It is also great for everyday wear after activities. Review of Salomon's recovery shoes "REELAX Series" that you can't let go once you wear them

It may be so obvious that you may not even be aware of it, but for hikers and runners, proper "recovery" is just as important as walking.

If you don't take a good rest, you will not recover from the fatigue that has accumulated after walking tens of thousands of steps or even tens of kilometers a day. Needless to say, proper nutrition and rest for a certain amount of time are essential to get back to normal, recovery shoes are the basics of resting.

After a tough race or a day of activities, I felt the feeling of freedom when I took off the shoes I had worn up until then and changed into recovery shoes. The stiff legs are relieved from the tension, and the happy moment continues, as if the entire leg is wrapped in marshmallows. Once you experience that pleasure, everyone will never be able to return to its original state. In recent years, due to its ultimate comfort, the number of people using it as everyday wear has been increasing rapidly, and its momentum has never stopped.

Salomon has been developing these popular recovery shoes for over 10 years. This time, we were able to try wearing three models of the REELAX series recovery shoes, which have been updated to the 6th generation this spring, and we'll bring you your impressions.

Salomon REELAX Series Overview and Comparison of Each Model

Item name	REELAX MOC 6.0	REELAX SLIDE 6.0	REELAX BREAK 6.0
image
upper	Mesh fabric (folding heel type)	Mesh fabric (sandal type)	360° Molded EVA Footbed (Flip-flop type)
Midsole	Fuze Foam	Fuze Foam	EnergyCell™
Outsole	Contagrip®	Contagrip®	Contagrip®
Weight (g)	Approximately 203g	Approximately 196g	Approximately 214g
Specialty scenes and uses	Recovery after races and activities Active everyday wear Tent hall shoes	Recovery after races and activities Indoor desk work Relaxing scenes in everyday life	Recovery after races and activities Active everyday wear Tent hall shoes Marine Sports

Introduction: What are recovery shoes?

Recovery shoes are, as the name suggests, shoes that are "made for recovery."

Muscles damaged by intense exercise or long-term leg loads are repaired with adequate rest and nutritional intake, allowing athletes to perform well (or even better) again. Conversely, continuing to exercise excessively without fully recovering from fatigue and pain can lead to a wide range of problems that last for a longer period of time.

After focusing on the importance of recovery, running shoemakers consider shoes that reduce fatigue and other physical stress after running after running. That's what are called recovery shoes.

Recovery shoes are currently being developed from a variety of brands, but the common function they generally are to relax tired muscles, promote blood flow with a massage effect, and reduce all the stresses when walking.

Specific features that achieve this include a highly cushioned sole that reduces the impact that is exposed to the feet as much as possible, an arch support that gently massages the arch while holding the feet in an appropriate position, and a highly breathable structure that does not trap moisture or heat.

In other words (although it's extremely rough), recovery shoes can be described as comfortable shoes with cushioning, comfortable walking and safe, breathable. Due to this thorough comfort-focused nature, the place where recovery shoes are useful these days is not limited to running. There are now many opportunities to use recovery shoes, such as tents after hiking after a long hike with heavy luggage, or everyday wear indoors and outdoors by people who often stand up for long periods of time, and there are currently a wide variety of models that are available in the same recovery shoes, with a slightly different usability and style.

Salomon REELAX series impressions of each model

REELAX MOC 6.0: A versatile model that can be worn all the way from the field to the house after activities

First of all, many people imagine recovery shoes is probably a design that is like a thick sandal with a bottom made entirely of soft resin. However, even if these are sufficient functionally, if you want to leave the field and continue wearing them even in the city, it's not surprising that some people will feel a little uneasy about the ease of walking and design.

In this respect, this REELAX MOC 6.0 has a shoe-style design that covers the entire upper with mesh fabric and has a heel counter, so it doesn't look out of place not only in the field but also in everyday life. The mesh fabric emphasizes breathability from the outside to the toes, and the heels are flexible and fit-oriented, and by combining mesh with different properties, it combines breathability and fit in a balanced way.

Before I put it on, I suspected that this simple, thin fabric would have a bland fit, but when I put my feet in these shoes, it was more roomy than I expected, and the soft feel and excellent breathability, while the three-dimensional cutting made it firmly snuggle up to the shape of my feet, and fitted me like it wraps around my feet.

Looking at the sockliner (insole), you can see that both the raised arch and the deep heel cup are shaped three-dimensionally in line with the natural shape of the foot, just like regular running shoes (photo below). This too has a positive effect on the comfortable fit of the entire foot.

