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The word ‘last’ has a particular definition in shoemaking. It describes the mould or pattern from which the
shoe takes its form during the manufacturing process.
The most important part of a pedal stroke is how soon
you can get behind and over the pedal axle just after
top dead centre. To do this you need to drop your heel
just after top dead centre. The degree of heel drop will
vary from rider to rider and is more important at the
lower rpm, higher torque pedalling style dictated by
climbing
where there is less momentum to carry the
rider’s legs through the ‘dead spot’. Shoe last shape is
important to this.
Some years ago, some brands of shoes had a lot of ‘heel
lift’ which meant that the rider had to drop their heels
more, just after top dead centre, because the high heel
lift shoe last induced a higher starting point for the
heel. The great majority of manufacturers have
substantially reduced the heel lift in their shoe lasts,
though none of the major manufacturers have dispensed
with heel lift completely. For the majority of riders, a
low heel lift last is preferable.
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