Leg Length Discrepancy Sandals: How I Got Them

I have a 2 cm structural leg length discrepancy (LLD), so finding shoes that keep me comfortable has been a lifetime challenge. I predominantly wear sneakers and boots in order to have enough space to include a lift under my right (shorter) leg.

The most challenging footwear to find are sandals and flip flops, neither of which provide a place to insert a lift. I have seen clear lifts that adhere to the top of open-type shoes but they don’t look stable or high enough to provide the 1 cm minimum lift that I am looking for.

I have tried Jacked Up flip flops and had my own flip flops adjusted by a cobbler, or shoe repairer. Both were adequate, but neither provided me with a more “formal” summer option that I’ve been looking for. So, I set out on another footwear experiment: a pair of Clarks Women’s Laurieann Kay Flat Sandals.

From the pictures and description online, these sandals seemed more versatile, with a wider scope of uses. But how do they stack up in practice? This post details my process of having my pair adjusted for my LLD—and reveals whether I found them a good fit in my closet and life.

I purchased these Clarks sandals from Amazon.com for about $85. I was attracted to them in part because of Clarks’ long history of producing comfortable and supportive shoes designed with foot health in mind. Alignment is important to me in supporting my LLD, and these sandals have support around the ankles and arches. They also don’t have a split in the toes, something I wanted to avoid because of the uneven rubbing I get on my feet when wearing flip flops. Finally, these Clarks had a fairly flat sole, which I felt would make it easier to build up with a lift.

I went to the shoe repair shop with the right sandal and asked them to build it up by half an inch. I had taken shoes to this shop previously (see other LLD shoe adjustment posts linked below), and I was confident in their ability to amend the shoes. The cobbler examined the shoe and said there would be no problem lifting it. The cost was $45 and the work took about a week to complete.

The result? My best adjusted shoes yet! I have worn my altered Clarks all day at various occasions and haven’t had blisters or experienced any discomfort with the elevated sandal. They are incredibly comfortable and supportive. My hips feel level, I don’t notice my LLD while wearing them, and the built-up sandal doesn’t feel any heavier than the other. Over time my flip flops have become unevenly worn, with certain parts becoming thinner than others. I haven’t noticed that yet with my Clarks.

Though the Clarks were more expensive than the other footwear I have worn—and the alterations weren’t cheap—these altered Clarks are the best. As I gain more experience in adapting shoes, I have better discernment over what to look for in shoes that need modifications: flat, simple sole, single color (like black), orthotic foot support, ties or straps around the ankle, and durable material that won’t wear quickly or unevenly.   

If you have a leg length discrepancy, you might enjoy one of my other posts on how to get LLD footwear:
Leg Length Discrepancy Lifts for Sneakers: How I Got Them Made
Leg Length Discrepancy Flip Flops: How I Got Them
Review of Jacked Up Flip Flops