How Much Height Should Elevator Shoes Add? Comparing 5, 6, 7, and 8 cm

When choosing elevator shoes, the first thing most people get stuck on is how much lift still looks natural. Too little and the change feels underwhelming; too much and you start worrying that the shoes will look like platforms.

In practice, whether a pair looks natural is not decided by height alone. The shoe's silhouette, the balance with your trousers, and the setting you wear them in all change the impression significantly.

This article compares the six height levels LEVANO offers (5cm, 5.5cm, 6cm, 6.5cm, 7cm and 8cm), explains who each one suits and how much lift to choose for a first pair, and names the specific models to look at.

What this article covers

• The differences between 5cm, 5.5cm, 6cm, 6.5cm, 7cm and 8cm of lift
• A rough guide to the heights that look most natural
• Which heights suit business, dates and everyday wear
• The recommended height for anyone choosing elevator shoes for the first time
• How to add height with the separately sold 2.5cm insole
• Which LEVANO model fits each case

The verdict | 5cm to 6cm if natural is the priority, 7cm to 8cm if you want a real boost

To give the conclusion first, 5cm to 6cm of lift is the easiest height to adopt if a natural look matters most. It is the range where people around you are unlikely to notice and where nothing feels off even after walking for hours.

If you want a clearly visible change, on the other hand, 7cm to 8cm of lift is the option to consider. LEVANO groups these into the 7cm Elevator Shoes and 8cm Elevator Shoes collections, so you can settle on a height first and then look for the shoe.

That said, the higher you go, the more the shoe design and the balance with your trousers matter. Rather than choosing on height alone, the key is to weigh the intended use together with how natural the result looks.

Features by height | 6 levels from 5cm to 8cm

5cm | The easiest height to wear naturally

This height suits anyone wearing elevator shoes for the first time, or anyone who wants nothing to look out of place in everyday wear. The 5cm Elevator Sneakers No.01 (¥11,980, 25.0–28.0cm) have a chunky sole that fits current trends, so the design is hard to read as a platform. They pair with a wide range of trousers, from denim and chinos to jersey fabrics.

5.5cm | A Japan-made cowhide sandal option

If you want around 5cm of lift in summer, there are the +2 inches Cowhide Leather Casual Sandals No.30 (¥21,000, 23.5–26.5cm, 480g per shoe). These Japan-made cowhide sandals gain their height from an internal insole structure, so they avoid the bulky look of platform sandals. They work with shorts as well as slacks. Because sandals leave more of the foot on show, the modest 5.5cm lift is what keeps them looking natural. The construction of the Japan-made series is covered in detail in Japan-Made Elevator Shoes as an Option: How the Cowhide no28 to no31 Are Made and What Sets Them Apart.

6cm | A good balance of natural look and noticeable lift

This height suits anyone who wants a real change but does not want it to look unnatural. The + 2.5 inches Suede Elevator Loafers No.03 (¥13,980, 25.0–28.0cm, 295g per shoe) are loafers that look dressier than sneakers yet lighter than leather dress shoes. They are an easy model to use with smart-casual outfits, jacket styles and for dates.

6.5cm | One step higher in a white sneaker

Sitting between 6cm and 7cm are the 6.5cm Heel-Accent White Elevator Sneakers No.39 (¥13,980, 25.0–28.0cm). The design pairs a clean white upper with an accent at the heel, and its slim silhouette is hard to read as a platform from the outside. They are the option for anyone who finds 6cm slightly underwhelming but 7cm a little too high.

7cm | A solid boost that is still practical

This height is for anyone who wants one more step of visible change while keeping things natural. The 7cm Heel-Up Elevator Sneakers No.04 (¥14,980, 25.0–28.0cm) are sneakers with a genuine leather upper; the chunky sole does not read as a platform, which makes them well suited to everyday wear and long walks around town. The 7cm models, including boots and sandals, can be seen in the 7cm Elevator Shoes listing.

8cm | The biggest difference in height

This height suits anyone who wants a real boost to their proportions for business, weddings or dates. The 8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Business Shoes No.20 (¥20,980, 24.0–27.5cm, 445g per shoe) and the 8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Loafers No.21 (¥20,980, 24.0–27.5cm, 430g per shoe) both have cowhide uppers and a proper dress-shoe design that pairs easily with a suit or jacket. Since leather dress shoes have a heel to begin with, even 8cm is unlikely to look like a platform, which is a real advantage. The 8cm models, including the sandal type, are grouped under 8cm Elevator Shoes.

