While elevator shoes offer a tempting solution for those seeking more height, they come with several drawbacks that take time to notice. I love my elevator sneakers, and I’ve been using them daily since 2015, so I believe I have enough experience to open up about the subject. Here’s what you need to consider before investing in height-increasing footwear.
Disadvantages of Elevator Shoes: Altered Walking Mechanics
Your natural gait changes significantly when wearing elevator shoes. This is one of the most significant disadvantages of elevator shoes, especially if you have yet to order or use your first pair of shoes. The elevated heel forces your body to adjust its regular walking pattern, putting extra stress on your ankles and calves. Over time, this unnatural movement can lead to muscle imbalances and discomfort that you wouldn’t experience with regular shoes. What to do? Make sure you mix elevator shoes with barefoot shoes or with walking without any shoes at all to ensure there are no imbalances. Also, try to avoid shoes that have lifts over 2.5 inches or 6 cm, as they are clunky and not comfortable.
Limited Physical Activity
You’ll find yourself restricted in spontaneous physical activities. Whether it’s running to catch a bus or playing an impromptu game of soccer with friends, elevator shoes can significantly limit your mobility. I’ve noticed that the rigid construction and unusual weight distribution make quick movements awkward and possibly even dangerous. As an example, just last week, I participated in a quick boxing warm-up, and despite the fact that I had very comfortable elevator sneakers, I had to take them off. There are no elevator sports shoes as of right now that would be comfortable for sports (trust me, as I have tested all of them). If you want elevator sports shoes, opt out for carbon-plated running shoes as they offer up to 4cm or 1.8-inch heels.
Psychological Dependency
One of the disadvantages of elevator shoes is that there’s a hidden psychological cost to wearing them regularly. Many users develop an emotional dependency on the added height, feeling less confident when wearing regular shoes. I’ve observed this attachment can impact self-esteem and create anxiety about situations where elevator shoes aren’t appropriate. Once you find your pair, you barely want to take them off. For that reason (I am repeating that again), do not get elevator shoes that have lifts that are too tall.
Maintenance Challenges
The complex construction of elevator shoes makes them surprisingly high-maintenance. The multiple layers and specialized materials wear down faster than regular shoes, requiring more frequent replacements. You’ll need to pay special attention to cleaning and drying to prevent material deterioration.
Social Anxiety in Intimate Settings
Intimate social situations can become sources of stress. Whether it’s a beach day, a pool party, or an overnight stay, you might constantly worry about situations where you need to remove your shoes. I’ve seen how this anxiety can affect your social interactions and personal relationships.
How to avoid it? Do not use shoes over 6cm or 2.3-inch elevation in order to avoid situations that might attract people’s attention to your shoes. The light elevation is almost unnoticeable (and you can easily take them off on any occasion), but big lifts are clunky and ugly. If you are too worried people might notice the brand, use tape over the brand inside of the shoe.
Financial Strain
Quality elevator shoes come with a premium price tag, often costing significantly more than regular footwear. The higher wear rate means you’ll replace them more frequently, creating an ongoing financial burden. Additionally, you’ll likely need multiple pairs for different occasions, multiplying the cost. For example, I keep a pair of sneakers at the office, and I have separate boots for winter and autumn. Elevator boots are sometimes waay too expensive, so the shoes are definitely an investment.
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Disadvantages of elevator shoes: limited Style Options
Despite improvements in design, another one of the common disadvantages of elevator shoes is that they still offer fewer style choices compared to regular footwear. You’ll often find yourself compromising on fashion to accommodate the height-increasing feature. This limitation becomes particularly frustrating when trying to match specific outfits or dress codes. On top of that, you will find that for certain lifts, you do not have colors or sizes available, and vice-versa. Fortunately, that is gradually changing with new companies and models coming out with new models at light speed.
Travel Complications
Traveling with elevator shoes can be…well…annoying. They’re bulkier and heavier than regular shoes, taking up more precious luggage space. Going through airport security can become awkward as the unusual construction might attract additional scrutiny. You’ll also need to pack other types of footwear for specific activities, further complicating your travel plans. I almost always have to pack my barefoots with me for hiking or sports activities, which makes travelling a little bit more complicated.
Conclusion
Before investing in elevator shoes, consider these hidden disadvantages of elevator shoes carefully. While they might offer a quick solution to height concerns, the cumulative impact of these drawbacks can affect your life quality. That being said, if you have money, will and time to test different elevator shoes, you can definitely find comfortable and easy way of dealing with the above issues. I have personally found a way around all of these issues, and I could not be happier with my elevator shoe collection.