Your Feet Deserve A Pair Of Recovery Sandals After A Tough Sweat Sesh

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There’s something extra dreamy about tossing off your shoes and socks after a killer sweat sesh and giving your feet a much-deserved breath of fresh air. But what if I told you that post-workout bliss could get more comfortable and even perk up your next performance? It's possible with recovery sandals. And, it's about time to introduce them to your feet and routine.

“Recovery sandals are not only comfy on your feet, but they help absorb impact as you recover from workouts or high-demand lifestyles,” says Rebecca Stewart, CPT, a certified personal trainer, mobility coach, and pain-free performance specialist. "They’re much more supportive than traditional sandals and slides and can provide relief for those with existing foot pain.”

There are multiple benefits that come from slipping on a pair.“ Wearing recovery sandals helps to reduce swelling, aid circulation, and minimize stress on joints,” Stewart says. “They’re designed to be worn at rest so they typically don’t have the correct structure for all-day wear." (Noted!)

Meet the experts:
Rebecca Stewart, CPT, is a certified personal trainer, mobility coach, and pain-free performance specialist. She holds certifications in strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, and women’s coaching.
Rachel Lovitt, CPT, is a certified personal trainer and holistic movement expert. She founded The Empowered Body Method to help others feel comfortable in their bodies.
Gina Newton, CPT, is a NASM-certified personal trainer, holistic body coach, and yoga teacher with a masters in health sciences.

On top of that, some textured recovery sandals enhance circulation and blood flow, says Rachel Lovitt, CPT, a certified personal trainer and holistic movement expert. Other styles are designed with a lifted heel to support the Achilles tendon and take the workload off your calves, she adds.

Skip ahead to sweet relief and shop the top recovery sandals here:

Okay, but who can benefit from recovery sandals? Good news! Anyone and everyone. “Recovery sandals are especially helpful for people who participate in endurance events, high-impact sports, and people who spend a lot of time on their feet for work,” says Stewart. “Wearing recovery sandals can aid in preventing painful future injuries like Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, or metatarsalgia, and this makes them especially important for runners and athletes.”

And yes, a recovery sandal is typically better than going barefoot since they have a robust sole and support to keep your foot in a neutral position, especially if you wear non-supportive shoes or sneakers, says Gina Newton, CPT, a certified personal trainer and holistic body coach.

What To Look For In A Recovery Sandal

To get all those benefits from a recovery sandal, you need a high-quality pair with a few key features, according to the pros.

• Sole material. “Most recovery sandals are made with special foam called EVA, short for ethylene vinyl acetate, or a similar proprietary material,” says Stewart. “EVA is a soft and flexible foam that maintains its shape giving it comfort and support and makes it a great choice for absorbing the impact on your joints.”

• Open toe box. You also want to look for a sandal with ample toe box space, says Lovitt. “A good recovery sandal will not be constricting at all, and this is especially important if you have bunions,” she explains. “Your toes and the bones in your feet need to be able to spread. A great way to check this is if you can comfortably wear toe spacers (like from the nail salon) in your shoes.” Recovery sandals should be opened-toed for breathability, air flow, and circulation to keep your feet easy, breezy, and beautiful, says Lovitt.

• Arch support is another key feature so your foot stays supported in proper alignment, says Lovitt. “You don’t want your arches to collapse, but you also don’t want to find yourself on the outside edges of your feet,” she explains. “Recovery sandals should feel snugly without being constricting.”

• Traction and stability. This is especially important if you plan to wear your sandals outside, adds Stewart. Floors inside can also be slippery.

Ready to sink your feet into some cushy comfort? Here are the 10 best recovery sandals and slides, according to experts.

Restfeel Women's Slide

A shoe that’s built to soothe your feet post-workout *and* keep the feeling going for whatever’s next sounds like a dream, but the Lululemon Restfeel slides are very real. They’re made with soft foam layered above firmer foam to create optimal balance, comfort, and support, and the upper strap keeps your foot in place. The slide also features heel-to-toe rubber for enhanced traction.

Rave Review: “I have a standing desk at home and I wear these slides all day long to help my feet manage with the hard floors. My toes feel comfortable, and I don’t get aches and knots like I used to standing barefoot.” – Jennifer Nied, WH Fitness Editor

OOahh Slide

If you want to feel like you’re walking on clouds, Lovitt says to opt for the OOFOS Ooahh slides. The OOfoam technology absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional shoes, and the patented footbed design reduces stress on knees, ankles, and other joints. Another perk? The closed-cell foam is designed to minimize odor.

Expert review: “Your feet will definitely get a break! These slides provide great arch support and have also received the APMA Seal of Acceptance. And they’re machine washable! My entire family wears Oofos, including my 90 year old grandpa!” – Rachel Lovitt, CPT

Ora Recovery Slide 3

Sometimes your feet just need to air out, and the Ora Recovery Slide 3 scores high in breathability. With airflow channels for increased ventilation and a high bed of soft cushioning, this slide absorbs impact while remaining extra plush with each and every step.

