If you’re a runner, walker, yogi, rock climber, or participant in nearly any active pastime, your feet endure a tremendous load, making your choice of footwear critical. While most people spend hours researching the perfect workout shoes, they give far less attention to their recovery shoes—what they wear after the workout session is over.
Neglecting your feet after a workout or run can exacerbate foot alignment problems and muscle soreness, impeding your foot’s ability to recover. Recovery footwear is designed to support your tired feet, allowing them to move in their natural patterns and accelerating the recovery process while helping relieve any aches and pains.
Whether you’re nursing sore arches, rebuilding after a long run, or just relaxing, these recovery shoes, slides, and sandals will keep your feet happy and your performance at its best.
At A Glance
- Best Overall:
- Runner-Up:
- Best Value:
- Best Recovery Sandal:
- Best Recovery Slide:
- Best Recovery Shoe:
- Best Rugged:
- Best for Plantar Fasciitis:
- Best Winter Recovery Shoe:
- How to Choose Recovery Footwear
- How We Tested
- Meet Our Lead Tester
Best Overall
Kuru Moment
Pros and Cons
⊕ Adjustable strap for better fit
⊕ Supportive heel cup and footbed
⊕ Ribbed footbed
⊗ Stiff, thick midsole reduces ground proprioception
From the moment you slip into the Kuru Moment, it’s clear that cushioning, comfort, and support are the shoe’s main priorities. Specifically designed to reduce foot and heel pain, the Kuru Moment quickly became a unanimous tester favorite. One tester called it “wildly comfortable” and said, “It’s one of the models I kept popping on after the wear test or at the end of the day or post run/workout,”
Underfoot, the thick EVA midsole strikes a balance between plush cushioning and structured support, creating a soft yet stable foundation. A deep heel cup gently secures the heel, while the pronounced arch support provides reliable lift and alignment. The Moment offered noticeable relief for my chronic heel pain, delivering extended pain-free comfort post-run.
A ribbed footbed provides a pleasantly tactile feel with each step that adds to the overall comfort. The heavily padded adjustable velcro strap enables a fine-tuned fit regardless of your foot width.
Available in two sleek, dark, monotone colorways, this slide-style sandal has a refined, sporty aesthetic. While many recovery sandals can appear a bit unpolished, the Moment strikes an elevated look that’s ideal for running errands or casual outings.
Runner-Up
Topo Rekovr 2
Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy slip-on design
⊕ Comfortable, natural feeling
⊗ Wool upper runs hot
Another favorite among all our testers, the Topo Rekovr 2 won over our hearts and tired feet. Reminiscent of your coziest slipper, it combines dynamic support and a comfortable, wide-toe-box fit with suburb traction. One tester raved, “This is by far my favorite slip-on I’ve ever owned.”
Where the Rekovr 2 really shines is in the outdoors. Its easy slip-on design is paired with a tacky Vibram outsole offering traction that reminded us of Topo’s award-winning trail shoes. One tester found it to be the perfect choice for wearing around the cabin, by the fire pit, or for short outings like waiting at the bus stop with the kids, while another kept them by the door for sure-footed trips across the yard to feed his dogs or check the mail, regardless of the weather.
Found to promote good foot health by the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Rekovr 2 features a modest stack height of 23 millimeters in the heel and 20 millimeters in the forefoot with a semi-flexible sole for a natural recovery experience. Ribbed insoles provide a tantalizing sole massage with a cushioned, comfortable step-in feel.
Its only flaw, which kept it from claiming the title of best overall, is the antimicrobial blended wool upper that retains heat. It can feel stuffy in hot and humid conditions, making it only a cool weather choice, whereas the Kuru Moment can be worn for more of the year.
Best Value
Velous Hoya Adjustable Slide
Pros and Cons
⊕ Soft footbed
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Good arch support
⊕ Adjustable strap adapts fit for different feet
⊗ Questionable durability
The Velous Active Slide delivers impressive value for its price. It features one of the softer footbeds we tested over a firmer outsole. The combo delivers a cushioned underfoot feeling with added structure and durability. One tester described it as “incredibly lightweight, with excellent arch support and a secure fit.”
