Experts Say To Avoid These Types Of Shoes If You're Prone To Back Pain (2024)

There are plenty of reasons you may be experiencing back pain, and your footwear is a great place to start. If you haven't been paying proper attention to what you're wearing on your feet, pain relief could be as simple as switching out your everyday shoes with a more supportive pair.

The best shoes for back pain are supportive and responsive, with qualities that help relieve pain and prevent it from flaring up in the future.

To learn more about the correlation between footwear and back pain, we chatted with a podiatrist and consulted with the professional guidelines set forth by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Using these insights, personal testing, and customer reviews, we've rounded up the best shoes for back pain, with options for every season and activity.

Can shoes make your back pain worse?

In short: yes. The wrong shoes can aggravate your back pain. Feet are the foundation of the body, so any imbalance due to high arches, low arches, or improper footwear can disrupt the function of the ankles, knees, hips, and back. According to Kornfeld, once the pelvis becomes unstable, muscles in the lower back will tighten and cause symptoms of back pain. Because we spend so much time in shoes, the right pair can make all the difference in supporting a healthy, pain-free back and spine.

How much does a pair of shoes for back pain cost?

You can expect to pay about $40 to $170 on a pair of high-quality shoes to help relieve and prevent back pain. Because the American Podiatric Medical Association has approved shoes in categories of sandals, slippers, sneakers, boots, and more, the options span a wide variety of budgets. In general, sneakers for back pain run on the higher end of the price spectrum, while you can find flats or sandals for a bit less. We've included a range of options on our list, with picks for plenty of activities.

What shoes should you avoid if you have back pain?

In addition to avoiding rigid shoes that don't easily bend easily in the forefoot, it's important to be mindful of the overall shoe design. Shoes with too much of an arch (or lack thereof) can exacerbate symptoms of back pain, so you'll need a shoe with proper arch support. Both high heels and flip-flops can affect your gait (aka your natural manner of walking), which negatively alters spinal alignment, causing knee, hip, and back pain. For this reason, it's crucial to be mindful of the overall support and how it affects your gait.

What to look for in shoes for back pain

When determining what shoes are best for back pain, podiatrists say it is particularly important to avoid a rigid design, or shoes that do not bend easily in the forefoot. "If the forefoot cannot extend properly, this causes excessive contracture of the calf muscles, which will overly flex the knees and unlock the pelvis," says Robert Kornfeld, DPM, of Manhattan's Chronic Foot Pain Center. Because an unstable pelvis leads to tightened lower-back muscles and pain, you'll want to be mindful of the rigidity of a shoe when making a selection.

Of course, other standard factors such as quality, material, budget, intended activities, and style preferences should be considered, too. Each of these will help narrow down your choices.

Oureditors love this Cariuma stylefor its support, versatility, and durable outsole. Ideal for daily wear, these sneakers are well-cushioned enough to keep your feet comfortable and stylish enough to pair with just about anything.

One ofour favorite walking shoesfor back pain, this lightweight pick features a moisture-wicking insole that makes it ideal for workouts or daily wear. The brand is known for its highly-cushioned sneakers, and this design has even received a stamp of approval from theAPMA.

If you’re prone to back pain and you spend all day on your feet, it’s particularly important that you pay attention to the shoes you’re wearing. Dankso clogs have become a favorite pick among healthcare workers who put in some serious steps during a long shift.

Dress shoes should be supportive too, and these slides are podiatrist-recommended. Plus, they come in 25 chic colorways to match whatever your personal style may be.

When you’re heading out the door in a hurry, or in need of a house shoe to throw on for added support, a slide-on option makes life easier. A wide toe box and spacious fit makes this one ofour favorite shoes for people with bunions, and we've also chosen it as one of thebest walking shoes for women.

This everyday pick is stylish enough for casual wear, but boasts the same supportive design you’d expect from a gym shoe or running sneaker. The APMA seal of acceptance confirms that they meet podiatrist standards, with a rubber sole, deep heel cup, and superior forefoot cushioning.

Don’t let back pain or uncomfortable sneakers get in the way of yourhot girl walk. Instead, try these well-cushioned walking shoes to keep your feet and body pain-free.

Runners know having the right pair of shoes can make a huge different in avoiding aches and pains—and ASICS makes some of our favorite running shoes for every experience level. Whether you're running distance, sprints, or keeping it at a brisk walk, you'll love the shock-absorbing design of the Gel Cumulus 24.

With a simplistic design and a platform just under two inches, these recovery slide sandals may seem like an unlikely candidate to land on a list of shoes for back pain. But, thanks to the soft foam material, molded cushion footbed, and easy to wear design, reviewers have called these out as “lifesavers,” particularly for people with plantar fasciitis or back pain.

The iconic Max Air cushioning of the Air Max 90 Sneaker adds just the right amount of shock-absorption to keep back pain away, while maintaining its timeless silhouette. We love that they can be worn right out of the box, with no time needed to break them in—and reviewers agree.

Pain can be one of the most frustrating things for runners, especially if you're having trouble pinpointing the cause. It's important to find a shoe with stability and support, like this pick from Brooks. It's a podiatrist-approved design meant specifically for those who tend to overpronate while running.

If hiking is your activity of choice, you'll want a boot that's designed to keep your feet and body supported. These are made with the brand's signature air cushioning in the heel, meant to absorb shock and add stability to prevent you from experiencing back pain.

The takeaway

Back pain can be disruptive to any activity—but relief could be just a shoe swap away. These shoes are great for runners, walkers, and everyone in between.

If you're not sure which are best for you, we recommend speaking with your doctor to learn more about your own unique foot shape and needs.