What is the difference in wearing women’s and men’s shoes made with natural materials like leather, verses man made, synthetic materials.
Once women’s and men’s shoes began to be more than functional protection for the feet, shoes made from only natural resources started to decline. Leather was at one time, the only material used to make any type of shoe. The cattle industry was doing well and there was at least one cobblerin every town. Leather was used for boots, casual shoes, or slippers. Prior to the 1800′s, most shoes were made with no
difference in women’s and men’s shoes. Neither did they make right and left shoes. These shoes were called straights because they could be used on either foot.
Around the mid-20th Century, chemical compounds that were made to replace leather, became popular. Manufacturers of the era, united with the booming
industrialization, and realized that the newly discovered imitation materials could make them rich. Synthetics that came on the scene were found to be good for a lot of things, not just shoes. Inventions of rubber, plastic and industrial glues along with a whole host of other types of synthetics, opened up a whole new world of
fashion. Women’s and men’s shoes could now be shaped into never before seen design styles.
Leather producers
were pushed to the side of the foot wear market and have continued to carve a niche for themselves with the more wealthy customers. Not only is leather more durable, but it also feels better on the feet. Women’s and men’s shoes that are made from leather are preferred by the customers where money is no problem. Leather is a
breathable material. Leather can breathe, so it keeps the feet at a more comfortable temperature. Synthetic materials are not porous. Shoes and boots made from synthetic material make the feet sweat. When this happens, the moisture from the sweat combines with the bacteria in the shoes and on the feet. This causes a chemical
reaction that results in smelly feet and shoes that is difficult if not impossible to get rid of. In addition to this problem, the moist heat is a perfect breeding ground for athletes foot and other types of irritating foot fungus.
The process of manufacturing women’s and men’s shoes with synthetics definitely
makes the shoes cheaper. But that is only one reason for their popularity. Synthetic materials are pliable and easy to colour. These materials lend themselves easily to elaborate fashion design. The down side of the sweaty smelly, sweaty feet is erased by the lower than leather price. If the smell starts to bother you (or your neighbours), just throw them out and buy a new pair.