The Active Slide provides a balance between stability and flexibility. The deep heel cup not only enhances stability around the rear foot but also helps align the foot with each step, minimizing strain. Meanwhile, the comfortable, structured arch support offers relief for those with flat feet or high arches. Flex grooves in the forefoot encourage a smooth, natural stride, allowing the toes to move freely during push-off while maintaining just enough overall support. What really stood out was the adjustable strap. At this price point, you rarely find a customizable fit that accommodates a variety of foot shapes and widths.
Remarkably lightweight, it feels airy, almost like you’re wearing nothing while still getting a cushioned underfoot experience. The downside, one tester noted, is that they “feel much less substantial than every other slide we tested.” Still, priced competitively, they provide one of the best bangs for your buck.
Best Recovery Sandal
OOFOS OOriginal Sandal
Pros and Cons
⊕ Secure fit
⊕ Uber soft footbed
⊗ No half sizes
The OOFOS OOriginal Sandal emerged as the best thong-style sandal in our test group. “The cushioning, styling, and arch support all combine to make a well-packaged, functional, and extremely comfortable pair of footwear,” said one tester.
Pioneers in using ultra-cushioned materials and molded arch support, OOFOS has set the standard for thong-style comfort. At the heart of the OOriginal Sandal is the OOfoam technology—an uber-soft foam that’s extremely shock-absorbing and squishy. Many testers found the foam just what they needed after a hard workout. One tester with severe heel pain found the soft foam coupled with the deep contoured footbed eased his suffering. Another tester, however, said the foam footbed lacked stability and made his feet work harder—providing an active recovery but not relaxed support.
Made from closed-cell foam, these sandals boast impressive durability, standing up to daily wear and tear. The moisture- and bacteria-resistant material keeps them fresh even with extended use, and best of all, they’re machine washable for easy cleaning.
The straps are made with the same soft foam that’s underfoot, giving the sandal a comfortable and accommodating fit. Even our narrow-footed tester, who typically struggles with sizing issues, found these fit well. The only caveat is they only come in full sizes. If you’re in between sizes, we recommend sizing down.
Best Recovery Slide
Hoka Ora Slide
Pros and Cons
⊕ Stable platform
⊕ Smooth rockered feeling
⊗ Some may find it firm
⊗ Stiff strap
The Hoka Ora Slide brings that classic thick-soled and uber-comfortable Hoka experience to a recovery slide. “It has a “very similar underfoot feel to most of Hoka’s inline footwear,” noted one tester.
That’s because the Ora Slide features their signature early-stage meta-rocker technology in which the midsole is cut away under the forefoot creating an upward curve that rolls you forward with each footstep. The injection-molded sugarcane EVA midsole runs on the firmer end of the spectrum, providing a less squishy but very stable platform. Still, I found that the Ora Slide provided ample cushioning as well as heel support, effectively easing my chronic heel pain.
The strap is made from the same firm EVA material as the midsole and has a ton of structure. While none of our testers found it uncomfortable, one found the fit less than ideal on his irregular, gnarled feet. Those with particularly wide or narrow feet might prefer more adjustability for a better fit through the midfoot.
Weighing in at just over seven ounces, it’s remarkably light on the feet and easy to wear. Perhaps the best part is the selection of over twenty different colorways. With so many options, you’re sure to find a pair that matches your style and preferences.
Best Recovery Shoe
Roll Recovery Superplush
Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable knit upper
⊕ Fosters natural foot movement
⊕ Versatile, wear-all-day look and feel
⊗ Not as supportive as some
While most recovery footwear options favor comfort over looks, the Roll Recovery Superplush manages to combine both. With its sleek design and premium materials, it offers a stylish alternative without compromising on the comfort and support needed for tired, aching feet.
Perfect for running errands or just lounging around the house, the Superplush is easy to slip on and off, yet one tester noted: ”Once on, the fit held securely enough I didn’t have to worry about sliding around or clenching my toes to stay in the shoe.”
