Great for both post-activity and everyday wear. A review of Salomon's "REELAX" recovery shoes: once you try them on, you won't want to let them go

It may seem so obvious that you don't even think about it, but for hikers and runners, proper recovery is just as important as walking

The fatigue that accumulates in your feet after walking tens of thousands of steps or dozens of kilometers a day cannot be recovered without proper rest. It goes without saying that proper nutrition and a certain amount of rest are essential to returning to your original, healthy state, but recovery shoes are one way to make your rest more efficient

After a tough race or a day of activity, you feel a sense of freedom when you take off your shoes and put on recovery shoes. Your stiff feet are released from tension, and you feel as if your entire feet are wrapped in marshmallows. Once you've experienced that pleasure, you'll never want to go back to normal. In recent years, the number of people using recovery shoes as everyday footwear has skyrocketed due to their unparalleled comfort, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down

Salomon has been developing these popular recovery shoes for over 10 years. This time, we had the opportunity to try out three models of their "REELAX" recovery shoes, which were updated to their 6th generation this spring, and we would like to share our 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 (foldable heel type)	Mesh fabric (sandal type)	360° molded EVA footbed (flip-flop style)
Midsole	Fuze Foam	Fuze Foam	EnergyCell™
Outsole	Contagrip®	Contagrip®	Contagrip®
Weight (g)	Approximately 203g	Approximately 196g	Approximately 214g
Suitable scenes and uses	Recovery after a race or activity Active everyday wear Tent site shoes	Recovery after a race or activity Indoor desk work Relaxation scenes in everyday life	Recovery after a race or activity Active everyday wear Tent site shoes Marine sports

Introduction: What are recovery shoes anyway?

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

Muscles damaged by intense exercise or prolonged stress on the legs can be repaired with sufficient rest and nutrition, allowing athletes to return to their original (or even better) performance. Conversely, continuing to exercise excessively without adequately recovering from fatigue and pain can lead to a variety of larger, long-term problems

Recognizing the importance of recovery, running shoe manufacturers have conducted extensive research and developed shoes that reduce fatigue and other physical stress after running. These are known as recovery shoes

There are currently many different brands of recovery shoes available, but they all generally have one thing in common: they relax tired muscles, promote blood flow through a massaging effect, and reduce any stress you may be experiencing while walking

Specific features that achieve this include a highly cushioned sole that reduces the impact on the foot as much as possible, arch support that holds the foot in the correct position while gently massaging the arch of the foot and stimulating blood flow, and a highly breathable structure that prevents moisture and heat from building up

To sum it up (very roughly), recovery shoes are comfortable shoes with excellent cushioning, allowing you to walk comfortably and safely, and with excellent breathability. Due to this thorough focus on comfort, recovery shoes are no longer limited to running. Recovery shoes are now used in a wide variety of situations, such as at the tent site after a long hike with a heavy load, or as everyday wear indoors and outdoors for people who work long hours standing up. Even within the same recovery shoe category, a wide variety of models with slightly different usability and style have been released

Salomon REELAX series: impressions of each model

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

When most people think of recovery shoes, they probably imagine a pair of sandals with thick soles made entirely of soft resin. However, while these may be functionally sufficient, when it comes to leaving the field and wanting to continue wearing them in the city, it's not surprising that some people are hesitant to wear them due to their comfort and design

The REELAX MOC 6.0 has a shoe-style design with the entire upper covered in mesh fabric and a heel counter, making it comfortable to wear not only on the field but also in everyday life. The mesh fabric from the outside to the toe is designed to be breathable, while the inside to the heel is designed to be flexible and provide a comfortable fit, combining different types of mesh to achieve a good balance between breathability and a comfortable fit.

