A last extension for a shoe last provides a pattern defining an origin location. The origin location on the last extension can be used to identify locations or points on a last or a shoe component on a last for control of location-critical manufacturing operations, including decorative and functional operations.

An example customizable shoe last includes a solid portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a moldable material that is selectively solidifiable for footwear manufacture. The customizable shoe last also includes an interchangeable mold cover to enclose the adjustable portion.

A method of method of manufacturing customized inserts for a boot, such as a skate boot, that is at least partially thermoformable includes receiving numerical data corresponding to a tridimensional shape of a wearer’s foot, and manufacturing a medial side insert and a lateral side insert based on the tridimensional shape of the wearer’s foot. The medial side insert and the lateral side insert are shaped to be insertable into the boot with a core that is dimensioned to generally correspond to a foot size of the boot, with a medial internal surface of the medial side insert and a lateral internal surface of the lateral side insert abutting respective outer surfaces of the core.

A shoe last and shoe sole are provided, an underside of the shoe last comprising a forefoot cavity and a heel cavity, the shoe sole comprising a forefoot pad and a heel pad. The forefoot cavity is adapted to receive the forefoot pad. The heel cavity is adapted to receive the heel pad. A method of centering the sole on the shoe last comprises the steps of providing the shoe last and shoe sole; providing a shoe upper; positioning the shoe last in the shoe upper; using the forefoot pad and heel pad, centering the shoe last on the sole such that an upper portion of the upper heel pad nests within the heel cavity and an upper portion of the forward heel pad nests within the forefoot cavity; attaching the shoe upper to the sole; and removing the shoe last from the shoe upper.

A method for locating critical control points on a part or combination of parts during a manufacturing process involves mating, directly or indirectly, a jig extension to the part or parts. A pattern on the jig extension defines an origin point that is used to track the position of the part or parts during manufacturing, such as during location-sensitive operations. The jig extension may be a shoe last extension which connects to a shoe or shoe component via a shoe last.

A method for locating critical control points on a part or combination of parts during a manufacturing process involves mating, directly or indirectly, a jig extension to the part or parts. A pattern on the jig extension defines an origin point that is used to track the position of the part or parts during manufacturing, such as during location-sensitive operations. The jig extension may be a shoe last extension which connects to a shoe or shoe component via a shoe last.

A last matching a user's foot can be provided through a simple configuration. A last for forming a footwear upper configuring an article of footwear comprises: a common portion invariable in shape and position, a movable portion invariable in shape and positionally variable with respect to the common portion, and a position adjustment mechanism that changes a position of the movable portion with respect to the common portion and fixes the movable portion in a predetermined position.

There is provided a user-dedicated last that can be easily manufactured without using large-scale equipment. A last for forming a footwear upper configuring an article of footwear comprises a foot length forming member defining a shape of the last at least in the lengthwise direction of the article of footwear, and a plurality of foot width forming members defining a shape of the last at least in the widthwise direction of the article of footwear and assembled to the foot length forming member.

An example customizable shoe last includes a solid portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a moldable material that is selectively solidifiable for footwear manufacture. The customizable shoe last also includes an interchangeable mold cover to enclose the adjustable portion.

Provided is a last for shaping a shoe upper. The last includes at least an outer peripheral portion including an aggregate of a plurality of blocks, the plurality of blocks being joinable together and separable from each other.