For over a decade now, OOFOS has been one of the biggest names in recovery footwear. The brand has recently expanded to new lifestyle designs that can be confidently worn in social settings.
On the surface, running appears hard, while recovery looks easy. Ironically, the opposite is true for many runners. We grind through demanding training programs all week, but do the bare minimum when it comes to recovery. All you have to do is nothing… so why is it so hard?
If you skip recovery, then you’re costing yourself future performance. We get it – cool-down routines, recovery boots, and massage guns are effective, but time-consuming. Our secret to keeping our feet, ankles, and legs fresh between runs without sacrificing valuable time? OOFOS.
Not really a well-kept secret, to be fair; most endurance athletes have tried (or at least heard of) their recovery sandals. They’re so comfy that lots of brands have tried copying their signature design and material. But none have successfully imitated the original OOFOS feel.
They’re a specialized footwear brand that makes sandals, slides, and shoes for active recovery. The core technology is OOfoam, designed to help your feet and joints recover more quickly after intense physical activity, like running or standing all day. OOFOS has been on the scene for a while, amassing fans among healthcare and hospitality workers, along with anyone else who spends all day on their feet.
Recently, OOFOS has released models that pair its recovery-focused foam with more lifestyle-oriented designs. The Glide, the Ripstop, and the Club+ all pack the world-class recovery foam into fresh silhouettes meant to be worn out on the town. These OOFOS models can be worn to a lunch meeting, dinner party, or wherever you need a polished-up look. The knock on OOFOS sandals for years was always that the toes-out look was appropriate for the locker room and that’s it.
To see how these new OOFOS models feel compared to the originals, we tasked a few Six Minute Mile staff members to test pairs of their new lifestyle models and report back with their thoughts. Do these super slick-looking models pack the same punch as the original OOFOS that we know and love? Check out our full OOFOS review below!
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Specs:
From SMM Reader Sheima: “I’ve been a fan of OOFOS for nearly 10 years and have practically lived in their recovery sandals at home. But living in New England, I often reach for sneakers when I head outside. OOFOS recently sent a pair of Club+ shoes, and I love them!
As an endurance athlete with a full-time office job, I’m always looking for ways to recover on the go—and these shoes are the answer. They look great, slip on easily with no-tie laces, and keep my feet feeling supported after squeezing in a two-hour run before a full workday. It’s the little things that add up to big results. OOFOS helps me stay healthy, maximize my training, and perform at my best over the Ironman distance!”
Why you’ll love it: It brings much of what we like about OOFOS recovery sandals and slides into a shoe you can comfortably wear beyond the locker room. The added foam really delivers when compared to their standard models. You feel a tad elevated with the extra stack, which would’ve been great for when we were kids trying to get on the fun roller coasters. OOFOS understands that for athletes and especially runners, combining recovery foam with shoes you’ll actually wear is a no-brainer. These shoes are solid-looking enough to hit the town in and more. Start treating your feet everywhere with the Club+.
Click here to learn more about the OOFOS Club+
Specs:
From Gordon Selkirk: “I’ve been an OOFOS wearer for a few years, having purchased my first pair at the famous, and tough, Wildflower triathlon, quite a few years ago. I’ve put a few miles into the new Glide, and my initial thoughts are here. All of mine have been the “open-toe” type, both the true slide-in type and the sandal (thong) type.
The Glide leans more toward the slip-in style, but covers the entire foot. The midsole is thick and pillowy, and the foam is a nice balance of cush and firm. OOFOS would not blame us for pigeonholing their footwear as post-run recovery, but I immediately felt like I could take these for a walk around the block, so off I went for my 25-minute circuit. They are solid enough to wear all day, and in the 90-degree heat lately (very warm for coastal SoCal), I was happy to see that I could go sockless.
The fit was true to size with a tiny bit of foot slip. I have a narrow foot, so I think wearing a no-show thin sock will dial in the perfect snugness. I also appreciated the design of the collar, as it does not cut into the malleolus – those bony protrusions on either side of the ankle.
After the block-walk and hours of errands, not even an inkling of a blister. Glide features a sturdy mesh upper with reinforced toe caps, which are also great for bare feet, and two pull-tabs in the front and rear of the collar…yes, post long-run, every little bit helps.
For the fashion-conscious – and come on, we all are – my light grey pair looks great and is nice for evening activities. Nice job, OOFOS!”
Why you’ll love it: Recovery and stylish footwear are no longer mutually exclusive. OOFOS breaks the mold with this one and hits a home run. These solve the issue of having to run out the door after a workout, looking presentable, and giving your lower body the recovery it deserves.
Click here to learn more about the Glide
Specs:
From Brian Metzler: Recently, after long trail runs – well after just about any run, really – I slip on my OOFOS OOahh Plus Slides and let my feet chill out.
The cushy, high-stack foam apparently absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional midsole foam, but, even as much of a shoe geek as I am, that’s not what it’s about. It’s just purely about giving my feet, knees, and lower back some genuine relief.
The contoured, biomechanical footbed cradles your arch and lets your foot move naturally, which makes it a smart pick, whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis or just general post-run fatigue and soreness. It’s slip-on and minimalist by design, so there’s no chafing between the toes like you’d get with a traditional thong sandal.
The closed-cell foam is also machine washable and resists moisture and odor, meaning it can handle shower duty, beach trips, or sweaty post-race feet without breaking down.
I like them so much, they’ve become my everyday shoes. I wear them for doing errands, going to PT, going to the movies, and going out to eat. Will I continue when the weather gets colder? Yes, probably.
Why you’ll love it: It’s the original recovery slide turned up a notch. It’s everything you loved about your OOFOS sandals, just more of it. In a world where marketers just add “Plus” on the end of the same products they’re already selling, OOFOS actually delivers on the goods. They’re only ten extra dollars for a lot of extra comfort!
Click here to learn more about the OOahh PLUS
Specs:
What they’re known for: The Roam Ripstop is built to handle your daily adventures no matter where that brings you. Its four-way stretch upper offers flexible and lightweight support throughout the day. The Ripstop comes equipped with water-resistant materials and a mud guard to help you stay dry in inclement conditions. The antimicrobial sockliner does a great job of eliminating odor and keeping your kicks clean. Of course, the proprietary OOfoam™ technology absorbs heavy impact so you can stay comfortable through longer walks, errands, and outdoor adventures.
Why you’ll love it: This is OOFOS most outdoors-oriented shoe in the group. The Roam’s water-resistant materials, a mudguard, and a secure lace-up fit make it better suited to trails and messy weather than OOFOS’ slip-on models. With fall approaching, that added protection should come in handy through rain, slush, and light snow.
Note: Six Minute Mile staff have yet to personally try this model and will update this review with our personal experiences once received.
Click here to learn more about the Roam Ripstop
The Club+ is our pick for runners who want maximum cushioning in a shoe that can work at the office or around town. The Glide offers a lighter, more casual slip-on design for everyday use. Fans of classic OOFOS recovery sandals should look to the OOahh PLUS, which adds extra cushioning to the familiar slide design. For wet weather and outdoor use, the Roam Ripstop offers the most protection of the four.
Check out their site to shop now!
