Bottom Line
The OOfos OOriginal Sandal was built for recovery after strenuous activities and absolutely fits that bill. It’s great for those who need comfort and support back at camp after a 15-mile, joint-pounding hike. It also helps you get enough spring back into your step to grill dinner and set up camp. The only drawback is that Ooofos are not made for adventures or, really, anything more than walking around camp. For more strenuous outdoor uses, you’ll want to choose another option from our list of the best camp shoes.
Through our testing, we found these recovery sandals actually did improve our joint pain after long days. They fit well and have great cushion. These are very similar to the HOKA ORA Recovery 3 Slides. The HOKAs were more supportive, and the Oofos were more cloud-like.
Overall, these OOfos recovery slides are a great value, especially considering their price. They work well at camp but are also great for leaving the gym and running errands around town.
How We Tested
We tested this product by walking approximately 2 miles and evaluated its unique recovery properties by wearing it after a 12-mile hike on strenuous terrain. In the office, we inspected these shoes closer to evaluate their support and durability.
Quick Specs
OOfos OOriginals
Best Flip-Flop
CleverHiker Rating: 4.6/5.0
Price: $60
Weight (Pair): 9.8 oz.
Pros
- Supportive
- Cushy soles
- Good value
- Easy to slip on
Cons
- May be too cushy for some
- Not appropriate for more than casual walking
- Doesn't pack down well
COMFORT
The OOfos rate highly for comfort. Part of this comes from the cushy sole, but it has a great fit, is easy to wear, and doesn’t require breaking in.
We wore our true size in this shoe and found it to fit like a dream. The straps were snug enough to keep the shoe from flying off our feet but weren’t so snug that they caused rubbing or discomfort.
The Oofos OOriginal Sandal is one of our favorite camp shoes to throw on in a pinch. These are absolutely a shoe we can rely on to run from the tent to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
VERSATILITY
The OOfos OOriginal Sandal is a post-workout recovery shoe that’s recommended for casual walking only. For this casual use, they perform very well. They are lightweight (9.8 oz), non-slip, and waterproof.
For a lightweight flip-flop, though, they do not pack down well. They took up just as much space as the KEEN Hyperport H2 Sandals.
The other drawback is that this shoe doesn’t work well for longer adventures. It’s great for setting up camp, making dinner, and running to the bathroom but not the best choice for longer walks or adventures outside of the campground.
That being said, they demonstrated some versatility for wet conditions. When testing these sandals, we walked through a flooded parking lot during a flash flood and soaked our feet and shoes. Not only did our feet stay snug in the wet sandal, but the shoes and our feet dried very quickly –– within 10 minutes. We were also surprised at how well the shoe held traction on the buffed floor of a sports store when wet, too.
SUPPORT
Support is where the OOfos shines. This company is built on the premise of offering shoes for post-workout recovery. The company claims that their shoes can “reduce stress on sore feet, knees, and back, enable a more natural walking motion, and reduce energy requirements at primary joints for walking.”
Our Gear Analyst rated this sandal 5 out of 5 for support. It is a recovery shoe made with OOfos OOfoam™ technology that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear, and the midsole support helps distribute the impact of your footfall. This foam is supposed to reduce impact and aches on joints, making this an excellent choice for those who are putting in challenging hikes, trail runs, and bike rides before coming back to camp.
The shoe passed our bend, twist, squeeze test with ease, as well. Though the foam is soft, the sole is tough.
DURABILITY
The material of the OOfos OOriginal Sandal is proprietary, something they call OOfoam. It feels like a durable plastic and is machine washable. During our tests, we found the shoe to hold up the miles we put in with ease.
OOfos recommends keeping shoes away from direct heat when drying, such as “hairdryers, heaters, and direct sunlight. As a camp shoe, you must be cautious around campfires and leaving these shoes in hot cars in direct sunlight. This is disappointing as sitting too close to fire or having gear sit in a hot car is all too common.
OOfos provides a 6 month warranty on shoes purchased through OOfos or an authorized dealer. They will replace the shoes with a new pair if, within 6 months and if purchased from an authorized dealer, the toe post or strap broke, if there is any peeling, or if there is premature wear within 3 months of purchase.
Should You Buy the Oofos Ooriginal Sandal?
If you are looking for a sandal to recover at camp, this is a great choice. Just remember the OOfos OOriginal Sandal is not proper footwear for intense activities like hiking or water travel. This also might be a great option if you have existing joint issues. Please understand that this is not an official orthopedic recommendation: you should consult with your doctors for advice. We did find that after a long shift on hard-packed floors and after intense trail runs, this shoe gave us pep in our step and made our body feel amazing.
What Other Camp Shoes Should You Consider?
The OOfos are just one of many excellent options in our comprehensive camp shoes guide.
HOKA ORA Recovery 3 Slide Review: A match for comfort and support, the HOKA beat out the OOfos in that they simply have the comfort and versatility of being a slide that you can wear with or without socks.
Bedrock Mountain Clog Review: This is kind of the opposite because instead of absolute arch support with tons of cushion, this is a zero drop shoe that allows your body to mimic natural feeling.
KEEN Hyperport H2 Sandal Review: This has great support and feels like it puts the arch of the foot on a pedestal but this one can go farther and do more. The KEEN can relax at camp but it can also hike, travel through water, etc.
