These Shoes Are Like A Foot Massage (& Help My Body Recover Faster)

After years of ballet, distance running, and uncomfortable trendy shoes, I finally vowed to stop cramming my feet into ill-fitting footwear—but I only recently discovered the world of recovery footwear.

As the name suggests, these functional shoes are designed to help your body bounce back faster by improving circulation and reducing inflammation. While research is limited on this functional footwear, there's plenty of anecdotal support from people who swear by the shoes—like me.

I'd be remiss to not mention these shoes look funky, but every design element ensures the shoes deliver on their ultimate purpose: enhanced recovery.

Starting from the top, each shoe has a perforated upper. This offers enhanced airflow and breathability without sacrificing the secure fit of a traditional tennis shoe.

What's more, it ensures the design stays lightweight despite the plethora of generous cushioning along the sole of the shoe. (And yes, there's still plenty of grip to prevent slips or falls).

Like most recovery slides, these shoes are made primarily from a cushioned foam. But while most brands opt for plastic or similar oil-based materials, Kane uses renewable resources (mainly Brazilian sugar cane) to create its signature RestoreFoam.

I'm a marathon runner with a robust workout routine, but I've learned to prioritize recovery just as much as active exercise days. And once I dipped my toe into the recovery footwear space, I was hooked fairly quickly.

I felt my feet relax as soon as I slipped on these shoes. The dense cushioning feels like supportive clouds beneath my feet, and I was immediately impressed by how breathable the shoes were.

What's more, the lightweight design and oversized pull loops on the heels make these a great shoe for travel. I even packed them with me for my last marathon and wore them before and after the race. Plus, I'm impressed by the traction on these shoes. It was a fairly wet day when I wore them on a hike, but my feet felt secure and supported.

Bar none, the absolute best feature is the subtle nodes on the footbed. With every step it feels like you're getting a light foot massage, and I swear it helps my feet feel less tired over time. 

Before I tested the Kane Revive shoes, my sore feet were often a distraction between workouts—but these shoes helped me stay active on rest days, which ultimately helped me recover faster.