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Do you ever wonder how much height do shoes add? For some people choosing the right pair of shoes can be much more challenging than just selecting the best ones for one specific occasion or outfit. It could also mean that someone wants to be a few inches taller than they are.
It always has been more acceptable for women to add height by choosing shoes with significant heels than men, but times are changing, and these days many men buy shoes that can make them taller.
I have worked as footwear manager and store manager of shoe stores, and I had customers asking for shoes that could make them taller from time to time.
If you want to be seen as taller than you are but have no idea where to start, keep reading as I will answer the question: how much height do shoes add? So you can decide which shoe styles and brands are the best for your needs.
How Much Height Do Shoes Add?
Shoes can add between 0.1 inches to over 5 inches to your height, depending on multiple factors, like the shoe style or the brand of the shoe.
For example, a ballet flat can barely add any length to your height since they are very thin, but a high heel dress shoe can add over 5 inches. A pair of boots can add 1, 2, or 3 inches to your height depending on the brand you buy, since some brands like to make their shoes with thicker soles to protect your feet.
Read: Do Adidas Run Big Or Small?
If you want to know how taller you can become with a pair of shoes, keep reading because, in this article, I will show you how much some shoe styles and brands can add to your height when you wear them.
What Can Influence The Shoe Weight?
The height added by the shoes you wear depends on a few factors. It depends on the shoe style, the heels, the midsole, and the outsole. That’s why when you wear a running shoe, a boot, or a dress shoe, you can have a different length.
Shoe Style
The shoe style has a significant impact on how much height do shoes add. For example, the extent of a boot and a flip-flop are entirely different, which can influence how tall you look.
Boots can add more height than a pair of sneakers since they usually have thicker soles and a different grip to provide better traction. They also have better cushioning than an average pair of sneakers, which adds more materials and extent. But even inside boots, you can have different heights since a couple of casual boots offer less altitude than a pair of hiking boots. Work boots can be thicker than any boots if they add a lot of materials for protection: different boot types, different heights.
The same happens with a pair of running shoes that can add more altitude to your height. This is because they usually have a thicker insole, midsole, and outsole to boost the cushioning and protect your knees, feet, and joints. However, running shoes don’t add as much height as a pair of basketball shoes.
Dress shoes tend to be a little flatter (at least for men, because for women is the opposite) than the previous ones mentioned, but some of them can add more height depending on the heels. You can even find some platform dress shoes, which can add a considerable size, making you a lot taller. So be careful if you don’t want to make a statement about you wearing shoes that make you taller.
Read: How Much Do Shoes Weigh?
Flat shoes barely have a mid/outsole, but they still add something as half an inch (1.27 centimeters) to your height. Usually, monks, slip-ons, loafers, moccasins, and ballet flats are part of this group that hardly add any extent to your height. Tall people are sometimes very conscious about how tall they are, so sometimes they prefer these shoe styles, not adding more altitude.
When it comes to beach apparel like sandals and flip-flops, it really depends on which brand and style you are buying since some of them can have thicker soles or heels (in sandals case) that can make a difference on how tall you look. For example, some flip-flops have a very thick sole, and some have a very thin one.
Shoe Heel
Heels always have been associated with women’s footwear. A pair of heeled dress shoes can make women taller since some of them can add up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters), which can sound crazy when someone sees you out of them.
When wearing heels, your feet rotate around the back of the ankles, which places the ankles a lot more horizontally than vertically, making you look taller.
Shoe Midsole & Outsole
Midsoles and outsoles can also influence how much height do shoes add to you.
Midsoles are designed to provide shock absorption and cushioning, so running shoes, hiking boots, or other shoes for sports activities can have different midsoles. Some will have a thicker one because you need more protection when it comes to shock absorption, and some a thin one since you have less impact between your feet and the sole.
The outsole can influence how tall you look according to the grip of the shoe. Rubber soles are usually shortened and ground to ensure they fit the surface, but that doesn’t mean they are thin. For example, they are much thicker than leather soles. Lug soles are even chunkier than rubber soles. As you can see, different outsoles can influence your height too.
How Much Taller Do Shoes Make You? (By Shoe Style)
Some shoe styles have several designs that can influence how tall you look, with different soles and grips.
How Much Taller Do Dress Shoes Make You?
When it comes to men’s dress shoes, it can add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) depending on the heel. Women’s dress shoes can add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) depending on the size of the heels.
Dress shoes are different for men and women since the style and the heels are different. Some men’s dress shoes are pretty flat, and some are elevated in the heel area, so you can look taller that way.
How Much Height Do Heels Add?
Depending on the size of the heel, they can add: Low Heels – 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 2 inches (5.08 centimeters), Mid Heels – 2 inches to 3 inches (7.62 centimeters), or High Heels – Anything above 3 inches (7.62 centimeters).
