Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission
Whether you’ve just finished an intense workout, stood for hours on end, or walked tons of miles around an amusement park, your feet can certainly take a beating. (I stood for three hours at a concert a few nights ago and my feet are currently screaming at me, so let’s just say I know what I’m talking about.) If the thought of how your feet will feel after a long run has you sprinting for the hills (and not in a good way), never fear. Enter the shoes guaranteed to make you emit a few oohs and ahhs—AKA recovery slides.
Experts in This Article
double board-certified podiatrist at The Schottenstein Center in Miami
Hillary Brenner is a podiatric surgeon practicing in New York City.
Thomas Lim is the culinary director for the WIsh You Were Here Group.
Anne Sharkey is a podiatrist at North Austin Foot &
“As the name implies, recovery slides are made to help your feet recover from heavy activity that involves prolonged walking, standing, and any form of weight bearing,” says Thomas D. Lim, DPM, a podiatrist at Happy Foot Sad Foot Doctor in Los Angeles. “The goal is to relieve the feet of soreness, cramps, and general fatigue of the balls of the feet, the arches, and heels.”
Sounds pretty darn good, right? I absolutely agree. Along with advice from podiatrists on what to look for, I rounded up the 9 best recovery slides to keep your feet feeling supported no matter what you may have put them through. Ready, set, recover!
The best recovery slides, at a glance
- Best overall: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3, $60
- Best budget: Litfun Cloud Slide Sandals, $16
- Best for plantar fasciitis: Vionic Rejuvenate Recovery Sandals, $85
- Best technology: Oofos OOahh Slide Sandals, $60
- Best EVA: Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA Sandals, $50
- Best machine washable: Revitalign Orthotic Recovery Slide Sandals, $42
- Editor pick: Cushionaire Feather Cloud Recovery Sandals, $25
- Best color range: Crocs Mellow Recovery Slides, $50
- Most stylish: Lululemon Restfeel Slides, $58
What to look for in recovery slides
Recovery slides are meant to help your feet get extra relief and recover after intense activity. But they can only do so much—which is why it’s imperative that you treat your feet to the best pair. Here are a few tips on how to choose the best recovery slides.
Arch support & rocker soles
If you suffer from conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis, finding a good pair of recovery slides can be instrumental in relieving foot pain. “When recovery slides have good arch support and a higher drop from heel to forefoot, they can help with certain conditions,” says Dr. Julie Schottenstein, a double board certified foot and ankle surgeon at The Schottenstein Center in Miami.
Podiatrist Dr. Hillary Brenner, DPM, agrees that arch support is important when selecting a pair of recovery slides. “Arch support helps promote proper skeletal alignment,” she says. Brenner also recommends looking for recovery slides with rocker soles, which can help even out your stride with every step. “They allow pressure to be distributed evenly and encourage a gentle rolling motion that will help reduce fatigue,” she says.
Fit
You know what feels awful? Shoes that don’t fit correctly. Lim notes that many people may not realize that the width of their recovery slides is off. “If the shoe bulges out on the sides to accommodate the big toe joint or little toe joint, then your feet are muffin topping and the sandals are too tight,” he says. Be sure to give your feet plenty of room to relax into the slides—after all, that's the whole point!
Cushioning and shock absorption
Giving yourself a little extra padding between your feet and the floor is imperative for helping them to recover after intense activity. “The feet need a soft interface between the hard ground and the skin and fat that cushions the bones on the bottom of the feet,” Lim says. “A thick sole and soft sandal material gives the feet a nice rest from the pressure of repetitive poundings with activity.”
Materials
There are a couple materials that podiatrists recommend when choosing a pair of recovery slides. Brenner advises choosing slides made from EVA or polyurethane. “EVA is a lightweight and soft material that is good for shock absorption, while polyurethane is a little firmer than EVA and is better for people needing more arch support,” she says.
When it comes to the straps, no detail is too small, either. “Mesh is a popular material for straps because it allows for breathability,” Schottenstein says. “It is accommodating to the foot, which is helpful with swelling or after exercise.”
Shop 9 of the best recovery slides
Sizes: 5–16 (unisex sizing) | Materials: EVA | Colors: 19
Almost all of the podiatrists I spoke with recommended these recovery slides. It’s no surprise, really, since Hoka sneakers are a blessing in disguise for everyone from people with flat feet to nurses who need comfortable shoes for long shifts. These slides have molded outsoles to help cradle the feet, eco-friendly sugarcane footbeds, and multiple airflow channels to help with breathability. They also have the American Podiatric Seal of Acceptance (APMA), which recognizes products that have been found beneficial to foot health. Both Brenner and Lim are fans of this style, and Lim notes that they have “cushioned thickness,” which helps feet feel supported.
