| Sandals | An open toed or heeled shoe typically worn in warmer climates. The sandal comes in many different varieties and styles. |
| Scotch grain | The embossing of leather to create a pebbled look. |
| Shaft Height | The measurement of the area of a boot from the middle of the arch inside of the boot to the top of the boot shaft. |
| Shank | The portion of the sole between the heel and ball that is sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the wearer. |
| Shoe Horn | A shoe horn is a tool that allows the user to put on a shoe more easily. It does so by keeping the shoe open and by providing a smooth surface for the foot and particularly the heel to move, without crushing the shoe's counter (the vertical portion of the shoe that wraps around the back of the foot), in this way acting as a first class lever. |
| Shoe Inserts | Shoe inserts are foam, gel or rubber inserts that when placed on top of the insole provides support and comfort for the foot. |
| Shoe laces | Straps used for tying a shoe. The laces are crisscrossed and then strung into eyelets helping them to stay into place. |
| Shoe Size | The measurement of ones foot which denotes the size of shoe a person would wear. Shoe sizes are recognized in whole and half numbers (i.e. 9, 10, 6.5). |
| Shoelaces | Strings of material that loop into eyeholes to increase or decrease the width of the shoe. Shoelaces also enable a shoe to stay on one's feet. |
Shoetree | A shoetree is a wooden, plastic or metal block that when placed inside of a shoe maintains its shape after daily wear | | Shox | Urethane pillars found between the TPU plates in Nike shoes that provide cushion when they compress. |
| Ski Boots | Ski boots are made specifically for skiing, as they are the only way for skis to attach to your feet.. |
| SL-1 | A straight last used in many New Balance running shoes. The shoes are constructed for people with typical forefoot and toe box measurements but provide a snugger fit throughout the instep and heel areas. |
| SL-2 | The New Balance straight running last for an high arched foot. The last provides ample room in the toe area and forefoot to prevent bruising. and a slightly wider forefoot. It is meant to accommodate orthotic insoles, making for a unique design with a superior fit. |
| Slide | A flat or heeled shoe, both open toed and heeled, with a band stretched across the toes so that they can be worn. |
| Slingback | A shoe held to the foot due to an elastic or buckled strap that fits just behind one's ankle. |
| Slip Lasted | In shoe construction, the shoe upper is pulled over the last and then attached to the midsole. The resulting shoe is lighter and good for those with rigid feet who need more motion. |
| Slip on | A simple design of shoes in which the foot can be slid into the shoe without any other adjustments or ties. |
| Slip Resisting | Carolina brand soles specifically designed and constructed so that the wearer will not slip on surfaces. |
| Slipper | A typically indoor shoe with or without a heel support. The slipper is usually low to the ground and can be put on very easily. |
| Sneaker | An athletic shoe usually made of canvas with a rubber outsole meant for its comfort, durability and its resistance to making excessive noise when walking. |
| Socks | A sock is a woven or knitted clothing item specifically worn on the foot. |
| Sock liner | Another word for the insole, which lines the inside of a shoe. The sock liner or insole is where a foot rests inside of a shoe. |
| Softlon | A soft Nike material made of rubber polymer used in some shoes to enhance cushioning. |
| Sole | The bottom portion of a shoe excluding the heel that has direct contact with the ground. |
| Sole leather | A heavy leather used to make the bottom portion of a shoe or sole. |
| Speva Midsole Material | Asics brand high-quality midsole material constructed to improve bounce-back characteristics and decrease midsole breakdown. |
| Spikes | Spikes are metal pyramid shaped inserts that when placed into the sole of the shoe provide additional traction for the sport for which they were specifically made. |
| Stability Cradle | An Asics shoe construction that cradles both the heel and midfoot area to provide additional stability. |
| Stability shoe | A shoe that is specifically designed to control and neutralize the stride of a runner with an unstable gait cycle. |
| Stability Web | A lightweight plastic positioned under the arch in some New Balance shoes for torsion and flexion control while maintaining flexibility in the forefoot. |
| Steel Toe | An industrial-style of Carolina brand footwear with a steel construction in the toe necessary to prevent injury in the workplace. This footwear meets or exceeds the standards for compression and impact testing rating of I-75/C-75. |
| Stilettos | High heeled women's shoes distinguishable by their very high thin heel. |
| Stim-Pac | An air-filled, two-chambered bladder positioned under the Strobel board which transfers air from front to rear and back within some Reebok brand footwear. |
| Storm-FIT | A two or three layer Nike Gore-Tex laminate construction which provides the wearer with a waterproof, windproof and breathable piece of fabric. Ultra fine micro fibers release perspiration while shielding the foot from the elements. |
| Strobel Lasted | New Balance shoes that have a thin material, similar to a sock liner, stitched within the inside of the shoe to provide stability and flexibility. |
| Suede | Leather material with a soft napped surface. |
| Supination | The movement in the gait cycle denoted by the outward rolling of the foot just before the foot leaves the ground. |
| Support | The ability a shoe has to stabilize and cushion one's foot during everyday use. |
