Rather than merely waiting for that Ibuprofen to kick in, step into a pair of the best active recovery shoes. Options abound, from easygoing slides to sneakers that have plenty in common with your go-to white canvas pair (at least in looks). Yet, a recovery shoe is amped up with improved technology and a smooth ride underfoot.
Dr. Daniel Geller, the chief medical officer at KANE Footwear and a board certified foot and ankle surgeon and podiatrist, said the right pair of recovery shoes “allows the foot to transition out of a performance or training environment and into a restorative one.”
Geller notes that fatigued feet can gain a leg up by wearing recovery shoes, which “help reduce cumulative load, promote circulation, and provide consistent support during low-intensity movement, which is often overlooked but critically important for overall recovery.”
As you shop for your own pair, Geller says to “look for…anatomical arch support, stable heel containment, and responsive cushioning. The goal is to support natural foot alignment while still allowing the foot to relax and recover.”
Think back to a tough, trying moment after a run, cycle, or gym session (time catches up with us all, does it not?). Now, imagine a world of comfort waiting the moment you step out of your training shoes. That’s the kind of world we want to live in, and the top active recovery shoes can help, one step at a time.
Photo via OOFOS
OOFOS Men’s Club+ White Sneakers
The right recovery sneakers, with focus on support and shock absorption, can serve as an antidote to any sort of long day on your feet, be it post-training session or on a coffee-fueled morning stroll. On a recent Charleston trip, I experienced the restorative power of these fashionable yet utterly comfortable kicks in real time, all without missing a beat in matters of looks. They’re made with impact-absorbing proprietary foam technology, and the cupped heel is a game-changer.
Photo via HOKA
HOKA Ora Recovery Slide 3
Take a look anywhere, everywhere, look around you right now. There’s a good chance you’ll spot the trendsetting silhouette of HOKA sneakers at least once. Vivid colors, a chunky outsole and plenty of spring in your step are all but guaranteed with HOKA kicks, and the same should hold true with these supremely easy-on, easy-off slides.
Photo via KANE
KANE x Huckberry Revive AC
Masters of both adventure gear and rugged Americana style, the team at Huckberry knows a thing or two about going far afield, be it on off-trail hike or a rigorous rucking session. All that activity lends itself to some much-needed recovery time, an ethos behind the just-launched KANE x Huckberry Revive AC. These kicks boast plenty of traction, a proprietary bio-based construction, and a retro-minded color scheme along with KANE’s supremely supportive underfoot technology.
Photo via On
On Cloudtilt Sneakers
On, like HOKA, seems to blur the line at times between a pure running shoe and a lifestyle sneaker that’s plentiful in the wild. That’s not a bad thing, because the better the technology, the better your recovery. The ventilated outsole and the dependable, foot-stabilizing performance contained inside are but two reasons to consider these shoes for citywide strolls with off-duty style in mind. A bonus? They’re ultra-lightweight and remarkably packable.
Photo via REI
Topo Athletic Rekovr 2 Shoes
Sliding into easygoing comfort brings with it a sense of relief, a concern that helped guide the 3D-wave design of these Ortholite-powered shoes. The wool upper adds a further sense of comfort (like a hug for your tired feet), while the 3D-Wave Sense insole stimulates nerves along the bottom of your feet for a major recovery boost.
Photo via REI
Oboz Whakata Coast Slip-On Shoes
Is there a thought that the funkier the shoe design, the more comfortable the recovery shoe? Perhaps. But the recovery and cushion built into these futuristic clogs scream “next-level,” and the same goes for design touches like a sculpted footbed and injection-molded EVA midsole.
