Reading a shoe material label, part by part
Upper, lining and sock, outersole: how the FTC Guides define each part.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change our guidance. Affiliate Disclosure
Three parts
For footwear, the Guides treat three parts separately: "the upper, the lining and sock, and the outersole."
The upper
The Guides say "The upper is the outer face of the structural element which is attached to the outersole."
The lining and sock
The Guides say "the lining and sock are the lining of the upper and the insole, constituting the inside of the footwear article."
The outersole
The Guides say "the outersole is the bottom part of the footwear article subjected to abrasive wear and attached to the upper."
Where disclosures go
The Guides say disclosures "should appear in the form of a stamping on the product, or on a tag, label, or card attached to the product." The Guides say it is sufficient to disclose non-leather materials in each part "according to predominance of materials," for example "Upper of manmade materials and leather."
Whose words these are
Material words on a shoe are the maker's label, not ours. We never say any shoe is leather.
This is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Sources: eCFR, 16 CFR Part 24, Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products.
FAQ
General information only, not medical advice. Material labels are the maker's: check the label for each part of the shoe. Fit varies by maker and by person, so check the maker's size chart and the return policy. If you have foot pain or a foot or health condition, talk to your doctor or a podiatrist.
Next: FTC leather guides
16 CFR Part 24, part by part.
