Best Men’s Running Shoes for Back Pain 2021
Back pain can come from a variety of different causes. Sports injuries, repetitive stress injuries, genetic causes, sitting all day, plantar fasciitis, and many other issues can contribute to back pain. If your back pain has been ongoing for more than a week, is getting worse, or is causing pain or numbness in other parts of your body, it is best to see a healthcare practitioner.
The type of shoe you choose will depend on many different factors, and again, it is best to talk to a healthcare practitioner to see if there are specific features you should be looking for in athletic shoes before you buy them. Here, we have taken a look at five different running shoes and broken down the specs for you, so your quest to find the best running shoes for back pain will be that much easier.
Asics Men’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe
Many who walk or run on trails have reviewed these shoes as outstanding. If you’re walking specifically to relieve back pain and if you prefer rugged trail-like terrain, this could be the ideal men’s shoe for you. One of the main issues that could negatively impact your back pain is their seeming inability to maintain traction on wet or slippery surfaces.
Although other reviewers declare that this shoe has “awesome traction,” they note that it is only an ideal choice for those running on trails. If you are looking for a shoe to relieve back pain and are generally going to be walking or running on trails, this may be a good fit for you.
Reviewers mention specifically that this shoe may not provide ample traction on wet, slippery rocks, so you will have to be mindful of that. Also, they mention the newly designed midsole and feel that this shoe performs well on tight turns, which means that the ankle support will be good, preventing roll-overs.
Pros
- Designed for stability
- Removable sock liner for orthotic insertion for a flat foot
- Durable sole, designed from high abrasion rubber
- Ideal as a track and trail running and walking shoe
- Machine washable
- Protective bumper at front of shoe
- Available in a variety of colors
- Rearfoot gel cushioning provides extra comfort
Cons
- Sole and upper tend to be inflexible
- Reports of slips on wet or flat surfaces
- Lacks flexibility for those needing arch support
Design
This shoe is reasonably priced and is known in the running world as a high-quality, high-performance shoe. They are incredibly sturdy and have deep lugs for stability, making them great for heavier athletes.
Additionally, the Asics High Abrasion Resistant (AHAR) rubber is designed to decrease abrasion and increase the life of the shoe. This resistance to cracking and breaking contributes to the excellent stability of the shoe but detracts from its flexibility, which is integral for those who need arch support.
If you’re looking for a stability shoe and usually run or walk on rugged terrain, this may be the shoe for you. The design is intended to assist with transitioning between movements, which means that support is prioritized. This, in turn, makes them less flexible. High stability combined with low flexibility makes them great for some people, but not all.
Specifications
Sole measurement: 1.25”
Platform: 1”
Upper: Synthetic, breathable mesh
Midsole: EVA foam
Outsole: AHAR rubber
Width: Normal Wide
Heel to Toe Drop: 10 mm
Weight: 303 g
Conclusion
This is an amazing shoe for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis, need heel and ankle support, and walk or run on rugged terrain. It is reasonably priced and comes in a variety of complementary and neutral shoe colors. Those looking for arch support or need a shoe that performs on slick or wet surfaces should consider other options.
Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe
According to Switch Back Travel, these are some of the sturdiest shoes on the market. These shoes have been tested on steep, muddy, and rocky trails and were found to have amazing traction.
At 6 mm, the lugs on these shoes are big and will give you amazing grip, especially important if your back pain contributes to a lack of balance or flexibility. The big lugs also ensure that the rubber outsole of this shoe is very durable.
Pros
- High traction
- High durability
- Excellent for trail walking or running
- Excellent for hiking
- Protective upper
Cons
- Low breathability
- Low drainage in wet conditions
- Big lugs are not stable on pavement
- Somewhat narrow fit
- Not as much arch support as the Speedcross 3
Design
These shoes are truly designed for tough, outdoor conditions. In addition to the big lugs, which are great for gripping in muddy conditions, there is EVA foam in the sole for extra cushioning and shock absorption to support the plantar fascia and joints during rocky runs, walks, or hikes. The upper is designed specifically to protect your feet from sharp objects you could encounter on a trail and keep your feet as dry as possible in wet and rainy conditions.
The midsole is designed with LT Muscle technology which adds lightweight shock absorption. The rubber outsole has the addition of EVA foam for greater comfort and cushioning and even more shock absorption. The lugs are arrow-shaped to provide the ultimate traction in wet, muddy conditions, and there is also a mudguard to prevent mud build-up on the outsole.
Specifications
Upper: Water and abrasion-resistant
Outsole: Injected EVA foam
Midsole: LT Muscle technology
Weight: 300 g
Heel to Toe Drop: 10 mm
Conclusion
If you are looking for a shoe that provides support and cushioning to relieve back pain and are walking or running on trails, this shoe is going to be amazing. Keep in mind that it is a trail-specific shoe, and you will need a different shoe for everyday activities. If you are in the market for a dedicated trail shoe, this one has been tried and tested and found to be a fantastic choice.
Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus 34 Running Shoe
This shoe is a very popular, long-lived design. The many iterations of this shoe have been tested repeatedly by runners and other athletes and have proven to be good, lightweight shoes. This comfortable shoe can be used for relief of back pain as it provides an ample amount of cushioning with the CushIon Foam midsole and the Zoom Air feature in the rubber outsole heel.
Pros
- Sole provides ample traction on roads, track, and treadmill
- Good for wet or dry conditions
- Lightweight and breathable mesh upper
Cons
- Sole not quite as flexible as previous versions
- Not designed for trails or hiking
Design
These shoes are famous in the running world as they have achieved their 34th iteration. Nike seems to have found a successful formula and is sticking to it. There are minor changes from the previous versions, such as updates to the midsole and outer sole and some design differences to the upper.
Premium Cushion Foam, which has lightweight and responsive properties, is featured throughout the entire midsole. The Zoom Air feature is a tiny airbag under your heel for added cushioning for your stride and added support; ideal for those with foot pain, heel pain, or plantar fasciitis. The Flymesh upper wraps around the foot with a single seam at the heel.
Specifications
Upper: Synthetic Flymesh
Insole: 5 mm of cushioning
Midsole: Premium Cushion Foam
Outsole: Rubber with Zoom Air heel
Arch Support: Medium
Heel to Toe Drop: 10 mm
Weight: 295 g
Conclusion
These shoes have been reviewed as great, all-purpose running shoes. Nike tends to fit a bit on the narrow side for those with a wide foot, but there is an optional 2E width to accommodate customers with this foot type. This design offers a good amount of support and cushioning for those looking for shoes to relieve back pain.
Adidas Men’s Solar Boost Running Shoe
Adidas has revamped its upper in the latest version of this shoe. The bouncy, responsive Boost Foam technology in the sole maintains the same comfortable cushioning. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! For the upper, Adidas used Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP). They’ve mapped out what areas of the upper receive the most stress and pressure from the running and walking foot and used flexible fabric to correct structural integrity.
Pros
- Built with plastics harvested from the sea
- Heel Counter and Guide Rail design hold the foot in place
- Patented Boost Foam technology adds comfortable cushioning and responsiveness
Cons
- New upper not as breathable as the previous version
- Little arch support
- Some may find reconstructed heel not as supportive as the previous version
Design
One of the major design breakthroughs of this shoe is the redesigned toe box. As mentioned above, the Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP) determines what areas of the foot need the most structural integrity, and more support is placed accordingly. The toe box has an extremely flexible material stretched across it, giving the front of the foot ample room to flatten. To strengthen this area and add support, Adidas has incorporated thin, evenly spaced strips of plastic.
There is also a guide rail around the shoe, starting at the heel and running to about the midsole, where it reduces in size as not to interfere with the amount of room the foot has in the toe box. This guide rail reduces lateral movement of the foot in the shoe.
Specifications
Upper: Tailored Fibre Placement
Midsole: Boost Foam cushioning
Outer Sole: Rail Guides
Heel to Toe Drop: 10 mm
Weight: 300 g
Conclusion
This shoe has received mixed reviews from a lot of different users. It seems it is either loved or hated, with nothing in between. It seems as though there is no simple verdict on this shoe. Some felt that the new additions to the upper were sufficient for support, while others found that they did nothing for support at all.
The Boost Foam technology midsole is popular across the board, and the guide rail in the sole adds to the shoe’s secure feeling. However, if you are looking for a very supportive shoe to help relieve your back pain, this may not be the shoe for you.
This is a minimalist shoe designed for everyday wear. The price point is quite low, and there are no high-tech features to the construction of either the sole or upper. They come in various colors, so if you are looking for something versatile and casual, you may enjoy these. These shoes deliver an extreme amount of flexibility, but support does suffer.
Pros
- Extremely light
- Very flexible
- Quite affordable
- Available in a variety of colors
Cons
- Not supportive
- Not durable
- Some reviewers have found the shoes too narrow and long
- Some reviewers have reported the sole separating from the upper after only months
Design
These shoes are designed as a whole piece: the laces are not separate from the uppers. For the most part, users have found these shoes to be ideal for outdoor sport, and some have even used them as swim shoes. There is no real support for arches or joints to be found in this shoe, so if you are simply looking for something to protect your feet while swimming or going to a splash pad with the kids, this could be it.
Specifications
Upper: Mesh knit
Sole: Non-slip rubber
Conclusion
This shoe is the minimal of minimalist options. There is no support to speak of and no way to adjust the support of the upper as it is a slip-on shoe. The laces are there for decorative purposes only. If you are looking for protective footwear for swimming or other water sports, this could be a good shoe for you, and it is priced similarly to other shoes meant for water sports.
I could not recommend this shoe specifically as a running shoe or walking shoe to relieve back pain, as there aren’t any supportive features to either the upper or the sole.
