SOLE Blog

June 9th, 2011

What's recovery footwear?

If you're a serious runner, you've probably been in this situation:

The race has just ended. You've grabbed your last paper-cup full of Gatorade. You're waiting in line at the gear check praying that the line moves just a little faster so that you can get out of your running shoes, and into something, really anything else.

“Apres sport”, “post-workout”, or simply “recovery” footwear. Whatever name you call it by, it is that one pair of shoes that you just can't wait to slip into after a long run, ride, or workout. And it's not just runners that realize the need for secondary footwear that pampers, not punishes, their feet. Let's face it, cycling cleats, climbing shoes, and ski boots aren't necessarily built for comfort, they are built for performance, and quite often your feet end up paying a hefty price for that. Recovery footwear allows your feet to relax, allowing bones and muscles to reposition themselves into their correct places. The footwear needs to be wider, not constrictive, and should support your medial, lateral and metatarsal arches.

Why does taking your running shoes off feel so good?

Well, you may have compressed and contorted your feet into an unnatural position. On top of that, you've strained your muscles past the point of being effective at doing the bare minimum, that is, keeping your body aligned in order to protect your skeleton and tendons. It doesn't matter if it's 5 miles, 12 miles, or 26 miles, you've probably pushed yourself to your limit, and after that, your body and your feet need some relief.

So what should you look for in recovery footwear?

J.D. Denton, who owns and manages a Fleet Feet store in Davis, California has a great article on just that. But let me sum it up for you: a deep heel cup, a supportive arch, and heel-to-toe contact with the bottom of the foot and the sole are some key elements for which to look. Other important features are breathablity, overall comfort, and the ability to combat odor.

SOLE's recovery solutions

SOLE offers a comprehensive line of recovery footwear to help you to recover faster and be ready for the next race. Not sure what the best recovery solution is for you? Contact us and we'll help you figure that out.

What are your favorite post-race traditions? Ice-cold baths? Giant bowls of ice cream? Comment below and let us know!

— Alyssa Morrell | SOLE Customer Service Manager

Posted by: Matt Lambert at 2:38 p.m. in Footwear | Comments (0)