Shoe Construction

Important aspects of shoe design include the last of the shoe and how the shoe is lasted. The last is the mold or form on which the shoes are built with the more common shapes being straight and curved. The last is usually designed to reflect the shape of the foot. However, as we all know, no two pair of feet are identical. In fact, each foot is slightly different, unique like our fingerprints. Shoe manufactures construct shoes over a model called a last, which resembles a generic foot. Actually, this last represents the shoe designer's idea of what the average foot is shaped like. Therefore even if you know your shoe size, if you are trying a new model it is a good idea to try both shoes on prior to purchasing them.