15 Best Shoes for Short Guys That Make You Look Taller & What to Avoid

Are you a shorter guy looking for shoes? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. As a guy who’s not the tallest, I know the importance of getting shoes that make me look taller and still look good.

As a short guy, finding the right shoes can be challenging. When looking for shoes, it’s important to find the right balance between shoes that make you look naturally taller and obvious platform shoes.

With that being said, here are the 15 best shoes for short guys.

New Balance

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13 Best Shoes for Short Guys

1. Nike Air Force 1

If you’re a shorter guy looking for a new pair of comfortable shoes, the Nike Air Force 1’s are perfect for you. The Nike Air Force 1 is currently one of the most popular shoe styles as they are a simple yet very stylish shoe.

These great shoes will bring you up about an inch and a half and they are currently one of the most popular shoes on the market. Typically, men will either get these shoes in either white or black, as they go very well with casual outfits.

Recommended: Nike Air Force 1 (see over 3,000 reviews on Amazon)

2. Chelsea Boots

Typically, I wouldn’t recommend wearing high tops as a short guy. However, Chelsea Boots are the perfect style of boots for short men. The thick soles on these boots will add a couple extra inches to your height and they look very classy.

If you’re a shorter man looking for some spring or fall boots, these are perfect for you.

Online, other people may tell you to wear platformed boots, however this style can look very feminine (as if you’re trying to wear the male version of high heels).

Instead, pick up a pair of Chelsea Boots. You’ll be looking taller, sleek and stylish.

Recommended: Chelsea Boots

3. Nike Air Max 90

The Air Max 90 are the best sneakers for shorter men. The thicker sole on the shoe will bring you up in height quite a bit and they’re very stylish.

The issue that us shorter guys face is that we want to look taller, but at the same time we don’t want to look like we’re trying too hard. The Nike Air Max 90 are some of the best shoes for shorter guys as they are stylish and they make you look taller.

These shoes can be found at stores such as Footlocker, Champs or the Nike store.

4. Adidas Stan Smith

Stan Smith

The Adidas Stan Smith won’t necessarily bring you up much in height, however they are good shoes with a classic look. The Stan Smiths are a tennis shoe style with a narrow look, which will make you look taller.

If you’ve never heard of the Stan Smiths, you’ve certainly seen them. These shoes have been around for forever and they are one of the most common shoes on the sneaker market.

If you like simple white sneakers, then the Adidas Stan Smith is a wardrobe essential that you need to get. These shoes go great with joggers, bomber jackets, leather jackets, and jeans.

Recommended: Adidas Stan Smith (see over 4,000 positive reviews on Amazon)

5. Cole Haan Oxford Dress Shoes

The Cole Haan Oxford Dress Shoes are the best shoes for formal wear. The oxford shoe style is great for guys with short legs, as these dress shoes have a thin and narrow look.

A thin and narrow dress shoe will make any short guy appear taller. Additionally, the 1 inch heels gives a slight height increase, which is a great bonus.

Recommended: Cole Haan Oxford Dress Shoes (see price on Amazon)

6. Yeezy Boost 350

Yeezy

The Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 are the most comfortable pairs of shoes on the sneaker market. These shoes have a thick sole, so you will end up gaining a couple of inches when you’re wearing them.

When Kanye West originally released the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350, these shoes were impossible to get. Now, as more the supply of Yeezys increases they are becoming more and more accessible.

If you’re a short guy looking for some trendy and high fashion shoes then you have to get a pair of Yeezy’s. These shoes are made with high quality material so they last for a super long time.

To get a pair of Yeezys you will most likely have to buy them through the resell market. Sites like Stock X, GOAT and Grailed all carry the Yeezy Boost 350.

Related: How to Get Designer Clothes for Cheap – Resell Buying Guide

7. New Balance 550

The New Balance 550 has become one of the most popular and sought after shoes in recent times. The simple looking shoe is very pleasing to look at and is great for shorter guys as it has a thick sole.

Wearing a shoe like the New Balance 550 will have you in the latest styles looking as good as ever. A great thing about this shoe is that it’s very versatile, no matter what outfit you’re wearing the New Balance 550 will look good.

Currently, the New Balance 550 is pretty hard to get your hands on so keep an eye out for them on the New Balance website. If you want to get them right away, you can use resale platforms like Stock X, GOAT and Grailed.

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8. Converse Low Tops

Converse Low Tops are classic shoes that look really good on shorter guys. These shoes don’t have a thick sole so they won’t make you physically taller, however the thin design will create the illusion that you’re taller.

