Show Your Feet Some Love After Pounding The Pavement With Recovery Sandals
We picked out the best recovery sandals of 2021 so far.
In recent years there has been an enlightenment of footwear technology which has paved the way for recovery sandals and shoes. Below we will outline our favorites for the best recovery sandals for runners in 2021. Designed specifically with runners and athletes in mind to help reduce pressure and soreness on feet after a long run, Recovery sandals have become a must-purchase piece of gear for many athletes. Whether you are an everyday runner or just someone trying to get in shape, recovery sandals offer a lightweight construction with extra thick padding and support. In addition recovery footwear is traditionally designed with a bottom that has a low heel and toe design that functions almost like a rocking chair. This rocker bottom design distributes weight and keeps pressure off of key areas of the foot.
When you finish a workout, the best feeling in the world is unlacing those hot and sweaty shoes to let your feet breathe. This makes putting something on your feet sometimes feel a bit counterintuitive, but recovery sandals were designed to let those feet breathe and keep those puppies from howling! When you are constantly pounding the pavement each day, recovery sandals are a great post work out shoe to show your feet some love and give them a break to get them ready for your next workout. Many people gravitate to just wearing flip flops, but while flip flops or thongs let your feet breathe, they can cause more harm than help. Flip flops require an unusual motion of grabbing with your toes, along with a lack of cushion, this can lead to some long-lasting damage to your feet. The piece that fits between your toes can also lead to blisters and sores forming which is the last thing anyone needs. Recovery slides are the optimal sandal for post work out lounging and walking as they offer excellent support and cushion, while also permitting the wearer to walk with a more natural motion.
Here are our top picks for the Best Recovery Sandals for Runners 2021
1.
OOFOS Recovery Slide (Best Overall)
Our pick for the best overall recovery sandal is the Oofos Recovery Slide. This recovery sandal is a best seller and for a good reason. This brilliantly crafted piece of recovery footwear helps relieve your joints and feet of extra stress. They are super soft but provide excellent support. This is the current standard of comfort and support that all recovery sandals should be measured against. They are fairly plain in their looks but are not as clunky as some of the competitors. Their simple looks don’t draw attention to the fact that you are wearing recovery sandals. The only drawback is the bottoms are less durable so they may get torn up on rough outdoor surfaces over time.
2.
HOKA ONE ONE Men’s Ora Recovery Slide Sandal (Runner Up)
The Hoka One One is a very close second to the Oofos Recovery slide. They have excellent arch support, are super comfortable. The padding is extra thick and the slides have a fairly decent design. They run a little on the larger side which in most circumstances is a good thing with recovery shoes and sandals. The only question is on long-term durability due to the rubber band design across the top of the sandal.
3.
Gone For a Run PR Soles Original Sandals (Best Value)
The PR Soles come in 3rd place but there is a case that can be made for them being the best value recovery sandal on the market. Recovery footwear can get expensive when buying high-quality orthotic products, but PR Soles Sandals from Gone For a Run are an excellent value at $35 (at the time of writing this). They don’t have the top-end comfort of the Oofos and Hoka sandals but they are still very good and the unique egg crate style sole offers some massaging elements. If you are trying to stay under $50, this is probably the way to go.
4.
OOahh Sport Flex Sandal (Best Adjustable Slide)
If you really like the Oofos recovery slide but want to add some flexibility in the tightness of the sandal, then the Ooahh sport flex sandal from Oofos is the way to go. It has all the benefits of the classic favorite but more overall flexibility to the wearer.
5.
Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal (Best for High Arches)
When it comes to a high-quality and good-looking sandal, that also has excellent support, there is none better than the Birkenstock Arizona Sof footbed sandals. These are not dedicated recovery sandals but they absolutely nail every key component of what makes a good comfortable sandal. If buying something that looks a bit more clunky to you is just not a pill you can swallow and you are willing to shell out the cash for some great-looking and feeling sandals, then these are the ones to buy.
6.
Adidas Men’s Alphabounce Slide (Best Traditional Sports Slide)
Here is a more traditional performance slide sandal from Adidas, that while not a true recovery sandal actually benefits runners and those with foot pain in a similar way. If you are looking for a more sporty brand that may mirror some of the footwear you may already own, then look no further than the Adidas Alphabounce Slide Sandal. This sandal offers a durable build, adjustable strap, and a nice think pad for the heal. The padding on this sandal is more firm than a traditional recovery sandal but offers excellent support and feels much softer after being broken in with some wear.
7.
KEEN Men’s Yogui Arts Slipper
If you are looking for a sandal that is camouflaged into a more clog-style recovery shoe, then definitely check out the Keen Yogui Arts Slipper. Is it a clog? Is it a sandal? Honestly, we are not sure but we can say is that it’s comfortable and uniquely designed. It probably won’t win any awards for their looks but it does do a good job of venting out your feet, has excellent support, and can be worn comfortably for long periods.
8.
Chaco Men’s Zcloud Sandal
This is not a traditional recovery sandal but it does offer some key recovery components in its design. It has adjustable straps making it customizable to all feet, instead of fixed positions. The back of the heal is extra thick and padded for what they call the “Luvseat”, which provides extra support and cushion. The bottom has a durable outsole that should allow this sandal to hold up to day-to-day routines for a long while.
9.
Telic Recharge Recovery Slide
The Telic recharge are true recovery sandals in both comfort and support. They are very similar to the Oofos and Hoka at the top of our list, and while they are not as big of a brand, they stack up very well. Their logo and design make the sandals feel a little more modern and less like a recovery sandal which can be appealing. However, when compared to the Oofos Recovery Slide and Hoka One One, we don’t feel they outperform in either the comfort or support area at a similar price. Most people will likely never know the difference without trying both simultaneously but if you were to only buy one pair, we would put these below both those options.
10.
Skechers Hyper Slide Recovery Sandal
These offer a lot of the same traits and qualities of the Adidas Alphabounce, they have great padding and cushion for the price. The strap-up top is fixed as opposed to adjustable like the Adidas Alphabounce, and the hyper slide sandals have a leather top strap. While these are excellent budget slide sandals, in our opinion they are very similar to the Alphabounce and the Alphabounce just seem to provide better support and durability at more or less the same price.