Casual/Stylish Work Shoes for a Guy with a Bad Back
May 7, 2017 11:29 AM   Subscribe

Has anyone had any luck with specific brands of shoes suitable for a chill workplace? Mostly black or gray, usually worn with jeans or gray slacks, nice lines, and won't leave me writhing on the floor.

I fractured a vertebra fifteen years ago, so I struggle with back pain/spasms. For work, I eventually had to switch to pair of New Balance running shoes, which did a lot to alleviate the pain. But, you know, I kind of look like a goober in them. I'm also pretty tall, so blocky, black orthotic types make me look like Frankenstein's monster's less stylish brother. Looking for specific brands here, and I'm following all the lifestyle advice already, so no need for that. Thanks!
posted by Forbidden Equine Dentistry to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (10 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
A family member who for years refused to wear anything other than New Balance because of various reasons that aren't as extreme as yours was so pleased by the offerings of the Fluevog store I dragged him along to that when he came back to my city he stopped off and bought another pair between the airport and my house. Ostensibly it was because he was meeting some clients and needed some nicer looking shoes but I think we all know what happened there.

I can't personally vouch for their orthopedic fabulousness but they really hit that sweet spot of casual/stylish, use durable repairable materials with good rubber soles, offer shapes and support that are slightly unusual so might fit you right when other things don't, and they are highly responsive to customer questions and requests. They have a few stores scattered around the US and Canada, I suggest finding one near you to try things on and chat about your specific needs - I have never interacted with a Fluevogs employee who was anything less than helpful and motivated and totally nonjudgmental, up to suggesting other brands and types of shoes for me.
posted by Mizu at 11:44 AM on May 7, 2017 [3 favorites]


Ecco
Keen
Mephisto
Rockport (you have to dig around a bit, but they've been introducing cooler styles in the last couple of years)
Børn
posted by wintersweet at 12:34 PM on May 7, 2017 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Børn has always been good for my bad back and my fashion sense.
posted by goatdog at 12:41 PM on May 7, 2017 [2 favorites]


I cannot say enough good things about my Cole Haans. (Except they are expensive.) Here are bkack shoes that will make your back thank you. (I have had a spinal fusion and I love me these.)

Check out their outlet store.
posted by AugustWest at 2:21 PM on May 7, 2017


In addition to footwear suggestions, have you looked into orthotic inserts? There are some great off-the-shelf ones out there. I like Superfeet, which were recommended by my physical therapist. A PT or even a specialist at a store (maybe one of those specialty running stores) could tell you which one to buy.

That said, my dad has a bad back, and he wears Eccos.
posted by radioamy at 2:23 PM on May 7, 2017


I wear a pair of leather Ecco "tennis shoes" because they look good in a business casual setting. The fact that they're also the most comfortable shoes I own is a bonus.
posted by bitdamaged at 2:29 PM on May 7, 2017


Insoles!
posted by srboisvert at 5:36 PM on May 7, 2017


Response by poster: Thanks for all the tips! So far Ecco, Børn, and Mephisto seem to be the frontrunners (though Mephisto is pretty expensive). If you have any experience with these shoes and back issues, let me know. And thanks for the orthotics and insole advice, but so far those have not proved useful to me.
posted by Forbidden Equine Dentistry at 12:02 AM on May 8, 2017


Best answer: I have back issues, and Born is my go-to brand.

(though I am female and thus have to look carefully for the good shoes rather than the 'fashion' shoes; you likely won't have that problem).

My husband loves his Eccos, and they look pretty robust.

One thing to watch for, and match carefully to the NB sneakers that work for you, is heel lift. Very small differences there make huge differences in back position and comfort. I can't do purely flat shoes, for example.
posted by Dashy at 6:54 AM on May 8, 2017


Ecco is great. I have bought several pairs over the years. The only shoes I've found that might be better are Mephisto.
posted by nickthetourist at 7:43 PM on May 8, 2017


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