At some level, this website/blog has been my way of expressing some of my deepest insecurities on my own height issues for so long. And here is another confession I wanted to reveal to the readers. I am partly ashamed to reveal it but I think it has to be done since I finally feel like I can be more open about these thing.
To this day, I still wear boots with padded height increasing insoles inside because I am still insecure about my height. In the beginning I tried stuffing 2-3 insoles into sneakers 1-2 sizes bigger than what I would wear so my feet would fit. Each insole was only about 1/3 of an inch thick. It doesn’t seem like a lot but for me, even 1 inch felt like a huge difference to me when I would be walking outside in public. I know personally a 5′ 4″ guy who must always wear his New Rocks Boots which gives him also 3 inches of height.
At this point, I feel comfortable with myself enough to actually enjoy wearing these types of insoles and boots. They give me a comforting feeling when I put them on, and they make me feel safe and secure because of how strong and durable the boots are.
These days I put either 4 or 5 insoles inside to give me maybe around 1.5 extra inches into the shoes. In addition to the around 1 1/2 inches of heel height already in boots, that means that I am standing on 3 inch tall boots, which overall is actually comfortable, and easy to walk in. I have gone down in number to just 4 insoles in recent months because I tried out thicker socks. It turns out that there is actually some brands of really thick socks I have found which seems to make the insoles less important. I have even experimented with using even less insoles numbers with brand named dress shoes for a more classic look. If this talk sounds like the speech of a man obsessed or crazy, I am willing to admit that I am a little crazy about my height and height increase.
On one extreme, years ago I tried hiking boots with really thick heels, about 2 inches thick, and put multiple insoles (around 6-7) in to see how they felt that was really awkward and dangerous so I reduced the height to something that I could walk and even run in. I would be standing 4 inches taller but I looked so strange when I walked in them so that phase went away.
The shoes that I have been wearing for over 4 years now, which I haven’t changed because they easily and rather comfortably fulfills all of my needs. It is Steel Toe Hiking Boots from Walmart. About 5 years ago they cost only about $27 plus tax but these days due to inflation it has increased to around $34 plus tax. I like these shoes because of the high outer edges. With some shoes, when you add the thick insoles, it leaves no room for one’s feet or the feet slip out. The shoe sizes I buy is around 3-4 sizes bigger than the ordinary size. However, I really feel great with the extra 1-2 inches of extra height, the strong steel toes, the quality of the boots, and sturdiness of the heel.
Maybe one day I will be completely comfortable with me just wearing shoes (or even sandals) without any type of padding. But not right now, I like the extra height the boots with insoles give me.
You claimed in another post that you’re about 6′ tall, which BTW is above average in almost all countries on the planet earth. Maybe you can explain to me how a 6″ male can have insecurities about his height. To me this is a typical example of BDD, Your insecurities may came from somewhere else buddy trust me, work on your self esteem maybe. I wish you would be 5’5.75″ (167.5 cm) like I am for only one day and than talk about insecurities, than you will understand you need to be grateful for what you have. Damn I would almost kill for being 6 feet tall.
No harm intended buddy, just telling how I feel and how pathetic is this. Keep the good work.
chances are you are exaggerating about your height (5ft11 -6 ft) insecure about height i dont buy that bullshit for 1 second it doesnt ring true .
I’m the guy who wrote the first reply to this post. When I wrote it I was a bit angry but not because of your post, I just had a really bad day back than (mostly because of my height issues) so I apologize if my reply sounded offensive, that wasn’t my intention, I didn’t mean to discredit your insecurities. You are the only one who knows your condition and situation and no one else has the right to judge you.
I read the next post so yeah accepting that your insecurities may have a deeper source is a step forward.
I was looking for a method to increase my height for so long but noting concrete came up so far. Lately I’ve kinda loose the the interest on this seeking and start trying to be comfortable with my appearance and with who I am, it feels better but unfortunately is hard to keep this mind-set constantly. The truth is I won’t stop this height increase seeking even if I know that growing taller won’t fully solve my problems .