A shoe upper preforming apparatus includes a clamp for gripping the forepart of a fully closed upper to be preformed, a backpart mould, and a forepart mould. Actuators are provided for first moving the backpart mould along an arcuate path into a moulding position within the upper and thereafter moving the forepart mould into the moulding position. The movement of the forepart mould comprises bodily movement having components both upwards and forwards relative to the shoe upper and rotary movement, the bodily movement being effected initially with the toe end of the forepart mould raised, and the rotary movement causing the toe end to move downwardly as the forepart mould is brought to its final moulding position. When the moulds are in the moulding position they interfit to define a moulding surface corresponding to the whole of the upper, which surface may be in the shape of the last or a development of the shape of the last. The backpart mould may be cooled and the forepart mould may be heated or cooled according to the type of material to be formed. A gauge is provided for determining the height of the heel of the upper relative to the backpart mould when the backpart mould is moved to its moulding position, and a female back former is provided for assisting in the forming of the backpart of the upper. A wiper mechanism is included for wiping the lasting margin of the backpart of the upper beneath the backpart mould. The clamp can be formed in two halves which can be pivoted apart for accommodating different sizes of mould, which may therefore be removable from the machine, and power means may be provided for effecting the pivoting of the two clamp halves so that the upper can be loaded into the clamp in a relatively flat condition and then the clamp halves pivoted towards each other in preparation for the moulding operation.