Summary
This video explains why the shoe last, the mold that shapes a shoe, is the foundation of fit, feel, function, and silhouette. It shows how machine learning can translate individual dimensions into a custom shoe last in seconds or minutes, compared to traditional custom shoes that take months. It also covers the design challenge: great fit must still translate into a last that looks refined and wearable.
Key Takeaways:
- The shoe last is the foundation of fit, function, silhouette, and a shoe’s personality
- Traditional custom shoes cost $3,000–$10,000 and take 3–12 months because lasts are handmade
- Machine learning can translate individual dimensions into a custom shoe last in seconds or minutes
- Automating this step removes the biggest bottleneck in precision-fit footwear
- Great shoes still require design refinement because a last is not naturally foot-shaped
Transcript
In the industry, there’s a saying: everything starts with the last, because it is the foundation of how a shoe fits, how it feels, how it functions, and its silhouette. Some would argue it is also the foundation of a shoe’s personality or spirit.
This is also what drives custom fit to be so expensive and to take so long, between $3,000 and $10,000, and between 3 and 12 months. Because of technical limitations, this has been a fully handmade process to date.
What we are doing is using machine learning to automate the translation of your dimensions into a last, a custom-fitted last. That means we can bring the timeline down from 12 months to 12 seconds or 12 minutes.
From there, what we found in getting from the dimensions to the last is that it is not actually that simple, because a last is not inherently foot-shaped. If you automatically adapt a mold to raw dimensions, you get something closer to a literal shape, which is not as aesthetically pleasing as the shoes people are most excited to wear every day.
This becomes an intermediate step as we translate shape into the final last, balancing precision fit with design so the shoe both fits and looks right.
This is also what drives custom fit to be so expensive and to take so long, between $3,000 and $10,000, and between 3 and 12 months. Because of technical limitations, this has been a fully handmade process to date.
What we are doing is using machine learning to automate the translation of your dimensions into a last, a custom-fitted last. That means we can bring the timeline down from 12 months to 12 seconds or 12 minutes.
From there, what we found in getting from the dimensions to the last is that it is not actually that simple, because a last is not inherently foot-shaped. If you automatically adapt a mold to raw dimensions, you get something closer to a literal shape, which is not as aesthetically pleasing as the shoes people are most excited to wear every day.
This becomes an intermediate step as we translate shape into the final last, balancing precision fit with design so the shoe both fits and looks right.
The most interesting thing about them being crafted just for me is how well they fit. And I had never even noticed that my shoes didn't fit right. My other shoes don't hurt me - they just slosh around. With these, the heels actually stay on the whole time and it fits snugly yet still comfortably. And I'd never experienced that before. They just stay comfortable all day.
As a runner, as an athlete, just knowing that I'm doing a good service to my body is incredible. It’s the reason that I love my IAMBIC shoes. It's that precision that makes me feel safe to walk down the street, get on the subway, do my commute, bring my kids to school, and not feel concerned that I'm doing it in a shoe that doesn't fit right or that doesn't feel good.
The thing that I was surprised by the most with the precision fit is that any pressure points that I had been feeling with the shoes that I previously came in wearing were completely gone. I was wearing a shoe that wasn’t too tight. It wasn’t too loose. The sole fit just right. Total comfort. That’s the best way to put it.
I deal with chronic foot pain, and a lot of it comes from shoes that do not really fit. When I wear my IAMBICs, I notice less pain and they are incredibly comfortable. I do not worry about support, and I even get compliments on them when I am out, which feels great.
A lot of shoes feel fine for a short walk but not for hours. What I like about IAMBIC is that it feels snug and comfortable, yet substantial enough for long walks without discomfort. That matters to me, and the shoe has really delivered on that.
The first time I tried my IAMBICs, I noticed the difference right away. I have small feet, so most shoes either do not fit or are uncomfortable somewhere. Knowing these were tailored to my foot was meaningful. They are truly comfortable and still versatile in style, which is rare to find.
I think we’re all placed on this earth as unique individuals. None of us are really off the rack in terms of sizing. So for me to have that experience of having something made specifically for me that fit perfectly was something that was a little bit mind blowing. And once I got the shoes, I tried them on, they looked great, they felt great. And honestly, they fit like a glove.
In motorsport, a millimeter matters. My IAMBICs are built with that same precision, and you can feel it when you move. They remind me of the exactness you find in high-performance machines, translated into footwear.
With IAMBIC, I can be on my feet through long shoots without that usual end-of-day fatigue. I do not worry about burning out or feeling drained like I used to. They help me get through overtime and long days without thinking about pain.
They move with me and quickly became part of my day. I do not wear them only for style, I wear them because they make me feel good. The comfort and support are what keep me reaching for them.
With most shoes I am always wishing I had chosen something else. With IAMBIC, I don’t think about switching. I want everything else to feel the way these do, because they are the pair I reach for every day.
When I wear my IAMBICs, I barely notice them, and I think that says everything. The difference shows up when I switch to other high-end sneakers and immediately feel the discomfort. They fit my feet so well that comfort just feels natural.