Before putting them on, I was skeptical that the simple, thin fabric might not fit well, but when I actually put my feet in the shoes, I found them to be more roomy than I expected, with a soft feel and excellent breathability. The three-dimensional cut also allowed them to conform to the shape of my feet, enveloping them for a snug fit

If you look at the sockliner (insole), you'll see that the arch bulge and deep heel cup are three-dimensionally molded to the natural shape of the foot, just like regular running shoes (see photo below). This also has a positive effect on the comfortable fit of the entire foot

The midsole uses a particularly soft EVA material called "Fusefoam," which is lightweight yet extremely cushioned and resilient. It's 26.5mm thick in the heel and 19mm thick in the forefoot, and while it's not too thick, it's been generously distributed (incidentally, starting with this model, these materials are being gradually replaced with eco-friendly materials including biomass materials)

It's true that the more EVA foam you use, the softer and more resilient the shoe will be, but excessive cushioning can make your feet feel unstable. In that sense, this model (and in fact the entire series) has just the right amount of cushioning while also providing a high level of support that holds your feet in the correct position, and this good balance is actually a good thing, and it's one of the things I personally like about it

The outsole uses Contagrip®, which has excellent grip and durability, in areas prone to wear (see photo below), making it less likely to slip on wet surfaces and less likely to wear out quickly even when worn outdoors for long periods of time

Furthermore, the heel counter can be folded down, allowing the shoes to be worn not only as regular shoes but also as slip-ons, a great idea carried over from the previous model (photo below)

While maintaining sufficient comfort as a recovery shoe, these shoes are well-balanced and easy to use, allowing you to wear them comfortably for long periods of time in a variety of situations, including active everyday use

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

The REELAX SLIDE 6.0 is a slip-on (sandal) style model, just like regular recovery shoes The biggest difference from the MOC above the MOC can also be changed to a slip-on style, when you consider ease of entry and lightness, it's definitely easier to put on and take off if it's a slip-on style from the start.

Furthermore, the SLIDE uses essentially the same midsole compound (Fuse Foam) as the MOC

In that sense, the SLIDE is naturally suited to use as a recovery shoe due to its comfort and ease of walking, but its ease of use and sophisticated style make it the easiest model of the three to wear indoors for everyday use or desk work.

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

The last one, REELAX BREAK 6.0 , is a flip-flop style recovery shoe. Its most notable feature is that it is the lightest and most compact design thanks to its simple upper with only a thong. It is an attractive choice not only for those who like the comfort of flip-flops, but also for those who want to lighten and reduce their luggage as much as possible.

This model is the only one that uses a different midsole material called "EnergyCell™" from the other two, but both are made of EVA, which has excellent shock absorption, and to be honest, I personally didn't notice a noticeable difference. In any case, the luxurious cushioning is comfortable, something you wouldn't expect from a flip-flop, and the arch, heel cup, and well-defined footbed provide a relaxed feel thanks to their shape

Also, compared to the other two models, the overall shape of the shoe is slightly wider (although this 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 wobble when landing

Furthermore, this flexible footbed is seamlessly formed all the way to the thong part of the upper, so it feels great against the skin. You will hardly feel any roughness or chafing (see photo below)

The BREAK 6.0 combines the freedom of flip-flops with the lightweight, compact design and, above all, comfort enough to relax in. It certainly has a charm that the other two models don't have. Personally, I think it's perfect for overnight camping trips and water activities, including mountain climbing.

Summary: Choose from three versatile models based on comfort that supports efficient recovery and functionality for comfortable walking, depending on your needs

the SALOMON REELAX series is a model that has an exquisite overall balance as a shoe, and what was particularly impressive was its versatility, which allows it to be used for a wide range of purposes, from serious recovery to casual wear.

The lightweight and soft midsole provides just the right amount of relaxation for your feet, the three-dimensional upper gently encases your feet, the sturdy outsole prevents slipping, and the sophisticated design makes it suitable for casual wear. Each of the three models has subtle differences in design and usability, but overall, it's clear that the range of uses for these sandals is much wider than that of clunky rubber sandals

We've touched on which of the three models you should choose in the main text, but basically, no matter which one you choose, you'll be guaranteed a comfortable fit and ease of walking, so it's no problem to choose based on your usage scenario and preferences. The high level of perfection in each model is sure to satisfy not only those who have never tried recovery shoes before, but also those who are already hooked and want to wear them in even more situations

SALOMON REELAX Series Details and Purchase

For product details and purchasing information, please visit Men's / Women's

   

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