The Best Recovery Shoes Give Your Feet Some TLC

When I first learned about recovery shoes, my inner skeptic figured they were just a fancy new way to market cushy sneakers and sandals. But it turns out, unlike a running or tennis shoe, these pairs aren't designed to help you train or perform at your peak—they’re meant to give your feet and lower legs a break. “I tell my patients: If your workout shoes were your ‘work,’ your recovery shoes are your ‘rest,’” physical therapist Lauren Glisic, DPT, CSCS, cofounder of Athletic Lab Physical Therapy and Performance Training in Santa Monica, tells SELF.

Austin-based podiatrist Anne Sharkey, DPM, tells SELF that, in addition to shock-absorbing foam, the best recovery shoes have extra arch support, a deep heel cup, and a rocker bottom sole to minimize how much work your soft tissues need to put in when you’re standing or walking around. Some brands also include a textured footbed that’s supposed to promote circulation and reduce swelling.

So if your achy feet are craving some sweet relief after a workout—or just a long day—it might be worth investing in a pair of these kicks. Check out our favorites below.

1. Best Overall: Oofos Ooaah Slide Sandal, $60
2. Best Sneaker: Kane Revive Shoe, $80
3. Most Stable: Hoka Restore TC, $110
4. Best for Hikers: Teva ReEmber Terrain Slip-On, $112
5. Best for Runners: VKTRY Recovery Clog, $99 $79
6. Best for Home: Topo Athletic Revive, $125
7. Best Splurge: Oofos Oomy Zen, $160
8. Best Firm: Vionic Rejuvenate Recovery Sandal, $95
9. Best for Cold Weather: Oofos Oocoozie Thermo Mule, $120
10. Best for Wide Feet: Kuru Moment, $100

Go ahead and splurge on one of these pairs—your feet will thank you.

Having been in the recovery game since 2011, Oofos’ classic slide is a tried-and-true favorite. Dr. Glisic especially recommends them to runners, since they can reduce calf and plantar fascia stress while promoting blood flow after a long run. “The foam is extremely shock-absorbent,” she says. Dr. Sharkey adds that the stable midfoot means that your toes don’t have to grip to keep these slides on (unlike most flip-flops).

They also just feel really darn good—particularly the exaggerated arch support that basically gives you a mini massage with every step (though, admittedly, this can be too intense for some people). Running coach Amie Dworecki tells SELF that she’s relied on Oofos slides as house sandals ever since struggling with a bout of plantar fasciitis years ago. Even on non-workout days, she likes that they’re gentler on her joints than walking around barefoot. “It's almost a walking on-air type of feeling,” she says. And after a tough run, she finds they’re a welcome pick-me-up: “[It’s] just giving yourself a little bit of extra TLC in a way that’s not going to take up extra time.”

When SELF senior commerce writer Sara Coughlin tried out the Revives, she found “the longer I wore them, the better my feet felt—it was a true delight to slip them on after putting my feet to work.” She’s not alone. Running and strength coach Mary Johnson tells SELF that Kane’s are one of her go-tos after a hard workout. And Dr. Glisic says that the max cushioning is great for strength athletes in particular, since it can help reduce joint fatigue on active recovery days.

“Kane is what I'm talking a lot about in my clinics right now,” adds Dr. Sharkey. She recommends this shoe to Crocs fans who need the support of an enclosed heel.

Aside from the breathable, perforated upper, one notable feature of the Revives is the textured footbed that's designed to increase blood flow to your soles. Although she was initially skeptical about how big of a difference this would actually make, Coughlin found “it has a very subtle, pleasantly kneading effect that engages my feet more than a standard insole, so they feel more ‘awake’ and less fatigued.”

If it’s too chilly to air your feet out in sandals, this sneak from Hoka at least gives your toes plenty of space. Dr. Glisic points out that the stretchy knit upper and wide toe box lets your tootsies splay out and relax without feeling cramped. When I tried out a pair, I found them plenty roomy, even when my feet were extra-swollen.

What I love most is how stable I feel inside them. The extra arch support keeps my feet from rolling in as I walk, and the super-wide base at the heel makes my foot feel supported from all angles even when it’s extra tired. I also appreciate that these are a cinch to slip on and off when I’m too sore to bend over, but still want a closed-heel design for easier walking.

These slip-ons are ideal for giving your tired feet some love while hanging around a campsite at the end of a long day of hiking. The sole is grippy enough to handle wet, muddy surfaces, while the water-resistant, quilted upper will keep your feet remarkably cozy and dry. There's even an extra loop next to the arch, so you can attach them to the outside of a backpack with a carabiner.

