HOKA Ora Recovery Slides 3
Author: Silaghi Darius (Margitszigeti AC national team long-distance runner).
Please note: Hoka does not endorse us in any way, this is an independent review and opinion!
Why are recovery shoes useful for a runner?
As a runner, I follow a lot of running influencers (or maybe runner influencers?) on social media. I love hearing about the latest gadgets, trends, and training methods. Colorado runner Seth James Demoore’s name probably rings a bell for a few people, but he’s an avid mountain and ultra runner. Seth has been a longtime believer in recovery slippers, which he usually puts on after a workout and wears for the rest of the day. According to the influencer, for street runners, competitive athletes, and especially ultrarunners, it’s simply essential to have exceptionally soft foam cushioning to counteract the stress on your joints from high mileage. Just think about it: you’re hitting the ground with two and a half times your body weight about 160-200 times per minute while running, and your knees can take a pounding equivalent to ten times your body weight! Additionally, the slippers significantly reduce the recovery time your body needs after hard, gut-wrenching workouts. Although the recovery slippers market is not yet fully saturated, there are many brands on the market, such as Oofos, Crocs, Nike, and Adidas. But do the HOKA Ora Recovery Slides 3 really help with recovery, or is it just a false marketing ploy? You will find out in this review.
About the slippers in a nutshell
In the summer of 2023, I decided to give HOKA Ora Recovery Slides 3 a try. For the foundation period, I got a pair of the average and everyday blue color. The slippers are very durable, as I have been using them for more than a year and a half and I do not experience any signs of wear and tear on them at all. The soft feeling provided by the slippers has not decreased, even though I have used them on concrete, paving stones, tiles, wooden floors, sand, in other words, on all existing surfaces. Overall, the slippers fully met the expectations that I would expect from an average pair of slippers, since I bought these instead of simple beach slippers. In fact, they perform better than a traditional pair of slippers in many ways, including the following:
Comfort and cushioning
The HOKA Ora Recovery Slides 3 use super-thick, dual-density EVA foam, which provided me with maximum cushioning all day long. The dual density means that the part closer to the sole is softer than the part underneath, just like in running shoes, thus providing extra comfort. This is usually where the color change is for colorful models. The flip-flops are available in over 16 colors, which I think is not the least of their features. The sole thickness is 33 mm at the heel and 27 mm at the toe. Its 6 mm drop provided perfect comfort both while standing and walking, and despite the relatively low drop , the flip-flops spare tired feet, Achilles, calves and knees, helping to transfer body weight to the waist and thighs. If you don't believe me, then believe the American Podiatric Medical Association, which declared the product medically appropriate. One of the characteristics of the slippers is that there is a boat-like part around the sole, which sounds funny but also provides excellent protection against mechanical impacts: I have accidentally kicked something countless times, and the slippers may well have saved me from crushed toes and painful bedsores.
The design of the arch
Personally, I am against wearing flip flops and flat-soled slippers outside of the shower, as they quickly and easily lead to the development of bunions. That is why it is important that you only wear slippers that have a proper arch design! Well, the HOKA Ora Recovery Slides 3 are unbeatable in this regard… They have taken great care in their design so that your ankle does not sink into the inner part of the slipper, as there is a hump that takes the curvature of your arch, unlike the Oofos slippers, which are much softer and less structured. The slipper is quite wide, so runners with wider feet can wear it easily.
Ventilation
This is the only drawback of these slippers. The ventilation of the upper part with its 4 cuts is not adequate, so for example barefoot can easily become uncomfortable. That is why it is recommended to put on socks before slipping into the HOKA Ora Recovery Slides 2. Although many people think that wearing socks and slippers is forbidden, I think they are allowed on the sports field. Well, if Haile Gebrselassie did it, why shouldn't we?
Final Judgment
All in all, its price of roughly 15,000 HUF is quite affordable, especially if you catch a sale. If you dream of faster regeneration, I definitely recommend this piece!