12 Best Shoes For Back Pain: Reviews, Ratings & Comparisons

My first pair of running shoes, when back and knee pain weren’t an issue at all, was a pair of Asics.

Decades later, Asics have kept up with the pace and my ageing body’s needs. There’s a reason Asics are still routinely rated among the best running shoes on the market.

The GT 20003 trainers offer great support for over-pronators like me, thanks to the fancy Impact Guidance System (IGS), which keeps your foot aligned. Their rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning system is vital if you want to protect your back.

I also appreciate their Heel Clutching System which stabilizes your foot and improves posture vital for the health of your back. My only real gripe is that the toe box is a little narrow and can squeeze your toes. You might want to go up a size.

This shoe is for serious walkers. They sacrifice a bit in the looks department for comfort, although they do come in a wide range of attractive colours. They’re made to go the distance and are also recommended if you’re on your feet all day.

Their Rezorb technology on the midsole means you’re walking on shock absorbers all day, which is good news for your back. The footbed is fashioned to cup your foot precisely and comfortably to aid your posture and gait.

They’re so lightweight it’s like walking on air. The mesh uppers mean they’re perfect for summer, but you wouldn’t want to wear them in rain or snow.

These shoes look too good to use them for walking only. If you commute to work, they’re good for standing for prolonged periods and for long walks over concrete sidewalks. And you don’t have to change when you get to the office.

These walking shoes feature more technology than the Apollo space mission, such as the Numentum neutral positioning system that promotes a stable, balanced stride.

The dual density EVA heel and arch support also provide shock absorption – which is all good news for your back.

There’s also lots of wiggle room for your toes. Just a caution: you might have to compensate the neutral positioning with your own insoles if you overpronate or supinate.

If you‘re going to be on our feet all day, I’d trust what the nurses say. The Alegria is made for all-day comfort and is kind to your feet and back.

The slip-resistant polyurethane outsoles are structured to provide a natural rocker walking motion, which promotes good posture relieving your joints of any pressure. The insoles are made of cork and memory foam. I don’t think you’d need to replace the insoles, but you can if you want.

The arch support is robust enough to withstand daily wear and tear without being too invasive.  These leather slip-ons are as comfortable as clogs but less tiring on the foot as your toes don’t have to keep gripping all day. The size seems to run a bit small, but if you get a size up, you should be fine.

Of course, Dansko had to feature somewhere on this list. With Nappa leather uppers in cream, black, brown and stone, these are some seriously stylish shoes. The heel is a reasonable height at 1.2”, so it won’t affect your posture negatively.

The contoured footbed cushions your feet from stress and strain while the leather inner lining also ensures a comfortable ride. The toes are slightly tapered but there’s still enough room for movement. The steel shank in the tuckboard ensures both stability and durability.

The sole is soft, so it’s very comfy, but it does tend to wear down quickly. Though the shoes offer some arch support, it might not be enough for you. But that’s easily remedied with a gel insert. I’d wear these shoes to bed, if I could.

It’s difficult finding women’s dress shoes that meet the criteria for preventing back pain, since most heels are too high, the toes too pointy and there’s no stability. These Rockports might be a bit too quirky for some but I’m obsessed with their retro styling. The heel is an undaunting 1.5”, just enough to give you a bit of height but nothing to throw your back out.

The outsoles have been designed to promote your natural walking pattern. And the T-bar design offers an extra dose of stability. The EVA insole cups your foot gently for comfort all-day long and there’s enough wiggle room at the toe. It’s available in colors from tan to Bordeaux.

There are so many good shoes to choose from nowadays as technology and our understanding of the way the body moves improves. It was a toss-up between these and the Brooks Glycerin 15 but we’re staying in the Asics family. You don’t get much better in terms of stability, comfort and alignment than the Gel Kayano.

Starting with the fit, the multi-directional stretch mesh means the shoe can be adapted to fit any runner’s foot. They’re made to fit like a glove. The shoes offer stability and support through its “dynamic Duomax support system” and its improved exoskeletal heel clutching system. And all that extra support and stability don’t come with extra weight.

The Gel Kayano 20 also offers guidance technology to enhance your gait efficiency and the structural integrity of your midfoot. Asics’ patented gel cushioning on the rear foot and forefoot absorbs any shock during impact and toe-off ensuring a comfy ride. The shoe is geared to wards neutral or slight over pronation.

As the old song goes, these boots were made for walking. Okay, strictly speaking, they’re not boots. They tick all the boxes when it comes to staving off back pain.

NB’s “rollbar” technology will ensure your foot is kept stabile whatever the terrain. The Abzorb rubber used in the soles has a cushioning effect which softens the impact of the ground.

The midfoot cushioning also helps with stability. The toe box is wide to accommodate your natural toe movement. And the rocking forefoot helps promote a smooth gait.

The shoes are quite heavy but, then again, they’re for walking, not for running. They’re available in synthetic material or leather. The leather is worth the extra investment.

Thorogood boots have been worn on factory floors since the late 19^th century so they know about hard work and the necessity of comfort.

When you’re standing on hard surfaces all day in hazardous areas, you want boots you can trust. Not only does the boot meet the highest safety requirements of your employers, but also your requirements for comfort and support.

They offer a lightweight fiberglass shank for added support, a removable inner sole for shock absorption and a padded shaft for all-day comfort.

The polyurethane rubber midsole and slip-resistant sole keep you comfortable and safe at the same time. Finally, the Goodyear welt means your shoes will be with you for years.

There’s nothing super-fancy about the Rockport Oxfords. They are classy and comfortable. And judging from the rave reviews, it seems that once you’re a Rockport man, you’re always a Rockport man. The shoes are classy enough to be worn to the office and just on the right side of casual to be worn with jeans.

In terms of comfort, the latex, breathable footbed cushions the foot beautifully. Add to that the foam chamber on top of the footbed, and you’ll be walking on air. The shoe offers forefoot flexibility which enhances your natural gait. The polyurethane outsole also acts as a shock absorber, which is great news if you’re on your feet all day.

You don’t have to be a nurse to appreciate the comfort of this Keen slip-on. Anyone in the service industry, from chefs to real estate agents, will appreciate the comfort that these Keens provide. 

They seem to fit people with wider feet a little better and they do stretch. The grip is great, so you won’t be slipping all over the show.

The shoe features a shank for your stability and an EVA midsole to take care of your arches. The KeenCush insole is made from recycled polyurethane, cork and memory foam that cradles your foot with care.

Unfortunately, the insoles tend to wear down after a while, so I’d invest in a pair of good inserts.

I know we said flip-flops were among the worst shoes for back pain. But if you insist on wearing flip-flops this is the way to go.

At least the Vionic toe-post sandal offers arch support and a heel cup that manages to keep your foot stable. A lot of people who suffer from plantar fasciitis swear by them.

That said, they won’t damage your back either because of the cushioning provided by the lightweight EVA insole, which reduces foot stress and fatigue.

They’re great for around the house, on the beach or around the campsite if you’re that way inclined. They’re a unisex fit, so be sure to buy a pair for your partner too.