Tired of Sore Feet After Runs? These Recovery Shoes Are the Ultimate Fix.

Every April I run the Boston Marathon and every summer that follows, I give myself a pep talk that no one cares how ugly my feet look in open-toed sandals. Only recently have I switched to recovery shoes post-thon, and they’ve done wonders for my race-weary feet. But these aren’t flimsy flip-flops I’m treating my feet too; supportive sandals with EVA foam midsoles (just like running shoes) provide the padded platform I need after a long, difficult race. Unlike your regular running shoes, however, which deliver high rebound, the foam in recovery sandals like Oofos is dampened, where energy from impact disperses instead of bouncing back.

Wearing recovery shoes postrace or after tough workout is just one part of the equation when it comes to R&R. Taking time off should be considered a part of your training plan, instead of a lapse in your training. Rest allows your body to repair muscle fiber breakdown. Active recovery, when you’re engaged in low-intensity exercise like walking or yoga, helps you avoid muscle cramps and stiffness, as well as ease back into higher intensity training. We recommend our favorite shoes for rest and active recovery, the kind that let your toes splay and make your feet want to go “aaah.”