Comparing 5cm, 5.5cm, 6cm, 6.5cm, 7cm and 8cm

Height	Natural look	Visible lift	Best for	Recommended for	Representative LEVANO model
5cm	Very natural	Subtle	Everyday wear, long walks	Beginners and anyone who values a natural look	5cm Elevator Sneakers No.01
5.5cm	Very natural	Subtle	Summer everyday wear, travel	Anyone who wants a natural boost in sandals	+2 inches Cowhide Leather Casual Sandals No.30
6cm	Natural	Clearly noticeable	Dates, smart-casual outfits, everyday wear	Anyone who wants both a natural look and a visible change	+ 2.5 inches Suede Elevator Loafers No.03
6.5cm	Natural	Clearly noticeable	Everyday wear, dates, long walks around town	Anyone torn between 6cm and 7cm	6.5cm Heel-Accent White Elevator Sneakers No.39
7cm	Slightly high, but easy to keep natural	Strong	Going out, travel, weekend outfits	Anyone who wants a solid boost	7cm Heel-Up Elevator Sneakers No.04
8cm	Natural depending on the design	Very strong	Business, weddings, dates	Anyone who wants the maximum boost	8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Business Shoes No.20

The "natural look" rating in the table varies by shoe type even at the same height. Leather dress shoes and loafers, which already have a heel, stay discreet even at higher lifts, while sneakers and sandals with thin-looking soles look more natural at the lower end.

Which height suits which person?

Who should choose 5cm to 5.5cm

• Anyone wearing elevator shoes for the first time
• Anyone who wants the most natural look possible
• Anyone who spends a lot of time walking
• Anyone who wants the shoes to blend naturally into their usual outfits
• Anyone who wants a boost in sandals in summer (the 5.5cm no30)

Who should choose 6cm to 6.5cm

• Anyone who wants to balance a natural look with a visible change
• Anyone who wants to wear them on dates or with smart-casual outfits
• Anyone who wants to avoid a lift that feels slightly underwhelming
• Anyone who wants a boost in a white sneaker (the 6.5cm no39)

Who should choose 7cm

• Anyone who wants a solid height boost
• Anyone who wants a visible change even in casual outfits
• Anyone who finds 6cm slightly underwhelming

Who should choose 8cm

• Anyone who wants the maximum boost to their proportions
• Anyone who wants to make a better impression at work or at a wedding
• Anyone who wants a natural boost even in formal settings

Need a little more height? Add the separately sold 2.5cm insole

When 6cm is not quite enough but buying another pair of 8cm dress shoes feels like too much, the option is the 2.5cm Heel-Up Insole No.38 (¥3,580). It is not included with the shoes; it is a separately sold insole, and simply placing it in shoes you already own adds about 2.5cm of height. Because it raises only the heel, it is hard to notice from the outside and works in both dress shoes and sneakers. It comes in one free size and is cut down to fit the shoe. It suits anyone who wants to try adding height with shoes they already have, or who already owns elevator shoes and wants just a little more.

Which height should you choose at LEVANO?

If natural is the priority | 5cm to 6cm

For everyday wear or a first pair, 5cm to 6cm is the easiest height to take on. It rarely looks out of place and gives a natural boost to your proportions. For a sneaker, the 5cm Elevator Sneakers No.01 is the candidate; for a dressier look, the + 2.5 inches Suede Elevator Loafers No.03. If you would rather browse without filtering by height, the Height-Boosting Shoes listing is a convenient place to start.

If you want a real boost | 7cm to 8cm

If you want a clear difference in height, 7cm to 8cm is the recommendation. With the right design, the change is clearly visible while the look stays natural. 7cm Elevator Shoes includes sneakers, boots and sandals, and 8cm Elevator Shoes includes leather dress shoes, loafers and sandals. If you only want to see the models with the least platform feel, start with Men’s Discreet Elevator Shoes.

