Three Types of Lasts

Straight: The arch area is filled in for increased stability. People with flat feet and heavy heal strikers do well in shoes built on a straight last.

Semi-curved: This last has a gentle arc from front to back. Shoes built on a semi-curved last are considered best for the "normal" foot.

Curved: As the name implies, the arc is greater than in the semi-curved last. It is designed for the high arch foot that under-pronates. These shoes have a wider lateral aspect to provide stability.

How a shoe is lasted is the way the upper of the shoe is attached to the sole. Removing the insole will often reveal the type of lasting used in the construction of a shoe.

For more information about New Balance shoe lasts, click here.