If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best sandals for runners are, then I’d recommend the OOFOS Unisex OOriginal Post Run Sports Recovery Thong Sandals as the best one.
When we’re not training, what goes on our feet is just as important as our running shoes.
Throwing on just any sandals may prove more harm than good, so it helps to have the best sandals for runners that are comfortable and supportive.
Our buyer’s guide and later reviews should assist you in your search.
Here are the top sandals for runners we’ll be reviewing:
- PR Soles Original Sandals
- OOFOS – Unisex OOriginal
- PR Soles Athletic Recovery Flip Flops V2 Edition
- OOFOS – Unisex OOahh Sports Recovery Slide Sandal
- OOFOS – Unisex OOriginal Sport
Running Sandals – What to Look For
It’s normal for your feet to feel a bit sore after running. With the right sandals, you can alleviate that soreness better and speed up your recovery process in the meantime.
There are a few things to address first before you choose any of the sandals on our future review list.
Fit
As with any pair of shoes you shop for, the fit is a vital aspect to pay attention to. Improperly fitted sandals may lead to injury.
While you’re recovering from a run, you don’t need to wear anything that can worsen your condition.
Well-fitted shoes may contour to your feet better, offering you more support and security.
When shopping for sandals, check whether or not they run large or small. This may better help you size accordingly.
Sandals that fit also keep your feet firmly in place so you’re not slipping out of the sandals.
They may even aid in proper motion so you walk better, which can further help reduce the chance of injury and improve your foot health after a run.
Durability
The best sandals for runners are some that won’t fall apart after a few months.
You may not be exercising in the sandals, but if you run on the regular, you might slip them on more than usual to heal your feet and legs.
Insoles are key parts of sandals that should be made from quality, reliable materials. If there are straps, then it helps if they hold up over repeated use.
Comfort
Since our feet endure quite a bit during running, recovery sandals should provide a certain level of comfort to reduce any strain or other discomforts.
One good aspect to look at when searching for the best sandals for runners is the cushioning. How much is there?
Your personal preference may determine how thick or thin you need the padding to be.
Another feature to check is the material. Beyond how durable it is, it helps if it doesn’t irritate your skin if you elect to wear them without socks.
The weight of the sandals can play a role in their overall comfort too. You may not want anything that will drag you down, especially after a long run.
So, it can help to go for lightweight sandals.
Also, finding sandals that conform to your feet not only helps with the fit, but also how simple they are to wear for an extended amount of time.
This may aid in your feet feeling more relaxed, which might quicken up your recovery.
Additional Features
If your feet are giving you trouble following a run, there’s no need for you to struggle with wearing sandals.
Whatever pair you choose, it can benefit you if they’re actually easy to put on.
An additional feature to consider in quality sandals is a simple break-in period. Otherwise, you may be spending more time trying to get them to fit well than you will wearing them comfortably.
Some extra characteristics that might improve your sandals include breathability.
From the material to the cushioning, it shouldn’t cause your feet to sweat as that can make the recovery experience uncomfortable.
Top 5 Best Sandals for Runners – Reviewed
Finding the right sandals for recovering from a run doesn’t have to be hard. We’ve narrowed down your search to make the process a bit easier. Check out these recommendations:
PR Soles Original Sandals
The PR Soles Original Sandals are designed to be worn by both men and women.
They’re available in two colors: an all-black style or a black and neon green style. With an open-toe design, you may wear these with socks, if desired.
There may not be arch support in the sandals, but they do feature ACUPOINT soles. This quality intends to conform more to your feet’s natural shape.
The foam cushioning aims to massage the feet while also stimulating circulation. It also targets pressure points for better relief.
All the while, they’re light in weight so they don’t drag you down, and they’re quick and easy to slip on and off.
Sizing isn’t the easiest since they may run large, more so in width than in length. Also, take care that the rubber material in these sandals might stretch out over time.
Otherwise, there seems to be some adequate durability in these sandals. The rubber doesn’t appear to completely wear out with frequent use.
It’s also rather breathable, so you shouldn’t find yourself sweating or feeling uncomfortable, especially if you wear the sandals in warmer weather.
Pros
- Comfortable massage-like cushioning
- Targets pressure points
- Easy to slide on and off
Cons
- May run large
- Rubber may stretch out
OOFOS – Unisex OOriginal
The OOFOS Unisex OOriginal Post Exercise Active Sport Recovery Thong Sandal comes in five different color options.
Since it’s the thong style, it may not be easy to wear with socks. The material doesn’t seem to cause any irritation against your skin though.
