CALTO Men's Invisible Height Increasing Elevator Shoes - Off White Lightweight Leather Lace-up Fashion Sneakers Review

As a shorter guy with a taller wife I have accepted my height and embraced it. My wife is comfortable, and together we feel fine being side by side. That said, she can't wear heels and dancing or such activities are... different. So I'd heard about and thought about elevator shoes in the past, but figured it would be a joke. Then I had the chance to grab a couple of pair of CALTO elevator shoes. I was blown away. Those two pair were great (I will talk about sizing soon) so when I had a chance to grab two more pair of CALTO shoes, I grabbed it! I am so glad I did! Another hit for me. And enough positives for me that I would most certainly get more.First, sizing the shoes. I am a true size, so most of the time I can pick my size and I'm pretty darn spot on. As most of us know, trying on shoes is the best bet - rather than guessing online - because shoes are all made differently, even with the same type, style, and size sitting next to each other on the shelf. So would the CALTO shoes be well sized?Yes and no. My SINGLE CON is that the sizing of the 4 pairs of CALTO are different. The first two are too large, the second two pairs are pretty much spot on. Three of those pair are dress shoes, one is this casual brown gym-type. All have about the same height. The only con is that those first two are supposed to be my size, but feel as if they are half or a whole size larger. I am disappointed, but have been able to work with them and get them to work "well enough." It also makes me wonder: how would the return process go if I were able to return these (received as part of the Vine program)? If I paid that kind of money I would expect all of my shoes to fit spot on, so had I bought them on my own, 1. I would have attempted to exchange them, and 2. I'd be disappointed to the point of giving them fewer stars - at least until they were exchanged - and not charging me for S&H.This CALTO Men's Invisible Height Increasing Elevator Shoe is a great coloring. I like the more casual, modern look and feel here. I cannot speak to these being "real" leather or not, but they do have that shiny element to them. It looks nice, but I think this indicates a lower type of leather.Sliding them on I was so pleased. These fit as I had hoped and expected - almost spot on. There is a "regular" bottom to the inside here, so I wore them as such. I feel like a lot of shoes are hard on the bottom these days, but that could be my feet. And I usually need to add an arch support insert for foot health. But again, I tried them first as-is, second with their included inserts, and 3. my inserts. The first was actually not bad and mostly comfortable. The second, using their insert was better and more comfortable. And I could have likely done that, minus proper arch support. Adding my own supports made these CALTO Men's Invisible Height Increasing Elevator Shoes excellent in comfort. Sizing also means the back and sides around the foot in the shoes. My first two pairs of CALTO have a good deal of space all around and require far more effort to make them wearable. These CALTO Men's Invisible Height Increasing Elevator Shoes - casual - have little to no space on the sides, and the back, really I think they are fine. That said, I am going to add a heel cushion for comfort and to limit rubbing. Why?That brings me to the ELEVATOR aspect. If you have not worn elevator shoes, be forewarned. The previous two CALTO shoes were - as written - my first elevator shoes. I quickly discovered this type of shoes mostly elevates the heel for the added height. I thought it would be like what women experience with their heels, so I had my wife try both of the first two pairs on. She said it was similar, but not the same. She did say there is a "push forward" onto the front of the foot that is similar, but felt under the heel was a bit more supported by these shoes. In the case of these CALTO Men's Invisible Height Increasing Elevator Shoes - casual - I found them to again push my feet forward, and maybe it's because I am now used to how this works, but I did not find myself as uncomfortable as I did in the beginning with elevator shoes. But be away, you are going to be "walking on the ball of your foot" more than normal and will likely need to practice to get used to it. So to me that means I am getting used to them and the better fit helps.I have decided to add heel cushions to all my elevator shoes. With the forward slant it can make it feel like the heel is rubbing more. But having done that, I was good back there. The front of the foot element concerned me as it does with the other CALTO elevator shoes - and my understanding it's this way in most all elevator shoes. To that end, I do think a proper fit is very important. I have also decided to add TWO CUSHIONS to the front, just to give the toes a little comfort. I have ordered those through Amazon and expect to have them in a few days. I feel like whether the shoe fits as well as these second two do, or as loose as the first two, I should still find the two cushion to be a help.I also recommend you practice walking in them before going out. I walked in all four pairs I've now had for about half an hour, but the second pair I got I wore out the next night. It did take me a little time to get my "elevator legs," but I got there quick enough and was good for the four hours I was on them - standing almost the whole time.In the end I do really like the CALTO brand. Again, my only concern is true fit. And then their return policy and how that goes if I ever try to exchange any shoes.But I like the look, I like the "feel," to the point I am getting taller and like how it makes me feel personally. As far as wearing these, I am getting fine with it, used to it. There is a bit of a learning curve, but having given the one pair a try, it worked out fine in the end - and again, that was a too-big pair - so I'm feeling good about these better fitting shoes. So yea, I will likely get more from CALTO and will most certainly get more elevator shoes - if only for the confidence and better feeling of self esteem - and my wife being able to wear heels from time to time.

These shoes are stylish--sort of remind me of old school Pony sneaks-- and I've gotten several compliments when wearing them.You will pay for the secret height as you will cant forward somewhat, and because of that, my toes did feel a little smashed (even though there was plenty of room in the shoe). Also, there is not a whole lot of cushion in the (very hard) sole, even when you put in their provided shoe liner (which seems to be made out of some natural hemp-like fiber and does not provide very much cushion at all). And there isn't enough room to add a cushion gel sole or the like.I think the back looks a little bulbous, like it sticks out a little unnaturally, but it could be chalked up to it just being the style of the sneakers.

I think these shoes are going to make certain people very happy, and perhaps even a little more self confident. I have provided pictures to show the shoes looks, and how they appear while being worn so you can judge for yourself on if the height boosters are indeed unnoticeable or not. In my opinion they're are absolutely invisible, if I seen someone wearing these shoes I would have no idea that they were wearing height boosting shoes. Even if they're wearing shorts and ankle socks, they don't look abnormal.Another cool thing about these shoes is that the shoes strings arrive in the Bar-Style lacing, which is my preference so it was a little bonus that I didn't have to actually re-lace the shoes. And they include a very cool and necessary "Shoe spoon?" "Ankle Spoon?" "Foot Spoon?" I don't know what this thing is called but it is what you place on your heel as you're sliding your foot into the shoe, and makes it easier to slide your foot in without crushing the back of the shoe with your heel.Now, all that being said the shoes do have some draw backs. The booster in the shoe is made out of a more solid material that doesn't have a lot of cushion or give. They do include inserts to make the shoes more soft and comfortable, but I think you'd be better off getting a sole that is better fit to your preferences.The worst offending drawback of these shoes is that they kind of fit like high-heels. Your foot is going to slide into the shoe at and angle and remain there. So if you planning on wearing these to a job where you're on your feet all-day, your calves may feel a little sore for the first few days til the muscles adjust, it didn't bother me, but I can only speak for myself. It's not a huge angle but it is something you are going to notice.All-in-All the draw backs don't bother me, I can deal with the comfort with a different sole, and the slant fit isn't aggressive enough to make my legs sore. So from here I'll just let the pictures speak for themselvesHave a nice day!