The Fascinating History of Shoes

From Stone Age moccasins to today’s $100 billion global footwear industry, the evolution of shoes is full of fascinating - and quirky - moments. Let’s lace up and take a quick stroll through the history of shoe design…

40,000 BC: The birth of Moccasins

Our early ancestors wrapped animal skins around their feet to brave the rural elements. Very few historic facts are 100% confirmed from this era, as using animal skins would easily decay and erode over time for archaeologists to gather confirmed evidence. However, it’s thought that the oldest pair of shoes actually discovered belonged to Otzi the Iceman - a naturally mummified corpse that was found in the Alps near the Italy/Austria border.

10,000 BC: The early invention of the Sandal

Sandals were becoming the shoe of choice, and early humans got creative with materials —sagebrush in Oregon, papyrus in Egypt, rice straw in Asia, palm leaf in North Africa, Rawhide in East Africa and Yucca in the US. 

490 BC: Could this be the first marathon recorded?

Legend has it, a Greek runner dashed barefoot from Marathon to Athens, running 26.2 miles. As sandals were not worn in hot countries back then, running barefoot was the only way to face the task at hand.

200 BC - 1800 AD: Sandals, Slippers, and Pointy-Toes

Romans ditched the barefoot trend, embracing sandals and leather footwear, and curled-toe shoes hit the Middle East and Europe. Leather or wooden bases were favoured by many who lived in muddy regions and eventually sewn-on leather soles were introduced, making shoes look more like the shoes we know today.

1600s: The Foot-Binding Era

Foot binding is an ancient Chinese tradition, thankfully now long-gone, but was popular during the five dynasties period in China. It was considered a status symbol and a marker of feminine beauty with better sexual relations. Spanning over 1000 years, across multiple Chinese dynasties, this ancient tradition stopped following Western influencers condemning the practice as barbaric and cruel.

1700s: High Heels for Soldiers?

The history of the high heel was strangely invented by Persian warriors who needed stability in stirrups. But it was King Louis XIV who turned them into a fashion statement. Soon, heels strutted into women’s closets worldwide and became the feminine shoe we love today.

1812: The Worlds first Shoe Factory

During the French revolution, a French engineer and entrepreneur, Marc Brunel, found a gap in the market to help produce boots for the army. However, once the war ended, the growing need for army boots plummeted. But the upside was that there were many ex-soldiers in need of work – and so, factories soon took over from traditional craftsmen making shoes.

1817: Left and Right Shoes Arrive

Believe it or not, shoes were once interchangeable between feet and known as ‘straights’. A US cobbler called William Young recognised that the foot was actually different from lateral and medial sides, and started to produce the left / right model of footwear.

1900s: Sneakers, Rivals, and Running Booms

Converse, founded in 1908, launched the first high-tops, Adidas and Puma stemmed from a brotherly feud - Adolf (Adi) and Rudolf (Rudi) Dassler- and Nike, founded in 1964, took off with waffle soles and air-filled shoes and became hugely popular when they signed with basketball’s Michael Jorden in 1984 – the best sports partnership in history.  Meanwhile, runners ditched stiff soles, sparking today’s debates about “barefoot” running.

2000s Onward: Minimalism Meets Maximalism

Inspired by barefoot running, minimalist shoes like Vibram Five Fingers trended, but ultra-cushioned “maximalist” kicks like Hokas hit back. The debate over the perfect shoe is far from over, with trends raging from different extremes!

From Otzi to Air Jordans, shoes have come a long way—and there’s no sign of trends and the love of shoes stopping. Whether you’re team sandals, sneakers, or sky-high heels, one thing’s clear: the history of shoes is a step above the rest.

Here at SoleLution, we like to think we do our little bit to tap into the latest trends –  ensuring your feet are not only stylish but comfy - from lightweight trainers to trendy  boots, from gorgeous sandals to warm and cosy slippers - we have you covered for every season!.