This is a continuation of shoe related terms A - M found here.

N
Nappa Leather :  A type of leather characterized by its stretchy, soft, smooth texture
Negative Heel :  Popular in comfort footwear, a type of footbed with a lowered heel area designed for more natural foot placement
Nubuck :  A type of leather that has been 'bucked' or sanded for a smooth texture with a slight nap

O
Orthotic :  A full or partial insole specifically designed for comfort and support
Outsole :  The very bottom of the shoe, the part that contacts the ground
Overlay :  Detailing on a shoe made by layering material on top of other material
Oxford :  A low shoe, laced or tied over the instep

P
Patent Leather :  A type of leather that has been varnished for a shiny finished
Pebbled Grain :  An embossed-leather grain finish resembling a pebble surface.
Peekaboo Toe :  A type of closed toe with a small open panel allowing a glimpse of toe
Penny-Loafer :  A slip-on style shoe with a slit over the instep where a penny traditionally was placed for good luck
Perforation :  A pattern of small holes punched or bored into the trim of a shoe, for the purpose of decoration or ventilation.
Pigskin Leather :  Leather made from the skin of pigs.
Pinked :  Detailing characterized by a sawtooth edge applied for decoration
Piping :  A decorative, narrow strip of leather or synthetic that follows the seam of a shoe
Pitch :  The angle of the back part of the heel where it meets the sole, compared to the front part of the heel where it meets the sole.  On a high-heeled shoe the pitch should be at a large angle, in order to stabilize the heel.
Platform Shoe :  A style of shoe where there is a thicker sole at the front and heel
Podiatry :  A branch of the medical profession dealing with the prevention and remedy of foot diseases.
Polyurethane :  A type of manmade material that can be made to have the look and feel of leather
Pronation :  The inward rolling of the foot during running or walking, potentially a source of injury
PU :  The commonly used abbreviation for polyurethane
Pumps :  Women's dress shoes, usually slip on, often with enclosed toe and sides
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) :  A semi-rigid plastic metal, often used in heel counters and outsoles for added support.

Q
Quarter Panel :  The sides of the shoe from the heel to the toe
Quarter Lining :  The lining of the rear part of a shoe, typically made from leather or fabric.

R
Retro :  Referring to popular style of the past
Riding Boot :  A boot designed for riding horses.  Typically knee-high, with a low heel and goring.
Rim :  The part of the shoe where the foot enters.  Another term for collar or topline.
Ruched :  A type of detailing characterized by gathered or pleated material with stitching accents
Running :  Trail :  Running shoes designed for running both on and off road, with increased stability and traction for irregular terrain

S
Saddle Shoes :  Shoes with a contrast colored instep overlay or 'saddle,' usually found on golf shoes, oxfords or retro styles
Safety Shoe :  A shoe or boot designed specifically for wear in an industrial setting. This style of shoe often includes protective features such as steel-toe reinforcement and waterproof and oil-resistant materials.
Sandal :  A simple form of footwear where the shoe is held to the foot by strips of leather or fabric.
Scalloped :  A type of detailing characterized by round wavy edges
Scotch Grain :  The embossing of leather to create a heavy, pebbled look.
Sculpted Heel :  A type of high heel molded in one piece, usually out of high-impact plastic
Shaft Height :  The measurement of the shaft of the boot.  Measurement is from the inside seam where instep and sole meet to the top of the boot.
Shearling :  Sheepskin or lambskin with the wool still attached. Used often as a lining for shoes and boots.
Sheepskin :  Skin from sheep, either with or without the wool still attached.
Shoe Anatomy :  A diagram depicting the parts of a shoe.
Shoe Horn :  A curved metal or synthetic device used to aid in slipping the foot into a shoe.
Shoe Sizes :  The variation between full sizes is one-third of an inch, while the difference between half sizes and full sizes is one-sixth of an inch. This system of sizes is based on a decree made by Edward in 1324.
Side Leather :  Leather from the sides of cattle, divided by the backbone.
Silicone :  A slippery polymeric material used to waterproof shoes.
Siped :  A type of outsole with narrow grooves or channels, often found in boat shoes
Slide :  Shoe with an open toe and back, with a band across the toe
Slingback :  Shoes that are backless with a rear strap that goes around the upper heel, usually with a buckle or elastic panel
Slip-On :  Footwear that slips on the foot with no other adjustments
slippery polymeric material used to waterproof shoes.
Slipper :  A flat shoe that is easily slipped on, usually meant for indoor wear and lined for comfort and warmth.
Slouched :  Shoes with a baggy, gathered design that 'slouches' down, usually found in boots
Smooth Leather :  Any leather that is smooth on the surface, without pebbling, or noticeable grain.
Snakeskin :  Leather made from the skins of snakes, with a rough, scaley texture.
Sneaker :  An athletic shoe, typically made of canvas with a rubber sole.
Snip Toe :  A type of toe that is tapered, with a squared front as if 'snipped'
Sock-liner :  A sock liner is the insole in the interior of the shoe that the foot rests on.
Sole :  Another word for outsole, the bottom part of the shoe
Sole Leather :  Any heavy leather (usually cattle-hide), used for the soles of shoes.
Spandex/Neoprene :  A combination of stretchy Spandex fabric and soft neoprene rubber, a soft and waterproof material usually used as a lining
Split Leather :  A type of leather used in shoes that is made from the lower layers of a hide that have been split away from the upper of grain.
Stacked Heel :  A heel that has horizontal lines, indicating that it is made up of stacked layers of leather, or a heel with that appearance
Steel Toes :  Steel toes are most frequently found in industrial-style footwear that is meant to prevent injury in the workplace. Steel toes are tested by the A.N.S.I (American National Standard Institute) for their ability to maintain a minimum clearance when compressed by different weights.
Stiletto :  A high, tapered, narrow heel, also called a 'spike' heel, named for a type of slim knife
Straight Lasted :  A type of last used to create a very straight shoe that helps to prevent severe pronation.
Strappy Sandal :  A sandal characterized by a multiple strap design
Suede :  Leather that has been sanded or roughed to produce a surface with a soft texture or 'nap'
Sueded Fabric :  Fabric that has been given a soft nap to simulate the feel of suede leather
Supination :  The rolling of the foot outward to the side while running or walking, can lead to serious injury
Synthetic Materials :  Materials other than genuine leather, which are designed to look or function like leather

