6 Best Shoes For Back Pain [Men & Women] In 2023

Throughout the holiday season, people find themselves on their feet quite a lot, and many struggle with back pain. What shoes are the best for preventing back pain? Are there shoes to stay away from, or shoes that can help alleviate back symptoms? The answer to both questions is yes.

As you walk through the mall, travel from relative to relative, stand at holiday cocktail parties, and cook holiday meals all day, your feet are experiencing a large amount of extra work compared to the rest of the year. Best shoes for back pain, Wearing the correct shoes during the holiday season is the key to preventing back pain.

How the Shoes We Wear Affect Our Backs?

Many people don’t associate shoes with back pain, but in reality, the two can be very closely connected. Shoes that don’t fit well, or have too high a heel, alter the way you walk and can have adverse effects on your back and joints.

Wearing shoes that aren’t conducive to back health can cause the lumbar muscle to become stiff and overworked, leading to poor posture. Poor posture worsens back pain, so this concern should always come first and foremost. The incorrect footwear can even cause disc compression, knee pain, and can exacerbate arthritis over time.

When you walk, you can put as much as 2x your average body weight on each leg. This means that your feet need to be adequately supported so that they can absorb and distribute the weight properly. As your feet are often in contact with solid ground, they encounter resistance, increasing the amount of shock they have to absorb.

This is why it’s so crucial to have the right footwear to prevent back pain, especially during the holidays when you’re on your feet the most.

While it may seem like the search for the perfect shoe is never-ending, many shoes help with back pain. Many are available for purchase best shoes for back pain online or at your local shoe store, and some can be developed specifically to meet your needs by a medical specialist.

Prescription Orthotic Shoes

Prescription orthotic shoes are designed for lower back pain. They are the best shoes for back pain, as they are custom made for your body based on your unique needs. The shoes are developed to correct any positioning problems with your feet to alleviate any extra pressure that’s put on your joints, spine, or muscles. Only a doctor can create these shoes for you, as they are considered medical devices. They are made after a careful examination and imaging process of your feet.

While some online stores boast the ability to create these shoes for you without a visit to the doctor, you should always see a specialist when ordering prescription orthotic shoes. Orthotic shoes that are made without a doctor’s consultation can cause more harm than good.

Rocker Bottom Soles

Rocker bottom soles are also among the best shoes for lower back pain. The shoes have been shown to strengthen back muscles, improve the spine’s curvature, and reduce lower back pain. Rocker bottom soles have also been shown to help prevent joint pain. They truly may be the holy grail for those who are struggling and are looking for the best shoes for back pain this holiday season.

If you’re not familiar with rocker bottom soled shoes, they are shoes that have a thick sole and rounded heel. They have many names, including round bottom shoes, rounded sole shoes, and toning shoes. Rocker bottom soles are a great option for those with joint issues.

Running Shoes

Running shoes may be among the best shoes for lower back pain. This is because running shoes are designed to help absorb the shock that hits our feet as we walk or run. They are great shoes for people who experience back pain, as they are often well-cushioned and have ample arch support.

Factors to be considered while purchasing best shoes for back pain

• Arch support – Congruous arch support helps to evenly distribute the weight and minimize the impact on other areas of the foot, which may affect the joints. Make sure to know whether your shoe arch is low, neutral or high, and you opt to insert a shoe that fits your categorical arch, because this is very paramount to get the correct type of support you need.
• Cushioning – When ambulating or running, the cushion of any shoe is the key to dispersing and absorbing the impact, it will weaken the vigor of the feet and joints. In this case, the cushioning will be different depending on your arch type. Cushioning of the heel and forefoot is the most consequential, which is the main area that customarily has an impact. Cushioning may include gel insole or heel cushioning, cushioning or padded footbed or EVA midsole.
• Avoid flat shoes and high heels – More flat shoes will definitely not provide support, and the feet of high heels concentrate all the weight of the feet on a minute part of the forefoot or heel. If you have back pain, please keep these heel types clear at all costs.
• Get the right fit – If the shoes are not felicitous, other muscles in the body will endeavor to make up, and you will suffer more rigorous back pain. Not to mention that shoes that are too immensely colossal or too minute may cause abrasions, blisters, calluses and diminutive bunions

Here are some of the best shoes for lower back pain [Best Shoes For Back Pain] :

1. Brooks women glycerin 15 neutral max cushion shoe

This is a super comfortable shoe that provides utmost comfort to your feet while wearing them. Brooks glycerin is famous for providing cushioning that is comfortable for your feet. It is one of the best shoes for people with back pain. The upper part of this shoe is made up of a single mesh component which is very soft and stretchy. Due to the change in foam density and the renewal of the outsole, the riding feel of the midsole is slightly softer.

The upper is visually cleaner, but the forefoot is slightly narrower, which is the result of pushing the foot forward due to the increased heel filling. The laces used in these shoes are of a soft round variety which looks amazing. The forefoot bending grooves are wider, and most of the bending grooves are blocked by solid rubber in the inner/outsole. This means that it can roll off faster and can also improve durability to a small extent. Although the wider groove improves the flexibility of Glycerin 15, it has a negative impact on durability.

2. ASICS men gel Nimbus 20 trail shoe

This is a highly comfortable and highly structured shoe. The PU sole of this shoe is slip resistant and it helps to ensure a firm grip. This shoe also provides responsive cushioning and comes with a high quality mesh upper which helps to ensure the durability of the shoes. ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20 utilizes an incipient lightweight gradient mesh upper. It provides an open cover for the feet to provide a well-ventilated running experience. Cumulated with ASICS FluidFit technology, the shoe upper additionally gives a more comfortable dial fit. The tongue and collar of the shoe are opportunely padded to increment comfort and secure the foot.

3. Brooks men addiction walker walking shoes

This comfortable shoe is made up of durable products. Comfort, durability and stability are the main factors that make this shoe different from other shoes. This shoe is perfect for people with back pain. It’s slip resistant outsole provides good traction on wet and dry surfaces. The outsole of this shoe is not only slip resistant but also made up of environment friendly materials. The whole upper part of this shoe is made up of soft and good quality leather to provide comfort to your feet and for durability.

4. Brooks women’s addiction walker walking shoes

This is one of the best comfortable shoes that you can find in the market for women if you’re suffering from back pain. It is durable and can be used for a long period of time unlike many other shoes for back pain. It also comes with soft cushioning to provide support and comfort to your feet along with the feature of slip resistance. Brooks women’s addiction walker shoes also provide arch support to both sides of your feet making you feel comfortable wearing them.

5. Orthofeet gramercy men’s Oxford shoes

This is another shoe for lower back pain. It provides comfortability like Every other shoe. The insoles of this shoe provides a great support to your arch. The heel of this shoe is cushioned and it provides comfort while walking. It’s extra depth design is another great feature which helps to avoid pressure for your toe and upper area while wearing them.

6. Saucony women’s redeemer ISO 2 running shoes

Saucony redeemer is a good looking shoe with comfort and stability. The upper part of this shoe is soft and the heel cup of this shoe comes with a soft foam. The sole and insole of this shoe is flat. The midsole is composed of standard foam, with solid pillars in the middle to maintain stability. The outsole is very flat and the bottom surface is also very wide. Its design is predicated on Saucony’s TRI-FLEX, which has good flexibility and toe feel.The upper is constructed utilizing Saucony’s ISOFIT system, which is rudimentary a boot structure with an external exoskeleton on which the shoelace can be fine-tuned.

There are a lot of shoes for lower back pain which are available in the market, however, it is wise to select one after considering factors like stability, durability, fitness, arch support and all.