After Trying Dozens Of Recovery Shoes, This One Soothes My Sore Feet Post-Workout (2025)

The Oofos OOahh Slide won the best recovery shoe for our WH 2025 Fitness Awards—enough said. The footbed is pillowy throughout—this may be a stretch, but I feel like I’m walking on my Purple mattress. The arch support is nothing I've experienced in a sandal before. The arch is super high and shaped like a foam mound, which fits under my plantar fascia perfectly. If you have flat feet or struggle with plantar fasciitis, these belong in your shoe lineup ASAP. And, for what’s worth, my boyfriend has both and finds daily relief from wearing these.

WH executive health and fitness director, Jacqueline Andriakos, swears by them for navigating foot pain. "My podiatrist told me I had to get a pair for work-from-home days and going to and from barefoot workout classes," she says. "I notice my chronic foot pain is light years better when I’ve been wearing these more regularly."

I don’t have plantar fasciitis, but I’ve been dealing with foot inflammation. While it’s not cured, wearing these around the house instead of walking barefoot has helped me find relief. They’re really springy, and the deep heel cups cradle my feet, while the arch support transfers the impact away from my feet. My only gripe is that they are slightly snug around the toe-box for wide feet, but it’s not enough that it’s uncomfortable.

The foam is water-repellent and odor-resistant. Better yet, they’re machine washable—I washed them twice and the foam still looks pristine.

Read more: Best Walking Shoes

I’ve tested over a dozen pairs of Hoka shoes for walking and running, and while growing my collection I’ve come across the ultimate recovery sneaker: the Restore TC. These are sock-like, built with insanely stretchy material, and slip-on, so they don’t feel like typical sneakers. Each time I slip them on, my feet feel cradled and compressed. And, most importantly, my dogs are no longer barking after a strenuous day of long mileage.

These have the thickest cushioning Hoka offers, and it’s the same level found in the iconic Bondi 9. My feet feel zero impact when I strike the ground—it's like I’m almost levitating on a marshmallow. This is a major highlight if you’re constantly doing long runs (continually putting strain on your joints and feet). It’s ideal to minimize the impact during downtime to decrease your chances of injury.

These have neutral arch support, so they work well for my naturally high arches. However, it’s not a good option for those with moderate to severe overpronation (ankles that roll inward) since they lack a design that stabilizes feet (like the H-frame found in the Gaviota 5). I do think it’s fine for mild cases, though, given I supinate (ankles that roll outward) at a low degree and don’t find these bothersome.

Because of the coverage they provide, they aren’t as breathable as other options in this guide. As for fit, these run tight. I’d normally view that as a downside, but given that these have sock-like, breathable fabric, they feel like compression socks that help improve blood flow. I still recommend sizing up a half-size, especially if you have wide feet like me (the toe box is narrow, too).

The Kane Revive has breathable holes scattered throughout its quick-drying EVA foam, which makes it fantastic for airing out your feet after a sweaty run or walk. These are also waterproof, making them the perfect pair to wear to the pool or in the cold plunge. With incoming warm weather, they’re on deck as my spring and summer shoes. Plus, they can easily be washed with soap and water.

They look like more stylish Crocs and are more stable since they are built like slip-on sneakers. The arch support also mirrors the best overall, while the cushion feels compressive and moves with my feet as I walk. These are ideal for all arch types, but make sure to size up if you’re in between sizes.

A standout feature I haven’t seen in other recovery shoes is its stimulating footbed, which is made of massaging nodes that press on pressure points in the foot to increase blood flow. I feel like I’m stepping on an acupressure mat. It could be bothersome if you have sensitive feet, but I love it.

I’m pro-slippers when walking around the house, but most have absolutely zero support. Luckily, the Oofos OOcoozie Mule is shaped exactly like the OOahh Slide for top-notch arch support, but with an extremely cozy layer of vegan fleece enclosing the foot and underfoot. My other slippers have since been thrown in the trash (sorry).

Besides having the same insole shape as our best overall pick, it’s also made with the same arch-cradling foam to relieve joints from shock at home. These are also machine-washable to help keep them fresh, but I advise against putting them in the dryer (the fabric can shrink!).

My only quibble is that they run very small. The fit doesn’t feel tight around the toe box, but my heel is borderline hanging off the edge, so you definitely need to size up.

The word recovery shoes doesn’t typically radiate style, but this kick from Alo proves otherwise. They look just like Nike’s iconic Air Force 1 but are designed with comfort in mind. The cushioned foam insole has an intense spring, which shocked me given its street-style look.

Alo says it "supports pressure points in the feet, knees, hips, joints, and back," which indicates that these take the shock away from the body. While I didn’t feel specific areas relieved from the impact of walking, they do feel good, and I haven’t experienced pain in these areas while wearing them.

While not specified, these are best for neutral arches based on look and feel. The collar is plush and thick to lock down ankles, but flat feet would benefit from more firmness and arch support. The toe box is also on the narrow side—I would’ve liked to have a wide-size option. The sides of the shoe rub on my bunion and cause pain if I wear them all day. As for material, the faux leather isn’t breathable, so if that’s important to you, the Hoka Restore TC is a better option.

Looking to walk on the trails post-run? The Arc'teryx Kragg Shoe has a Megagrip outsole, which is designed to provide traction on semi-rocky, sandy, and gravel surfaces to prevent slipping. I haven't come across many recovery shoes with this feature, hence why it deserves a spot in this guide.

It shares a similar construction to the Hoka Restore TC—the body is sock-like, stretchy, and breathable, so it also feels compressive. These don't have maximum cushioning, but feature an additional shock-absorbing insole that's also breathable. Exact arch support isn't listed, but reviewers of all arch types say they find them comfortable.

Meet The Experts

• Dr. Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at Ankle & Foot Centers of America based in Georgia.

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