T
Tailored :  Characterized by a fitted, precise design that follows the contours of the foot
Tannage :  The process of converting raw hides or skins into finished leather.
Tap :  The attachment of a leather or metal partial sole over the existing sole of a shoe.
Tassel :  A rope and knot ornament found on the vamp of a loafer or mocassin
Thermoplastic Rubber (T.P.R.) :  A plastic material used by many manufacturers in the injection molding process.
Thermoplastic Urethane (T.P.U.) :  A plastic material that gives support through the midfoot or medial side of a running shoe.
Thong Sandal :  Any sandal that has material that fits between the toes, especially the big and second toes
Throat :  The main opening of a shoe extending from the vamp to the ankle.
Tip :  An additional piece of leather covering the toe of a shoe.  May be in several different shapes or patterns.  Also know as a Cap.
Toe Ridge :  A horizontal ridge added into the footbed of some sandals to anchor and provide support and cushioning for the toes
Toe Thong Post :  The part of a thong sandal that actually fits between the toes
Tongue :  Strip of leather or other material sewn into the vamp of the shoe extending to the main opening
Tread :  Describing the design of a shoe’s sole
Trubuck :  A fabric with a durable but soft texture that simulates nubuck leather
Tru-Moc :  A shoe in which the bottom is a single piece of leather, stitched around a last.  The vamp is usually attached by whip stitching to the bottom of the shoe so it encloses the foot.  Also known as a moccasin.
T-Strap :  A type of shoe with a single vertical strap linking the toe and ankle/heel areas
Turf Cleats :  Permanent or removable plastic or rubber cleats on athletic shoes
Twill Fabric :  A woven fabric material characterized by a smooth surface and durable wear

U
Unit Bottom :  A single shoe bottom made from a mold of rubber or plastic.  It includes the sole, platform heel or wedge.
Upper :  The part of the shoe that covers the top part of the foot, from heel to toe.
Upper Leather :  Any leather used for making shoe uppers.  The principal leathers used for shoe uppers are calf, kind, horsehide, goat, sheep, and leathers made from the skin of reptiles.  All of these may be made in a wide variety of finishes, such as smooth, suede, patent, embossed, and glossy.

V
Vachetta Leather :  A type of soft cow leather
Vamp :  The front center part of a shoe's upper
Vegetable Tanned :  Leather that has been tanned using a vegetable process, ideal for those with allergies to chromium or other tanning chemicals
Velcro :  Registered trademark of Velcro Industries BV.  Brand hook-and-loop fastners are often used as straps to provide adjustable fits for shoes.
Vibram :  A type of durable, non-slip, outsole typically found on hiking boots.  Vibram is a registered trademark of Vibram S.P.A. 
Vinyl :  Short for polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C.), vinyl is a shiny plastic often used for coating shoes.
Vulcanized Rubber :  Rubber that has been converted from its crude state to one of durability and strength.

W
Waterproof Leather :  Shoes that have been especially treated to prevent the entry of water.
Water Sports :  Any sports such as rafting, kayaking, surfing, etc. that require footwear that is waterproof, quick drying, with all terrain traction
Wedge Heel :  A heel which extends from the back of the shoe to the ball of the shoe, following its contour.
Wellington :  A style of pull-on boots with no trim, often made of rubber.
Welt :  A strip of leather sewn between the insole and the outsole to create a greater durability.
Width :  The width of a shoe is typically measured in letters (AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EEE, EEEE) and refers to the width of the shoe last as measured at the ball of the foot. Widths are defined in one-sixths of an inch.
Western :  Roper :  A type of Western boot characterized by a lower shaft, flared top, and medium round toe
Wedge Heel :  A heel which extends from the back of the shoe to the ball of the shoe, following its contour.
Wing Tip :  A type of shoe with overlays and stitched, perforated trim, usually a dress style
Work :  Non-Safety :  Work boots that do not have a steel safety toe
Work :  Safety :  Work boots that have a steel safety toe and conform to ANSI safety standards specified

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