Personally, I especially appreciate just how soft the insole is. It’s so squishy, you feel like you’re stepping on a bed of memory foam. However, I’ve found these clogs are better for walking, say, from the fire pit to the tent, rather than trying to travel any real distance. They’re on the roomy side even with thick socks, so my toes need to grip to keep them on when I start racking up steps. But as long as I’m not planning to go too far, they feel like supportive sleeping bags for my feet.

If you love the boost that a carbon-plated shoe offers when you’re running, why not get a recovery shoe with that same extra oomph? The VKTRY clog, designed by a pedorthist, offers just that. “It has a carbon fiber plate built into it, so it really can help propel you forward, removing a lot of the work of those fatigued muscles,” Dr. Sharkey says.

She appreciates that the design includes a removable strap that you can slip over your heel for a more secure fit. Also helpful: the rocker bottom, extra arch support, and deep heel cup are all designed to make sure your feet and calves have to do as little work as possible to keep you upright. Bye-bye, fatigue.

Slipping into these clogs feels like giving my feet a spa treatment. The soft fleece upper keeps my feet nice and warm, and the shoe is cozy enough that I don’t mind wearing them even while sitting on the couch. But unlike your everyday house shoe, this pair has arch support that's designed with a subtle, gradual curve. Plus, squishy pods in the footbed give my soles some extra love.

If I do end up puttering around more than lounging around, the grippy lugs on the bottom of the sole make sure I stay upright, no matter how tired my legs are. I’d just recommend ordering one size up, since my heels come right up to the back edge and would be a little comfier with a smidge more room.

Whenever her clients are on the hunt for recovery shoes, Dr. Glisic says Oofos is a go-to rec—the brand has the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) seal of acceptance for healthy footwear. Dr. Glisic likes the Oomy Zen sneaker in particular because it’s equally cushy and supportive. It has more of Oofos’ signature foam than any of the brand’s other shoes, while the foot-cradling design hugs your arch and heel.

When SELF contributor Lauren Wingenroth tried out a pair, she was instantly sold: “I’ve never felt the sense of immediate relief I had when I put the Oomy Zens on,” she wrote in her review, adding that she loved the feeling so much she made several friends try on the shoes too. She particularly appreciated the shoe's high arch, roomy toe box, and soft, supportive foam.

For patients who find Oofos or other recovery sandals to be too squishy, Dr. Sharkey recommends these firmer slides from Vionic. Like the Oomy Zens, these sandals have the APMA's seal of acceptance too. “They also have a little bit of a deeper heel cup, so I find that for anyone with balance issues, they feel more supported,” she adds.

One SELF staffer who tested them out loved the lightly massaging feel of the grooved footbed when her feet were aching. At the same time, she found the top-notch support also made them excellent house shoes any day of the week.

Although recovery sandals might be ideal after a hot, sweaty workout, winter weather calls for a different approach. Enter: Oofos’ insulated mule. When SELF’s fitness and food director Christa Sgobba tried out a pair, she found the foam to be “soft and pillowy” while her toes stayed “nice and toasty.” They were so comfortable, in fact, that although Sgobba initially only thought she’d wear them after long runs, she found herself slipping them on from morning till night.

Johnson, who struggles with a neuroma, swears by her Oofos mules to keep it from acting up. Aside from majorly minimizing the pain, one thing that’s impressed her the most is the shoe’s durability. “The longevity is out of this world,” she says. “I've had that pair of clogs, I want to say over five years, and they look great.”

Kuru has a reputation for making exceptionally foot-friendly, feel-good shoes, and this plush recovery slide is no exception. “The Moment is a great option for a house shoe or recovery shoe following a long run,” podiatrist Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, previously told SELF.

The contoured footbed is designed with a built-in orthotic to minimize foot pain. (The generous 12-millimeter heel-to-toe drop could also be particularly helpful for people dealing with issues like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis.) Meanwhile, the comfy strap across the top is adjustable, so you can get the fit just right.

Recovery shoes should feel good on your feet, Dworecki says. But aside from the comfort factor, there are a few details to keep in mind when searching for your perfect pair.

First, I spoke to a podiatrist, physical therapist, and coaches to learn what to look for in a good recovery shoe. Then, I asked for their personal favorites and top recs. I also researched which pairs have significant buzz and long-term loyalty. I tried out a handful firsthand and checked out what the SELF team—which tests all kinds of shoes year-round—thought of others, considering qualities like shock absorption, support, durability, stability, and overall comfort.

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