News
Let’s Talk Lasts!
Lasts are the foundation of every boot we make.
“A last is the solid foot-shaped mould over which the finished upper of any boot or shoe is shaped during the manufacturing process.”
In the Dedito boot-making process, the lasts we use aren’t just a mould — they are the foundation of every boot we make. Comfort, fit and structure all begin here. The length, width and arch height of all our boot models are defined by the bespoke lasts, specially created for our factory in Italy.
‘Lasting’ is one of the most critical stages of boot making. Once the leather upper has been cut and stitched, the skilled team carefully stretches it over the last. Working from the toe and heel, the leather is shaped and pulled evenly into place, with the last giving the boot its structure and strength.
Using a blend of generations-old expertise, controlled heat and modern, top-of-the-range machinery, the uppers are then stretched, shaped and secured to the supportive shank of the boot. From there, the boots continue their journey through skilled hands, as the rand and sole are applied — and only when the production process is nearly finished is the last finally removed.
Originally lasts would have been carved entirely by hand from hardwoods, with skilled cobblers using their trained eye and touch to replicate the intricacies of the human foot.
Today, boot lasts are typically made from high-density plastic, which offers exceptional durability and allows for hinged styles, making them easier to remove from the finished boots — all the while preserving the precision and consistency needed to create boots built for a life outdoors.