Highest heel height in a man's shoe...(before it becomes ridiculous)?

[Xenon]



One thing to recall in all this is that heel height is relative to the thickness of the outsole. Many of the high heeled shoes of the '70's had a one inch (or more) thick sole under the forepart of the shoe--effectively reducing the apparent heel height by one inch.

The same is true of many brands of running shoe, although to a lesser degree.

Also heel height is not measured from the ground to the top of the "rand"/heel seat running around the back of the heel. Because that measurement includes the thickness of the outsole.

Nor is it measured at the back of the heel. Some lasts incorporate at "degree" in the heel--a slant or incline that leaves the back edge of the heel higher than the "breast" of the heel. Below 1-1/2" that incline is considered orthopedically problematic because to one degree or the other it takes the weight off the os calcis and forces weight into the metarsal arch of the foot.

Heel height is properly measured at the breast of the heel...directly under the weight of the body.

Good points. While not correct terminology, I prefer to talk about "height differential" of a last : the elevation of the heel when the last is in proper upright postion with ball on a flat surface. This is important especially for womens' shoes that can have platforms of an inch or more. Also I always find it strange when I see typical shoes delivered with half soles that have no additional compensation at heel stack and where last differential has clearly not been altered. Makes the shoes look unbalanced with improper toe spring. I don't know how a manufacturer can justify offering such an incomplete option?

I assumed above however that we were all talking about apparent heel height.

 

[pkiula]



.....
Nor is it measured at the back of the heel. Some lasts incorporate a "degree" in the heel--a slant or incline that leaves the back edge of the heel higher than the "breast" of the heel. Below 1-1/2" that incline is considered orthopedically problematic because to one degree or the other it takes the weight off the os calcis and forces weight into the metarsal arch of the foot.

Heel height is properly measured at the medial breast of the heel...directly under the weight of the body.

Thank you for this very informative post! I have noticed pretty much everything you mention above but didn't know how to put it into trade vocabulary. Many of my shoes have the slant you speak of.

By "medial breast" you mean the inner wall of the hell? Or the middle of the heel when observed from below?

 

[DWFII]



Thank you for this very informative post! I have noticed pretty much everything you mention above but didn't know how to put it into trade vocabulary. Many of my shoes have the slant you speak of.

My "medial breast" you mean the inner wall of the hell? Or the middle of the heel when observed from below?

Look down at your feet. Draw an imaginary line on the floor. Put one foot on one side of the line, the other on the other side. The side of each foot that is furthest from the line is the lateral side--the outside of the foot. The side nearest the line is the medial side. Think of the word "middle"...medial/middle.

The medial heel breast is at the junction of the inner edge of the outsole and the furthest forward face of the heel stack. For further confirmation...shoemakers sometimes cut a corner off the medial heel breast to prevent the heel from catching on the trousers.

 

[RSS]

3/4" is about my max. (measured not at back but to sole)

 

[fritzl]



I assumed above however that we were all talking about apparent heel height.

my thought exactly. op was asking about the visual appearance, imo.

btw, the lobbs have a very fine accentuated single sole.

 

[absatz]

Does it not depend on what a person wants to wear rather than what other people think he should wear? I actually find a slightly raised heel (2-3 inches) more comfortable for walking and standing around, and I don't really care what other people think!

 

[Threadbearer]



What's the highest heel you would accept in formal to semi-formal shoe?

I think anything taller than this might be a little too much for a formal dress shoe. Then again, my tastes run conservative.

 

[RSS]



I think anything taller than this might be a little too much for a formal dress shoe. Then again, my tastes run conservative.

That shoe is my niece's favorite color ... giltter.

 

[fritzl]



That shoe is my niece's favorite color ... giltter.

she doesn't spend too much time with her uncle?

 

[The Suit Guy]

Are the glitter shoes available for St Patrick's Day? Or they only available in Boston?

 

[RSS]



she doesn't spend too much time with her uncle?

Actually that was my nice a number of years ago. She is now in architecture school ... we communicate almost daily ... and would cringe at the though.

 

[fritzl]



Actually that was my nice a number of years ago. She is now in architecture school ... we communicate almost daily ... and would cringe at the though.

sounds good. how is dad doing?

 

[RSS]



sounds good. how is dad doing?

Hanging in there. Not bad for 90+.

 

[fritzl]



Hanging in there. Not bad for 90+.

good to hear.