THE PERFORMANCE – THE MULTIPLE WIDTH SYSTEM – THE BASIS OF GOOD FOOTWEAR
We expect shoes to protect our feet in everyday life:
from wetness and cold as well as injuries. Functionally specialised footwear is available for different requirements
(e.g. safety shoes, football boots). Regardless of material and workmanship, the greatest mechanical and health damage to our feet
is caused by shoes that:
• are too short, too long, too wide, or too narrow.
This lack of accuracy of fit leads to damage to the forefoot, which can extend to damage to the entire musculoskeletal system (especially the knees and hips). If the shoes are too small and too narrow, this can lead to decompression of the forefoot. If the shoes are too wide and too long,
there is usually a danger of falling and twisting.
• Do not conform to the natural shape of the feet.
(i.e. they are too pointed, do not have an asymmetrical shape, are not proportionally distributed in the forefoot and rear of the foot, and do not ensure that the bending areas of the foot and shoe match).
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF A LAST FOR A FITTING SHOE:
• Optimal guidance and position of the heel (the knee and spine are relieved).
• Slim joint (longitudinal arch) prevents the foot from buckling and offers more support in the shoe.
• Längere und asymmetrische Vorfußproportionen lassen die Groß-
zehe frei arbeiten und verhindern eine Stauchung im Vorfuß.
• 4–5 last widths are a basic requirement to achieve optimum fitting accuracy.