Should I get a +3, +5 or +7 cm height insole?

Choose +3 cm if total invisibility in any shoe matters most, including low-cut styles. Choose +5 cm for the best balance — a clear height boost that still stays hidden in most sneakers, boots and casual shoes; it's the most popular for a reason. Choose +7 cm for maximum height, worn in shoes with some depth or opening at the ankle, like boots and high-tops.

What size height insole do I need?

Pick the size band that matches your shoe size — for ExtraCM that's S (UK 2–4 / EU 35–37), M (UK 5–6 / EU 38–40), L (UK 7–9 / EU 41–43) and XL (UK 10–11 / EU 44–46). The insoles are trimmable, so if you're between sizes, take the larger one and trim it down to a perfect fit.

How do I trim height insoles to fit?

Take an insole that already fits your shoe, lay it on top of the height insole as a template, and mark the outline. Trim a little at a time with sharp scissors, always cutting slightly outside the line first, then test-fit in the shoe. Trim only the front, never the heel lift, and stop as soon as it sits flat without curling at the edges.

Will a height insole make my shoe too tight?

It raises your heel, so your foot sits a little higher and further back in the shoe. In most closed shoes there's enough room, especially if you remove the shoe's own thin insole first. For a snug pair, choose a lower lift or wear the insole in a slightly roomier shoe. Boots and trainers give the most headroom.

Can I wear a +7 cm insole in any shoe?

A +7 cm lift is best in shoes that have some depth or an opening at the ankle — boots, high-top trainers, chunkier casual shoes. In a very low-cut shoe a large lift can raise your heel toward the collar, so for those styles a +3 or +5 cm insole looks more natural and stays fully hidden.

Height Guide

Which Height Insole Should You Choose?

Last updated: 29 July 2026 · 7 min read

Two decisions get this right: how much lift, and what size. Pick a lift that stays invisible in the shoes you actually wear, and a size that fits your foot — then trim to perfect it. Get both right and the insole disappears completely while adding real height. Here's exactly how to choose.

Step 1 — Choose your lift: +3, +5 or +7 cm

The lift is how much height you gain. The right one depends on how much you want and, crucially, the shoes you'll wear it in. More lift means more height but needs a little more shoe to hide it.

Lift	Height	Best for	Invisible in
+3 cm	≈ 1.2"	Total discretion	Virtually any shoe, even low-cut
+5 cm	≈ 2.0"	Most popular — best balance	Most sneakers, boots, casual shoes
+7 cm	≈ 2.8"	Maximum height	Boots, high-tops, shoes with depth

The simple rule

Want it invisible in every shoe you own, including smart low-cut shoes? Go +3 cm.
Want a clear boost that still hides almost everywhere? Go +5 cm — the sweet spot most people pick.
Want maximum height and mostly wear boots or trainers? Go +7 cm.

Not sure? +5 cm is the safe default. It's noticeable enough to make a real difference and still disappears in the shoes most men wear day to day.

Step 2 — Choose your size (S–XL)

Size is about fitting the length of your foot, separate from the lift. Match the band to your usual shoe size:

Size	UK	EU
S	2–4	35–37
M	5–6	38–40
L	7–9	41–43
XL	10–11	44–46

Between two sizes? Take the larger one. The insoles are trimmable, so it's always easier to cut a little off a bigger insole than to wish a smaller one were longer.

Step 3 — Trim to a perfect fit

Trimming takes two minutes and makes the difference between an insole that sits flat and one that curls at the toe. Do it once, carefully:

Take an existing insole that already fits the shoe and lay it on top of the height insole as a template.
Trace the outline with a pen, then cut slightly outside the line first — you can always trim more.
Test-fit in the shoe. Trim a little more if the front bunches or lifts at the edges.
Only ever trim the front. Never cut the heel — that's where the lift lives.

Stop as soon as the insole lies flat with no curling. A clean trim is what lets it disappear inside the shoe.

Will it fit inside your shoe?

A height insole raises your heel, so your foot sits a little higher and slightly further back. Most closed shoes have room for it, and you get even more if you first remove the shoe's own thin factory insole. If a pair is already snug, either drop to a lower lift or wear the insole in a roomier shoe. Boots and trainers give the most headroom; very low-cut or backless shoes give the least.

Quick pick by goal

Your goal	Choose
"I want no one to ever suspect it, in any shoe"	+3 cm
"I want a real, visible boost that still hides"	+5 cm
"I want as much height as possible"	+7 cm (boots/trainers)
"My shoes are tight"	+3 cm, remove factory insole

"Most people over-think the height and under-think the shoe. A +5 cm lift in a trainer or boot is invisible and comfortable. The same lift forced into a tight, low-cut dress shoe is where people run into trouble — match the lift to the shoe."
— Dr. Marcus Lehmann, Orthopedic specialist, Berlin

Pick your height — +3, +5 or +7 cm

ExtraCM Soft Pro comes in three lifts and four trimmable sizes, with a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Choose your ExtraCM Soft Pro

More questions? Read the full FAQ or contact us.