Want to appear a little taller but don’t want to spend money on expensive shoe lifts? Making your height increasing insoles at home can give you a subtle boost in height for a fraction of the cost. With some simple household materials and basic tools, you can craft custom insoles that can make you seem up to 1–2 inches taller.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the easy steps to make effective yet comfortable DIY shoe lifts you can slip into any shoe for an instant height boost.
10 Best Tips for Making Height Increasing Insoles at Home
Crafting height boosting insoles on your own may sound intimidating, but it’s quite simple! Follow these top 10 tips for making perfect custom lifts that fit your shoes and make you taller:
1. Use cardboard from a cereal or shoe box to cut out the insole base shape. Trace your shoe insoles for the right fit.
2. Cut out a second piece of cardboard 1–2 inches taller for the heel section. Glue or tape together.
3. Wrap the cardboard pieces completely in duct tape to make them smooth, firm, and non-slippery.
4. Start with 1–1.5 inch lifts — tall enough for a boost but still comfortable to walk in.
5. Make the heel section gradually taper up in height from the sides to prevent a lumpy appearance.
6. Compress the lift under a heavy book or mallet overnight so it stays firmly in place when walking.
7. Apply more duct tape if needed to get the ideal thickness and a smoothed-out lift shape.
8. Carefully trim off any excess material on the sides so the lift fits into shoes freely and smoothly.
9. Make a lift for each foot — feet are often slightly different sizes and shapes.
10. Adjust and modify the lifts as needed for optimal comfort, stability, and height boost.
How to DIY Height Increasing Insoles at Home: Step-by-Step
Looking for a detailed walkthrough on how to make your stealth height increasing insoles? Follow these simple steps using easy-to-find household items:
Materials Needed
- Cardboard (cereal or shoe boxes work great)
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Glue (optional)
- Heavy book or mallet
Steps
1. Trace the outline of your shoe insoles onto a cardboard box and carefully cut out the shape. Do this for both feet.
2. For the heel section, cut out a second piece of cardboard 1–1.5 inches taller than the traced insole outline.
3. Tape or glue the taller heel cardboard piece to the original insole base, tapering it from the sides to create a gradual incline in height.
4. Wrap the entire assembled insole pieces completely in duct tape to smooth out ridges and prevent sliding.
5. Place a heavy book or mallet on top of the lifts and let sit overnight. This will compress and flatten it to be more comfortable for walking.
6. Try on the lift in your shoes. If it feels too lumpy or uneven, apply additional duct tape to even out the shape and thickness.
7. Use scissors to trim off any excess cardboard or tape hanging off the sides. The lift should fit smoothly from side to side.
8. Repeat the process to make a second lift for the other foot. Each foot is unique so custom lifts help optimize comfort.
9. Start by wearing the lifts around the house first to test comfort and stability. Slowly increase wear time as you adjust to the new height.
10. Make any additional adjustments like adding more tape until the lifts provide a subtle yet effective height boost with no pain or discomfort.
6 Benefits of DIY Shoe Lifts
Wondering why it’s worth the effort to make your custom height increasing shoe lifts? Here are some of the biggest benefits:
- Save money compared to buying premade lifts — materials cost just a few dollars.
- Get a personalized fit tailored specifically to each of your feet.
- Control the height — make them as tall or subtle as you want.
- Adjust the shape and comfort until they feel natural to walk in.
- Avoid the lumpy, uncomfortable feel of cheap premade lifts.
- Easy to redo and modify until you get the boost you want.
So don’t waste money on costly shoe lifts. With just a little time and effort, you can make your insoles that discreetly increase your height for a fraction of the cost.
