Sneaker Anatomy: A Guide To The Parts of a Shoe

If you’re just getting into sneakers, then getting your head around all the different terms used can be tricky. What do we mean when we say “midsole”, “mudguard” and “midfoot”? What’s the difference between the toe box and the toe cap? Luckily, we’re here to help you work out the difference between your aglet and your eyelet by explaining with a handy diagram all the different parts of a sneaker. Sneaker anatomy is so easy to remember once you’ve got all the names under your belt, so keep locked in and you’ll be a pro in no time at all.

For our diagram, we’re demonstrating all the different parts of the sneaker on Nike’s famous Air Jordan 1. So whether you’re looking to customise a pair, just understand what the hell we’re talking about on a daily basis, or being nosy, keep on scrolling to take a look.

When looking at official images of a sneaker (i.e. Nike’s pictures of their own shoe), there'll be a number of different angles to consider. Terms that are often mixed up are the ‘medial’ and ‘lateral’ sidewalls of the sneaker - essentially the inside wall of the shoe or the outside. If you’re a regular at the gym, you may be more familiar with these terms. Simply speaking, ‘medial’ sidewalls face towards the middle, whilst the lateral faces outwards.

We’re not going to patronise you here, we know that you’re familiar with common parts of the shoe, such as the ‘tongue’ and the ‘sole’, but more often than not, when referencing the bottom of the sneaker you will hear ‘outsole’ rather than ‘sole’ on its own. This is because one of the most commonly referred to parts of a sneaker is the ‘midsole’. By being specific, there’s no confusion.

So starting from the bottom of the sneaker, we find a rubber outsole. Above this sits the aforementioned midsole, the awkward part between the outsole and the main body of the shoe. This part often comes in white, though realistically can be any colour, and houses that all-important cushioning that make trainers as comfortable as they are.

Above this comes the rest of the sneaker’s body. This is referred to as the ‘upper’. At the front of the upper you’ll find the ‘toe box’. Often this comes perforated for breathability or will be made from breathable materials such as mesh. If there is panelling across the front of the toe box, which there is on the Jordan 1 and Air Force 1, then this is the ‘toe cap’, with the very, very front of the sneaker being the ‘tip’. Often these overlays (extra material on top of the main body) run around the sneaker alongside the midsole. This is where they’ll inherit the name ‘mudguard’.

Heading around the sneaker you’ll reach the mid-panel or ‘quarter’. You may find more perforations here, but most importantly it’s where most companies will house their branding. For Nike, the iconic ‘Swooshes’ (the ticks) sit on both the medial and lateral sidewalls in most cases, whereas for adidas, you’ll find three stripes dressed vertically down the side.

Above the mid-panel and from a bird’s eye view you’ll find the lace unit. Surrounding the ‘eyelets’ (the tiny holes the laces are threaded through), there’s often another panel. At the end of the laces, you’ll find bits of plastic or other more luxurious materials making sure the laces don’t unravel. These are called the ‘aglets’. At the bottom of the lacing unit (another word for where the laces are) you’ll find a little metal or plastic detail interweaved between the laces. This is called the lace dubrae/deubré, or more colloquially, the ‘lace lock’.

Like on your own foot, the back part of the sneaker is called the heel. When there’s extra material on the back (often where more branding appears), then this is referred to as the ‘heel panel’. Some sneakers have extra fabric to help you get the shoe on and off; this is the pull tab.

Now for the inside of the shoe. The material that directly touches your sock is the ‘sockliner’, whilst the panel underfoot is named the ‘insole’. If you have a pair of shoes that are too big for you, you may need an extra insole. You can also remove the insoles from those sneakers that are a bit tight on you.

Check out our ‘parts of a sneaker’ diagram below, and make sure to scrub up so you know your toe tip from your pull tab next time someone quizzes you on your sneaker knowledge.

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