I love a pair of snug, light and ultra-stiff cycling shoes, but after 4–5 hours in the saddle, I’ll admit I’m more than ready to take them off. No matter how many bike and cleat fits I’ve had, eventually the arches of my feet start aching, my toes tingle and my feet are just longing to be set free.
I’m no podiatrist, but I doubt wearing stiff carbon-soled shoes day in and day out is particularly good for you. And that’s where recovery slides come in. They may have been designed with runners in mind originally, but cyclists can benefit from them too, letting our feet breathe, stretch out, and, well, recover.
What are recovery slides?
(Image credit: Roll Recovery)
Recovery slides look a lot like any other slip-on sandal, but they’re designed with a very different job in mind. In addition to being something easy and comfortable to slide into post-ride, recovery slides use structured footbeds, targeted cushioning and ergonomic shaping to actively help your feet reset after training.
Cycling locks your feet into the same position for hours of relentless, repetitive pedaling. There’s little room for natural movement, and over time that can lead to some aches and discomfort. Recovery slides are meant to counteract that by giving your feet a chance to decompress, encouraging a more natural motion, and easing the strain on muscles and tendons that have been working overtime.
It’s not all marketing spiel, either. There’s actual science to back this up: early studies on recovery footwear suggest that specialised footwear can reduce muscle forces in the lower limbs during walking, essentially lightening the load on tired legs. Engineers at Arizona State University even found trends toward improved peripheral circulation when testing recovery slides, hinting at a physiological benefits beyond comfort. And researchers at the University of Massachusetts are currently running a clinical trial to measure whether these shoes can reduce joint pain and stiffness, and improve foot mobility over time.
The scientific evidence is still emerging, but the market demand certainly is there. The global recovery footwear segment was valued at roughly $15.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit $24.6 billion by 2032. So I felt like it was high time I tried a pair of these recovery slides myself.
Why this Roll Recovery model? Well, I’ve been using the brand’s R8 deep tissue massager (which I lovingly call the torture device) for well over a decade, so when they offered me a chance to try their relatively new SUPERPLUSH™ line, I figured it was worth seeing if they could do for my feet what the R8 has long done for my legs.
Constructions and details
(Image credit: Roll Recovery)
- Gender-specific sizes: Men’s sizes 7-14 // women’s sized 5-11
- A slight 6–8 mm heel-to-toe drop with a cupped footbed to ease calf and Achilles tension
- A multi-density footbed that cradles the arch and midfoot
- Generous wide toe-box
- Textured Grip Zones: raised ridges and perimeter to prevent slippage
- Made from sustainable materials including recycled plastics and plant-based content (EVA and algae foam)
- MSRP: $69 (Sale price: $39.50)
Wearing the recovery slides
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
These are my first pair of recovery slides, and six months later I’m still wearing them every day. And that perhaps tells you all you need to know, really.
I was already a slides person, sliding into comfort post-ride, post-run or around the house. My usual go-tos were Adidas Adilettes. They’re soft, they’re familiar, and they do the job. Or so I thought. The Roll Recovery slides have since kicked them out of rotation… at least around the house.
Out of the box, though, I’ll admit I wasn’t immediately sold. They look a little clunky. The cupped footbed does a great job of cradling your foot and even works as a bumper against those treacherous bed posts and chair legs, but it does add bulk.
And then there’s the branding: a bold white logo across the red strap gives me hospital vibes, relegated them to the “worn-at-home only” category.
But then I slid them on. Despite the name, SUPERPLUSH™, I was surprised to find them more firm than flush. No cloud-like sink-in feeling here. Instead, the footbed is firm, structured, and supportive. Compared to the Adidas slides, which feel softer and squishier underfoot, these Roll Recovery slides are denser. And it’s this density that matters. While the Adidas slides do little to support my feet, the Orthofit™ footbed and Cradle Design™ hold the heel steady, lift the arch, and gently nudge my stride back into something resembling natural walking after hours locked into a rigid cycling shoe.
Proponents of recovery footwear argue that without support, your plantar fascia, Achilles, and calves are still under stress, even when you think you’re recovering. A structured footbed redistributes weight, improves alignment, and helps circulation — all of which makes your feet feel better today and keeps them fresher for tomorrow.
If nothing else, the Roll Recovery slides are very comfortable. The density and support feel nice underfoot, and I’ve found that after a long day in the saddle, they help my feet relax. I’ve grown to like them so much, that I toss them in my travel bag as well.
Impressively, after six months of daily wear, these slides haven’t broken down, sagged, or lost their shape the way softer slides tend to. They still feel as supportive as day one. I just wish the fit were a bit more dialed in. They run loose on my small, low-arched feet. Around the house it’s fine, but not for actual walking in.
Verdict
(Image credit: Roll Recovery)
Recovery slides may be a smart addition to any cyclist’s recovery toolbox. They make a lot of sense. After hours in stiff carbon shoes, your feet deserve more than just freedom, they deserve support that actually helps them recover. And these $69 Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH™ Slides are well worth a look.
They aren’t exactly a fashion statement, and I do wish the fit were a bit more snug, but they deliver where it counts. The firm, structured footbed supports rather than just cushions, and six months of daily wear later they still cradle my arches, steady my heel, and let my feet properly relax after long rides. Softer slides may feel nicer at first step, but they break down fast. These hold up, day after day.
