LOVE!!! Effective for Plantar Fasciitis & knee pain
LONG, DETAILED REVIEW: I received my OoFos recovery slides 11 days ago and have only taken them off while sleeping (and part of one day as a test) because I LOVE THEM. My feet and knees started feeling better immediately. The arch support, the shock absorption and the rocker bottom that takes pressure off the heel are everything the company says. For reference, I wear a women’s size 10.5 with an average width. I have low arches, over pronate (ankles/feet roll to the inside), have plantar fasciitis and a painful heel from stepping on a sharp rock while running. I prefer a wide toe box so my toes can spread naturally. If the toe box isn’t wide it crams my big toe into the others and quickly becomes painful (I could see that turning into a hammer toe if not careful). The slides have a great toe box but, as everyone knows, wide toe boxes are not necessarily “pretty” in women’s shoes. Screw fashion; I need my feet to make a living and enjoy my life. I purchased a woman’s 11 which is fine for me but probably could have done the size 10. I’t’s ok, I’d rather that they be slightly big than a little too small. I will try to include photos if that helps people make their decisions. I already wear shoes with arch support from morning until night. I slip on shoes before getting out of bed and even wear swimmer’s sandals with arch support when I’m in the shower. Yes, that is how much foot pain I have. If I can’t be mobile I can’t work in my profession so I’ve gotta do what I can. I’ve tried rotating through different shoes while at work and for that reason I have 4 different pairs waiting on the floor at work at any given time. So the only real change I’ve made so far is that I’ve been wearing these OoFas slides instead of my regular shoes that also have good arch support. My foot pain had gotten so bad that when I get a new pair of shoes of the same brand and model that worked for me previously my feet hurt as if I’ve already worn the shoes out. I have spent at least $850 on shoes costing $80-125 during the last 1.5 year trying to find something that can handle the abuse my feet endure by working 12-14 hours a day on concrete. I’ve been wearing these slides at work whenever possible even though they aren’t really a professional style just because I needed something and needed it fast. Previous to this the plantar fasciitis has been so excruciating that I am hobbling on and off and I cannot endure any of my usual athletic activities. My whole body is affected including my knees, hips and low back. With these shoes the PF is markedly improved already. Unbelievable. As a test I slipped my newest, most comfy running shoes on briefly on each day, stood there and took a few steps. Each time I feel my feet and knees start hurting immediately so I put the slides back on. After 1 day of wearing the slides I felt the muscles in my low back were noticeably loosening up so there has been some popping and relief in that area too. It did take me about an hour of getting used to the arch support and lower heel. I could feel some stretching so I took it slow walking in them at first so I wouldn’t hurt myself. After that I became less focused on that and just enjoyed the shock absorption and arch support. I know the support and shock absorption of these slides will only hold up so long, like with most athletic shoes. I use a Fitbit and log about 200 miles per month (and that’s when I’m not very active due to all this pain I’ve had). If I remember correctly, most athletic shoes should be replaced every 300 miles (that’s about 6 weeks for me) because I wear athletic shoes all day long at work so they don’t last long. So I’d be happy if these slides held up a month wearing them everyday, all day. Most people probably don’t put in as many miles as I do. To some people it might seem like $50 is a waste but in all honesty I’d spend $50 a month to deal with a lot less pain and return to my normal more active lifestyle. When I bought these I was desperate for some relief ASAP. I feel like after a couple more weeks I may be able to wear other shoes for part of the day again. I’m waiting on some other shoes designed for PF and knee pain to arrive so I’ll continue wearing these slides from the moment I get out of bed until I hit the hay again. I’ll check back in later for an updated review. Some things mentioned in other reviews - I personally did not notice a chemical smell with my shoes and I’m sensitive to chemicals so I would notice. I’ve not had slippage toward the front of the shoe but I’ve been wearing black athletic ankle socks with them so it’s not as obvious that I’m wearing sandals at work. LOL Even with socks I’ve had no trouble at all sliding them on but my foot isn’t wide and I do not have a high instep. I generally wear average width shoes. It does take a bit to get used to the feel of less pressure on your heel while walking or standing if you’ve never had a shoe with some degree of a rocker sole and prominent arch support. The rocker is part of how they work to relieve pain. I’ve not noticed any significant wear on the bottom but I do wear them mostly indoors and I don’t drag my feet. Depending on your foot and joint issues they may or may not be the right shoe for you but if you are flat footed, have PF or other foot/knee/leg joint pain they are worth a try. If you experience supination (weight falls more on the outside) anything with this level of arch support and a heel drop may not be a good fit for you but it’s up to you to try. If you do a lot of lateral movements this slide might not support your heel enough during those lateral activities but that is expected...it is a slide and it’s marketed as a comfy shoe to get some relief after exercise and not for everyday wear. I know I’m not wearing mine as they were intended to be worn because I wear them all day but they are helping me so far so I’m going with it. Read more