These shoes have been around forever and it seems as if they never go out of style. If you’re looking for a versatile, affordable and stylish shoe the Converse Low Tops will be perfect for you.

Recommended: Converse Low Tops (see over 4,000 reviews on Amazon)

9. Lacoste Graduate Sneakers

Similar to the Adidas Stan Smith, the Lacoste Graduate Sneaker is a tennis shoe style that looks very classy. These shoes have that thin look that will make you look taller while not looking like you’re trying too hard.

Lacoste is a popular brand known for making good quality items. The Lacoste Graduate Sneaker is a great shoe to wear out for dinner, to the office or on dates.

Recommended: Lacoste Graduate Sneaker

10. CALTO Elevator Shoes

CALTO Elevator Shoes are one of the best elevator shoe brands on the market. As a short guy, the best way to add a couple inches in height is with some elevator shoes.

These shoes will bring you up nearly 3 inches and they look like ordinary shoes. If you’re trying to add a few inches in height, the CALTO Elevator shoes are the solution to your problem.

Recommended: CALTO Elevator Shoes

11. Reebok Classics

The Reebok Classics are great shoes for shorter guys because they have a thick sole. These shoes have a super clean look, they’re affordable and comfortable.

When it comes to sporty sneakers, the Reebok Classics check off every box. These low-top shoes are super worth it and are great for shorter guys trying to add a few inches in height.

Recommended: Reebok Classics (see price on Amazon)

12. Lacoste Loafers

As a guy, it’s important to be comfortable in our own skin. The reality is that each and every one of us comes in different sizes. Whether wear big and tall or skinny and small it’s important to be confident and comfortable in our own skin.

The Lacoste Loafers won’t make you look taller but they will make you look really good. On nicer occasions the Lacoste Loafers will make a statement and looking really stylish.

Recommended: Lacoste Loafers (see different colors on Amazon)

13. Nike Blazers

Nike Man

Typically, I would only recommend high top shoes for taller men, however the Nike Blazers are super popular shoes right now. Even if you have shorter legs, the Nike Blazers are super cool and have a retro look.

With the right outfit, these shoes won’t draw attention to your height. I would recommend wearing these shoes with joggers, pants with vertical stripes or jeans

Recommended: Nike Blazers

14. Dr. Martens

If you want to look taller, then try a pair of Dr. Martens. Dr. Martens have a work boot style and a thick sole, which will make you between 1-2 inches taller.

When you wear you Dr. Martens, make sure to cover the top of them with your pants. This way, your legs will look longer and your boots won’t cut off your leg line.

Recommended: Dr. Martens (see price on Amazon)

15. Alexander McQueen Court Sneakers

Alexander McQueen is a designer brand known for making luxury clothing and shoes. The Alexander McQueen Court Sneakers are a great silhouette for shorter guys, because they have a thick sole.

These shoes are perfect for short men as they will make you look taller and they are very popular right now. In the fashion world, these are some of the hottest shoes on the market.

Overall, the Alexander McQueen Court sneakers are some of the best shoes a short guy can get. They are stylish, they will increase your height and they are made with high-quality materials.

Shoes to Avoid For Short Guys

Boat Shoes

Although boat shoes are stylish, they still aren’t great for shorter men. The issues with boat shoes is that they have a thin sole.

As a short guy, you will want a pair of shoes with a thicker sole as it will make you look taller.

Ankle Boots

Ankle boots should always be avoided for shorter men. Ankle boots will cut off your leg line, which will make your legs look shorter.

If you like the look of ankle boots, try a pair with a low profile. A low profile boot will fit around the ankles instead of above the ankles.

Barefoot Shoes

Barefoot shoes are very comfortable and versatile. The issue with barefoot shoes is that they have a thin sole so they won’t help you look taller.

One of the easiest ways to look taller is through the shoes on your feet. So you are going to want to purchase a pair of shoes that has a thick sole so you will gain some extra height.

Shoes With Ankle Straps

Shoes with ankle straps will make any short guy look even shorter. If you’re a short man, avoid shoes with ankle straps at all costs!

Pointed-Toe Shoes

Pointed-toe shoes will make your feet look longer which can throw off the proportions of your body. Instead, go for a shoe that has a rounded toe as they will fit your body type a lot better.

As a short guy, there are so many other footwear options that are better than pointed-toe shoes.

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Final Thoughts on Best Shoes for Short Guys

As a short guy, finding a nice pair of shoes that look great can be a serious game changer.

Finding the right pair of shoes that look stylish, are popular and make you look taller is the key to finding the perfect pair of shoes. In this post, I shared the 15 best shoes for skinny guys.

What’s your favorite pair of shoes? Please let me know in the comments below.

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