Abstract: A last for use in the manufacture of shoes has a main body portion and a separate heel part which is slidably mounted on the body portion and can be completely removed therefrom within a shoe to facilitate the removal of this shoe from the body portion of the last. Likewise the positioning of an upper or shoe on the last may be effected by inserting the separated heel part in the upper or shoe, arranging this about the body portion and sliding the heel part onto the body portion. The heel part and body portion may be formed one with a rib and the other with a groove, the rib and groove being formed with inter engaging portions. A latch is provided for locking the heel part in its operative position on the body portion and a post on which the last may be mounted may include means for releasing the latch to enable the heel part to be slid off the body portion.