Pros:
- Airflow vents provide breathability
- APMA seal of acceptance
- Wide range of colors
- Unisex
Cons:
- A bit bulky-looking
- Not all sizes available in all colors
Sizes: 6–10 | Materials: EVA | Colors: 5
Don’t feel like spending a fortune on foot health? Good news: You don’t have to, thanks to these recovery slides that are less than $20. The stylish two-strap silhouette is designed in lightweight EVA, while shock absorption and cushioning help to cradle your feet in cloud-like comfort. They also have non-slip outsoles, so they’re great for walking on wood floors or running errands.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comfortable two-strap silhouette
- Anti-slip outsole
Cons:
- Limited sizing
Sizes: 5–14 | Materials: EVA, suede | Colors: 11
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, Schottenstein recommends these recovery slides. “They boast an orthotic grade footbed,” she says, also pointing to their supportive EVA construction and arches. “Their heel technology attempts to neutralize the foot to help correct abnormal forces acting on it, which can alleviate pain in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back,” she says. They also have adjustable straps, so you can ensure they fit your foot perfectly.
Pros:
- Adjustable straps ensure a custom fit
- Cushioned support
- Multiple colors available
Cons:
- Pricey
- May take a little while to break in
Sizes: 5–16 | Materials: OOfoam technology | Colors: 9
Schottenstein and Lim are both fans of these recovery slides. “Oofos uses a proprietary closed-cell foam called OOfoam,” Lim notes, adding that it makes the slides “feel thicker than they look.” The OOfoam absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear foam materials, so you reduce the stress on your feet and joints. It’s machine washable, too, which the brand says cuts down on odor. (No one likes stinky feet.) “They combine fashion and function,” Schottenstein says. “They offer great arch support and cushion, and have a nice rocker bottom so that patients can roll through gait and relieve pressure from the foot.” OOhyeah.
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Proprietary OOfoam helps reduce stress on feet and joints
- Wide size range
- Easy to slip on
Cons:
- Larger sizes not available in all colors
Sizes: 4–12.5 | Materials: EVA | Colors: 11
Yes, Birkenstocks are cool again. But guess what? They’re orthopedic, too! While there are multiple styles to choose from when it comes to recovery, I’m a fan of the EVA Arizonas, thanks to the iconic design, flexible EVA construction, adjustable straps, and molded insoles. They’re waterproof, too, so you can walk through an amusement park in supreme comfort and even wear them on a water ride. (Cut to me sporting these during my next Disneyland trip.)
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Adjustable straps
- Molded insoles
- Available in Regular/Wide and Medium/Narrow widths
Cons:
- Sizing may be difficult since each size includes a whole and half size (i.e. 4–4.5)
Sizes: 6–12 | Materials: EVA | Colors: 5
Love going barefoot around the house? I hate to tell you this but, well, don’t. “Barefoot walking can be a source of pain for many people,” Dr. Anne Sharkey, DPM, a podiatrist at the North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute, previously told Well+Good. As a self-professed barefoot walking fan, I’ve had to condition myself to step away from the practice (pun intended), and these recovery slides are a great place to start. They’re crafted with the brand’s proprietary Full Contact Comfort technology, arch support, metatarsal pads, and deep heel cups, and they’ve been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance. The cushy footbed is accented with a wide strap across the vamp that features breathable venting, and the EVA has an antimicrobial treatment to stop odor-causing bacteria in its tracks. Sign. Me. Up.
Pros:
- Some colors available in both regular and wide widths
- Supportive and comfortable
- Arch support
- Antimicrobial treatment
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
Cons:
- Not as stylish as some others on this list
Sizes: 5–12 | Materials: EVA | Colors: 29
I love these recovery slides so much, I actually already waxed poetic about them for W+G. But my love bears repeating, since they’ve become my go-to house slippers for the warm summer months. After a pretty terrible ankle break, I’m always looking for comfortable and supportive sandals, and these definitely fit the bill, thanks to waterproof EVA construction, non-slip outsoles, and molded footbeds with the brand’s +Comfort technology. They come in almost 30 colors, and they’re pretty affordable, so you can buy multiple pairs (ahem, like I did). Walking on clouds? Yep.
Pros:
- No break-in period
- Waterproof
- Non-slip outsoles
- Foot-cradling comfort
Cons:
- Only available in whole sizes
Sizes: 4–15 | Materials: EVA | Colors: 21
Did I wear Crocs while running errands this morning? That would be a resounding yes. (Shhh, don’t tell the style police.) Whether you love or hate the polarizing shoe brand and its even more polarizing clogs, there’s no denying they’re unbelievably comfortable. That extends to these recovery slides, which are crafted with the brand’s LiteRide foam to provide supple, squishy comfort with every step. The open-toe silhouette has side vents, and they have deep cupped footbeds, too, so your feet will sink right into softness. Not to mention a huge range of colors, so you’ll be good whether you go neutral with black or white or more bold with purple and pink.
Pros:
- Cushy foam
- Breathable side vents
- Treaded outsoles
Cons:
- Brand recommends sizing down a whole size, so finding your perfect fit can be tricky
Sizes: 5–12 | Materials: Not listed | Colors: 4
Your ohms will abound in these soft, pillowy slides, which are perfect to slip into post-practice. They’re crafted with plush dual-density foam footbeds and wide, cushioned straps. Heel-to-toe rubber traction enhances their grip, and the soft foam layered above firmer foam creates the optimal balance of comfort and support. Not to mention they’re stylish enough to wear straight from the studio to brunch.
Pros:
- Four pretty colors
- Dual-density construction for comfort and support
- Cushioned straps
Cons:
- Only available in whole sizes
Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter
Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
