Before I herniated the disc in my lower back I owned 47 pairs of shoes (yeah, I know...shoe whore). Now, 10 months post-herniation I own 3. The only brands I've found that work for me are Clark's of England, Dansko and Dr. Scholl's clogs.   It's amazing to me that just 10 minutes in a pair of my old, cheap, unsupportive shoes will send my back into spasm. And since I never want to experience that kind of pain again, I'll spend a bit more $$$.