Hello again, fellow shoe lovers. Shoe talk is getting exciting, isn't it? In the last lesson, you learned about the shoe lift, injection-molded construction, cordovan leather and Minktex lining. Today, the shoe encyclopedia offers four more interesting terms. You'll learn about crepe rubber, the Brannock device, the shoe counter, as well as shoe dressing. For a little extra fun, try guessing what the terms mean before continuing on with the lesson. Test your guessing skills against the meanings to see how close you were.

Crepe Rubber
Sorry to ruin your taste buds, but this is not the type of crepe you'll be seeing at the breakfast table. I don't recommend tasting this one at all, but wearing it is perfectly fine. Crepe rubber is a type of rubber used in shoe soles. It has a crinkled texture and is a crude, natural rubber. Many different shoe styles for both women and men can contain soles made from crepe rubber.

Brannock Device
In order to ensure accurate sizing and fit of shoes, it is a good idea to measure each foot properly. The Brannock device can help with that. It measures both the length and width of the foot to determine appropriate sizing. The Brannock device can be found in the fitting area of many shoe stores.

Counter
In order for the heel to retain its shape, it must have all the right layers. One of those layers is the counter. It is a stiff material located between the lining and the upper inside of the heel. Due to its stiffness, the counter can play an important role in retaining the shape of the heel in a shoe.

Dressing
Ranch or Italian? Well, actually, neither. When talking shoes, dressing is the process of applying gloss or finish to the outside of the shoe. Without gloss or finish, shoes can wear out more rapidly. A protective coating or dressing is a good feature for a pair of shoes. Many shoes have some type of dressing on them. Women's and men's boots, dress shoes, casuals and more can all have dressing, including children's styles.