First off, the best trainers (or sneakers, if you're American) are the ones you like best. Taste is subjective. But there is absolutely no shame in looking for a few inches in height, and often your shoes can help.
Of course, there are a ton of other options if you're a short man looking for height-friendly shoes. Chelsea boots. Heeled smart shoes. Even 'elevator shoes' with secret wedges in them. But like most people I'm mainly interested in trainers. So I went and looked at hundreds of them, measuring the added height they provide, and compiled them for you below.
8 of the Best Trainers/Sneakers for Short Men
Nike Air Max 90
There are millions of Nike Air Max varieties, but the 90 is probably the classic. Sporty without being too flashy, with the iconic 'bubble' in the heel. They're usually around £120 new, but there is a cheaper version (see below).
Lift at heel: 4cm / 1⅝ inches
Nike Air Max 90 SC
Iconic but affordable. Slightly simpler design than the 90, but with all the bones of the standard version. Usually around £80.
Lift at heel: 4cm / 1⅝ inches
Nike Air Force 1
Another Nike basketball classic. A bit simpler and smarter than the Air Max, with slightly less lift. The one in the picture is the 'Low Unity' version, but the standard version is nicer in my opinion. Around £100 new.
Lift at heel: 3.5cm / 1⅜ inches
New Balance 574
A great-looking everyday trainer, and one of the two classic New Balance models, along with the 500. This one had a bit more lift than the 500 when I measured it, although it's still the lowest on this list. About £100 new.
Lift at heel: 3cm / 1 3/16 inches
Adidas Stan Smith Recon
It was quite hard to find Adidas trainers that fit the bill - most were either way too jazzy for my taste, or attractive but quite low to the ground. The Stan Smith was one of these flatter shoes (only 2cm lift), however there is a more built-up version which is worth a look at. £140 new, but shop around as I saw plenty of deals.
Lift at heel: 3.5cm / 1⅜ inches
Adidas ZNCHILL
One of the chunkier trainers from Adidas, but not over the top. As much lift as an Air Max. Also quite reasonably priced, with lots of deals around the £50 mark (although £100 standard).
Lift at heel: 4cm / 1⅝ inches
Skechers Slipons
Comfy, stretchy, and no more intolerable lace-tying. There a are lot of Skechers slipons, many of them quite ugly, but these ones (the Bounder 2.0 Nasher) were one of the picks. Reasonably priced, too, at about £60.
Lift at heel: 4cm / 1⅝ inches
Nike Air Max TW
Ok, these are quite jazzy. And they have more bubbles than a West Ham match. But they're still great if you're confident enough to pull it off. And unsurprisingly they have the most lift of anything on this list. You do pay for it though. £140ish.
Lift at heel: 4.5cm / 1¾ inches
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Anyway, hope that was helpful. Maybe you like the look of some of these, maybe you hate them all. If you would like to do your own research, I would encourage you to go round the shops with a tape measure and secretly measure the heels for yourself. At the very least it's quite the adrenaline rush.
Thanks
Jack, Founder of Ruler of London.