Usually, high heels and stilettos are the ones that can add more length to your shoes and height. However, sometimes celebrities exaggerate and wear heels above the 5 inches mark, making them much taller but also uncomfortable?
How Much Height Do Boots Add?
Boots can add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 2.5 inches (6.35 centimeters) depending on the boot style you wear.
Boots really depend on the brand and occasion. For example, Timberland boots can add more or less height than Dr. Martend, depending on the style you choose.
How Much Taller Do Basketball Shoes Make You?
Basketball shoes can add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) to your height when you wear them.
When playing basketball, a few inches can make a difference in your height, influencing your game.
The extra altitude is due to the thick soles that absorb any impact when you jump or run. These soles usually provide cushioning to protect your knees, feet, and joints, and that’s why they make you taller.
Also, in basketball, your height can be an advantage when dunking or blocking someone. Every inch can help you get over an adversary trying to block the net.
How Much Taller Do Shoes Make You? (By Shoe Brand)
Some shoe brands have several styles that can influence how tall you look, with different soles and grips.
How Much Height Do Vans Add?
Vans shoes can add 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) to 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to your height, depending on the Vans style you wear.
Vans are skate shoes which in general, are flat. The soles of Vans shoes often make you think they are thicker than they really are. This is not the best option if you are looking to add some height.
Read: Do Vans Run Big Or Small?
Vans don’t have a lot of height because you want a sensitive touch to the board for better control and feel when skateboarding. This way you can avoid some accidents.
How Much Height Do Converses Add?
Converse shoes can add 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) to 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) to your height, depending on the Converse style you wear.
Converse is another skate brand, but differently from Vans, they have some styles that can add more inches to your height. Usually, the rubber outsole of a Converse shoe can add between 0.5 to 1 inch to your size. In addition, the classic versions have a thinner sole when compared with the “Lift” collection.
However, the Converse platforms can add almost 1.5 inches to your stature. The platform is thicker and made from a crisp white, which you can consider an extension of the traditional Converse sole.
How Much Height Do Timberlands Add?
Timberland shoes can add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) to your height, depending on if you choose a boot style or not.
Timberland boots have much thicker soles with more grip on them than Timberland shoes, so they make you taller. Some boots can add around 2 inches to your height. I did measure myself and gained almost 1 inch more with my Timberland boots compared with my Timberland shoes.
Read: Do Timberland Run Big Or Small?
Different Timberland boots can add different heights since some have a thicker sole and sturdy construction, providing a noticeable boost to your stature. In addition, some boots offer more grip, so the outsole is thicker too.
How Much Height Do Crocs Add?
Crocs can add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to 2.5 inches (6.35 centimeters) to your height, depending on the Crocs style you wear.
The everyday Crocs style can add around 1 inch to your height, but the Crocs Platforms can add 2.5 inches. This last one has a thicker sole, and you can see the difference straight away between them.
Balenciaga and Crocs had a collaboration in the past where they manufactured shoes with 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) of height. We are speaking about very thick soles that can influence your stature a lot.
How Much Height Doc Martens Add?
Doc Martens can add 1.3 inches (3.3 centimeters) to 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) to your height, depending on the style you wear.
Read: Do Doc Martens Run Big Or Small?
Dr. Martens is one of the brands with the most thicker soles I have seen for almost every style. You will always have your height improved with this brand. I could tell the difference in my height even with the thinner sole (still thick compared to other boots).
Dr. Martens also have platform boots that can add 2 inches to your height. It’s a great way of looking taller without making a statement about it.
Common Questions About How Much Height Do Shoes Add
These are some of the most common questions about how much height do shoes add.
How Much Taller Do Nike Air Max 97 Make You?
The Nike Air Max 97 can add around 1.6 inches (4.06 centimeters), influencing your height.
How Much Height Do Air Force 1 Add?
The Nike Air Force 1 can add around 1.2 inches (3.04 centimeters) to your height.
Read: Slides vs Flip Flops
How Much Taller Do Air Max 95 Make You?
The Nike Air Max 95 can add around 1.3 inches (3.30 centimeters) to your height.
How Much Taller Do High Heels Make You?
High heels can make you 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) taller. Don’t be surprised to find some high heels with over 5 inches of heel.
Conclusion About How Much Taller Do Shoes Make You
How much height do shoes add? It all depends on the style of the shoe, the heels, the mid/outsole, and the brand you are wearing. Certain brands and shoe styles will add more length to your height and others less.
If you want to increase height, you may consider shoes with thicker mid and outsoles or heels. On the other hand, if you want to avoid any extra height, you can go for flat shoes like moccasins, loafers, or even some beach shoes like flip-flops.
