7 Best Recovery Shoes and Sandals

One part of post-run recovery that often goes unnoticed is footwear selection. Enter recovery sandals and recovery shoes for runners, footwear designed to provide runners with ultimate comfort and support during their much-needed downtime.

These specialized shoes offer unique features and technologies aimed at revitalizing tired feet, soothing sore muscles, and promoting efficient recovery. At least that’s the promise, so I’m all about testing to find out if it’s real or hype.

You know I love my warmups, cool down walks, and stretching. These are all important components of healthy running. They’re things that don’t need fancy equipment or a ton of time too.

But have you ever wondered if maybe there was some gear you could invest in that would help aid your recovery?  Besides the CRAZY EXPENSIVE boots??  More like good shoes to slip into after long runs or races that will help your body recover?

To help in your search for the optimal recovery shoes, I’ve compiled a list of seven great options. There are a lot more on the market besides this group and more and more brands are creating their own versions.

7 Best Recovery Sandals for Runners

Let’s be honest the first two for best recovery shoes that MOST runners know are HOKA vs Oofos recovery slides. Yes I did a full article comparison because so many of you couldn’t choose between them. And that’s likely because they are very similar.

BUT they aren’t they only one’s available and in fact, one of my favorites is newer to the market entirely!

Let’s look at options from the slides to some that are close toed for winter!

Overall Top Rated Running Recovery Shoes: Oofos OOahh Slide

The original active recovery footwear brand, Oofos created shoes designed to help reduce load and stress and help the body recover.

Their shoes are made with OOfoam technology, which is a material that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional shoes. They are also designed to enable a more natural foot motion.

THe OOahh Slide is the next evolution on Oofos’s first sandal. The strap provides additional comfort and support, while their patented footbed helps reduce stress on knees, ankles, and joints.

An added bonus of these sandals is that they’re machine washable and the foam is designed to minimize odor. You can also try them 30 days risk free!

The OOahh Slide comes in a wide range of colors and designs and both men’s and women’s sizes.

Best Supportive Recovery Shoe: Hoka ORA Slide 3

The Hoka Ora Recovery Slide (or now flip flop) is on its third model and continues to evolve to provide ample comfort to wearers.

These slides, which boast The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance as a product beneficial to foot health, aren’t too different from the original ORA Slide. They are super plush when it comes to cushion with an injection molded sugarcane EVA foam midsole.

This newest model has added air vents for enhanced breathability and a wide base that provides moderate stability, good for both neutral gaits and those who need more support.

While not the sleekest of sandals, they are all-gender and come in a wide breadth of sizes.

Best Recovery Slides for Foot Motion: Pushpül Flex 3 Fitness Slides

As a runner, you should consider yourself lucky if your feet aren’t, at the very least, occasionally visited by the ghosts of plantar fasciitis past, or the ghost of some other recurring nagging ailment.

If you are one of the accursed, the Flex 3 Fitness Slides from Pushpul might offer relief. Pushpul claims their doctor-designed slides stretch and strengthen your feet as you walk.

The lower arch support, combined with a firm rubber heel ball and metapod, works together to break up stiff, hardened tissue, release compressed nerves, and restore healthy blood flow so you can walk pain-free.It is recommended to wear them for 15 to 20 minutes a day for the first 3 days to let your feet get used to the stretch before moving on to wear them as often as you’d like.

The first few days were a bit uncomfortable. After 4 days of wearing them while preparing breakfast and cleaning up after dinner the ache that recently started to resurface in my left heel seems to be gone.

The very apparent heel ball is now less apparent, and I was able to wear them for a quick grocery shopping trip after a long run, so that’s a win.

Best Post-Workout Slip ons: Teva Terrain Slip On

Ok fine, this isn’t right up there in the wear it with your cute summer dress list. But I saw it and had to have it for all those camping trips, winter days I need to dash out quickly and just to wear around.

The outsole means actual ground grip, so no slipping and the cushion means it feels good should you happen to be running errands!

This will be your go-to post-run or after cycling when you want something that’s comfy. Kick your running shoes off and slip your feet into these, and relax!

And if you’re worried about your sweaty feet stinking them up, they’re treated with Life Natural, which helps fight the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Best Winter Recovery Shoe: Topo Athletics Rekovr 2

While on the pricier end of things, the Topo Athletics Rekovr 2 is a great option for a stylish closed-toed shoe. They also have the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

The Rekovr shoes are designed to be worn without socks so you can experience the textured, wave-patterned ridges of the 3D Wave Sense footbed by Ortholite. It helps to stimulate and massage the nerves on the bottom of the feet.

The upper is made of an antimicrobial blended wool, which naturally resists odor while keeping your feet warm. However, you can wear these year-round. They come in two colors.

The Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole ensures traction and durability for a wide variety of activities.

Best Recovery Casual Shoe : OOFOS Club+ 

The Club+ is a new style from OOFOS and is described by the brand as “one shoe (for) every move.”

Bonus points because it’s a pair of reasonably fashionable shoes that won’t look like traditional clunky orthopedic shoes.

OOFOS says their OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear. While we can’t say with mathematical certainty whether that percentage felt accurate to us, we can confirm that the Club+ was definitely comfortable if you do a lot of walking and standing regularly.

They don’t feel QUITE as soft and squishy as a pair of OOFOS slides, but that’s probably a good thing for a shoe that’s meant to be worn all day.

The black leather upper and no-tie elastic laces made them easy to slip on, give them a professional look and are easy to keep clean.

The lightweight OOfoam footbed absorbs plenty of impact, making it comfortable to wear while walking and standing throughout the day.

Best Close-Toed Recovery Shoe: VKTRY Recover Clog

After a tough workout or long run, it can be tricky to find a comfortable pair of shoes to wear for the rest of the day. I always want to keep my feet supported but I also don’t want them trapped inside another pair of sneakers.

The VKTRY Recovery Clog is the world’s first carbon fiber recovery clog, making it a great option for runners who want to slip their feet into a supportive shoe without having to bend down to lace them up.

The VKTRY Recovery clog has a three-part recovery system that includes:

• patented full-length carbon fiber baseplate
• wave-textured, ultra-cushioned footbed
• contoured rocker sole with arch support and a deep heel cup

These features make the clog similar to an orthotic by providing stability and comfort while helping to keep good alignment in the body.

Compared to a regular clog, you can feel the softness provided by the footbed, which moves with your foot due to the carbon fiber base plate.

The strap on the back is removable, making them even quicker to slip on and off. Given that these were a little big on me, I left them on, and if I was walking around a lot, I’d probably want to keep them there.

The clogs also provide some nice ventilation, which is great when you don’t want your feet to feel trapped.

These are a nice option to promote recovery after a workout, especially if you need to continue being on your feet for the rest of the day.

Why Buy Recovery Shoes?

While there doesn’t appear to be much research on the benefits of recovery shoes at this time, it’s not hard to see why athletes are choosing to add them to their running gear!

Recovery sandals are not your typical flip-flops or beachwear; they’re specifically designed to offer numerous benefits that support post-run recovery.

Let’s look at some of the key benefits of using recovery shoes or sandals:

Arch Support and Cushioning

One of the primary advantages of recovery sandals is their exceptional arch support and cushioning. Recovery sandals feature contoured footbeds that provide targeted support to the arches, reducing strain and promoting proper foot alignment.

The cushioning not only absorbs impact but also helps alleviate pressure points, allowing your feet to recover more comfortably.

Enhanced Blood Circulation

Many recovery sandals feature massaging footbeds or built-in acupressure points. These elements gently stimulate the feet, promoting better blood circulation.

Improved blood flow helps flush metabolic waste products from the muscles, hastening recovery and reducing the likelihood of cramps and stiffness.

Muscle Recovery and Relaxation

Recovery sandals facilitate muscle recovery by providing a comfortable platform for your feet to rest and relax. The gentle support and cushioning alleviate muscle stress, allowing them to recover more effectively.

Additionally, the open-toe design of most recovery sandals allows your feet to breathe, further aiding in relaxation and recovery.

Post-Injury Support

If you’re recovering from a running-related injury (or dealing with plantar fasciitis), these sandals can be a game-changer.

Their supportive design and cushioned footbeds help protect injured areas, promoting a more comfortable healing process.

However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using recovery sandals for injury recovery.

What to Look for in a Recovery Shoe

There are a few key features you should look for in a recovery shoe or flip flop.

Arch Support

Look for a recovery shoe or sandal offering solid arch support. Regardless of the amount of cushion in a shoe, it’s important to make sure there’s proper support at the arch.

This support at the arch can really help with fatigue and help protect you from potential injury.

Wide Toe Box

Runners, especially those looking at closed-toed shoe options, should look for ones with a wide toe box. This will allow your toes and the rest of your foot to spread comfortably.

This is especially important if you run in a more narrow or restrictive shoe.

Comfort

Recovery shoes should provide comfort. If they don’t feel good, they’re not a good fit.

The sandals should have more cushioning than fashion or basic flips might and it should be placed in ways to reduce pressure and impact. The same goes for closed-toed shoes.

You might also notice that the soles of recovery shoes may be thick as a result of the added cushion.

Hopefully we’ve given you some ideas to help guide your hunt for the best running recovery shoe. They really all are going to be a great part of keeping your body feeling good as the miles pile up.

What to read next:

• What is Active Recovery?
• Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet
• How to Recover Post Marathon

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