Instead of a stiff, thick sole that some find prescriptive, the Superplush offers a flexible and grounded underfoot experience, allowing your feet to move freely. One tester praised it as offering “a stable, comfortable platform that feels supportive without being overbearing.”
The standout feature of the shoe is the soft, stretchy knit upper. It’s incredibly breathable, making it ideal for all-day wear in warmer temps, and it feels luxuriously soft against the skin. Slipping these on was akin to stepping into a pair of cozy slippers.
As an added bonus, rest assured that you’re buying a sustainably made product. The Superplush uses Bloom Foam technology, which replaces petroleum-based materials with eco-friendly, algae-derived alternatives, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing comfort or performance.
Best Rugged
Arc’teryx Kragg
Pros and Cons
⊕ Sleek design
⊕ Comfortable, stretchy upper
⊕ Grippy Vibram outsole
⊗ Expensive
If there’s one thing Arc’teryx excels at, it’s seamlessly blending form and function with clean, attractive aesthetics, and the Kragg is no exception. This shoe is an absolute stunner. Originally built as a slip-on approach shoe for rock climbers, the Kragg is so comfortable it quickly became my go-to when I need a stylish, plush, easy on/off option for recovery.
Perfect as a travel shoe or jetting around town, the Kragg features a stretchy single mesh upper that’s streamlined and extremely accommodating. The interior is so soft and smooth against the skin that it’s perfect for going sockless.
The soft, collapsible heel wrap—resembling neoprene—gently molds to the shape of your heel, providing a snug yet nonconstricting feel. Inside, the removable insole doubles as the midsole, providing just enough underfoot cushioning to dampen landings without sacrificing sensitivity and sole flexibility. Sturdy TPU and Vibram rubber sidewalls plus a reinforced toe cap provide great protection against rugged terrain. And the Vibram Megagrip outsole shines over rocky terrain with enough grip on dirt to feel secure. I felt secure and comfy in this hybrid active/recovery shoe from the trail to the sofa.
Best for Plantar Fasciitis
OOFOS OOahh Slide
Pros and Cons
⊕ Great arch support
⊕ Soft footbed
⊕ Lightweight
⊗ Not great for narrow feet
Plantar fasciitis can be downright debilitating. The sharp pain radiates through the bottom of your feet and makes even standing difficult. To help ease the agony, you need footwear that provides adequate support through the arch while being soft and cushioned in the heel. Testers found the OOFOS Slide fit that bill better than any other recovery footwear tested. While it may not cure plantar fasciitis, one PF-suffering tester noted, “It makes getting through your day a whole lot more comfortable.”
The comfort lies in the exceptionally soft and contoured footbed, complete with built-in arch support. Designed to reduce stress on the knees, ankles, and joints, the patented footbed delivered on its promise, with our testers agreeing it made a noticeable difference in how they felt post-workout. One tester with chronic plantar fasciitis and mobility issues found immediate relief while wearing them.
Beyond its comfortable footbed, the slide is impressively lightweight, offering a barely-there feel. The main drawback is the non-adjustable strap. While it secured most of our tester’s feet comfortably, one tester with very narrow feet found the fit loose and sloppy.
Best Winter Recovery Shoe
Adidas Winter Slip-On Cold.Rdy Boots
Pros and Cons
⊕ Exceptionally warm
⊕ Tough durable outer layer
⊗ Ankle collar’s snug fit can cause pressure
The Adidas winter slip-on is an excellent choice for those needing a quick and easy-on/off recovery shoe for cold climates. Providing insulation and a weather-resistant exterior, they’re ideal for slipping on after a ski or snowboard session, taking the dog out in tundra-like conditions or just lounging around on lazy winter days.
Made with a cozy combination of PrimaLoft® ECO and PrimaLoft® Gold insulation, the interior feels as comfortable as your favorite fleece. These puppies are warm, too—like a mini toaster oven for your feet!
