I have no reason to feel insecure about my height (nor should anyone). My ex (5'3") cheated on me (with several guys, all tall), and several times between when she started cheating and when I found out, she commented on my height (5'9"), and once even suggested that I wear lifts. I told her that was stupid, and I believed it, but a few weeks later I secretly bought some, and the experience has been interesting. Here are some observations

You want to minimize the height you're hiding. Generally, women only care how high you are off the ground and that you're not hiding anything. If you throw 1" lifts into your average 0.75" soled sneakers, you're in trouble. However, throw those same lifts into a boot and you're in business. If the boot gives you 1.25", and the lift gives you 0.5", you can brush that off as "yeah these have got a pretty thick sole. I mean I don't mind the extra height." It's not weird to like your boots for the extra height as long as you're upfront about it, and you're not doing the George Costanza thing with the Timberlands.

People will treat you differently.

Whether it's out at the bar/club, or just at work, an extra inch or so will change peoples' perception of you. It could be that I'm at a very critical height point (5'9" to 5'10" puts me from just below average to just above, and 1" makes me jump more "percentile" points than at any other height), but I was simply taken more seriously by men and women alike.

It's addictive

This is hardly news, but you'll feel straight up short even to yourself without them. It got to the point where I didn't want to be barefoot when I was alone because I felt short. That was kind of fucked up.

Honestly, you're better off without them

I figured I'd save this for the end, but I did ditch the lifts. I understand that I'm not able to come at this from the perspective of some of you guys who are actually significantly shorter than the average male, but for me, learning to be comfortable in my own shoes (literally) was way more important. At the end of the day, you can't change it, and you want people to like you for who you are, not the version of you that's 1" taller. I did away with them after a girl I was dating told me I looked, "Way more attractive in those shoes. They make you a lot taller." This was when I tested my luck with 2.5". This girl's ex was 6'4", and had made some height related comments in the past. I realized I was creating a person I couldn't sustain. I couldn't make myself taller. I needed to find a girl secure enough to date a guy of average stature without questioning the decision.

If you replace shoe lifts for men with makeup for women you will notice a lot of similarities. But women are allowed to wear makeup without feeling fake.