lookup) [Contact Us](https://www.nike.com/help/#contact) [Company](https://about.nike.com/en) [About Nike](https://about.nike.com/en) [News](http://news.nike.com/) [Careers](https://jobs.nike.com/) [Investors](http://investors.nike.com/) [Purpose](https://purpose.nike.com/) [Sustainability](https://www.nike.com/sustainability) [Accessibility](https://www.nike.com/us/en/accessibility/#introduction) [Promotions & Discounts](https://www.nike.com/promo-code) [Student](https://www.nike.com/help/a/student-discount) [Military](https://www.nike.com/help/a/military-discount) [Teacher](https://www.nike.com/help/a/teacher-discount) [First Responders & Medical Professionals](https://www.nike.com/help/a/first-responder-discount) [Birthday](https://www.nike.com/help/a/birthday-terms-promo) United States - © 2026 Nike, Inc. 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