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A stylish recovery shoe from New York-based Deming
Italian leather, Tencel lining, dual-density insole
$245, available now
JOHN: A woman once taught me an important lesson that I think can be shared with all single runners, guys and gals alike. That lesson is: Do not, under any circumstances, wear running shoes with jeans. That’s the made-for-TV edit of what she said. I’ve discussed my struggles with fashion and being an ultra-running single dad (pretty rough out here right now), but Believe In The Run has given me an amazing opportunity to branch out with the Deming Eastsider.
This is the nicest non-running shoe I’ve reviewed in a long time. The last time I actually used to dress up was before I got married and had a kid. Let’s just be honest, COVID didn’t help any of us with what to wear in public either.
Deming is a relatively new footwear company out of New York with a pretty interesting idea. Why can’t recovery shoes actually look good? The founders wanted to create something with all the comfort and support of traditional recovery footwear without looking like something you’d wear after running 100 miles. They worked with doctors, engineers, and European craftsmen to develop Deep Recovery technology, which combines cushioning, arch support, and impact absorption.
The result is a line of shoes that look more like traditional dress shoes but are designed with recovery in mind. They’re also handcrafted in Portugal, which is pretty exotic. Let's get into how the Eastsider fared in my everyday life.
JOHN: I asked quite a few people what they thought of this shoe, and some of the responses were pretty entertaining. A very handsome, sharp-dressed man of the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club, Quatro Hubbard, said, “That looks like a deck shoe. Something the Beach Boys would have worn on the Sloop John B.” Then there were the less imaginative responses, like “dad shoe” and “grandpa shoe.” I had a lot of fun discussing this shoe with runners, and then the M. Night Shyamalan reveal: it’s not just a dressy-looking shoe... It’s also a recovery shoe!
My last pair of dress shoes had a square toe design and definitely wasn't built with recovery in mind. In fact, I’m pretty sure they contributed to massive foot problems from all those nights walking to bars and clubs around DC.
I’ve never reviewed a slip-on, a recovery shoe, or a dress shoe before, so this was something new for me. And for a shoe that looks this fancy, I really put some miles on it! I wore it out, played an intense ping-pong deathmatch, attended the Marine Corps Marathon packet pickup, walked all over DC, and watched the new Nathan Fielder documentary, You Can See Everything.
I also wore it on long drives, at work, at the Ainsley’s Angels Marine Corps Marathon dinner, and just about everything in between. I’ve been wearing it everywhere! When I’m not out on some ridiculous adventure on the trails or running races, having a comfortable recovery shoe I can wear practically anywhere is a pretty fantastic thing.
The Eastsider in mahogany pebbled leather looks great. There’s not even a hint that this is a recovery shoe. It looks sharp and instantly upgrades anyone’s wardrobe, especially mine. And believe me, mine needed it! What makes the Eastsider particularly interesting is everything Deming has packed into a dress shoe.
Its Deep Recovery footbed features dual-density cushioning, targeted arch support, a deep heel cup for stability, and pressure distribution zones designed to reduce fatigue. Deming also claims the footbed absorbs 51% more impact than its closest competitor, based on independent lab testing.
There’s also a breathable, moisture-wicking Tencel lining, padded collar, and lightweight, flexible TPU outsole. All of this is wrapped in Italian pebbled leather and handcrafted in Portugal. It’s a fascinating combination of traditional dress shoe styling and technology you’d normally associate with recovery footwear. After spending so much of my time beating up my feet running ridiculous distances, I can definitely appreciate having something this comfortable and classy to wear when I’m not running.
JOHN: The Eastsider is noticeably heavy, especially for someone like me who rarely wears dress shoes. Unfortunately, Deming doesn’t list the weight of the Eastsider, which is something I’d really like to know. I’m genuinely curious how it compares to some of the trail running shoes I’ve tested, particularly the Altra Olympus 7. The Eastsider feels like a substantial dress shoe, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you’re talking about recovery footwear.
As incredible as this concept is, it’s also very niche. I love having the option of a dress recovery shoe, but it’s simply not as versatile or practical for everyday use as a traditional recovery shoe or sandal. That said, if you’re dressing up for anything, the Eastsider looks infinitely better than just about any recovery footwear currently available. That alone makes it a pretty compelling option.
JOHN: This is a one-of-a-kind shoe (well, aside from Deming's other silhouettes) that not only offers recovery benefits but also gives runners something most of us could use a boost in: fashion. Guys who are in a rut and feel like women just don’t notice them might want to put on the Eastsider and step it up. In fact, guys everywhere, just step it up! Stop wearing pajama bottoms and race shirts and wondering why you can’t get dates.
For women in relationships with men who are slacking in the fashion department, buy them the Deming Eastsider. Sell them on the recovery benefits, tell them to put on some nice clothes with it, and boom! You might just fix a fashionably challenged guy.
I want to thank Deming for looking out for me because I’m just going to be honest: I can’t do this by myself. Having the Eastsider around has actually made me feel like I’m dressing better. The main reason I didn’t give it a perfect score is that, as unique as it is, it doesn’t fit every situation the way a traditional recovery shoe or sandal does. Still, I really appreciate having an alternative that allows men to dress nicer while enjoying some recovery benefits.
Deming has achieved something pretty incredible here. The downside is that if you’re doing a lot of different activities throughout the day, it becomes another pair of shoes to pack. But that can be fun, too! Sometimes I go from a run to the gym to hanging out with my daughter to going out for the evening, and I feel like I’m living four different lives, like some kind of secret agent. At least now I have the shoes for one of those lives!
You can pick up the Deming Eastsider for $245 by using the shop link below.
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An obsessed runner, John has run in most ultra races in the Mid-Atlantic area. Since he’s an ultra runner, it’s no surprise he’s also a lover of food. He’s also a dedicated father, caregiver, and veteran.
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