Back pain is the worst. There’s nothing more debilitating or worrying, especially if you’ve had a good flow going at the gym, or you’re a very busy person.
A back injury can keep you out of the game anywhere between a couple of weeks and a couple of years. Sometimes once a back is injured, it never fully recovers.
It can be tough caring for your back. Every single move you make no matter how gentle is going to put a strain on one or more spinal areas. This is why good back braces and support belts are such amazing products.
Whether you need a little extra support during your workouts or to get you through the workweek, they’ll help you survive. Whether you need them every day or just during a flare-up, they can handle it. To put it simply, they make life possible.
So let’s have a look at five of the best back braces and support belts available right now because you shouldn’t have to suffer. We’ll even run through a quick buyer’s guide and FAQ section so can find a product tailored to your needs.
In Pain?
Not to worry, we’ve got your back with our top pick right here.
Top 5 Best Back Braces & Support Belts
Breathability is absolutely key to maintaining comfort over long periods of time.
If you need to wear a support day in day out, the Sparthos is probably the perfect choice for you. The specialized fabric allows for the passage of vapor, keeping you cool, and reducing sweat.
It comes in three sizes. The elastic mesh construction makes it easy and comfortable to fit your waist, and the removable lumbar pad offers you extra support on days when you’re feeling particularly sore.
This is a great belt for those of you who need to stay active. The support stays keep everything in place and stops any annoying rolling at the edges.
The stays are a firm design so they can offer extra lumbar support while also doing their job.
This belt is machine washable and quick drying so you’ll never be left in the lurch, and the hard-waring, strong-hook velcro barely needs any overlap at all. You can guarantee it’s not going to spring open when you need it most.
Sparthos provides such stability for your back that it completely prevents the rolling of muscles making it perfect for easing pain caused by herniated disks.
It’s also a great support belt if you’re having general problems with your lumbar and need support over long periods of time.
Pros
- Breathable material
- Affordable
- Easily washed
- Comes in three sizes
- Super strong velcro offers security
- Support stays offer enhanced stop shifting and offer additional support
- Extra lumbar support pad can be inserted to help ease lower back pain
Cons
- May need to order size up to fit over lowest regions comfortably
The FY Posture Corrector is a fantastic middle and upper back support for both men and women. It comes in one universal size with adjustable padded shoulder straps so you can get that perfect fit.
The way that the FY Posture Corrector works by supporting the thoracic area of your back, applying just enough pressure to help push your sternum out and open up the shoulders.
If you think that your posture is contributing to your pain, or if you simply want a more confident and healthy-looking profile, you’ll be more than happy with this brace.
It gently stretches your shoulder and chest muscles, slowly easing any strains or twinges, creating the ideal posture for optimal spinal health.
The FY Posture Corrector is great to use during upper body workouts, and provides support to the hard to stretch areas of your back.
Of all the supports and braces on our list, this had the highest percentage of five-star reviews.
It’s made from lightweight breathable fabric that won’t be too visible worn under your clothes, making it a good option to wear under your clothes for work or for when you go out, although it obviously won’t be hidden under many dresses if they show your shoulders.
This brace is perfect for professionals who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen or taking calls – or if you stand all day serving customers in person. It ought to help you make it through the day in less pain. You’ll come home happy, healthy and active.
Pros
- Can be hidden under clothes
- Easy to put on and adjust
- Great for supporting hard to stretch areas
- Affordable
- Breathable material
- Corrects posture and reduces strain on shoulders and back
Cons
- Universal sizing means it might not fit all body types comfortably
The King of Kings Brace with Pulley System is our third pick. It’s a sturdy weightlifting like support with corset fasteners to give you enhanced adjustability – so you can get exactly the support you need.
This lower back brace is one of the best on the market for dealing with sciatica. It has two tensile nylon bars that sit on either side of your spine and provide unparalleled support for the L4, L5, and S1 vertebrae.
The corset pulley system allows you to easily tighten the brace up in order to lift heavy or bulky items, then loosen it off again for a bit of general support. This is where this brace excels.
Other braces don’t have as many adjustment and customized fit options. This unique adjustment system also keeps the brace firmly where you need it. No more shifting or rolling.
