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

If you want to get to the bottom of your back pain, you might want to start at the bottom: with your feet. Think of that old children’s song: “the toe bone’s connected to your foot bone, the foot bone is connected to your ankle bone”, and so on. The technical term for that is the kinetic chain. Everything’s connected.

If something affects the way you stand or the way you walk, your back may eventually pay the price. Bad footwear can throw your entire body out of alignment and affect your posture. That can have disastrous consequences for your back.

If you spend most of your working life on your feet, your shoes matter. The average person takes about 7000 steps a day and every step has a knock-on effect on your back. Doesn’t your back hurt just thinking about that?

So, which shoes are the worst culprits in causing back pain? We all know the answer to that one: high heels.

High heels, especially those Carrie Bradshaw-type stilettoes, force you to walk unnaturally, making wearers arch their backs and bend their knees slightly. This throws your body out of whack, which, over time, can cause back pain.

It’s not only skyscraper heels that are to blame; any heel higher than two inches can cause a problem.  And it’s not only women’s footwear that can do considerable damage, but also men’s dress shoes and even cowboy boots with a heel.

If high heels are to blame, you’re safe wearing flats, right? Well, no, it’s not that easy. Flat shoes that offer no arch support can cause just as much, if not more, damage to your back. Those dainty-looking ballet flats deliver 25% more impact pressure on your foot than high heels. Flat shoes also lack padding. That results in sore feet, which alters your gait, which, in turn, can affect your posture. You get the picture.

Flip-flops are possibly the worst shoes for your back. Not only do they offer very little in the way of arch support and padding, they change the way you walk. Your toes are forced to hang on for dear life, which unbalances your body and puts your back at risk.

When it comes to running shoes, just because they have padding and arch support, doesn’t mean your back is completely safe. Over time, the shoe structure and cushioning will start to wear down. As with your car tires, you must change your running shoes every so often. If you continue to run in down-at-the-heel shoes, you could seriously compromise your back.

If, like me, you walk everywhere, your walking and everyday shoes are probably the hardest-working footwear in your wardrobe. The state they’re in is important, since every step you take in them, reverberates up your spine. If your walking shoes can’t offer you complete stability, again, you’re putting your back at risk.

The list below is by no means exhaustive. Bear in mind that everyone’s physiognomy is different and what works for one need not work for another. That said we tried our best to find the best shoes for back pain available out there.

Don’t expect the shoes to do all the work for you. If you suffer from chronic back pain do see advice from a health professional.

That's why it is so important for your back to use cushioned shoes like these. Moreover, they're pretty lightweight and breathable thanks to the mesh uppers.

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.

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.

In addition, the footbed is also removable which may be the cherry to the cake if you're looking for the perfect fit to end your back pain. As good as the shoe can be, sometimes orthotics are what we all need. As stated by the experts at Academy Foot and Ankle:

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.

This is where good-fitting shoes like these come in. 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.

There are many other happy customers who won't change their Rocksports for any other shoe, so probably you wouldn't either!

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. And this is actually something that applies for many other shoes, even when the default insoles are good. Better put in words by the experts from Anderson Podiatry Center:

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. And they also are officially approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. A lot of people who suffer from plantar fasciitis swear by them. 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. The rubber outsole is durable so difficult terrains won't hurt your feet. They’re a unisex fit, so be sure to recommend them to anyone you know who suffers from back pain.

The causes of back pain are many and varied, ranging from too much exercise to too little exercise. Whatever the cause you should consult your doctor or another health professional if the pain persists. If you think you’re safe because you don’t spend a lot of time on your feet like nurses or servers, you’re wrong.

Back pain is often caused by spending too much time hunched over your computer or desk. Anything that keeps your spine out of alignment can spark back pain. Granted, back pain can due to an underlying health condition, like arthritis, or an injury, such as a from fall or a motor vehicle accident. But the degree to which your back improves depends on how you take care of it afterwards, including the type of shoe you wear.

Back pain can also result from trying to pick up heavy objects the incorrect way. The power to lift a heavy weight should come from your legs not your back. You never see Olympic weight lifters bend at their back to lift their weights, they always go into a deep squat, bending at the knees.

Any movement that requires lifting and twisting simultaneously, like golfing, can cause back pain. It can also result from something as inconsequential as bending over to pick up something or overstretching at gym.

There’s a reason you don’t see nurses or doctors walking around in dress shoes or flip-flops. If you’re going to be walking up and down slippery hospital corridors for hours on end, you need to wear shoes that are comfortable, offer proper support for your feet and your posture, offer adequate shock absorption and that have traction. In addition, your shoes must be quiet.

Similarly, chefs and servers need shoes that are comfortable, supportive and are properly cushioned. In addition, their shoes need to be protective enough to withstand dangerous items, like dropped knives, boiling water and broken glass.

On top of that, waiters’ shoes must look smart and need to be easily cleaned. The shoes for both hospital and restaurant staff also need to be durable, since they will be worn for hours on end almost every day of the week.

Builders and tradesmen need shoes that include many of the features above with an extra layer of toughness. Shoes in this industry need to act like hard hats for the feet. Builders and tradesmen will be traipsing through anything from concrete to dirt. They’re up and down ladders most of the day, so their shoes must be flexible and slip-resistant.

Corporate women are often expected to wear high heels to work, which puts a lot of tress on your back. The problem is that they’re often on their feet all day, rushing from one meeting to the next, giving boardroom presentations and attending business events.

Comfort and support need to be paramount in their minds when selecting shoes. There can be nothing worse than trying look calm and professional when your shoes are pinching your toes and your back is killing you.

Added to all those requirements is the need for them to look professional and stylish. While you’d probably like nothing more than wearing your trainers to the office, they are, unfortunately, frowned on in most corporate environments.

Even if you’re mostly deskbound, you may spend hours on your feet during your train or bus commute. And, if like me, you have to stand because you’re always too late to find a seat on the train, your feet take a beating.

Then you must still traverse a mile or two of hard concrete sidewalks. By the time you get to the office, your feet invariably feel like two throbbing cinderblocks, to say nothing of your aching back. You quickly begin to appreciate the value of good footwear.

If you have persistent back pain, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or chiropractor. They will be able to offer you short-term relief and advise you on a further plan of action.

You may have to visit a podiatrist who can check out your feet, your gait, posture and alignment. Take along a pair of shoes as they will probably want to see how the shoes affect your walking. They can also tell a lot from the wear on the tread of your shoe sole.

You can have specialized shoes made, but that’s can cost a small fortune and your feet may change as you age. They might suggest that you wear inserts in your shoes. These you can buy from all good shoe stores.

Amazon also has a wide variety on online ranging from $10 to $50, designed to fit different types of shoes. Get advice on which insert or insole is best for you. You can also get custom-made insoles, which can last a long time but are obviously more expensive.

Whether you’re on your feet all day or you’re slaving over a computer, back pain will sooner or later become an issue in your life. Wearing the right shoes can help prevent back pain or it can mitigate the symptoms. Back pain need not be a life sentence. You can put your foot down.