Underfoot, the slip-on is firm, grounded, and well-protected. The Continental rubber outsole with a heavily lugged pattern provides outstanding grip while a tough molded toe cap offers a “little clumsiness protection,” as one tester put it.
Another tester noted that the ankle collar felt slightly snug, creating a bit of pressure along the top of the foot. This pressure eased a bit the longer we wore them, but it’s something to consider for those with wider ankles.
How to Choose Recovery Footwear
Type: Shoe, Sandal, Slide or Slip-on
Recovery footwear comes in various styles, each offering a slightly different experience that may be more suited for a particular activity or use case. Generally speaking, recovery footwear will come in one of the following designs: shoe, sandal, slide, or slip-on.
Recovery shoes look and fit like your everyday shoes. They have a closed heel and some sort of enclosure device like laces, drawstring, or BOA. Recovery shoes are great for extended uses like running everyday errands or walking longer distances.
Slip-ons are similar to recovery shoes with their closed heel but they stay secure using a stretchy upper, allowing for easy on and off. The closed heel offers stability, while the slip-on design makes them ultra convenient for travel, around-the-house and in-the-yard wear, or for those with busy, on-the-go lifestyles wanting quick shoe transitions.
A sandal, otherwise known as a flip flop, features a flat sole attached to the foot by a Y-shaped strap or thong that sits between the toes. Flip flops are easy to slip on and off, making them great for quick errands and short, casual outings. Because they are usually worn without socks and leave feet open to the elements, they are limited to warmer weather
A slide, like a sandal, is an open-toe shoe. However, instead of a thong, it features a single wide strap or multiple straps across the top of the foot, allowing the shoe to be easily “slid” on and off, hence the name “slide.” Slides tend to have a more casual, athletic appearance and are great for lounging around the house and quick errands.
Cushioning
Perhaps the most important aspect of recovery footwear is to make sure you have adequate cushioning and shock absorption as they help relieve pressure on tired feet and support recovery after activity. Cushioning in recovery footwear typically involves soft, dense foam materials like Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) that provide a plush feel underfoot. This padding absorbs impact with every step, easing strain on muscles, tendons, and joints. By minimizing the force transferred to the feet, shock absorption can significantly reduce soreness and prevent further strain, making recovery footwear beneficial for post-run care and overall foot health.
How much cushioning is somewhat of a personal preference. Thick, cushioned recovery shoes like the OOFOS Stride will feel soft underfoot but come with the trade-off of reduced ground proprioception and feel. If you prefer more connection with the ground, a lower-cushion option like the Topo Rekovr 2 or Roll Recovery Superplush may be better. Ultimately, the key is finding recovery footwear that feels comfortable and promotes relaxation.
Support
Underfoot and arch support can vary from one recovery footwear to another. Some will have a stiff sole with noticeable arch support, while others will offer a more flexible, natural feeling with minimal support. Like cushioning level, how much support you need depends on your personal preference. However, in general, those needing added stability should look to stiffer options such as the Kuru Moment or Hoka Ora Slide, while others might favor a softer, more adaptable design such as the Topo Rekovr or Roll Recovery Superplush.
How We Tested
For this test, we brought in the expertise of four testers with varied backgrounds—from running, rock climbing, and yoga to travel, plus a running store owner who spends all day on his feet. We started by researching the top recovery shoes and sandals based on customer feedback and reviews to determine which shoes and sandals we would test. Based on that research, we tested a total of 17 pairs of recovery shoes and sandals from 11 brands. Testers had a little over a month to wear the sandals and report back with their results. Each tester was asked to rank their favorites across nine different categories.
Meet Our Lead Tester
Cory Smith has been reviewing footwear for ϳԹ since 2014, testing over 70 pairs each year. Splitting his time between Santa Barbara, CA, and Philadelphia, PA, Cory has been an avid runner, rock climber, and skier for more than 30 years. With his 30-mile running weeks and climbing sessions two to three times a week, his feet take a beating, making him a fan of thick-soled, cushioned recovery shoes. In addition to reviewing running gear, Cory operates a private online running coaching business, .