Top 14 Best Shoes for Back Pain 2020

Back pain can be inconveniencing and the pain severe, which is why back pain sufferers always strive to relieve the pain by any means possible. In fact, it’s one of the major reasons people consult doctors.

The problem is, not many people realize that they are aggravating their conditions by themselves without even knowing. This is because the shoes you wear can either help you combat back pain or make it worse.

Just like there are shoes for sports like running, there are also shoes for back pain. If you’re curious how buying shoes relates with back pain, do remember that your spine and your legs have a connection.

Since your legs hold your body mass, the shoes you wear will bear the brunt of exerted force. Depending on the shoes you wear, one of two things will happen, either your gait is affected since your back posture won’t align properly or your back aligns well.

Considering this, it’s recommended that you understand the features of the shoes you want to buy to make sure it’s one of the best shoes for back pain sufferers, so it doesn’t jeopardize your back pain alleviation plans.

To help you find perfect fitting shoes that will also assist with your back pain struggles, I’ll be reviewing 14 top of the line shoes for back pain. You can pick one of these and add a shoe insert to give you extra comfort when wearing.

Before I proceed, here’s a video of how to put on your shoes when you’re suffering from back pain:

What’s the Best Shoe for Back Pain?

If you are curious about what the top shoes for back pain is, but can’t stand reading large walls of texts, this section is for you.

I’ll be highlighting several top choices when it comes to picking out the best shoe for back pain. With this, you won’t be missing out on many details by skipping the in-depth reviews just down the page.

• Best Overall: Brooks Men’s Addiction Shoe for Back Pain
  “Weighs 2 pounds, made of quality leather, BioMoGo adaptive DNA foot gear control, support for foot arch.”
• Best Budget: Clark’s Chayn Madi Loafers for Women
  “Made of 100% leather, has synthetic sole, very durable, ideal for people with a need for ortholite footbed.”
• Best Women Shoe for Back Pain: Skechers Professional(Sc Hr) Heath Care Shoe for Women
  “Made of textile material, anti-slip sole, air-cooled footbed, is stain, water, and electric shock resistant.”
• Best Men Shoe for Back Pain: New Balance 990v5 Sneakers for Men
  “Anti-slip rubber sole, ENCAP technology for comfort, pigskin or mesh upper body, and lightweight.”
• Best Running Shoe for Back Pain: Saucony Cohesion 10 Men’s Running Shoes
  “Made of synthetic mesh, comes in various colors, rubber soles, is durable and breathable.”
• Best Therapeutic Shoe: G-Defy Therapeutic Shoes for Women
  “Has versoshock tech, a front rocker sole that’s great for bunions and plantar fasciitis, synthetic fiber material.”
• Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Orthofeet Women’s Plantar Fasciitis Shoes
  “Has an extended width, great for plantar fasciitis, back pain, and bunions, made of quality material, wide toe box, removable insoles.”

Shoes for Back Pain Comparison Chart

Here’s a comparison chart showing how each of the best 14 shoes for back pain compares against each other.

Top 14 Best Shoes for Back Pain Reviews

Here’s a rundown of the best shoes for back pain available right now.

Brooks Men’s Addiction Shoe for Back Pain

(Best Overall)

These Brooks Walking shoes were specially engineered to enhance the running experience. The shoe possesses an advanced cushioning, stability and motion control.

No wonder runners place this product high on their priority list. Brooks thinks of this product as their contribution towards encouraging running to keep fit.

That’s why the shoe is equipped with gears to keep you running farther and longer while enjoying the process all along.

The “D” sized walking shoe has a diagonal roll bar offering maximum support for your foot arch, with its sole designed to be slip-resistant – keeping your feet secure and on the right path and balance with your whole body.

Key Features:

• 100% leather
• Weighs 2 pounds
• BioMoGo adaptive DNA foot gear control

Merrell Encore Gust Slip-On (Men)

A company like Merrell isn’t one not to be tenacious about the quality of their products and this Encore Slip-On is an art.

Although the company began from scratch (making boots), today it has grown to become a world-class shoe producer, especially for outside movers.

Want to keep moving without a hitch? This full-grain leather slip-on with M-SELECT grip sole is everything you seek.

This slip-on was designed to absorb shock with its air-heel cushion while keeping feet dry with the mesh wicks lined around the inside of the leg gear. The high heel (2 inches) ensures your feet are kept way off the ground for

additional safety.

