MD Podiatrist Discusses Recovery Shoes

To the naked eye, the thick soles of recovery shoes don’t look all that different from what you see in maximally cushioned sneakers. But while athletic shoes are meant to keep your feet safe and your movements efficient during activities like running, playing pickleball, or walking around all day at work, recovery shoes are designed to help your muscles and joints recuperate from those activities, says sports medicine foot and ankle surgeon Dan Michaels, DPM. Dr. Michaels says he typically tells his clients to only wear a recovery sandal at home after a big workout or competition. That way they’re not wearing them for too long (or trying to walk far), and they’re in a controlled environment where the instability is less likely to make them trip. 

Most recovery shoes are also made to let your sweaty feet air out, either through a sandal design or breathable materials in the upper fabric of a sneaker. “It’s not just recovering from a musculoskeletal issue or pain—it’s also for skin protection as well,” Dr. Michaels says. There are also some shoes that integrate red light therapy that claim to bring more blood flow to your feet. Dr. Michaels predicts we’ll soon see shoes with vibration and cooling mechanisms.