Best Recovery Footwear for Runners

The Right Recovery for You

Fall marathon season is just starting to heat up, which means the miles are accumulating and the long runs are getting longer. We’re talking hours on sidewalks and pavement and hard-packed trails. It does a number on the feet, as you may know. So after a long stretch of quick steps, we find ourselves wanting a little rest and relaxation. Not just for ourselves, but also for our dogs barking up a storm.

The last thing we want to do is put our running shoes back on, so it’s good to have a backup with a bit more cushion, a plush yet sturdy foam, and maybe a little bit of breathing room for the whole foot. Like Costanza at his best, we want to feel like we’re ensconced in velvet.

Luckily for you, we’ve tried a lot of recovery shoes… and slides… and sandals. We know which ones we love and which ones can hit the road without us. We want you to experience the same thing we get from our recovery footwear, which is why we made this list for you.

You’ll find plenty of options with all different kinds of price points. Whether it’s active recovery or straight-up couch to car to Chick-fil-A to back home, you’ll find something to suit your needs. Enjoy the rest– you deserve it.

The Best Recovery Footwear for Runners

ROBBE: There’s a reason this slide is routinely out of stock and has nearly 7,000 reviews with a 5-star average rating on the Adidas website. It looks great, it’s a simple construction, and it’s reasonably priced for what you get out of it (I just managed to grab my wife a pair for $17 on sale). It’s also incredibly comfortable, with a contoured footbed and a layer of foam that’s surprisingly soft. It’s a great recovery slide without adding too much, making it a great option for any day of the week.

Drawbacks? Not a drawback, but they can run a little large, so go a half size down if you’re in between sizes. There’s also not a lot of structure to them, so they’re weirdly unstable for such a low-stack slide.

RYAN: When Robbe asked if I wanted these a few months ago, I don’t think I knew what I was getting myself into. I figured it would be a good set of recovery slides, and that the knit upper would give me a little more flexibility with where I could wear the Kragg. Instead, this has become my go-to shoe for literally everything but running.

Walking to Whole Foods? Kragg. Heading to the climbing gym? Kragg. Hunting for a post-run sweet treat? Kragg. It’s gotten to the point where people don’t even look at the shoe anymore because I have it on so often. Everything about it just works perfectly for both recovery and casual wear because it doesn’t look quite like a shoe meant for either purpose.

I’ll admit I’m not quite sure what the Kragg’s secret is. I don’t know if it’s the collapsible heel that makes it easy to slide on, the Vibram Megagrip outsole (yeah, seriously) that gives me grip on almost any surface, or the removable insoles that are easy to clean and kind of feel like I’m walking on memory foam mattresses. Whatever it is, this shoe rules.

Drawbacks? If I had to have a complaint, it’s that the Arc’teryx Kragg is a little bit expensive. I’d say $160 is firmly within tempo running shoe territory, and I’m not putting down anything sub-7 in this one. It does offer much more flexibility than your standard recovery shoe, though, so maybe the price is worth the splurge.

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RYAN: Last year, when I was dealing with a nice little dose of bone stress in my left foot, my podiatrist told me I shouldn’t be walking around barefoot anymore. His advice was to pick up a pair of Oofos, which I ultimately did, but I also grabbed the Crocs Mellow Clog on sale. I snagged the off-white Stucco color, and I’m happy to report that the clogs have made it onto my feet almost every single day since then.

There’s not a whole lot of muss or fuss to get into with the Mellow Slide – it’s basically a bed of LiteRide foam that wraps up around the top of your foot, too. There are several colorways to pick from, each with Crocs’ usual lightly textured (read: bumpy) insole, and a ridged outsole that looks like Salehe Bembury would have designed it. 

I would say you’ll probably have to keep this one to indoor wear, as the Mellow Clog isn’t the most secure for anything beyond a slow shuffle. Also, it comes in flip-flop form and slip-on sneaker form.

Drawbacks? It’s a $40 slide. So while it works as a recovery shoe, it’s not nearly as comfortable (or durable) as some of the others on this list.

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ROBBE: The biggest draw here is the style, but the supporting actress is the comfort. They look great and can pair up with pretty much anything. What I appreciated most about this slide is that it’s comfortable, but not overly soft. Meaning, there’s just the right amount of support for active recovery so you can keep moving along. The textured footbed helps stop slippage and the rubber outsole is surprisingly grippy. I actually played some parking lot soccer in these with my kids last night and they felt like a hybrid between a recovery shoe and a sneaker.     

Drawbacks? The footstrap area is quite rigid. So much so that it rubbed my foot raw after my first day in the slides. So definitely break them in before you take them out on the town.

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ROBBE: The Norda 001 is one of my top five shoes of all-time. The Norda 005 may be the best trail racing shoe on the market. The brand uses the Fibonacci sequence in naming their models, so we’ve reached version 008, a comfort slide out of left field. 

It’s amazing to me that it took someone this long to go no-expenses-spared on recovery footwear, blending premium cushioning with an outstanding footbed and outsole. Norda lit that torch and ran with it. The contoured footbed feels like a mini massage, while the Vibram outsole does what Vibram does best, giving you superb traction on any surface. And yes, it’s comfortable– very.

