Walking Shoe Guide: Shoe Construction

What They Mean by Boards and Lasts

Remove the insole of the shoe and you can find out many things about its construction.
Slip lasted shoes: A sewn seam runs the length of the shoe. Most flexible. Less stable. Good construction for feet with high arches.
Board lasted shoes: A cardboard board runs the length of the shoe. Very stable. Less flexible. Good construction for flatter feet.
Combination lasted shoes: Cardboard in the rear half, and a seam up the front half. More flexible than board lasted shoes, and more stable than slip lasted shoes.

Outer Sole

Carbon rubber is very durable, but is heavy and not very flexible. A blown rubber outsole is lightweight, but not very durable.

Shoe Last

Look at the bottom of the shoe to see which last the shoe was formed on.
Curved last: A thin strip connects the heel and ball of the foot. Makes the shoe light and flexible and is intended for people with a high arch.
Semi-curved last: is more flexible than the straight last, yet more stable than the curved last. It has a wider strip connecting the heel and ball of the foot. It is intended for people with normal arches.
Straight last: are the least flexible and the most stable. They are intended for people with flat feet.

Wet Test: To tell what type of foot you have, dunk your foot in water and then place it on a surface that will leave an imprint of your foot. If the ball and heel of your foot are not joined or are joined by a narrow band, then you have a high arched foot. If they are joined by a wide band, then you have a normal foot. If they are joined by a really wide band and have little flair where the arch should be, then you have a flat foot.

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Based on article contributed by Paul Adams, 3/97.