IEEE White Paper : Footwear Last Definitions:2025

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Footwear lasts are critical to the fabrication of footwear, but knowledge regarding details of footwear lasts is limited. There are many drivers for the shape and geometry of footwear lasts. These range from the type of footwear, its use, design rules of thumb for footwear type, manufacturing method, material used for footwear fabrication, and shape of the design foot (usually by a foot fit model or synthetic foot model). The focus of this paper is on the shape and geometry of the last. The paper is divided into four sections: Role of the Last in Footwear Fit, Last Information, Last Features, and Last Measurement Definitions. In all cases, information and definitions will cover both digital and physical lasts. Defining last measurements and definitions allows for communication between brands and producers and for finding a common language between last manufacturers.