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If you have race shoes, you should have recovery shoes. We pick the best ones to show your feet some love after those hard miles.
The running world is obsessed with shoes and for good reason. What you put on your feet for race day has become so integral to chasing down a PB that runners are often spoilt for choice when it comes to speedy shoes. However, if you're investing so much time and money into your shoes for the race, shouldn't you be doing the same for your feet when they have done all the hard work?
This is why recovery shoes (and sliders and flip flops) are on the up as nothing quite feels like sliding a marathon-worn foot into a cool, ultra-cushioned slider after the race is over. Below we have listed some of the best on the market for those looking to pamper those hard working soles.
What the mahabis summer slipper lacks in cushioning, it more than makes up for in comfort, especially in the heat. These win all the breathability awards due to the very open weave of the upper, but the coolness also comes from the footbed that has a layer of natural cork on the top of it, so an ideal choice if you're post-run feet always feel a bit swollen and sweaty.
We found that sliders with an open toe often made for the best recovery shoes, but these slip-ons from Salomon bucked that trend and offered up a very reassuring and comfortable fit, even on hot days.
Wonderfully cushioned and offering excellent arch support, these shoes are a great option if you have flat feet and suffer from painful arches as a result. They deliver superb comfort and protection and can be worn as an everyday shoe –pairing well with jeans or leggings.
OOFOS were one of the first brands to focus on recovery shoes and it now boasts a number of different models including the full shoes above. We do love its open-toe models, though – these OOahh Sport Sandals feel amazing to slip on post race. With a structured foot bed and lots of cushioning, you'll be happy to have packed these in your race bag.
It should come as no surprise that the brand most famous for cushioned, ultramarathon-focused shoes also have a recovery slider in the range and the ORA from Hoka takes all the things that make its shoes great and then strips it back to provide a plush little home for battered feet.
When fashion and function collide, you get the KO-Z slide. Deckers is the company that own, among others, Hoka and UGG and the X Lab division is led by HOKA co-founder and former CEO of Salomon, Jean-Luc Diard, so there is design pedigree behind this venture. It's not all bold colours though, these recovery shoes are perhaps the most comfortable ones we've had the pleasure of wearing, but they come at a price. They also look pretty mad, but all is forgiven once they're on your feet.
The flip flop or thong design of these Revs won't be everyone's taste, but if you don't like a slider then these are a fantastic option. The foot bed is designed to stimulate pressure points in the foot, boost blood circulation, relieve pain and speed up recovery. We just know they're soft and comfortable.
Super-lightweight and plush, Telic is a US brand and has been leading the charge Stateside for a while when it comes to recovery footwear - and the Recharge is testament to that; a structured bed to support the foot and help muscles recover from those miles as you get on with your day.
A classic from adidas, but still falls into the recovery line up due to the levels of comfort and the bumpy foot bed; they feel fantastic on tired feet and that little bit of airflow underfoot helps the feet remain cool. These can also be worn on holiday and not look out of place poolside (which can't be said for all the options).