Key Features:

• 2-inch high sole
• Weighs 12 ounces
• 100% full-grain leather
• Padded collar
• Ortholite footbed
• Arch shank made of molded nylon

Brooks Ghost 9 Running Shoes (Women)

One great thing about this Women’s Ghost 9 is that you can get them in various colors. It has a neutral support type and with high energizing cushion.

Having a BioMoGo DNA layout, this shoe was built for running on rough roads. It is excellent for providing enough stretch and breathability while running.

It is perfectly engineered for foot crash for easy landing as well as aid easy foot transitions. Weighing a surprising 12 ounce, this shoe materials provide the needed grip and with all the cushioning while allowing for forefoot fluidity.

Key Features:

• Toe guard
• BioMoGo DNA layout
• Synthetic overlays for collar and tongue

Men’s Gel-Kayano 24 from ASICS

The Gel-Kayano 24 men’s running shoe from ASICS is shoe engineering at its very best. It has a rubber sole built for comfort, with your foot’s natural shape supported by the Impact Guidance System Tech of ASICS.

The Fluid Upper Technology allows the shoe to stretch comfortably to fit your feet as it expands and contracts while running. It is also designed to grab your heels and fit like a glove.

Although this shoe isn’t built with leather, the synthetic material is durable so you’d enjoy your buy for extended periods.

Key Features:

• Fluid Ride Midsole
• FlyteFoam Sole Technology
• Fluid Upper Fit
• Heel Clutching Technology
• Synthetic Material

Vionic Women’s Ballet Flat

Made from leather, the Vionic women’s ballet flats have microfiber footbeds. It can be worn with any clothing style whether casual, formal or semi-formal outings and events.

The microfiber footbeds support your feet, giving you total comfort while the biomechanically engineered shoe linings grip your feet and give you full control of your movement.

Besides leather, this shoe is available in materials such as printed or synthetic cow hair and novelty leather.

Key Features:

• Vio Motion Support technology
• Rubber sole
• Low heel 0.5 inches
• EVA foot-bed covered in microfiber
• Has the APMA acceptance seal

New Balance 990v5 Sneakers for Men

(Best Men Shoe for Back Pain)

The New Balance shoe company is one of the biggest in the US and with a local value of more than 70% of the industry.

One thing I loved about these sneakers is the variety of colors one can choose from. The upper body is fabricated with pigskin or mesh, which means it’s either synthetic fiber or leather, depending on what you want.

The rubber sole gives you comfort and is anti-slip. One more thing, the shoe is engineered with the ENCAP technology (midsole) which helps to make the product comfortable to the wearer and lasts longer.

So, you know that you can wear your NB 990v5 longer and farther without hitches.

Key Features:

• Collar Foam of Dual Density
• Upper made with mesh/pigskin
• Rubber sole

New Balance Fuelcore Nergize V1 for Women

Easy wear women’s sneakers have never looked as sleek and beautiful as the Fuelcore Nergize V1. The modern shoe has been laced up so you can wear them with jeans or dresses.

Additionally, the REVlite midsole cushioning is a plus for additional comfort and makes the shoe lightweight.

NB’s main goal is bringing the best out of athletes and that could be why the company doesn’t need to spend on extravagant celeb endorsements. Instead, the company invests in deep research into shoe technology and feet studies to bring out the best in every athlete.

Key Features:

• Synthetic upper material
• Rubber sole for additional grip
• REVlite Midsole
• NB Comfort Memory Sole

G-Defy Therapeutic Shoes for Women

(Best Therapeutic Shoe)

The G-Defy therapeutic shoe for women does exactly what it says – healing of foot and heel pains as well as plantar fasciitis. That’s not all. If you suffer bunions or diabetes, this carefully engineered shoe is what you have been searching for.

It has a front rocker sole and extra toe room for plantar fasciitis and bunions respectively. If your feet need extra orthotic support, the removable insoles of the G-Defy shoes make sure of that.

If you are a bulky person or heavy walker, the shoe’s VersoShock tech ensures that shock from the ground is assimilated and converted into a mobile force for you. The outer covering of the shoe is either made from synthetic materials or fabric.

Key Features:

• VersoShock Technology
• Seamless interior
• Rocker sole (front)

Skechers Professional(Sc Hr) Heath Care Shoe for Women

(Best Women Shoe for Back Pain)

Skechers made this one up from some high-grade textiles. The breathable material is joined to a slip-resistant synthetic sole.

The shoe has been treated to repel stain and not absorb water and the memory foam interior shoe bed is air-cooled to provide maximum comfort to the wearer.

