Ever wondered how high a high-heel can get? Or how many sneakers one person can actually own? The Guinness World Records tracks it all, and FN has compiled some of the most interesting footwear feats here for your perusal.
Largest High-Heeled Shoe (pictured above)
Who: Kenneth Cole and Jill Martin, USA
Stats: 6-ft.-5-in. long, 6-ft.-1-in. tall
On Nov. 10, the black-and-white ankle-strap shoe broke a record held since 1996. The lug-sole heel was a Kenneth Cole style built in super-size dimensions as part of a month-long project initiated by TV personality Jill Martin, in partnership with KCP and the Garden of Dreams Foundation in New York.
Most Expensive Shoes From a Film Sold at Auction
What: Red slippers from “Wizard of Oz”
Price: $666,000
On May 24, 2000, the ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the classic musical “The Wizard of Oz” sold at Christie’s in New York for a historic price. According to the Guinness World Records, the shoes were produced by Los Angeles-based Innes Shoe Co. and made from red silk faille overlaid with hand-sequined georgette and lined with white kid leather. They previously sold at auction in 1988 for a then-record $165,000.
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Highest Shoes Commercially Available
Who: James Syiemiong, India
Stats: 20-in. heel and 17-in. platform
The shoemaker from Shillong, India, nabbed the honor on Feb. 1, 2004. The towering ankle boots were made for the now-defunct website Boldnbootiful.com. Syiemiong, who also broke a record for cracking the most number of joints in his body, told press at the time he wanted to travel to Italy to improve his techniques or open his own footwear institute.
Oldest Footwear (Dated Directly)
What: Fort Rock sandals, USA
Stats: 9,300-10,500 years old
The sandals were first discovered by archaeologist Luther Cressman of the University of Oregon in a cave in Fort Rock, Oregon, in 1938, and have held the record since that time. The shoes are made of sagebrush and likely worn by native North Americans. They are currently part of the collection held at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
Largest Sneaker Collection
Who: Jordan Geller
Stats: 2,388 pairs
The 2013 Guinness Book listed Geller’s kicks collection as the largest, with 2,388 separate pairs. However, that year he opened a museum in Las Vegas, the Shoezeum, to show off his stash and actually displayed 2,504 pairs. Among the items in the exhibition were every pair of Air Jordans ever made, Marty McFly’s Nike Air Mags from “Back to the Future” II, Nikes inspired by Van Halen and a game-worn pair signed by Michael Jordan.
Largest Feet Ever
Who: Robert Wadlow, USA
Stats: 47 centimeters
“The Giant of Illinois” from Alton, Ill., was not only the tallest man ever (at 8 ft. 11 in.), but he also had the largest feet, wearing U.S. size 37AA shoes. His record has stood since June 27, 1940. Wadlow’s growth was credited to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland. In 1936, he gained fame while touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus.
Heaviest Shoes Walked In
Who: Ashrita Furman
Stats: 323 lbs.
Furman is no stranger to the Guinness books. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native holds nearly 200 records, including the record for holding the most records (at least as of 2014). He walked in the world’s heaviest shoes on Nov. 18, 2010, at Potters Fields Park in London, covering 10 meters in the metal “sneakers.”
