Inversion boots, also known as gravity boots, can help a back pain sufferer alleviate undue stress on the spine as well as improve circulation throughout the body. By allowing the weight of the body to hang down toward the ground, inversion boots give a user an opportunity to stretch in a way not possible in the upright standing position. Choosing the best inversion boots is not complicated, but it takes a bit of research and patience. You will most likely have to try on more than one pair to get the best fit and comfort, though the biggest challenge may be finding stores that stock the boots.
The best inversion boots will have more than enough padding around the ankles and top of the foot. Remember that all the body's weight will be hanging from the ankles and foot, which means inversion boots with too little padding will more than likely cause enough discomfort to render the boots unusable. The best inversion boots are lined with closed-cell foam, which is a soft, forgiving material that still provides sufficient support under load. A good set of boots will have a hard plastic shell around the foam for stability.
Be sure to examine the fastening mechanism on any boot you are considering purchasing. The mechanism should allow you to adjust the tightness of the boot easily, and it should allow for plenty of adjustment to get the best fit. Buckles similar to those found on ski boots are common because they are easy to use and offer enough adjustability to stabilize the foot. Adjustability is vital because the size of the foot changes throughout the day: your ankle, foot, and calf will be thinner in the morning after getting out of bed than it will be at the end of the day after standing or sitting for long periods of time. As blood flows downward in the body, the foot can swell, meaning you will have to adjust the inversion boots accordingly.
All inversion boots feature hooks from which you will hang when inverted. The hooks should be securely fastened to the strongest part of the boot — i.e. the plastic or composite shell — and it should be positioned directly forward on the boot. The best versions of the inversion boot will feature hooks that are made of some sort of metal that will not bend easily, and the hook will be coated with a protective sheath to prevent damage to the hook itself and to the bar from which you will be hanging.