I posted a link, but I'm also providing a photo.

What Darbuka said!

If you only want people sitting for a few minutes (< 10 mins) they may be OK, not great, but OK. However, those do not look like they would be comfortable for any length of time.

Just b/c you and your friends are fit does not mean you will find them comfortable! In fact, the less "padding" you have, the more uncomfortable they may be! Plus, back and other problems can be caused by non-ergonomical seating over time!

At $500 apiece, I would try to find them or something similar elsewhere to try before buying them. Sit at them for 20 or 30 minutes and see how comfortable you find them. (And, be honest with yourself - when we "fall in love" with something we sometimes rationalize to support our "love".)

I love backless stools because they tuck under the island when not in use. We don’t eat meals at our island other than a bowl of cereal or drinks wine while watching the cook…

There are other options between backless and the traditional full back people talk about. we have stools with a minimal lip in back and it makes all the difference. some examples below-

For me having something with both padded and swivel is Important. We don't eat meals at our island. But when I put pillows on the wooden stools I have. Unfortunately, anything I like is only available online. The only way to test them out is to order and then return them if I don't like them.

I do a have a runner-up. But again online only and I don't see them cheaper anywhere else. But they do have a back!

https://www.lumens.com/cloris-swivel-bar-counter-stool-by-four-hands-4HA2624524.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_brand=Four-Hands&utm_id=4HA2624524&utm_campaign=192161391&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=192161391&gbraid=0AAAAADo8bk0U0m9KyaTJ8roIpRXg7pkdk

Since they’re into OT

Designing a space does not mean you’re designing only for yourself, or beautiful, healthy people at one moment in time. Ideally a space should accommodate people in various states of wellness - you need a comfy chair for when you are home with a cold, or when your parents visit. That doesn’t mean you have to seat them at the counter if you have other seating options (like a kitchen table), but you shouldn’t have to make a choice between a backless stool and sitting in another room.

Also, and I never do this but someone ought to say something and the less tactful people haven’t found your thread yet, that stool is not attractive to everyone. If you do buy it make sure you can return it lest you realize that only after it has arrived.

I have multiple options for seating other than counter stools.

So this is the one with the back that I like. (I hate the look of high backs) Still can't try before buying though....Will a low back be ok for the elderly? I do have other comfy reg chair options too if not, but based on these responses, I realize I should be more inclusive.

So is low back better than no back?

"How important is it really to have stools with backs?"

100000% important! And with a contoured back tall enough to actually support one's back.

I like the first one you posted. The foot rest would alleviate some back issues. I say if you have other seating options then go ahead try the ones you want.

Have you considered going shopping in person to try out different options? Online shopping isn't ideal, in fact it's far from ideal, when shopping for furniture, especially seating. You cannot gauge comfort from a screen!

And - what Eam44 and WDCruise said!

FYI...foot rests are only comfortable to use if they're rounded (no sharp edges), if no one has knee problems (later in life or current), and they're at the "right" height for someone. Longer legged people may not find them as comfortable and shorter legged people may not able to reach them easily.

This^^^

Leave the house. Get in the car, and actually shop in person. At $500+ per stool, placing your bottom on an assortment of stools, is the only way to guage comfort.

By the way, you showed just one site you visited, lumens. A simple google brought up a ton more…with nicer looking, and less expensive padded swivel stools…Many you can visit in person…in brick and mortar stores. Padded swivel stools

At $500+ a pop, these Room and Board Cato stools are expensive but are the type I'd want.

For those things who keep saying to shop in person. Don't you think I would have done that first. I have been doing that for a year and a half. Trust me, I've seen nothing in person that I like. And very little online that I like. Again I've been looking both online and in store.

I did find a local store who sells both of these stools and is a vendor for Four Hands but never carry these products in stock. They have to be ordered. They also sell them for about $50 cheaper each model. And I just checked now, their return policy is 30 days in original packaging. So now that I know that it gives me a little bit of comfort. I might just go for it.

It is a personal choice. I like the look of backless counter stools. But we use our island seating a lot so chairs with backs are a must-have in my house. I find myself eventually slouching a bit when sitting on a stool for awhile.

