Made from high-tech foam and other materials, recovery slides aren’t just for athletes or treating plantar fasciitis. I tested several models. Here are my current favorites.
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A few years ago, I developed persistent pain in the upper right side of my right foot, so I went to a podiatrist. Even though he said it was nothing serious, he suggested I get a pair. Oofos Recovery Slides and I recommended not only wearing them instead of my shoes as much as possible, but also wearing them around the house instead of going barefoot.
“All these people working from home don’t realize that your feet need more support than you think, especially as you get older,” he told me. “It was a big problem during the [part of the] pandemic when everyone was at home all the time. »
Wearing Oofos helped cure my foot pain within weeks, and I’ve since become something of a connoisseur of recovery slides, many of which are made from high-tech foam and other cushioned materials. Apparently, they were developed for both recreational and more serious athletes for before and after activities, whether running, soccer, basketball, tennis or any other sport that causes foot fatigue. However, they are also recommended to help get rid of plantar fasciitis.
What are the best recovery slides?
Even though I’m still a fan of Oofos slides, I’m a little more fond of a pair of slides from Ok Recovery that I got last year. However, people have different shaped feet and different preferences for how firm or soft their recovery slides should be, so my preference may not be yours. Furthermore, it is true that I have not tried all the recovery slides: dozens, if not hundreds of models exist, and some are quite similar to others, with imitators invading the market.
I’ve also found that while some slides are true to size, many are larger than their size indicates and require you to size down, while others are smaller, possibly forcing you to size up. (I noted this for each choice, whether or not they fit true to size.) Unless otherwise noted, all models in this list are unisexoffering men’s and women’s sizes for the slide. I’ll add more choices as I come across new recovery slides.
Best Recovery Slides of 2026
Not to be confused with Hoka (which also makes a good pair of recovery slides on this list), Oka slides tend to be very cushioned and comfortable. Available in several colors, the Oka slides are slightly firmer than my Oofos Oohha slides and also perform better with water. They have 35 millimeters of “floating foam,” 12 cooling vents, and “a wide upper that cradles without squeezing.”
The company also touts the “deep stabilizing heel that keeps your foot in place.”
But it’s worth noting that most people should probably order a size down to get the best fit. I’m usually a size 10, but the slide that fit me well was the men’s 9/women’s 11. They also had good arch support. Read my full review.
Oofos is one of the best-known brands of recovery slides – I love the way they cushion my feet. (They are a little softer than some slides.)
Its Oohha model is made using the company’s patented insole and Oofoam technology, which it says absorbs 37% more impact than traditional shoe foams. The closed-cell foam is machine washable and “designed to minimize odors.”
I wore these Oofos for several months and was able to relieve some right foot pain I was experiencing. They have held up well, even with lots of outdoor use. My only complaint is that they get slippery when water gets on them, so they aren’t great in the rain or when walking in shallow water. (My feet slide down the slides.)
They run a little big, so I downsized from my usual 10 to a men’s 9/women’s 11. The slides are available in several colors.
Vktry has made a name for itself with its performance insoles, made from carbon fiber. But more recently, she’s branched out into recovery shoes with a set of recovery clogs and recovery slides, both of which retail for $99.
These slides are a little firmer than the Oka and Oofos, and they have a slightly larger arch and deeper heel. The clogs and slides have a layer of plush foam on top of Vktry’s signature carbon fiber plate. Although you can wipe them down with soap and water to clean them, you’re not supposed to fully submerge them in water, so that’s a small inconvenience.
They run pretty true to size, so start with the size you normally wear.
Many people swear by Hoka’s running shoes, and I liked their Ora Recovery Slide 3 slides, although my kids didn’t like the color I chose. (The company offers many color options, but I already had a few slides in darker colors, so I decided to go with a lighter color.)
The Ora Slide 3 is a bit firmer than the Oka and Oofos and has good traction on its soles, which are very similar to the soles of a running shoe. They also have a bit of arch support and are wide and quite tall.
I got a men’s size 9/women’s 11, and it fit pretty well, but I still had room to spare.
Fleks makes several styles of recovery slides, sandals, and clogs. One of its defining attributes is that they’re all made from 85% recycled materials, including waste performance foam (which is all that extra leftover foam from factories that make athletic shoes).
Made with Blumaka anti-slip technology, the company says its shoes are “designed to reduce fatigue and promote muscle recovery,” with each style offering “cushioned comfort and foot-supporting ergonomics to relieve stress on your feet, legs and body.” Their grippy surface is a nice plus, and they had just the right amount of arch support and heel depth. They also do well with water.
Note that they run true to size and have a medium width.
Roll Recovery, which makes interesting rollers for muscle recovery, entered the recovery shoe market fairly recently. I tried out its new SuperPlush Solace, which the company calls “the most premium, luxurious recovery shoes ever created.”
A pair is a bit pricey at $110. However, the slides contain natural suede in the construction (with an adjustable Velcro strap that I appreciated), as well as Roll Recovery’s patented Cradle-Design insole, which cradled my feet nicely. Available in a few different color options, these slides are springy but a bit firmer than the Oofos’ Oohha slides and not as thick.
I decided to go a size smaller for these, and indeed they run slightly large. Note that the SuperPlus Solace appears to be unisex, but Roll Recovery has separate product pages on its website for men’s and women’s versions.
The information contained in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a health problem or health goals.
