Well pointed out Kevin,

In Australia, the term "last" appears interchangeable when describing either
the upper OR the midsole/outsole complex. Needless to say this often leads
to confusion, particularly when trying to explain footwear solutions to
patients and shoe retailers.

My proposal might be the use of the prefix "sole", or "upper" -last when
discussing this topic?

Unless other countries have found a way to avoid confusion when discussing
this area, better terminology is definitely needed.

Does history have a solution Cameron?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
ANTHONY SHORT
Podiatrist
Queensland Diabetes Centre at the Mater

Private Practice:
Taylor Medical Centre
Suite 8, 40 Annerley Road
Woolloongabba QLD  4102
AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 7 3391 3900
Fax: +61 7 3844 7100
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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> Shoe terminology can be a problem.  When we talk about a shoe last, what
are
> we talking about?  Are we talking about the three dimensional form about
> which the upper of the shoe is made around?  Are we looking at the plantar
> aspect of the sole of the shoe and seeing that there is a relatively
straight
> medial border of the sole (i.e. a straight last) versus a relatively
curved
> medial border of the sole (i.e. curved last)?
>
> It seems to me that in my research on the manufacture of athletic shoes
that
> the word "last" is used somewhat loosely to describe both upper and sole
> shape of the shoe when, in fact, it should only be used to describe the
three
> dimensional form about which the upper of the shoe is made around.  Nike
has
> probably had the most extremes in shoe sole shape and composition over the
> past twenty years with their human experimentation of unusual shoe designs
> which, in my opinion, has led to numerous injuries in runners, but good
> business for sports podiatrists.
>
> >From a mechanical analysis standpoint, a curved last shoe should be best
at
> exerting a subtalar joint (STJ) supination moment more than a straight
last
> shoe, if we are talking only about upper shape.  However, if we are
talking
> only about shoe sole shape, a relatively straight medial border (i.e. a
> straight last) would be best at exerting a STJ supination moment on the
foot,
> thus counterbalancing excessive STJ pronation moments.
>
> Therefore, let's all make sure we are all talking about the same thing
before
> we get too far along in this discussion.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Kevin
>
> ***************************************************************
> Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
> Assistant Professor of Biomechanics
> California College of Podiatric Medicine
>
> Private office:
> 2626 "N" Street
> Sacramento, CA  95816   USA
>
> Voice:  (916) 456-4768    Fax:  (916) 451-6014
> ***************************************************************
>



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