product description

David Baggeroer, a student at Stanford University, created a running shoe concept that has a real chance for innovation on the sports shoe market.

Over 17 billion pairs of shoes are consumed annually. Most of these shoes ultimately end up in the world’s rapidly expanding landfills, leaching toxic chemicals. The LAST running shoe concept puts an end to environmentally harmful cradle-to-grave athletic shoe manufacturing. The LAST Shoe Company makes reduction, reuse and recycling possible with its unique modular product design and innovative business model.

Each LAST shoe is a simple assembly comprised of all-natural, biodegradable components. While most running shoes are discarded a few months after its weakest component, the mid-sole, loses its cushioning, LAST running shoes enable easy replacement of all its components.

The LAST business model encourages a long-term relationship with its runners through its interactive website which helps track runner mileage and recommended component replacement. LAST provides a service to its runners: lifetime access to personalized performance running shoes with minimal impact on their running environment.

LAST views its product materials as valuable capital assets to be taken back and reused in subsequent shoes. The modular design of LAST shoes enables simple assembly and disassembly while eliminating the use of toxic adhesives. Interchangeable parts enable customized sizing while reducing production volume.

The LAST shoe concept is both an innovative product model and business model working together to create positive environmental change. The modular shoe approach allows for some unique opportunities in sports design, including on-going biomechanical customization, aesthetic personalization and the potential to positively change fitness habits.