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The 9 best recovery shoes of 2024 are like clouds for your feet
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The 9 best recovery shoes of 2024 are like clouds for your feet

Whether you’re logging miles on Strava, swimming laps at the YMCA, or hitting the irons at your local gym, the best recovery shoes are the secret to better performance, even when you’re not actually doing anything.

“(Recovery shoes) are very important to allow our body to recover by providing relief, not only to the feet, but also to the knees, hips and lower back.” Dr. Brad Schaeffersays DPM, a board-certified foot surgeon. “Going right back to a regular sneakers (after training) it’s basically the same as walking and running.” In addition, everyone from runners and swimmers to high and people who sit all day at work can all benefit from high-quality recovery shoes.

So here we are at GQ He recommends beating up our lower bodies in the name of science, then we tried a shoe store’s recovery footwear to find the best fit for every type of active person.


The best recovery shoes, according to GQ



Best Overall Recovery Shoes: Kane Revive Recovery Shoes

Kane

Revive Recovery Shoes

Pro

  • Offered in a wide range of sizes
  • One of the most comfortable shoes I’ve tried
  • Provides optimal support for the foot
  • Completely washable

Cons

  • Sometimes hard to sneak
  • Not available in wide sizes
  • Despite the ventilation, they still cause warm feet

Kane’s Revives have become a mainstay on many fitness influencers’ feeds, and despite the barrage of content, we can attest that they’re actually pretty great. Every design in these shoes is meant to reduce the fatigue and strain of being on your feet, from the raised shoe knots to the support along the heel, arch and forefoot. The midsole is made from a soft, squishy EVA foam derived from sugarcane, while the outsole provides the support you need.

The super-flexible material almost makes it feel like you’re not wearing shoes when you walk, and the ventilation (reminiscent of Crocs) is great for breathability to prevent sweaty feet. I’ll admit that the ventilation didn’t do the most for me, although I sweat incredibly easily. These have been my go-to recovery shoes after long runs or post-leg days, and wearing them almost feels like a reward for putting such a strain on my lower body.

Best Budget Recovery Shoes: Lululemon Restfeel Slide, $58

Lululemon

Restfeel Slide

Pro

  • Easy to slide in
  • Good traction
  • Comfortable to wear

Cons

  • Fits tight
  • Not available in half sizes

I live in a household with no shoes in the house and the Restfeel Slides have been the biggest upgrade to my regular old slippers. They are easy to slip on, although I would recommend sizing up if you have wide feet, as the strap is a bit constricting for those with anything but a narrow foot. The cushioning is a joy to ride, and as you’ll notice from the side profile, it offers a good amount of arch and heel support for added comfort. I also like the rubber soles which keep me from slipping and sliding if the floor is a bit slippery.

Best Recovery Shoes: Jordan Roam Shoes, $60

Jordan

Roam Slides

Pro

  • Easy to wear
  • Looks better than most recovery shoes
  • Features ventilation for improved airflow

Cons

  • The inner “elephant print” can leave a dent on the foot
  • It doesn’t have the most support

The Jumpman would be a good recovery shoe for ball players, as few athletes have to rely as much on their legs and feet as hoopers do. We’ll be honest: recovery shoes are usually pretty ugly. Jordan’s Roams are some of the nicest of the bunch and come in at a reasonable $60 for an affordable pickup. The firm yet spongy foam is nice to ride, but it doesn’t feel like there’s as much support where you need it, especially in the heel and around the arch. But if you’re going to go out for a BEC after your workout, then you can at least feel good knowing your fit isn’t horrible.

Best All-Terrain Recovery Shoes: Arc’teryx Kragg Shoes, $160

Arc’teryx

Kragg shoes

Pro

  • Double as mules or slip-ons
  • Comfortable to wear

Cons

  • Available in four colors only
  • Could use better targeted foot support

Almost all recovery shoes we feature have non-slip soles, but Arc’teryx’s Kraggs feel the best for staying on your feet no matter how slippery or bumpy the terrain, thanks to the Vibram Megagrip sole. We love that these are convertible mules, so you can either slide into them like, well, slides—or slip them on like slips for a little more stability and support. The upper is made from a breathable mesh, although don’t expect your feet to stay dry for too long – you might get a little stuffy there, especially if the ambient weather is warm. And these are a more luxurious pair of recovery shoes, and we recommend wearing them outside whenever you’re going about your day.

Best Recovery Slides: Lusso Cloud Scendario Slide, $65

Lusso Cloud

Slide Scenario

Pro

  • The foam is firm but comfortable
  • Completely washable
  • Available in over two dozen colors

Cons

  • Could use more spring support
  • The toe box isn’t great if you have blisters

These lightweight and durable slides from Lusso Cloud are extremely comfortable and easy to slide thanks to their thoughtful design. They’re a bit more expensive than the Lululemon slides we recommend, but we think they’re worth the extra few dollars (if you can spare them) for the extra arch support and overall comfort improvements. The ventilation is helpful in making it feel like your dogs aren’t suffocating and they’re fully washable to keep them as fresh as your feet, workout after workout.

Best all-day recovery shoes: Stand+ AntiGrav1 shoes, $120

Stand+

AntiGrav1 shoes

Pro

  • Comfortable to wear
  • Excellent support throughout the foot
  • It can be machine washed
  • The minimalist design is attractive

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Annoying to sneak around

As long as you’re not running a 5K or hitting squats, you can wear recovery shoes everyday for your 9-to-5. Those who are on their feet all day — service industry workers, nurses, etc. — have shared their love for Stand+’s AntiGrav 1 shoes in reviews because of how they make them feel during and after shifts. These lightweight recovery shoes are literally like stepping on clouds because of the way they cradle your feet.

Walking in these shoes has been quite pleasant and I’ll be wearing these when I’m making dinner or planning to do chores around the house that will keep me on my feet for a while. The shape of the bottom makes me feel like I’m being propelled forward, so much so that sometimes I wonder if my legs are really working.

Best recovery shoes for runners: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3, $60

Hoka

Recovery time Slide 3

Pro

  • Great for walking
  • breathe
  • Available in men’s and women’s sizes

Cons

Hoka makes a series of Ora recovery shoes, and our preference for them depends on who tries them. I’m a fan of the Recovery Slide 3 because of their open design, but what can’t be denied is how therapeutic they feel without looking like something your elderly grandparents would wear. The colors feel nice to walk in, although we would prefer a bit more target support in the sole to alleviate some of the pressure of being on your feet for a long time or completing a hard workout.

Best recovery shoes for plantar fasciitis: Vionic Cove RX Recovery Sandal, $85

Vion

Cove RX recovery sandals

Pro

  • Excellent foot support
  • Easy to wear
  • The textured sole feels like a massage

Cons

I’ve got you covered the best running shoes for those with plantar fasciitisbut what about shoes to help recover it? Plantar fasciitis— inflammation of the tissue that runs from the foot to the heel — can lead to pain in the heel and arch, all the way to the Achilles tendon. Trust us, it’s no fun. If you’re prone to plantar fasciitis, investing in a pair of recovery shoes like Vionic’s Cove RX sandals can help ease your pain before it turns into something worse: a chronic condition called plantar fasciitis.