Is there an electrical hazard in the hospital building? No worries, because your feet are secured while you have these Skechers Hr Sc on.

So, if you’re trend-savvy, or need quality lace-up that can blend into a casual, dress and even your hospital work clothes, you can never go wrong with the Skechers Sr Hc as a woman.

Key Features:

• 100% textile material
• Slip-resistant sole
• Stain, water and electric shock resistant
• Air-cooled footbed

STQ Breathe Mesh Walking Shoes for Women

The STQ Breathe Mesh Women walking shoes is light and flexible. Attached to a synthetic sole, the mesh material of this shoe is high-grade material that allows your feet adequate ventilation.

The 2-inch high platform wedge can match any clothing style including casual, dress and anything in-between.

It has a synthetic air-cushion sole that is non-slip and wears resistant, plus it grips the ground and your foot’s arc firmly, providing total support and balance as you enjoy your kicks.

With these shoes, you need not bother if your need is improving plantar fasciitis or going fishing, farming, workout, clubbing, and the likes, STQ got you covered.

Key Features:

• Round, wide forefront for providing room for toes
• Synthetic sole
• Breathable upper mesh material
• Easy slip-on design
• Arc support

Clark’s Chayn Madi Loafers for Women

(Best Budget)

Clark’s is known for its generous use of leather on their footwear and these women’s loafers aren’t any different. The high-grade synthetic sole shoe would fit perfectly into your exercise or work schedule and will last several years.

For people needing an Ortholite footbed for feet pains or highly cushioned shoes, this one is for you. To add to its unique design, the shoe has a button detail just by the side to help grip on your ankles firmly.

The platform is just about half an inch high with the heel a little higher at 1.2 inches. Talk shoe durability, then you’re talking about Clarks.

Key Features:

• Rounded forefront to make room for your toes
• 0.5 inches footbed
• 100% leather upper material
• Synthetic sole

Orthofeet Women’s Plantar Fasciitis Shoes

(Best for Plantar Fasciitis)

What’s better than having confidence in whatever you’re spending your money on? These women’s shoes offer buyers 2 months of trial and if they aren’t convinced of its quality, they can get a full refund.

If you have bunions, plantar fasciitis or heel pains, this should be your buy. Specifically engineered to provide room and comfort for your feet, this orthopedic footwear is ideal for folks with sensitive feet, arthritis, back pain, and diabetics.

Even if you have hammertoes, the wide toe box of this shoe ensures there is enough room for your toes so your foot doesn’t bind. The removable insoles mean that you can have extra depth if you want – so go ahead and enjoy a blend of comfort and quality!

Key Features:

• Extended width
• Removable insoles
• Biomechanical orthopedic shoes

Saucony Cohesion 10 Men’s Running Shoes

(Best Running Shoe for Back Pain)

Although synthetic, the upper of the Cohesion TR10 is durable and breathable. It means your feet wouldn’t have to be sweaty while crushing on those rough mountain paths.

One thing is that Saucony is a respectable name in the running shoe industry and aims at helping athletes reach their full potential.

This shoe has a rubber sole which allows for grip, comfort and shock absorption during hard, rough walks. And what is more, you would be happy to know that you don’t have to blast a hole through your wallet to get these beauties.

Key Features:

• Rubber soles
• Synthetic mesh upper
• Breathable material for adequate feet ventilation
• Few varieties of cool colors

Alegria Women’s Essence

Everyone loves a good leather shoe, right? Finding a shoe with insoles that contour to the shape of your feet might have been a problem, right? Not anymore! The Alegria Women’s Essence is engineered to provide your feet with the needed comfort and contour.

This Alegria women’s footwear is lightweight and built with breathable synthetic materials like the upper mesh and the sole. It has footbeds that are soft with a firm grip. The shoe is also anti-slip. Its perforated and colorful outer makes it quite attractive to females.

Key Features:

• Leather upper body
• Synthetic sole
• Lace-up front
• Breathable fiber mesh

Buying Guide

If you want a straight to the point, and easy-to-comprehend guide that will help you make the right choice of purchase of the best shoe for back pain, read on.

It won’t come as a surprise to learn that most people purchase shoes to compliment their wardrobe. While it might seem like a good buy aesthetically since it blends with your wardrobe, you might just be purchasing the source of unbearable pains.

This is why fashion should play second fiddle when you’re in the market for new footwear, especially if you’re suffering back pain. If you care about your health, you should invest in shoes that would impact your spine while you’re wearing them.

