When it comes to exercising, my feet are the first to give out. No matter if it’s a push, pull, leg, or run day, my feet are guaranteed to be the most fatigued body part at the end of it. Shitty workout shoes, poor form, or just a general aversion to stretching has left me broken and battered, but a new kind of shoe has been bringing my dogs out of the Pet Sematary and back into working form day after day.
I first caught wind of the Kane Revive recovery shoes on Instagram, where a few fitness influencers were seen rocking them post-workout. These are…Crocs, I thought. But upon further inspection, the only thing in common that the Revives had with a pair of Crocs were the all-over perforations. “[Recovery shoes] are super important to allow our body to recover, providing relief, not only in the feet, but knees, hips and lower back,” Dr. Brad Schaeffer, DPM, a board-certified foot surgeon, explains.
I figured if these shoes were helping athletes compete better, reduce recovery time, and improve all-around performance, then I could (and should) give them a shot, too. Lately, I’ve been realizing that improving physical performance happens so much more outside of the gym than inside, using various tools like compression boots and high-tech relaxation googles, so I thought I’d give the Kane Revive shoes some a chance to see if they’d actually bring my poor, tired feet back from the brink of death.
- Sizes: 3 to 18
- Colors Available: 8
- Style: Slip-ons
- Material: Sugarcane-derived foam
Do You Need Recovery Shoes?
You can work out barefoot, but that doesn’t mean you would, right? No, instead you’d shell out for some shoes that’ll help you improve your performance. The same can be said about recovery shoes, which are essentially any pair of shoes you’d put on post-activity so that you can engage in active recovery. (Think: a low-impact activity—whether it’s walking, stretching, or just a less-intense version of your usual workout—that’s designed to aid in your body’s healing process.)
A good recovery shoe, as Schaeffer says, is “something that offloads and supports the foot after activity and provides relief by preventing the muscle from being strained or activated through activity.” He compares not wearing recovery shoes after a workout to fatiguing your body even more as if you’re about to complete even more physical activity. In the past, I’d go from workout shoes directly into regular-old house shoes, and noticed that my aching feet didn’t benefit from being in something that offered zero support and minimal comfort. Having worn the Revives for a few months, I have noticed my feet get the rest and support that they need—something I’d never offered them before. So, do you need a recovery shoe? Well, if you care about taking care of your body, then it’s a definitive yes.
How Do the Kane Revives Look?
From afar, the Kane Revives look a little bit like streamlined Crocs. However, they’re obviously sleeker, and while they are slip-ons, they aren’t mules like Crocs. The defining factor of the shoes is their perforated construction, which was designed to increase airflow so you’re not sweating up a storm down there. I can’t say they’re the most stylish shoe, but every part of their design was considered for aiding in recovery and providing optimal support and comfort. I wear them exclusively at home, mainly because I have very few outfits where these shoes make sense to slot in. (But if you can find a way to style these to perfection, let us know.)
