Motivoice
Member
Most guides about adding height suck so I’m making one that actually explains it properly
I added around 2-3 inches for about 8 months and never got called out once. Went to people’s houses, hung out normally, dated, all that, and nobody noticed.
How inserts actually work
People think if something says it adds 2.5 inches you actually get 2.5. You don’t. If you stood on a block that’s 3 inches tall your whole foot would be raised evenly. Inserts don’t work like that because your heel is high but the front of your foot isn’t, so the real height gain is less. Most shoes measure the heel height and advertise that number, but what you actually gain standing is usually way less. It’s not because they compress, it’s just the angle your foot sits at.
How to actually gain height
The biggest thing is picking shoes that already add height by themselves. At least around an inch or more. Shoes are half of it. If you pick flat shoes you won’t magically gain 3 inches just from inserts.
You also need shoes with enough space in the heel area so your foot doesn’t stick out when you add lifts.
Match your sock color with your shoe color so your ankle area blends in.
Don’t use heavy boots if you’re trying to add a lot of height. They’re uncomfortable and awkward to walk in with lifts. If you only want like 2 inches it’s doable but still not ideal.
What to do about taking shoes off
This is the only real downside but it’s easy to deal with if you think ahead. You can wear a cheap ankle brace and just say you’ve got a foot issue so you can’t take your shoes off. If you mention it early people won’t question it later.
Whenever possible just invite people to your place instead. If they insist on hanging at theirs and they don’t allow shoes inside, just hang out somewhere else.
Short version
Wear pants that cover your ankle area
Pick shoes that already add about 1.3 inches or more
Soft inserts are more comfortable than hard ones
Realistic lift gains are about
base lift around 0.7 inch
+1 layer around 1 inch
+2 layers around 1.4 inches
+3 layers around 1.7 but uncomfortable
2 layers is usually the best balance. The last layer isn’t worth it.
Same color socks and shoes helps
Lighter shoes are easier to walk in
If walking feels weird add padding in the front of the shoe
I added around 2-3 inches for about 8 months and never got called out once. Went to people’s houses, hung out normally, dated, all that, and nobody noticed.
How inserts actually work
People think if something says it adds 2.5 inches you actually get 2.5. You don’t. If you stood on a block that’s 3 inches tall your whole foot would be raised evenly. Inserts don’t work like that because your heel is high but the front of your foot isn’t, so the real height gain is less. Most shoes measure the heel height and advertise that number, but what you actually gain standing is usually way less. It’s not because they compress, it’s just the angle your foot sits at.
How to actually gain height
The biggest thing is picking shoes that already add height by themselves. At least around an inch or more. Shoes are half of it. If you pick flat shoes you won’t magically gain 3 inches just from inserts.
You also need shoes with enough space in the heel area so your foot doesn’t stick out when you add lifts.
Match your sock color with your shoe color so your ankle area blends in.
Don’t use heavy boots if you’re trying to add a lot of height. They’re uncomfortable and awkward to walk in with lifts. If you only want like 2 inches it’s doable but still not ideal.
What to do about taking shoes off
This is the only real downside but it’s easy to deal with if you think ahead. You can wear a cheap ankle brace and just say you’ve got a foot issue so you can’t take your shoes off. If you mention it early people won’t question it later.
Whenever possible just invite people to your place instead. If they insist on hanging at theirs and they don’t allow shoes inside, just hang out somewhere else.
Short version
Wear pants that cover your ankle area
Pick shoes that already add about 1.3 inches or more
Soft inserts are more comfortable than hard ones
Realistic lift gains are about
base lift around 0.7 inch
+1 layer around 1 inch
+2 layers around 1.4 inches
+3 layers around 1.7 but uncomfortable
2 layers is usually the best balance. The last layer isn’t worth it.
Same color socks and shoes helps
Lighter shoes are easier to walk in
If walking feels weird add padding in the front of the shoe