This brace is also made of breathable material, but it’s a far more heavy-duty brace than our other picks so it may not be as comfortable to wear over long periods of time. It’s designed to limit waist movement to protect the lumbar intervertebral disks.
This makes it great if you’re recovering from a back injury, but not so good if you’re looking for extra support in your active life.
This is the perfect brace for someone who needs extra help and a bit of versatility in fit.
It’ll be particularly helpful to those of you who do lots of heavy lifting, drive a lot, or spend large periods of the day sitting down. What it forfeits in flexibility, it makes up in steadfast support.
Pros
- Corset pulley system offers great range of support
- Good for heavy lifting or weight lifting
- Rigid design makes it great for recovery
- Breathable material
- One of the best braces to help with sciatica
- Tensile nylon bars offer loads of support
- Stays in place incredibly well
- Comfortable for a rigid design. Some customers wear theirs to bed
Cons
- Quite pricey for a brace
- Not suitable for athletic workout
- Won’t hid as well under clothes
Our fourth back bolsterer is the Valley Wind Heated Support Belt, which is marketed to women – but we see no reason why it can’t be used by everyone.
This belt has a built-in carbon fiber heating system to provide that extra much-needed relief to your sore lumbar section.
It has three heating options, red being the highest at 50 – 60 degrees C, blue is the moderate heat at 45 – 55 degrees C, and Green is the mildest setting at 40 – 50 degrees C.
This is a real game-changer when it comes to treating sore backs. If you’ve ever tried to put keep heat in one place, you know that it’s incredibly hard to keep heat packs in the right place – especially if you’re moving around.
With this belt, it’s no longer a problem. This function will be particularly helpful for soothing menstrual pains.
But, the Valley Wind belt is not just great for heat therapy. The mesh bag area is designed to hold ice packs. Whatever your muscles need, this brace has you covered.
It also has three massage modes. Red is continuous vibration, blue is strong intermittent, and green is mild intermittent.
We all know how much a good massage can help with sore muscles. It’s an incredibly innovative idea sure to help speed up recovery and ease tensions.
Both these smart functions can be used at the same time for a double-pronged approach to dealing with your back struggles, and it can be charged via the built adapter port.
This is a great support for use after an intensive workout to help your muscles relax. The heat will remedy any residual pains and the massage function will stimulate quick and healthy muscle regeneration.
Pros
- Heat treatment system will soothe muscles
- Mesh compartment for cold treatments
- Massage function will help ease aches and pains
- Made of lightweight breathable material
Cons
- Not really for use during exercise
- Quite pricey
Our last pick is a well made full back support for those of you that have multiple problem areas.
Due to this brace’s coverage, it will likely be suitable for people with scoliosis or shooting pains that seem to travel from one area to another. The padded, wide wrap-around straps help to push your central back forward whilst bringing your shoulders back and up.
It’s designed to be as flexible and breathable as possible. If you’re thinking about getting back to the gym after some general back troubles, this could be the perfect way to ease yourself back in.
It’s also fantastic for long stints sitting at a computer or in the driver’s seat. The five supportive panels running down from just below the shoulders to the lumbar keep your whole back in top shape.
The straps travel through a loop stitched to the lower back and act as additional lumbar support.
It’s a fairly thin line design so you should be able to wear it under shirts, blouses, or dresses without any unsightly bulges or noticeable changes to your figure. It’s also super quick and easy to put on.
Some people said that the shoulder straps can be a little uncomfortable when the brace is really tightened, but the pain relief was noticeable almost immediately. Apparently, wearing this brace only 30 minutes a day will help align your posture.
Pros
- Full back coverage for multiple pains
- Might be particularly effective in easing the effects of scoliosis
- Affordable
- Breathable material
- Good to ease strains from sitting down
- Suitable for working out
- Helps align posture
- Flexible material
Cons
- Shoulder straps can get a little uncomfortable
- Not as effective at treating localized pains
Best Back Braces & Support Belts Buying Guide
Searching for the right back brace or support belt for you can be a confusing process especially if you’re experiencing mind splitting back pain.
Even if you’re just looking for something for a little support during your workouts, it can still be hard to decide on one. So, we’ve put together this step-by-step buyer’s guide to ease you through the process.
