Anatomy of a Boot

Counter? Vamp? Welt?

Huh??

No, they’re not fancy words from some cheesy romance novel. Well… maybe they are… BUT, they’re also some terms used to describe the anatomy of a boot. See the picture and definitions below for more detail.

 

 

• Counter – Stiff material at the rear of the boot that helps maintain shape and strengthens the boot.
• Eyelet – Opening for laces
• Heel – The back part of the sole. It normally raises the boot in relation to the front part of the sole.
• Quarter (Not labeled in the image) – Part of the upper that covers the sides and back of the foot. It’s behind the vamp
• Shaft – Part of the boot that covers your leg
• Sole – The part of the boot that’s below the wearer’s foot
• Toe Cap – At the front of the upper
• Upper (Not labeled in the image) – The whole part of the boot that covers the foot. It consists of other sections, such as the quarter, vamp, and toe cap
• Vamp – Part pf the upper before the toe cap
• Welt – Material that joins the upper to the sole