Everything you need to know about recovery shoes (plus top picks)

Whether you’re an elite athlete or weekend warrior, keeping up with your fitness routine requires a delicate balance between movement and recovery. As the name implies, recovery shoes are specifically designed to help your body recover after exercise. Slipping on a pair of post-workout shoes is becoming increasingly popular as athletes sing their praises for comfort, support, and, most importantly—their ability to help them bounce back from training.

But what exactly are recovery shoes, how do they help, and who could benefit from wearing them?

Let’s dig in.

What is recovery footwear?

What exactly makes recovery footwear so effective?

According to Dr. Daniel Geller, DPM, chief medical officer at Kane Footwear and Sports Podiatrist, Foot and Ankle Surgeon:

“Recovery shoes are specifically designed to promote foot recovery and alleviate the stress and strain caused by physical activities.”

While most athletic shoes are tailored to a specific activity, recovery shoes aim to give your feet a chance to optimally rest and recover so you can get back at it (running, walking, playing a sport) as soon as possible.

Dr. Geller goes on to explain, “Running and walking shoes have very specific attributes. They are built to tackle various terrain in different environments all while taking into consideration a variety of body and foot types and differences in biomechanics to ensure a safe and effective outing.”

Due to their versatile nature, recovery shoes, as Dr. Geller says, are “the great equalizer.”

The Kane Revive’s are some of the most popular recovery shoes.

Slipping on a pair of recovery shoes post-exercise gives your feet the break they need after all their hard work. Unlike traditional shoes, this type of footwear is equal parts comfort and support, allowing you to maximize recovery while minimizing physical effort. These shoes are also excellent for helping to protect against overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis.

“It’s a shoe that will help funnel all those athletic endeavors into one shoe type to provide immediate recovery action and allow the transfer of energy during gait to feel seamless and comfortable without tapping into further energy reserves.” – Dr. Geller.

What are the benefits of recovery shoes?

Simply put, recovery shoes make walking easier.

“Recovery shoes can help alleviate foot pain, provide support, and promote healing,” -Dr. Geller.
Athletes know optimal recovery is just as crucial as a consistent training schedule. If you want to push your limits and make gains, you’ve got to slow down and give your body a chance to bounce back.

According to Dr Geller, “Recovery is paramount to athletes looking for that extra edge. A recovery shoe allows for a smooth transition from charging hard to turning it down a few notches and going into recovery mode.”

Recovery shoes combine comfort and support to relieve pressure on your feet while you engage in everyday activities post-exercise. The enhanced comfort of these types of shoes helps reduce any pain or inflammation you may feel after your training session or workout, while the soft materials absorb shock and reduce the impact of each step you take. This not only benefits your feet but the entire chain of muscles and joints all the way up your lower body.

Meanwhile, their supportive design is optimized for normal foot movement, giving your ankles and feet the gentle support they need with enhanced arch support combined with flexibility in the sole. All of these factors combine to improve circulation, helping to expedite the delivery of healing nutrients to areas of inflammation.

“Recovery shoes are everywhere these days since the comfort and versatility allow for everyday activities with all the benefits of reducing further fatigue and injury. It’s a win-win kinda shoe,” says Dr. Geller.

When should you wear recovery shoes?

The specific use cases for recovery shoes depend on the brand and how they’re designed to be worn. For example, more active recovery shoes can be used for running errands, and even lighter forms of exercise.

“Recovery shoes are super versatile. On the one hand, they are the perfect post-play shoe to help tired feet and legs recover efficiently and effectively, and on the other, they are great for walking the dog, running errands, and going on easy hikes,” says Dr. Geller.

That said, some recovery shoes are best used moderately post-exercise as they might not provide as much physical support due to the padding that’s meant to offer comfort and relief. While these downtime shoes are excellent for relieving your body by absorbing shock, they may not provide all-day support.

In either case, recovery shoes are always an excellent option after playing sports or completing a rigorous training session. These shoes can also be used by non-athletes who work in an environment where they’re on their feet all day. By minimizing the amount of energy you use to do everyday activities, recovery shoes offer a little R&R for your feet.

Popular recovery footwear picks

Kane Revive

Kane Revive shoes are made in Brazil from sugarcane-based EVA foam.

“We designed the Kane Revive with full recovery in mind. These shoes provide smoother biomechanics and less strain on tired bones and joints. This equates to less fatigue, quicker recovery and less injuries,” -Dr. Geller.

Kane Revive’s unique design features tiny nodes in the footbeds that feel like little massages all over your feet. This not only provides enhanced comfort but also assists in blood flow—a critical component for healing and recovery.

“Not only does tactile sensation feel amazing to the bottoms of the feet, but it also promotes the microvasculature to increase local blood flow for tissue oxygenation. This effect promotes healing on the cellular level and boosts recovery efforts,” says Dr. Geller.

Dig deeper: Read our Kane Revive shoe review here.

Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3

The Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3 is a slip-on open-toe option with four airflow channels to offer enhanced breathability to the shoe. Specifically designed for downtime, these recovery sandals offer foot cradling to support your feet as you take it easy in recovery.

As an extra cushy option, The Hoka Ora Recovery Slide is best suited for low-key activities when you really need to give your feet a break.

Oofos Ooahh Sport Slide Sandal

Oofos Ooahh Sport Slide is another open-toe option that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional shoes with its OOfoam™ technology. Their patented footbed is designed to specifically reduce stress on your joints, including your knees and ankles, which can take a hit during training.

Designed for active recovery, this sport sandal also includes an OOfoam™ strap for more agility, support, and comfort.

Takeaway

While there are several forms of sport-specific shoes (running shoes, walking shoes, hiking shoes), recovery shoes are your one-stop shop for reducing inflammation and soreness after your workout and speeding up your recovery time.

Whether you’ve just completed a hard workout, engaged in strenuous activity, or simply spent long hours on your feet, the cushioning and shock absorption provided by this type of footwear support faster recovery with the added benefit of optimizing blood flow to your lower body. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that wearing them feels like you’re walking on a cloud.