Budget and Price
Coming up with a budget can help you choose from the massive selection of products out there.
Most supports and braces are perfectly affordable, but as this is a matter of health, we recommend setting aside slightly more than you think you’ll need.
More expensive braces tend to have features that make them superior to cheap ones.
Where is Your Pain or Discomfort?
The most important thing to consider when searching for braces and support belts is where you need the support.
If you have an incredibly localized pain, make sure you find a support that specializes in alleviating that area.
Lower Back Pain or Discomfort
If you have lower back pain, a support belt will be the quickest way to ease things up.
A posture correcting upper back brace will also help with lower back pain as it aligns your muscles, but this will be a slower process.
Middle and Upper Back Pain or Discomfort
If you have middle or upper back pain radiating between the shoulder blades, around the deep curve of your back, or the base of the neck, you should definitely be looking for a back brace with straps that run over the shoulders.
Even Lower
If you have pain really lowdown, just above the buttocks, a belt support might help, but you’ll need a bigger size to fit around your hips.
It may also need to be pulled extra tight to support those deep muscles.
Non-Localized Pain or Discomfort
If you have pains all over, it’s best to look for a full back support. These kinds of support are less common but there are a few good products on the market with lots of shining customer reviews.
If you can’t find a brace that works for you, it might be worth looking for a belt and a brace individually and wearing them together.
Professional Opinion
We recommend visiting a chiropractor or doctor about your back troubles before you settle on something.
Even similar kinds of back supports will be more suited to treating certain pains than others. The more specific you can be about your ailments, the more effective the belt you choose will be.
Material
Breathability
Your back support needs to be made of highly breathable fabric. Breathable fabric will keep your body cool beneath all the extra layers and reduce the production of sweat.
Choose one that’s too dense and you may become itchy and uncomfortable very fast, and it might leave you with rashes in an already painful area.
If a back brace or support belt doesn’t say it’s made out of breathable fabric, look for others that do.
Rigidity
Rigidity refers to the maximum level of support a brace can give you. Flexible materials will enable you to be more active, whereas rigid materials will be slightly restrictive but offer a lot more support.
Neoprene is a fantastic material often used for wetsuits and laptop sleeves. It’s incredibly durable and flexible, the perfect combination for unrestrictive back support.
Non-neoprene and non-elastic knit fabrics with firm hems are better for restricting your movement slightly. They’ll normally also have advanced adjustment systems so you can make them really tight for extra support.
If you have an extremely sore back that hurts when you move even slightly, a rigid support will be perfect for you. It will maintain composure and keep you from accidentally making those movements that cause the pain.
It’s common to use both types of back supports for exercise. A rigid lower belt support will be great if you want to start lifting heavy weights.
If you’re doing light upper body, core, or cardio workouts and you have a history of back problems, a thinner back brace will have all the support you need without reducing flexibility.
Fit
Size
Fit is everything when it comes to supporting your back. If it doesn’t fit, it’s useless. Check if a belt or brace comes in multiple sizes.
Some will only have one universal size for men and women. If you have an unusual body type, you should take some measurements to make sure a support will fit comfortably.
It’s a good idea to read up on customer reviews as they will often mention if a product has true sizing or not.
Fastener
A good back support needs to be able to stay on and firmly in place even when you’re being active. Check what kind of fastening system it has.
The fastener will also dictate how tight or loose you can set your support. If you need something extra tight, velcro may not be enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to wear a back brace all the time?
It can be damaging to overuse a back brace. Muscles get used to the support and weaken over time.
Unless you have a severe injury or you need it for long stints in a professional environment, you should really only wear a brace for around 2 hours a day.
Should I sleep in my back brace?
Yes, you can, but only as a short term therapy. If you can’t get any rest because of aches and pains, your back may get worse.
Wearing your brace at night only when absolutely necessary can speed up recovery.
Final Thoughts
It’s never easy when your back’s out of whack. It can take a great mental toll as well as physical. We really hope this helps you on your road back to a strong and healthy spine.
And if you suffer from an incurable ailment, we truly hope our guide and reviews help you find what you need to alleviate some of your pain and discomfort.
