The first thing that struck our testers, Alan Newman (marathon PB: 2:39:23) and his wife, Sue James (marathon PB: 3:27:09), was the size of the box containing the OOFOS Original+ recovery sliders. At 50x30x20cm, the tough white box had a 29-litre capacity and would exceed most airlines' free carry-on baggage allowance!

The packaging hints at the quality of the product, keeping the recovery shoes protected until delivered. The contents included a shoe hanger and a handy sports towel, the perfect size for travel to a race or a visit to the gym. With the TCS London Marathon just days away, our OOFOS recovery footwear had fortuitously arrived in the nick of time!

Full disclosure – neither of us ran in London, nor have we run any marathon since London in 1993. Instead, we had the arduous task of watching the events in the capital unfold from the sofa, testing the comfort of the new OOFOS Original+ recovery shoes, while glued to the TV for seven hours!

First impressions were again of size. These bad boys mean business! There's an impressive 30% extra OOfoam™ material underfoot that mimics the feel of modern running 'supershoes'. A contoured footbed, complete with arch support and heel cradle, has little waffles that gently massage the sole, and the wide moulded strap keeps the shoes firmly in place when walking. OOFOS claim the Original+ features 37% more impact absorption than traditional footwear.

The outsole, with larger waffle detailing, has a soft, grippy design that increases confidence – useful after a hard run when the legs and feet don't seem to be functioning as efficiently as they should. The extra height and rocker shape take a short while to adjust to, but the overall impression is one of comfort and stability, which is the DNA of the entire OOFOS range.

Dan Hobson, Head of Product Design at OOFOS, said: "Our goal was to create a modern, versatile look while keeping the comfort and stability people rely on. The Essentials PLUS range delivers a smoother fit, enhanced cushioning, and a refined design – perfect for everyday recovery and all-day wear."

Alan's Verdict: These recovery shoes are the business. They look indestructible and will easily double as poolside shoes for spa days. I'm not normally a fan of slip-on footwear, as they seem to slip off too easily. These are engineered to stay in place, and I'm a convert to the concept.

Sue's Verdict: My running is on hold while I face some health issues, but the OOFOS Original+ recovery shoes will certainly have a role in my recovery. I can see that anyone who is on their feet for lengthy periods would benefit from the support and comfort of these shoes.

The Essentials PLUS collection includes the OOriginal+ and OOahh+ styles, priced at £65, available from April 2026, and the OOcloog+ style, priced at £80, arriving in May 2026. All styles will be available to purchase via oofos.co.uk.

Photo and sample shoes courtesy of Amy Taylor, Aspire PR/OOFOS