Expert review: “They have a heel cup which helps keep the sandal on your foot and allows for all your intrinsic foot muscles to take a break. They have also received the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, showing that these recovery slides promote foot health.”–Rachel Lovitt, CPT

Unisex Arizona Sandal

Birkenstocks are a classic for a reason. They’re durable, comfortable, and chic. With adjustable buckles, a contoured footbed, deep heel cup, and a raised toe bar, these sandals encourage your feet to naturally grip, stimulating circulation. Not to mention, these kicks are adorable for any outing (hello, post-workout brunch!).

Expert review: “I over pronate (something I work on regularly to improve my own body mechanics) and these sandals ensure I have good support on the inside of my foot so that my knees are not caving inward.”–Gina Newton, CPT

OOriginal Sandal

Made with the OOfoam technology, these OOFOS recovery sandals cradle the arches of your feet to reduce stress and impact on your tired feet and joints. The sole is soft and thick so it maximizes comfort without restricting natural motion. Oh, and they’re machine washable.

Editor review: “I admit, I find these kind of dorky looking, but there is no better post-run or post-hike sandal than these Oofos flip-flop style sandals. The foam seriously molds to my feet and arches, and it feels like you’re getting a mini massage with each step. I just packed mine for a trip to Colorado knowing that we’d be doing a lot of long, intense hikes. Can’t recommend these enough.” – Jacqueline Andriakos, WH Executive Health & Fitness Director

Cloud Slides

These slides are made with a deep heel cup and roomy toe box for peak comfort. They’re durable, skin-friendly, and the thick sole enhances cushioning to absorb impact whether you’re indoor or outdoor. The cloud-like sandals are also totally waterproof, washable, and quick-drying.

Rave review: “These slides are perfect for pre- and post-workout wear. They’re plush, supportive, and durable. I wear them in the city to and from Pilates, and they hold up extremely well.”–Andi Breitowich

Womens Recovery Sandals

A U-shaped heel cup designed to hug the heel, maintain neutrality and stability of the foot, and reduce the damage of bones and tendons? Say less. This thick cushion, open-toed slide is perfect for soothing tired feet. Plus, the unique arches are made to alleviate achy plantar fasciitis.

Rave review: “Overall, I would say this product is a very good buy. The shoe was intended to correct foot position and provide arch support, which it has successfully achieved. I would recommend this product to anyone who enjoys wearing flip-flops, but would like more support, especially while walking on hard floors, or even outside on concrete sidewalks.”–Bella

Pillow Women Slides

It can be hard to find a recovery sandal that does it all, but the Weweya pillow slipper is lightweight, comfortable, durable, anti-slip, waterproof, and fashionable. They’re suitable for indoor or outdoor wear and the adjustable buckles offer personalized comfort and fit. In 18 adorable colorways, you're sure to find a pair you love.

Rave review: “When my feet slipped into the Weweya Sandals, I felt like I was strolling on a soft, pillowy cloud. These aren't just ordinary sandals; they embody comfort and style. Tailored for both women and men, these sandals genuinely embrace the essence of universality. Their double buckle adjustable slides offer an impeccable fit, catering to the unique contours of every foot.” – Kami

Recovery Sandals

Relieve foot pain and pressure with these dual-layer soft foam slides. The specially designed footbed supports your aches to ease plantar fasciitis, and the deep heel cups alleviate back, heel, and hip pain caused by prolonged standing. The non-slip sole is also perfect for sweaty feet and slippery surfaces.

Rave Review: “If you suffer from plantar fasciitis like I do, you know that most sandals are uncomfortable or painful to wear all day. These sandals are made for folks with our condition and are so comfortable because they're designed to elevate the arches with considerably thick soles. I feel the padding really cushioning my feet even on hard pavements. This pair is very lightweight, easy to clean, and I love the color scheme (mine came in gray and mauve).” – Cat

OC Slides

Upgrade your workout routine with these plush therapeutic cushion slippers because the anti-slip texture and 4.5cm thick, anti-chafe compression material are designed to cradle your feet all day long. They’re also feather-light and anti-squeak!

Expert review: “These are a much more budget-friendly option that still provides great foot relief. They feature a raised edge around the footbed which keeps your foot securely in the sandal as well as an anti-slip texture to walk both indoors and outdoors. These sandals feel supportive and stable on your feet.” – Rebecca Stewart, CPT

How Our Team Chose The Best Recovery Sandals

For the past month, Women’s Health editors, including our fitness editor Jennifer Nied, reviewed the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated recovery sandals and recovery slides. Our team consulted multiple certified personal trainers, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best 10 pairs for a wide range of preferences and budgets.

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