These sandals have a closed cell foam design, a style intended to reduce bacteria and odors. In addition, the material allows the sandals to float in water and be machine-washable.
Its foam material is also soft, which may provide a more comfortable experience.
There’s some good impact-resistance as well, and the style might enable you to have a more natural gait.
However, the sole might feel unstable at times, which can make it difficult to wear the sandals for an extended amount of time.
Nevertheless, the footbed may offer you the necessary support for a post-run recovery.
These may be the best sandals for runners that have great arch support while relieving pressure on your heels.
When you first put them on, they may fit tight, but they can stretch out a bit over time to make them easier to slip into.
Pros
- Supportive arch
- Soft, comfortable material
- Impact-resistant design
Cons
- Initially snug-fitting
- Not ideal for extended wearing
PR Soles Athletic Recovery Flip Flops V2 Edition
The PR Soles Athletic Recovery Flip Flops V2 Edition have an easy-on design even with the thong style.
They are available in either black or brown, and they feature breathable material that’s also light in weight so that you may not feel any added weight or fatigue following a run.
Their rigid footbed design is an attempt to add massage relief to your feet. At times, the sole might seem rather stiff.
Overall, the material does have some softness to it that may have you feeling more comfortable even if you just wear the sandals for short bouts of time throughout the day.
Selecting an appropriate size might be tough though considering the sizing is off.
The sandals can either run too small, causing a snug fit, or too large around the toe area. They may simply require a lengthier break-in period.
Once they fit, the ACUPOINT soles offer a cushion that can conform to your feet. This may help you stay firmly in the sandals without experiencing any slippage.
Even the bottom seems to be non-slip to keep you secure.
Pros
- May provide massage relief
- Lightweight
- Conforms well to your feet
Cons
- Soles seem a bit stiff
- Sizing may be off
OOFOS – Unisex OOahh Sports Recovery Slide Sandal
The OOFOS Unisex OOahh Sports Recovery Slide Sandal offers a biomechanical design that may help you achieve more natural motion following a run.
There appears to be some quality impact absorption in place as well even if the foam might collapse somewhat under your weight.
Nevertheless, the sandals cradle your arches well to still give you some needed support. This may also help cut down on some of the soreness your feet may experience after regular running.
In addition, this design might assist in removing stress on not just your feet, but also throughout your legs and lower back.
The rubber is soft enough that the sandals shouldn’t cause discomfort if you wear them barefooted.
At times, your feet might slide somewhat, but that may be due to improperly sized sandals.
Caring for the sandals is easy enough considering they are machine washable. You can also select from a dozen different color styles if customization is important to you.
Pros
- Cradles the arches well
- Soft rubber
- Allows for natural motion
Cons
- Feet might slide a bit
- Chance for the foam to collapse
OOFOS – Unisex OOriginal Sport – Post Run Recovery Thong Sandal
The OOFOS Unisex OOriginal Sport Post Run Recovery Thong Sandals are built with high-quality impact absorption qualities.
This might provide a safer bed for your feet after regular running. What more is that there seems to be an ideal amount of cushioning on the sandals that might help you feel more comfortable.
These sandals have a well enough arch support to keep you stable and relieve pressure. Your arches seem cradled too for better security.
You may be able to move more naturally with the sandals too, which might further aid in your recovery after a run.
The thong on the sandal doesn’t appear to cause any irritation, and it may in fact help keep your feet from sliding around.
There doesn’t seem to be much breathability found in these sandals though. This may cause some sweating in your feet, but the closed cell foam can fight off potential odors from bacteria build-up.
It’s unclear how long these may last you as they don’t appear as durable as some other similar sandals.
Although there’s an array of colors available, the paint may start to peel after a short time.
Pros
- Quality cushioning
- Strong arch support
- Absorbs impact well
Cons
- Lacks breathability
- Not that durable
Final Thoughts
After a run, you may feel like simply unwinding with no shoes, but the right pair of sandals can help you better recover your feet, joints, and even your lower back.
They can even reduce stress and pressure, but it’s important you have the best sandals for runners to achieve these results.
From our list, we feel that the OOFOS Unisex OOriginal Post Run Sports Recovery Thong Sandals are the right choice.
They are made from high-quality material that’s soft and comfortable while also featuring ideal impact-resistance to cut down on stress in your feet and legs.
There’s a nice arch design as well, and they’re overall light in weight as to not cause any unneeded fatigue. You might even move more naturally while wearing these.
Breaking them in to achieve a better fit seems simple enough, and the care from them is easy as they’re machine washable.
The material still breathes well while cutting down on odor-causing bacteria to make the maintenance even easier.
