Every great shoe starts with a great last. It’s the foundation of a shoe’s fit, comfort, and silhouette. If a last isn’t right, the shoe will never be right—no matter how good the materials or craftsmanship. That’s why we didn’t settle for anything less than perfection when developing our own Lennertson last.

The Search for the Right Last

Back in 2019, we spent a full year working with a last factory to develop the perfect shape. But something was always off. The fit felt generic. The proportions weren’t quite right. The comfort level wasn’t there. Co-founder Robin Carlo explains:
“I have incredibly sensitive feet, if a last works for me, it'll work for a whole lot of people. So the balance of volume, proportionality, and support needed to be just right—both stylistically and ergonomically.”
Many manufacturers aim for symmetrical lasts to simplify production, but feet aren’t symmetrical, and we weren’t willing to compromise.

Meeting Michael, the Master Lastmaker

That’s when we met Michael James at Springline in Northampton, England—the last remaining last-making company in the UK. We explained our struggles. His response? A confident and reassuring:
“Don’t worry, I’ll make you a good last.” (Try and read that with the most charming british accent).
Michael started at Springline over 36 years ago through a youth training program. He didn’t even know what a last was at the time—but through decades of experience, he became a true master of his craft. And he was exactly who we needed.

First time meeting Michael in his workshop in Northampton, England.

Getting It Just Right

Michael’s typical process? One, maybe two iterations of a last before getting it right. With us? It took five. Not because he didn’t know what he was doing—on the contrary. It was because we are obsessively particular. We weren’t just looking for a good last; we wanted the last.
If we were fine with an off-the-shelf last, we’d be fine with an off-the-shelf shoe. But that’s not what Lennertson is about.
Michael was patient, skilled, and incredibly accommodating. The result? A last that perfectly balances aesthetics and comfort. A last so integral to our brand and style that we named it after him: The Michael.

Precision in Every Millimeter

Shoe lasts aren’t just about shape; they’re about precision. Just half a millimeter in adjustment can completely alter the look of a shoe. That’s why the initial master last is still handcrafted from a solid block of wood by experts like Michael.
From there, an old but ingenious machine copies the wooden master into production sizes, shaping them from high-density plastic. This material allows the lasts to be used repeatedly without degrading—unlike wood, which wears out after too many nail holes. And when a plastic last reaches the end of its life? It’s melted down and turned into a new one, making the process fully recyclable.

The Anatomy of Our Last

Our Michael last features:

– A rounded toe box with a visual hint of angularity; for a timeless, versatile look.
– A slightly increased width for better comfort.
– Medium arch support to suit a wide range of feet.

The result? A last that our customers consistently praise for both its aesthetic and its unmatched comfort.

A Last That Travels

While we rely on video calls and digital scans for some adjustments, there’s nothing like working in person. Fortunately, Northampton is just a train ride away from Belgium—here's a quick lesson in geography: we're closer to Northampton than Scotland is! We have even made round trips in a single day, spending hours tweaking our last alongside Michael in the design room. (in between spending hours on the train)

Quick geography lesson: We're closer to Northampton than Scotland! A combination of local trains, the Eurostar, and dear Michael picking us up at the station makes the trip a breeze.  

Visiting Michael most recently for some detailed work.

The Foundation of Every Lennertson Shoe

We believe a great shoe starts with a great last. That’s why we spent years perfecting ours. When you step into a pair of Lennertsons, you’re stepping into something crafted with obsessive attention to detail—from the inside out.

Ready to step into a pair?