Christian Louboutin makes shoes from 70mm (about 2.75 inches) to 150mm (roughly 5.9 inches, always with a platform). The most popular heights are 85mm and 100mm. If you're choosing your first pair, we'd steer you towards an 85mm like the Kate 85: elegant enough to read as unmistakably Louboutin and comfortable enough for a full day. Pre-owned pairs in our current collection start from £79.99.
The height you choose is the single biggest decision when you're buying a pair, and it's the one most people underestimate. The same model at 85mm and 120mm is a completely different shoe on your foot. We authenticate and handle hundreds of pre-owned pairs, and the height is usually what determines whether a collector keeps or re-sells. Getting it right up front matters more than the colour or the leather.
How Tall Are Christian Louboutin Heels?
The house makes styles across six core heights: 70mm, 85mm, 100mm, 120mm, 130mm and, with platforms, up to 150mm. Not every model comes in every height, and the same millimetres feel quite different depending on the toe shape, the last and whether there's a hidden platform.
| Height | Inches | Key Models | Comfort (Realistic) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70mm | 2.75 in | Kate 70 | All day, no issue |
| 85mm | 3.35 in | Kate 85, Pigalle 85 | Full day with breaks |
| 100mm | 3.94 in | Pigalle 100, Fifi 100, Iriza, Hot Chick 100 | A long evening comfortably |
| 120mm | 4.72 in | So Kate 120, Pigalle Follies 120 | Events only, you'll feel it |
| 130mm | 5.12 in | Hot Chick 130 | Seated events, short wear |
| 150mm | 5.91 in | Very Privé, Loubout 150 | Platform offsets the drop |
The 150mm models always have a substantial platform. On the Very Privé, it's around 40mm, so the effective drop on your foot is closer to 110mm. That's why a platform 150 can actually feel more manageable than a stiletto 120.
A 150mm platform can feel more manageable than a 120mm stiletto, and that's not a contradiction.
What Does 85mm Feel Like to Wear?
For most people, 85mm is the Goldilocks height. It's high enough to change your posture and give you the silhouette, but low enough that you're not thinking about your feet after the first hour. The Kate 85 is the model we'd point you to first: it has a slightly more generous toe box than the Pigalle at the same height, and the pointed toe still gives you the classic line.
The Pigalle 85 has a sleeker, more tapered toe, making it the dressier option at the same height. If you're after boots at this pitch, the Adox 85 gives you the same comfortable angle with ankle coverage. In our pre-owned stock, 85mm models tend to hold up well: the lower pitch means less pressure on the sole tip, so you'll often find pairs with minimal wear at the ball. A Kate 85 in our current collection sits at £324.99, and an Adox 85 from £399.
Is 100mm a Good Compromise Height?
100mm is the classic pump height and the one most people picture when they think of the house. The Pigalle 100 and the Fifi 100 are the stalwarts. You'll be comfortable through a long dinner, a wedding, or a few hours on your feet at an event. A full workday is doable but you'll notice it by late afternoon.
The difference between 85mm and 100mm is only 15mm on paper, but it changes the angle of your foot noticeably. If you're between the two and tend towards comfort, go 85mm. If you want the more dramatic line and you're used to wearing them, 100mm won't disappoint. The Iriza at this height adds the d'Orsay cut (the sides are open), which gives you visual drama while keeping the foot a touch freer.
Pre-owned, a Pigalle 100 typically sits around £184.99 in our collection, while a Fifi 100 in patent can be found from £139.99. Both are well below what the boutique charged when these were current.
Can You Walk Comfortably in 120mm Louboutins?
Honestly? It depends on what you mean by comfortable. The So Kate 120 is among the most recognisable pumps in the world, and it earns that reputation partly through the pitch. At 120mm with no platform, the angle is steep. Your weight shifts forward onto the ball of your foot, and the narrow pointed toe doesn't leave much room.
That doesn't mean you can't wear them. Plenty of collectors do, and love them. The key is knowing what you're getting into: the So Kate is a two-to-three hour shoe for most people, not an all-day one. If you're buying pre-owned, look for a pair that's been gently broken in at the sole, which actually helps with grip and flex. Our So Kate vs Pigalle comparison goes deeper on the fit differences between these two.
The Pigalle Follies 120 is the other major model at this height. It has a marginally more forgiving toe box than the So Kate, though the difference is subtle. Both are beautiful, and both are honest about what they ask of your feet.
Are Platform Louboutins More Comfortable Than Stilettos?
Yes, and the reason is straightforward maths. A 150mm platform with a 40mm sole gives you an effective drop of about 110mm, which is less steep than a 120mm stiletto with no platform at all. Your foot sits at a gentler angle even though the overall shoe is taller.
The Bianca is among the best-known platforms from the house, and models like the Very Privé and the Loubout use the same principle. If you want height without the punishing pitch, platforms are genuinely the answer. The trade-off is bulk: they're heavier and less streamlined than a stiletto like the Kate or the So Kate. It's a visual preference as much as a comfort one.
In our pre-owned stock, platform models like the Loubout 150 can start from as little as £79.99. They tend to be less sought-after on the secondary market than the classic stilettos, which means better value for a collector who prioritises comfort.
How Do Louboutin Heel Heights Convert to Inches?
The house uses millimetres for all measurements. Here's the quick conversion for every standard height in the range:
- 70mm = 2.75 inches
- 85mm = 3.35 inches
- 100mm = 3.94 inches
- 120mm = 4.72 inches
- 130mm = 5.12 inches
- 150mm = 5.91 inches (with platform)
Bear in mind that these are the measurement from tip to ground, not the drop your foot actually experiences. A platform reduces the effective drop, and different toe-box shapes change how the height distributes across your foot. Two 100mm pairs from different models won't feel identical. For a model-by-model breakdown, our sizing guide covers how each style fits at its specific height.
Shop the Edit
Every pair below is pre-owned, authenticated by us and in stock right now, spanning the full height range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Christian Louboutin shoe?
The So Kate 120 is generally considered among the house's most iconic styles, but the Kate 85 outsells it for everyday wear. On the pre-owned market, the Pigalle and the Kate in 85mm and 100mm are the models that come through most often.
Do Christian Louboutin shoes run small?
Most styles from the house run about half a size small compared with standard UK sizing, though it varies by model. Pointed-toe styles like the So Kate and Pigalle tend to run the narrowest, while rounder-toed models like the Simple Pump are closer to true to size. Our full sizing guide breaks it down model by model.
Are Louboutin heels comfortable?
It depends entirely on the height. An 85mm Kate is genuinely comfortable for most of a day. A 120mm So Kate is a two-to-three hour shoe for most people. Platform models offer surprising comfort because the platform reduces the effective angle on your foot. We've written a beginner's comfort guide if comfort is your main priority.
Why are Christian Louboutin shoes so expensive?
They're handmade in Italy using premium leathers, hand-finished construction and the trademarked lacquered red sole. Boutique prices for a current pump typically start from around £645. Pre-owned, you'll pay a fraction of that: authenticated pairs in our collection start from £79.99.
Why do Louboutins have red soles?
Christian Louboutin introduced the red lacquered sole in 1993, reportedly after painting a prototype with red nail polish. It became the house's signature and was later registered as a trademark. On pre-owned pairs, some sole wear is normal, and it's part of how we authenticate every pair that comes through.
How many inches is an 85mm heel?
An 85mm measurement is 3.35 inches from the tip to the ground. On a shoe like the Kate 85, this translates to a moderate pitch that most people find comfortable for extended wear.