To better assist you with picking out a shoe that will not only serve as a fashion item but also alleviate back pain, this buying guide will detail factors you should consider before you splash your hard-earned cash on that footwear.

Material

The first thing to always look out before spending money on a shoe is its material build. A shoe’s material determines how well it will be able to absorb shock.

The density of the shoe and how it’s modified both play crucial roles in the support and distribution of weight across body parts.

You don’t want to purchase a material that is difficult to fit due to its rigidness. You need a material that makes your feet comfortable while having a heel that’s able to comfortably sustain impact.

Remember that a footwear material will determine how heavy the footwear will be. While you don’t want to compromise on the level of thickness ideal for relieving back pain, the material should be light. The material will also determine its durability.

Don’t opt for materials that will cause pain as a result of friction, the result may be either a blister on your leg or getting an infection which could hamper your gait.

Arch Support

Another thing is to consider the arch of the shoe you want to spend your money on. Be sure that the arch tallies with your foot’s arch so that you would be comfortable wearing them.

Since the arch determines what leg part the bulk of the weight rests on, you want to opt for shoes that offer max support to that part.

You should make sure to pick footwear that’s made to cushion back pain as well as pressure when in motion like engaging in activities like playing, jogging or running.

Remember that people can have a different arch, so a shoe that’s perfect for someone else may not be the best choice for you.

Gender

When choosing the best shoes for back pain, you need to consider the gender too. Bearing in mind that there is lots of footwear designed for men, women or even both genders.

And shoes designed for different genders aren’t just based on the fashion and style of the genders but also their structural differences.

Manufacturers factor a lot of things including the weight distribution of shoes between genders. This is why if you decide to put on a shoe of the opposite gender, it’s almost certain that you won’t be comfortable and worse still might be pressuring your back.

You don’t want to buildup impact on your back, as it may result in back pain. There are hybrid shoes that both genders can wear (unisex shoes). These include running or walking shoes that are built to not just fit but also support different weights.

Rigidity

The rigidity of the shoes should also be considered. You want a shoe that’s flexible, as rigid shoes are well, rigid, restricting movement. With time your feet will hurt as it can’t breathe in them.

The Seal of Acceptance

Some shoes have a seal of acceptance that indicates that they have been duly tested for comfort and passed these tests. These shoes are guaranteed to support instead of hurt your lower body.

These are a must-have for people who are already suffering from lower back pain.

Style

Another important factor to consider is the style of the footwear, as it will determine how parts of the feet are aligned. You don’t want highly raised footwear as you would be putting the bulk of the weight on your feet’ fore-part, leading to discomfort.

How Fitting

A common mistake people do when picking shoes is either choosing a shoe too big or one that’s too small. This little mistake will not just affect your feet but your entire body.

Let’s take a quick look at the different types of footwear on the market and their influence in your back and/or gait.

Footwear Types and Their Influence on the Back

Heels

Without a doubt, heels are a common cause of back pain. From stilettos to open-toed shoes and other high-heeled shoes are liable to cause back pain, especially to your lower back.

Walking in heels means you have to balance yourself, making it possible to strain your back. Although the knees are usually the parts affected by wearing heels, your spine isn’t going to be spared as time goes on.

To significantly improve the condition of your back, try to restrict wearing heels to only when they are important.

Flats

Flat footwear is a common cause of back pain as they don’t offer any type of support to the back.

Also, considering that they are typically worn for longer hours, the resultant effect might be mounting more pressure on the back when compared with other types of shoes.

There’s also the issue of consistently mounting pressure on the legs each time you take a step (due to its lacking support). And of course, after taking a lot of pressure on the legs, it would move up to the back.

Toning Shoes

People tend to purchase toning shoes to ‘tone’ their legs, but this can have an adverse effect on the body.

Due to the design of toning shoes (they have a curved bottom), your muscles will work more when you’re wearing them. You will also feel the impact of every step you make.

This is why after a while, there’s a possibility of feeling pain on all parts of your lower body and not just the lower back.

Watch this video of two types of shoes that cause back pain:

FAQs

Our Top Pick

Our top pick is the Brooks Men’s Addiction Shoe for Back Pain, as it’s made of high-quality materials and engineered to enhance your running experience.

It uses an advanced cushioning, stability and motion control that helps you maintain a good gait and posture. Your foot arch gets maximum support with the diagonal roll bar. You can check out this shoe for back pain here.