Summer is, for many, one of the most beloved seasons. During the summer months vacations, country get-togethers and trips begin — a time when you don't need to pile on heavy clothing and can manage with just the essentials. When temperatures break heat records, you may need no more than three items of clothing and lightweight footwear. Speaking of shoes: today we will tell you about models for hot summer days that you will surely be satisfied with.
Footwear with Textile Uppers
What kind of footwear do people look for in summer?
First, breathable. Many people consider it important that the material used for the upper of summer shoes allows moisture to evaporate well. In hot weather foot perspiration increases dramatically, and if sweat cannot escape, the skin swells, chafing and blisters may appear, as well as swelling that compresses blood vessels and impairs normal circulation. As a result, feet overheat, tire quickly, and walking becomes uncomfortable and painful.
Shoes with fully or partially textile uppers help avoid these issues. Textile, especially when it contains a high proportion of natural fibers (cotton, for example), breathes well, maintaining an optimal microclimate inside the shoe, conforms to the foot (quickly taking the shape of the foot) and is much lighter than leather.
Second, the footwear should be lightweight. Walking in heavy shoes in hot weather is difficult: the body spends energy not only on maintaining normal heat exchange but also on "carrying the weight." This leads to rapid fatigue, decreased activity and the other problems described above.
Third, a sole of sufficient thickness and softness. The bottom of the shoe should protect the foot from road irregularities, provide good shock absorption (reducing impact when walking), and not restrict the natural flexing of the foot. It is especially valuable if the shoe has an anatomical insole that can be removed to dry or wash. It also provides additional cushioning.
As a rule, shoes with fully textile uppers come in a wide range of colors, so matching a pair to a particular outfit is not difficult.
Shoes with Knitted Uppers
Sneakers with a stretchy knitted upper, also known as sock-style sneakers, are footwear that is almost unnoticeable on the feet in summer.
In such shoes the feet feel great:
- they breathe calmly — air circulates freely between the yarns of the knit;
- the upper's elements gently hug the foot, stretching where needed and following its shape;
- the sole is exceptionally lightweight: EVA is one of the lightest materials for making soles;
- you don't need to worry about toe and forefoot protection: the sole is raised in the toe area, and the foamed EVA, due to its sufficient thickness, provides good shock absorption when walking.
If necessary, such sneakers can be machine washed: they will dry quickly.
Equally comfortable are sneakers with a mesh upper combined with leather or microfiber. Typically, this material is made from yarns with high wear resistance. The knitted structure ensures free air exchange, which is complemented by an equally breathable lining — feet remain dry and do not sweat.
Sneakers often use a two-layer polyurethane sole: the foamed inner layer provides good shock absorption while walking, and the tougher outer layer ensures durability. Such shoes are very comfortable if you walk a lot. A removable memory-effect insole increases comfort: it cushions, supports the foot and relieves tension.
Note! Italian shoes may run slightly smaller than Russian shoes of the same nominal size, so be sure to try shoes on before purchase. If you cannot try them on, we recommend choosing one size larger.
Sandals
Everyone knows from childhood that sandals are the most summery footwear. They have both fans and critics, but the fact remains: no one has invented more open and breathable shoes.
Since ancient times the basic construction of sandals has not changed significantly: even today they are essentially a sole with straps that secure it to the foot. What has changed are the materials: whereas in antiquity soles were made from layers of papyrus and straw, leather or wood, today polymer materials are used that reduce impact when walking, mimic the foot’s shape, and make the shoes comfortable and durable. Straps still use natural leather or various textiles.
Interesting facts:
- In ancient Egypt, wearing sandals was allowed only for men and not even every day: these leather and wooden shoes were considered ceremonial, for 'going out'. The rule was followed by everyone: both commoners and the nobility.
- In Ancient Greece everyone had the right to wear sandals; the difference lay only in the quality of materials and decoration: the poor had simpler leather with almost no decoration, while the rich had finer leather and more expensive embellishments.
- In Ancient Rome they went further — sandals became an identifier of social status. Cork oak began to be used for soles.
- After the fall of the Roman Empire, sandals were forgotten for several centuries. They were recalled only in the late 18th — early 19th century, after the revolutionary events in France.
- A renewed interest in sandals occurred in the 1920s — they were adopted as fashionable beach footwear. During World War II sandals became an alternative to boots for civilians in warm months: they could be made faster and more simply from recycled materials, while high-quality leather was directed to the needs of the army.
- In the '60s, nearly 2,000 years later, ancient Roman-style sandals were reborn: one fashion house released a model with a cork sole that became a hit for many years.
If the construction of modern sandal soles is clear — made from one- or two-layer polyurethane, sufficiently high and with special shock-absorbing inserts in the heel area that follow the foot's shape — then straps still commonly use natural leather or nubuck as in ancient times. This material is durable, elastic, pleasant to the skin, absorbs sweat, does not heat up in the sun and is long-lasting. Hook-and-loop fasteners secure the straps well to the foot. Perforation improves air circulation.
The insole in sandals is made of cork or has a top layer of pleasant velvety textile.
Cork is one of the best materials for summer shoe insoles: it does not heat up in the sun, it is soft and porous (therefore it reduces walking loads well), bacteria do not multiply in it (so unpleasant odors do not appear), and it readily conforms to the shape of the foot. However, a cork insole can be easily damaged (because the material is very soft), so such shoes should be handled carefully.
Insoles with a textile top are more practical: soft velour-like fabric is pleasant to the skin, prevents the foot from slipping, absorbs sweat well and dries quickly. As a modern feature, such insoles are attached to the sole with hook-and-loop fasteners, so they can be removed and washed if necessary, which is very convenient for hygiene.
Footwear with textile or knitted uppers, sandals fully open or with a closed toe — the variety of summer shoe models that keep feet cool, comfortable and light is large. Each has its advantages. We hope this article helped you choose the pair that’s right for you.