Learn How Much Height Do Shoes Add? [Each Style]

The shoes can add height from 0.5 to 3 inches, depending on the shoe style and its sole thickness.

Height is something which you can make up for by wearing shoes. Have you ever wondered how much height do shoes really add? I’m sure that most of us, especially those into fashion, have searched around to get the correct answer. Women generally wear heels or pumps to add height and make them taller. However, both men and women are also interested in other comfortable footwear such as sneakers or sandals and are concerned about how much height they could add.

How Much Height Do Shoes Add?

High heels usually add 2-3 inches of extra height. But it is not necessarily true for all shoes since different shoes can add additional gains in height. The height added by the shoes also depends on the design of the outsole and the type of footwear. Flat-sole casual sneakers could add a maximum half-inch. On the other hand, thick-soled shoes like hiking boots, work boots, and running shoes add 1 to 1.5 inches of extra height. Additionally, dress shoes can add at least an inch in height.

Also Read: Do shoes with anle straps shorten legs

How Do Heels Add Height?

The height that the heel shoes will add to your posture depends on its platform. If the heel has no platform, the actual height the heel would add will be less than the heel height.

Some women believe 4″ heels would only give them about 2.5″ of height unless they are platform heels. Also, note that it’s not only the heel height that makes you taller. The thickness of the sole of heel shoes also plays a role.

For instance, if you’re wearing 5-inch heels with no platform, then the increase in your height will be around 3 inches. If that heel has a platform of about 2 inches, then the increase in height will be 4 inches.

The science behind this is that the pivot point of your foot is not at the extreme end of your heel. The hinge of the foot is located at a distance of 1/3^rd of the foot length from the extreme end of your rearfoot. So, that’s simple high-school maths which shows that the actual increase in your height will be less.

I’ve explained this concept in the picture below.

To measure the correct change in height due to heel shoes, mark the dot at the center of your ankle in barefooted condition and measure its vertical distance from the ground. Then, put on your high heels and measure the vertical distance from the same dot to the floor again. Subtract this distance from the previous distance. You’ll get the exact increase in your height.

You can also check out this video for a better understanding of heels and platforms heights concept.

Do Nike Air Max Shoes Make you Taller?

Nike Air Max shoes definitely add some height as they have a chunky sole due to the sizeable airbag. The maximum height you can gain in Nike Air Max is 1 to 1.5 inch. According to wearers, Nike Air Max 270 can make your 1.6 inches taller.

Nike 270s have huge airbags as compared to Nike air max 90s. So, they add more height. However, stability-wise, Nike 270 have a drawback. So, while choosing shoes to appear yourself taller, also keep in mind your body posture. The big airbag will provide super extra cushioning, which can cause the rolling of your ankles. Furthermore, Nike 270 is not so durable as compared to Nike Air Max 90’s.

How Much Height Do Air Force 1 Add?

Despite the fact that the Nike Air Force shoes appear quite bulky, their insole sits just below the outsole’s highest point. Their sole is quite plane, and they don’t have an air bag in the heel region to increase height to a greater extent. So, they don’t add much height like Nike Air Max. According to wearers, Nike Air Force 1 can add height up to 1.2inch or 3cm.

Can I Add Elevator Insoles in Shoes To Look Taller?

You can add height increasing or elevator insoles that can make you 1.5 to 2 extra inches taller when using three layers under the insole. Height-increasing insoles have an elevated rearfoot area just like the heels to make you look taller. This is specially made for men as they can’t wear heel shoes like women. So, you can insert elevator insoles in any shoe pair to make yourself look taller.

The fact is that companies advertise an increase in height through those shoe lifts by measuring at the very back of the shoe. So, you’ll find in the description of elevator heels that they can add height up to 3.5 inches. But that’s not true. The height is measure from the pivot point of our foot which is ahead of the heel. When the elevator insole lifts our foot, it forms a slope. So, the vertical distance of our ankle point is a bit lower than the extreme back of the foot.

Furthermore, I’ll not recommend you keep putting shoe lifts in your shoes every time. Just like heels, these elevator insoles lift your body weight forward, due to which all the weight is exerted on the ball of the foot, and your toes and knee joint bear all the pressure when you stand for long hours on your feet. So, if you put height-increasing soles every day in your shoes and walk or stand in them for a longer time, shoe lifts would eventually cause lower back pain. So, I’d suggest you wear elevator insoles occasionally when you meet new people to make a better impression.

How Many Extra Inches Do Sneakers Add to Height?

Well, it depends on which style of sneakers you’re wearing. If you’re asking about Vans or Converse, their soles are entirely flat, unlike Nike Airmax that are lifted in the rearfoot.

The thickness of Vans and Converse sneakers is roughly 0.7inches. So, whether you wear Vans Old Skool, Ski-8, or Converse Chuck Taylors, they would make you taller by adding around 0.5 to 0.7 extra inches of height.

If you’re asking about the height increase due to Adidas Ultraboost Sneakers, they add about 1.25 inches or 3.2 centimeters in height when in new condition. For a running sneaker, that’s a really decent boost that increases your height without compromising stability.

How Much Height Do Basketball Shoes Add?

Basketball shoes like Nike Jordans or Under Armour Jet typically have a thicker sole. Basketball sneakers can add 1 to 2 inches of additional height. It’s true that basketball players need taller shoe pairs with a platform of a height of 7 to 8 inches to throw the ball towards the basket easily.

But, it is not suitable to wear basketball shoes with a too high platform as it could affect your mobility and cause an extremely dangerous balance issue.

How Much Height Do Dress Shoes Add?

Men’s dress shoes add 0.5 to 1.25 inches to your height. Like running trainers or regular sneakers, it depends on how much dress shoes are thicker at the sole and heel area. To get the most height, your dress shoes will also need to be made from thicker leather and have a higher heel.

If you’re thinking about how much heel height is suitable for dress shoes, then it on your foot size, ankle size, and body height. According to most people, 1.5 inches of heel height is the sweet spot in dress shoes. If the heel height is greater than 1.5 for men’s dress shoes, it will look awkward.

I’d like to add one more tip: if your height is too short, you can opt for dress shoes with a tapered toe instead of a rounded toe and a narrower waist. For instance, Allen Edmonds have a tapered toe, and make you appear taller.

How Much Height Do Doc Martens Add?

Doc Martens boots can add 1.4 to 1.5 inches in your height. There’s no difference between eight eye and three eye Doc Martens boots. The thickness of their outsole is the same. However, if your height is too short, I would not recommend you Doc Martens with 8-eyelets as they rise past the ankle and tend to shorten the leg.