A small, slim pointed nail used to attach soles, uppers and middle soles. The point is flattened against the iron plate on the underside of the last, so as to form a riveted attachment. Tack are also used to attach some heels to the soles .
Many retail companies now insist on guaranteeing that there are no tacks or nails in their footwear, and Delahay have a neat little conveyor tack detector so that all production can be checked before dispatch.