For business or formal wear | 8cm leather dress shoes

For business and weddings, a proper, polished look matters as much as looking natural. The cowhide 8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Business Shoes No.20 and 8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Loafers No.21 make it easy to gain height even in formal settings. The other models can be compared under Business Elevator Shoes. Points to note when wearing them to a wedding are covered in Can You Wear Elevator Shoes to a Wedding? A Guide for Grooms and Guests.

3 tips for making the height look natural

1. Match the trouser length to the shoes

The higher the lift, the more visible the shoe's height becomes with short-hemmed trousers. If you choose 7cm or 8cm, the basic rule is to adjust the hem so it rests lightly on the heel. See What Trouser Length Works with Elevator Shoes? The Right Hem Length and Silhouette for details.

2. Use the shoe type to hide the platform feel

At the same 8cm, leather dress shoes and loafers are seen as shoes that naturally have a heel, so they stay discreet, while a sneaker's chunky sole blends into current trends and the platform feel fades. Conversely, raising only the height on a design whose sole looks thin tends to look unnatural, so take care there.

3. Get used to walking in them before wearing them out

Because the heel sits higher, your stride and balance change at first. Break them in indoors for a few days before wearing them out, and your posture will settle and look natural. How to choose with ease of walking in mind is explained in Are Elevator Shoes Hard to Walk In? How to Choose a Comfortable Pair.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Which height looks the most natural?

In general, 5cm to 6cm is the easiest to wear naturally. That said, with a type that already has a heel, such as leather dress shoes or loafers, even 7cm to 8cm can look natural.

Q. Does 8cm look unnatural?

Not necessarily. If you choose a design that does not read as a platform and keep the balance with your trouser length, even 8cm can look natural. Cowhide dress-shoe types such as no20 and no21 are models where 8cm rarely looks out of place.

Q. Which height should I choose for my first pair?

For a first pair, 5cm to 6cm is recommended. It rarely looks out of place and is easy to wear every day. If you later feel you want a little more, you can also add the separately sold 2.5cm Heel-Up Insole No.38.

Q. Can I order my usual sneaker size?

Size ranges differ by model: the sneakers featured in this article (no01, no39 and no04) and the suede loafers no03 run 25.0–28.0cm, the cowhide dress shoes and loafers (no20 and no21) run 24.0–27.5cm, and the Japan-made sandals no30 run 23.5–26.5cm. For details on choosing, see Elevator Shoe Sizing: Why Your Usual Sneaker Size Is the Right Choice. If the size that arrives does not fit, a size exchange is available once, within 7 days of delivery (the customer pays the return shipping, and LEVANO pays the shipping of the replacement pair). The shoes must be unused and tried on indoors only, and the packing slip must be included.

Summary

How natural elevator shoes look depends not only on the height but also on the shoe type and the balance with your trousers.

As a rough guide, 5cm to 6.5cm (no01, no30, no03 and no39) is the easiest to wear naturally, while 7cm to 8cm (no04, no20 and no21) is for anyone who wants a real boost to their proportions. First-time buyers should look at 5cm to 6cm; anyone who wants to make a stronger impression at work or at a wedding should look at the 8cm dress-shoe types; and anyone who wants a solid boost for everyday wear should look at the 7cm sneakers.

Picture the settings you want to wear them in and choose the height that fits. To browse by height, start with 7cm Elevator Shoes and 8cm Elevator Shoes; to browse everything, the Men’s Elevator Shoes listing is the place to begin.

Products featured in this article

• 5cm Elevator Sneakers No.01 | For a first pair. The most natural-looking 5cm lift
• +2 inches Cowhide Leather Casual Sandals No.30 | Japan-made cowhide. A natural 5.5cm lift for summer
• + 2.5 inches Suede Elevator Loafers No.03 | A 6cm lift that balances a natural look with a noticeable boost
• 6.5cm Heel-Accent White Elevator Sneakers No.39 | Between 6cm and 7cm. A 6.5cm lift in a white sneaker
• 7cm Heel-Up Elevator Sneakers No.04 | Genuine leather upper. A solid 7cm lift
• 8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Business Shoes No.20 | 8cm leather dress shoes for business and weddings
• 8cm Cowhide Leather Elevator Loafers No.21 | An 8cm lift that combines refinement with a natural look
• 2.5cm Heel-Up Insole No.38 | Sold separately. Adds about 2.5cm to shoes you already own

See also the Height-Boosting Shoes listing.