Last secrets

A shoe last is the technical basis for every type of footwear. Its creation involves utilising a combination of traditional craftsmanship, modern expertise, creative skills, and cutting-edge technologies.

This book sheds light on the role of shoe lasts, presents the empirical knowledge of last designers, and highlights the key points that shoe companies must measure and check in order to minimise the risks related to lasts and ensure that they provide their customers with the right footwear for their needs.

It also takes a step-by-step look at shoe lasts, from their physical and geometric design to their manufacture, explores sizing systems, and compares the mean foot dimensions of the populations of France and China.

A publication of CTC, a French research centre recognised for its expertise throughout the global footwear industry.