sabates

Sabates is the Catalan word for shoes, referring to items of footwear worn to protect, support, and adorn the feet. The term covers a broad range of styles, from everyday casual shoes to formal wear and specialized footwear. In Catalan-speaking regions, sabates is used for most varieties of footwear, while specific types may have their own traditional or regional names.

Historically, humans have worn protective footwear for thousands of years, using materials such as leather, canvas, wood, and later rubber. In Europe, footwear evolved from simple protective coverings in antiquity to more varied designs in the Middle Ages, and then to mass-produced shoes in the 19th and 20th centuries. The development of new materials, manufacturing techniques, and consumer markets led to a wide range of options in modern times, including athletic shoes and high-performance footwear.

Common types of sabates include casual everyday shoes, formal dress shoes, boots, sandals, athletic or sports shoes, and slippers. Design features vary by purpose, including different uppers (leather, textile, synthetic), closures (laces, buckles, Velcro), and sole materials (rubber, EVA, polyurethane). Modern shoemaking combines pattern development, cutting, lasting, and sole attachment, often with automation alongside traditional handcraft methods.

Care and maintenance are important for longevity. Leather sabates may require cleaning, conditioning, and waterproofing, while fabric and synthetic shoes benefit from regular cleaning and proper drying. Proper storage, rotation, and timely replacement when worn out help extend usefulness and comfort.

See also: footwear, shoe industry, Catalan language.