It also looks amazing in that understated Norda way, and they truly knocked it out of the park with their marketing for this shoe, releasing a series of spots that featured Anders Holm of Workaholics fame.

Drawbacks? None, but as Norda notes on their website– definitely go up a half size from your typical Norda size, they run on the smaller side.

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SAM: I led off my full review of the shoe with this sentence, and I’ll do it here as well: The Oofos Oomy Zen is one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. The Oofoam midsole is comfortable and supportive, and though it should be unstable with this much marshmallowy foam– it’s not. A cupped heel adds a bit of stability to keep things in place, while the upper hugs the foot with a snug and stable sock-like fit.

Drawbacks? The price tag is eye-popping for a recovery shoe, especially when even Oofos priciest slides come in at half of the Oomy Zen’s price point. Also, let’s be real– you’re not winning any fashion contests with this thing.

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ROBBE: If we’re going to talk Oofos, then we need to go back to the beginning. As Oofos says, this is the sandal that “started it all.” The Oofoam used is incredibly comfortable without feeling too soft or unstable. The footbed forms to the foot and provides all the support needed. The durability is also unmatched– unlike other foam based sandals, the Oofoam does not die.

I’ve had my pair for nearly four years, and while I don’t wear them every day, they feel no different then the first day I got them. I especially love them for the beach – just spray them off or dip them in the water and they’re good to go. I have to say, I had these before I had a pair of Crocs, and I was shocked at how different they felt underfoot. In comparison, Crocs feel like wooden boards. Do your feet a favor and pick these up for all your summer adventures. You won’t regret it.

Drawbacks? It’s not the most fashion forward of the sandals on this list (in fact, it borders on downright dorky), but its comfort is unmatched.

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REESE: Years ago, I bought those cheap $20 Amazon ‘cloud’ slides. They worked… until they shrunk in the sun (yes, that happened) and started falling apart after just a few weeks. But I loved them — they were my go-to for everything from walking the dogs to post-run lounging. Fast forward to now, and I desperately needed an upgrade. Enter the Roll Recovery Superplush slide.

The SUPERPLUSH foam somehow nails that perfect balance of being incredibly soft yet seriously supportive. My cheapo Amazon slides were more squishy compared to these. The Roll slides are a little stiffer, but they’re still giving plush recovery vibes. The slightly denser foam cradles your foot, not just flattens under pressure. I’ve worn them on walks, around the house, out to grab coffee, and even after long training runs — they’re that versatile. And the best part? They still look brand new. The foam doesn’t compress, the material doesn’t scuff, and they don’t feel flimsy. It’s like a mini spa day for your feet, every single time you slip them on. Plus, they’re made with sustainable, algae-based foam and designed by people who understand what recovery should feel like. Trust me, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Drawbacks? The only drawback of my particular slides is the white color. Sometimes I’m wearing them after a dusty, dirty run, and geez, does it highlight how disgustingly dirty my feet are.

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ALLISON: One of my biggest frustrations with slippers and recovery slides is how they leave your feet and ankles exposed, cold and unprotected, especially in colder months. Enter The North Face ThermoBall Traction Bootie. This shoe offers full coverage and warmth around the foot and ankle, making it perfect for post-run or post-ski recovery.

The cushioning is soft yet supportive, and the lightweight design feels great even on the most tired legs. Plus, the grippy outsole provides solid traction, so you’re not limited to indoor use, it handles quick trips outside with ease.

Drawbacks? It’s hard to find any drawbacks with these shoes other than you’ll not want to take them off your feet!  They do wear out on the bottoms eventually, so be prepared for that, but that goes for any shoe! 

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TAYLOR: Based on the specs, one might assume this is a budget race day marathon shoe, but I assure you that a rockered midsole and carbon plate can absolutely enhance your recovery too. 

The Vktry Recovery clog will be more on the firm side of recovery footwear with a medium density EVA. Stability and support are the biggest perks with this clog. Because the footbed has a really nice supportive and textured design, I actually really appreciated the underfoot feel. It is kind of similar to the Birkenstock mentality where the shape of the footbed is more important than the material underfoot. 

I’m sure there are different materials that could have been used. Perhaps carbon fiber is a little excessive, but I like the lightweight semi-flexible characteristics that are best found in carbon fiber. It allowed the underfoot feel to be less rigid and lighter. 

The Vktry Recovery Clog is a shoe that I wear around daily during big training blocks to give my feet reprieve via support. 

Drawbacks? The biggest downside to this shoe is the fact that it’s a clog. It’s a purely personal thing. Maybe I would feel different if it didn’t only come in black and white – the two colors that nurses and hygienists wear most often. To be clear, I have only mad respect for those professions, I would just like a color that won’t look like I just finished a 12 hour shift.

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How We Make Our Picks

All of our recommendations come directly from our feet to your screen. We test countless running shoes here at Believe in the Run, and we let our reviews guide our decisions. However, we also consider other reviews and our BITR community, as not every runner has the same experiences. We also aim to stick with shoes that are currently available so you can give our recommendations a try.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.