Why Consistent Footwear Fit Is a Safety Issue, Not a Comfort One

How biomechanics and tactile sensing are revolutionizing footwear production

When footwear testing specialist Heeluxe were looking to change the way shoe fit is measured, they turned to tactile sensing pioneer PPS. Initially, the search was for high precision sensors to help improve shoe fitting, but it has since evolved into a six-year partnership that produced SmartLast, a world-first precision measurement system that replicates and quantifies human shoe-fit perception.

Founder Dr Geoffrey Gray had one simple goal for this technology: make shoe comfort measurable in a way that genuinely reflects how people feel in their shoes.

“We’ve always believed that comfort shouldn’t be guesswork,” Gray explains. “If someone can feel tightness, slipping or pressure, then we should be able to measure it. The challenge is building the right tools and making them work at scale.”

That belief led Heeluxe to explore tactile sensing technology and ultimately connect with PPS. What started as a search for high-precision sensors to support human fit testing soon grew into a long-term development partnership. Together, the companies created SmartLast – the world’s first automated system that can replicate and quantify true human shoe-fit perception.

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