I am about to exchange my island chairs for chairs with a swivel (another nice chair feature imo).

For us backs are not important. We have saddle stools that can tuck all the way under the island. We use both sides of our island all the time when cooking or serving so being able to use the stool side without having to move stools out of the way was more important. We do not eat meals at our island. We will sit and chat with whoever is making the meal and occasionally sit there to have some wine, chips and salsa or cheese and crackers before our meal.

My barstools have backs and swivel. WONDERFUL stools. Paid $25 for three of them a decade ago -- used. I'll never get rid of them.

"For those things who keep saying to shop in person. Don't you think I would have done that first."

We don't know. What's your location?

"Don't you think I would have done that first. I have been doing that for a year and a half"

How would we know that if you didn't say that? Many people today skip "brick & mortar" stores and go straight to online. We have no idea if you're one of those people.

I am fit and still get back pain when sitting on backless stools.

Buehl, I actually did say it in response to your first comment that I need to go shop in first person.

It’s not just about back pain but also back fatigue. I wouldn’t buy a counter stool without a back (and don’t get me started on DR benches). A low back like the one you showed is fine. I bought the West Elm Slope counter stool (low back, real leather, cool geometric base) and am very happy with them. Better price, too.

Get what you like and if people are uncomfortable they won't stay at your house as long. The choice is up to you.

Your BF has stated their preference. Have you asked them what they think of your ideal purchase?

I was a fit as anything 30-something when I started getting killer back pain. Fitness has nothing to do with pain. In fact, the more athletic you are, the more often you deal with injury.

Pottery Barn has stools like the ones you love for $399. Peru swivel stool.

Shop in person and take a couple of your friends with you. It will become obvious what is comfortable or not. I did this and watched them get in and out of chairs and found what I thought would be a good stool actually was not comfortable and did not fit the various heights well. Ended up with stools that are heavier than I expected (will not tip) and have low backs (does not exceed the height of the counter).

I prefer swival backless to backs. I find them equally comfortable and far more attractive and functional. Honestly no stool, with or with out a back is really comfy.

I'm 61 and not considered "fit". But I prefer backless stools. I never lean back into them. I prefer to lean forward with arms on the countertop. The favorite watering hole in town has basic swivel backless stools....and I can sit on them for hours, no problem

Please note swivel backs can chip your countertops too....especially if you have kids! I find memory swivel annoying. I don't mind barstools with backs if they do NOT swivel.

I had the one non fit friend say they prefer backless too because they are easier to get in and out of.

All these comments are helpful. Thank you everyone.

I’ll just point out that your initial preferred stool would be a nightmare to clean around. (And if someone wet mops it actually may deteriorate the wood over time)….If you have multiple seating options for guests then don’t worry about a back.

I'm fit and prefer no stools at all, with bar height being worse than counter height. And you can have lower back problems in your 20's.

I only made space for 2 stools in my kitchen and made them as comfortable as possible.

Jessica Charles, Maxine Counter Memory Stool. Many fabrics and leather options offered. I did the seat in leather and the back in a coordinating fabric.

https://jessicacharles.com/Products/Detail?SKU=84-24-MS

I've had them with and without backs - counter height - and both were fine. If you don't have backs you are inclined to lean forward on the counter. If you have backs you can also lean back. What I absolutely don't like are bar height counters/stools that require you to climb onto and off of. Counter height you can just slide on and off.

I’d sooner stand than sit on a stool without a back. The other thing I look for are straight legs, splayed like the Lumens pictured are a tripping hazard IMO.

Stools whether with or without backs are less comfortable than dining table seating. They're called chairs. Using a chair your feet have the entire floor area available to change your foot position and body position for comfort. The solution is dining table height for seating at the island. You can get that by dropping the level of a portion of the island wide enough for plates, etc. It can also be achieved by dropping the kitchen side level of the floor by 6 inches. A shallow stepdown into the kitchen area. That takes careful planning and framing or slab pour setup. Plus curve or facet the seating side of the island for conversation more like you get at a dining table. The kitchen side can have cabinet space.

Or forego the island and use an old fashioned kitchen table