Minimal drop shoes -> Regular shoes = back pain?

I haven't personally, but it makes sense. It probably really changed your foot fall to something you aren't used to anymore, even if you didn't notice on the hike.

I might have experience this. My back was chronically out of alignment through parts of 2010-2011. It was partly an injury and I did go to a chiropractor some but I did feel like I was better on days where I wore minimal or zero drop shoes compared to days when I was forced to wear dress shoes or boots.

One place that I always got sore in 2008 was the archery range I ran. I'd wear traditional shoes and stand with my toes facing downhill while I supervised the kids shooting so my heals were really, really high. Seems I got a sore back every time I was there.

My problem was with arch collapse and heal pain. Haven't had any since I went to flat shoes.

I haven't had that problem when transitioning shoes but I have had it when I've spent a long day running or biking. In my case, the culprit was tight quads. Stretch out your quads and use a foam roller and your lower back pain should subside.

Hot tubs, a massage every once in a while….does wonders. Hiking to hot springs, yahoo!