When Jennifer first learned about recovery shoes, my inner skeptic figured they were just a fancy new way to market cushy sneakers and sandals. But it turns out, unlike a running or tennis shoe, these pairs aren't designed to help you train or perform at your peak—they’re meant to give your feet and lower legs a break. “I tell my patients: If your workout shoes were your ‘work,’ your recovery shoes are your ‘rest,’” physical therapist Lauren Glisic, DPT, CSCS, cofounder of Athletic Lab Physical Therapy and Performance Training in Santa Monica, tells SELF.
Austin-based podiatrist Anne Sharkey, DPM, tells SELF that, in addition to shock-absorbing foam, the best recovery shoes have extra arch support, a deep heel cup, and a rocker bottom sole to minimize how much work your soft tissues need to put in when you’re standing or walking around. Some brands also include a textured footbed that’s supposed to promote circulation and reduce swelling.
Read more about SELF's Best Recovery Shoes, and how VKTRY's new Recovery Clog made the list
