Quote:
Originally Posted by
dijor 
What does he mean with feet length and the nominal last?
Foot length is not last length.
To walk properly you need empty space (allowance) in front of the toes, How much allowance is correct is a matter of never-ending quarrels. It depends an toe shape, preference, fashion, school of last/shoemaking etc. The shoe size refers to the length of the last (not the foot).
An English "size" is 1/3 " (8,5 mm). 1 !/2 sizes (1/2" or 13 mm) is probably the the absolute minimum required to prevent your toes hitting the front of the shoe every time you take a step.