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Can you imagine life without shoes? There are people in some countries of the world who do not wear shoes at all, having toughened their feet since childhood. In our country, we find this hard to imagine, with our paved and gravely roads, hard concrete sidewalks and other hard surfaces. We begin putting shoes on our babies before they can even walk. In fact, many stores, restaurants and other establishments will not allow customers into the store if they are not wearing shoes. In our collective desire and need to wear shoes, we have come up with quite a variety of footwear. Following are just a few.

1. Work shoes. This can mean anything from dress-shoes which are worn with a dress or suit, to loafers to heavy steel-toed protective shoes. There are a wide variety of dress shoes, including men's tassle-toed shoes, women's pumps and flats, and of course, strappy heels. Many people who must wear less than comfortable shoes at work have taken to wearing comfortable walking shoes for transportation, and bringing their work shoes along with them to be put on when they arrive.

2. Some of the shoes people wear to work when bringing their work shoes with them are running or walking shoes, otherwise known as sneakers. Sneakers can be worn for nearly anything: sports, walking, running, tennis, or doing day to day chores such as housecleaning, yard work or shopping. Sneakers are some of the most comfortable shoes made - they protect our feet but are cushioned and even fashionable. Sneakers are made in a plethora of different shapes, sizes, and varieties, from those just for looks to the most high tech marathon shoes. In the end, though, most sneakers are comfortable.

3. Sandals are those wonderful inventions that are the next best thing to being barefoot. They allow us to feel to cool breeze on our feet on hot summer days, but at the same time, they protect the sensitive bottoms of our feet from the hard ground. Sandals became popular in the 60s with the hippie movement, but today they are made in many shapes and forms. From the traditional Birkenstocks to new fangled sports sandals to dressy leather high heeled sandals, they all come from the same original idea of protection while leaving the foot exposed.

4. Hiking boots have always been popular for what they were made for - hiking - but they have also become a fashion statement, with many people wearing them as they would wear sneakers; for every day use. Hiking boots are sturdy, protective, and comfortable, and often they are made with gore-tex to make them waterproof.

5. Warm weather boots are essential for those living in cold, snowy climates. Many boots today are made for warmth as well as water resistant or water proof, to protect our feet from the snow and rain. These are wonderful for winter sports, shoveling snow, or simply getting around during the cold winter. For those living in cold climates, it is difficult to imagine not wearing shoes.