The midsole uses "fuse foam" that is lightweight yet extremely cushioned and resilient, using EVA, a particularly soft construction. It is placed as generously as possible, with a heel of 26.5mm and a forefoot of 19mm, so that it is not too thick (by the way, it seems that these materials have been gradually switched to eco-friendly materials containing biomass).

It is true that the more you apply EVA foam, the more fluffy and elastic you will feel, but excessive cushioning can make your feet unstable. In that sense, this model (or rather, the entire series) has moderate cushioning, but also gives a sense of high support that holds the feet in the correct position, and the good balance is also good, which is one of my favorite parts.

The outsole uses Contagrip®, which is highly grippy and durable, on areas that are prone to wear (photo below), making it less slippery on wet roads, and even if you wear it outdoors for a long time, it won't wear out quickly.

Furthermore, the great idea that the heel counter can be folded, allowing you to wear it in a slip-on style, as well as regular shoes (photo below).

It is a versatile shoe that maintains ample comfort as a recovery shoe, while also providing a sense of good balance and ease of use, with the aim of continuing to wear it comfortably for a long time in a variety of situations, including active everyday use.

REELAX SLIDE 6.0: A standard model that combines ease of putting on and taking off and style, perfect for relaxing occasions

REELAX SLIDE 6.0 is a slip-on (sandals) style model, just like the typical so-called recovery shoes . above MOC is that there is no heel counter at the heel, and it is a completely slip-on style. It is true that MOC to a slip-on style, but considering how easy it is to put your feet in and light, it is undoubtedly easier to put on and take off from the start.

, this SLIDE basically uses the same midsole compound (fuse foam) as the MOC Also, even if there is no heel fabric, the deep heel cups do not make your feet move easily, meaning that even when sandals are used, the foot hold is not lost and it is easy to walk in. I think it's typical of Salomon.

In that sense, this SLIDE is naturally used as a recovery shoe due to its comfort and ease of walking, but its ease of use and sophisticated style makes it the most of the three models that are easy to use as indoor shoes for everyday use or desk work.

REELAX BREAK 6.0: A lightweight, compact and extremely portable model with ample cushioning and stability

the last REELAX BREAK 6.0 is a sandal-style recovery shoe. The simple upper with only the thong makes it the lightest and most compact, making it the most attractive option not only for those who like the comfort of wearing flip-flops, but also for those who want to lighten or shave off their belongings as much as possible.

Although this model is made from a different midsole material than the other two pairs called "EnergyCell™", both are EVAs with excellent shock absorption, and to be honest, I personally didn't feel any distinct differences. In any case, these cushions are also comfortable, making them look more luxurious than beach sandals, and the heel cups and a well-balanced footbed give them a relaxed feel due to the shape.

Also, compared to the other two models, the foot shape is slightly wider overall (although it may just feel that way because there is no upper), and there is room in the forefoot and heel cup, so I was able to walk comfortably without any distortion.

Furthermore, this supple footbed is seamlessly formed to the thong of the upper, making it comfortable to the touch. You will rarely notice any slurping or rubbing (photo below).

Combining the release of flip flops, the light and compactness of the stripped-down, and most of all the BREAK 6.0 has a charm that doesn't exist in the other two models. Personally, I thought it would be perfect for taking it with me for a tent climbing or water activities including streams.

Summary: Based on the comfort and comfort of supporting efficient recovery and the functions for walking comfortably, three models come in a wide variety of options, so you can choose from the three models according to your needs.

The SALOMON REELAX series is an excellent model that has an excellent overall balance as a shoe, especially among the market-wide recovery shoes, and its versatility was very impressive, allowing it to be used in a wide range of ways, from serious recovery purposes to casual use.

The light and soft midsole moderately relaxes your feet, the three-dimensional upper gently wraps around, the solid outsole prevents slipping, and the sophisticated design makes it suitable for casual wear. Although each of the three models has subtle designs and differences in usability, it can be seen that the use of these products is significantly more widespread than the unsophisticated elastic sandals.

I mentioned the main text about which of the three models you should choose, but basically, no matter which one you choose, it is comfortable to wear and easy to walk in, so you can choose it according to your usage situation and preferences. This high level of perfection for both models will surely be satisfying not only for those who have not yet tried recovery shoes, but also for those who have already become addicted to them and want to wear recovery shoes in more situations.

Details and purchase of the SALOMON REELAX series

For product details and purchases, please check men's / women's