REASONS TO BUY
Ultra cushioned and good for recovery
Supportive
Excellent traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Straps are very sharp when new
Height can be unstable
Slippery when wet
Hoka Ora Recovery Flip - Women's Review
This thick, plush flip flop is great for sore and tired feet and also provides very good traction and durability
Credit: HOKA ONE ONE
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Our Verdict
The Hoka Ora Recovery Flip has excellent traction and is is thick, plush, and durable. The huge sole boasts a rocker shape, which feels amazing on sore, tired feet, and the anatomical curves of the footbed help provide extra support. As cushy as the footbed is, however, the straps, when new, have sharp edges that required a DIY-fix on our part. We also noticed a bit less stability due to the height of the sole. This is a unique flip flop that will be a dream come true for some and an annoyance for others, depending on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a serious recovery shoe, this is a solid choice, but if all you want is a basic flip that's easy to walk in, you might prefer something more straightforward.
For the best support from anatomical contouring, take a look at the well-featured Birkenstock Gizeh, our Editors' Choice winner. For out-of-this-world arch support we recommend the Vionic Tide II with its built-in orthotics.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Hoka Ora Recovery Flip is a lightweight yet super thick flip flop ideal for anyone needing a lot of cushion under their feet.
Performance Comparison
Super thick soles define the Ora Recovery, a flip flop ideal for tender or sore feet.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Comfort
We had a slightly mixed experience with the Ora. The thick footbed is a no-brainer, feeling comfortable and squishy right from the get-go, but the straps were sharp. They dug into our tester's feet and stripped away all the joy of the pillowy footbed. Thankfully we found an easy fix: with a fine-grain Mr. Pumice, we filed the sharp edges down so that our entire foot could be happy, not just the bottoms. While this isn't a dealbreaker, it's also something we wish hadn't been necessary.
The edges on the straps of our Ora's were incredibly sharp and required some quality time with a file to render them wearable.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Support & Stability
This category is also a little mixed for the Ora. Support is high, but stability can sometimes feel tenuous. Because of the height of the footbed, if you're not mindful, it's possible to topple over (though unlikely unless you're on really uneven terrain). We also found when walking that our feet were prone to sliding back toward the heel, especially with a wet footbed. The straps aren't snug or adjustable, so there's no remedy for this other than squeezing your toes for extra grip. In most respects, this is a highly supportive and stable sandal, but it fares better with simple activities than it does with difficult hikes or approaches.
This is a supportive and stable shoe for sure, though these qualities are better encompassed when keeping things simple. There's a reason this is deemed a recovery flip and not a hiking shoe.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Durability
Rubber, EVA, and a jersey textile strap combine to make a very durable shoe. Outside of sharp objects, there's not a lot that will phase this rugged flip flop. Even when it gets super dirty, you can hose it off and be on your merry way.
The Ora shows dirt pretty easily, but it cleans up fast and stays in great shape through all kinds of adventures.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Water Resistance
The Ora handles water quite well. After soaking in the river, the footbed was dry again in just four minutes. The straps were still damp after 25 minutes, but they felt just fine to wear. While this isn't really what we would consider a water shoe, it will fare just fine if and when you run into moisture.
Water is an easy obstacle for the Ora Recovery. The footbed dries very fast and the straps aren't too terribly far behind.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Traction
When hiking around in the Ora, traction is mostly impressive; the bottom sole is decently grippy, and the internal footbed is when it's dry. When wet, it becomes pretty slippy and slimy, in part because the contouring doesn't allow for a great deal of airflow. Remove the Ora from your feet for just a few minutes if you're feeling insecure and it will dry quickly.
Steep trails are no problem for the Ora, though the straps are loose enough that you need to pay attention on more complicated terrain.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Style
Did we mention that the Ora is plush and comfortable? Keep that in mind if you find the oversized footbed to be a turnoff. It has a highly sporty “therapy” look to it and isn't the shoe most folks will pick to combine with a summery dress, but if you're scouting out a recovery shoe, this category probably isn't your main priority anyway.
The Ora is not a particularly stylish shoe, but that's also not what it's intended for.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Best Applications
Did you just finish a long run, hike, or workout and want something cozy and therapeutic to slip into? That's the best use of the super thick-soled Ora Recovery. This flip can feel amazing after stiff hiking boots or miles of pavement, but it's not the best fit for long hikes on hilly terrain or stylish get-togethers.
After pulling off tight climbing shoes the Ora feels pretty lush and is a great rest companion.
Credit: Penney Garrett
Value
This is a mid-priced sandal that won't break the bank, but it is enough of an investment that you should be sure you really like it.
Conclusion
The Ora Recovery Flip is a good option for post-workout, hike, or climbing session. It's super plush with the thickest sole in our review and, while not a winner in the style department, it serves a clear purpose. The Ora is a great option for anyone that has reoccurring foot pain or engages in regular foot-intensive activities. The straps are very sharp when new, but a quick file fixed this problem for us. The Ora is well tractioned, durable, water-resistant, and may provide just the welcome relief your tired feet are craving.
Thick and burly, the Ora Recovery may not be a looker, but it's comfortable with good traction and water resistance.
Credit: Penney Garrett
—Penney Garrett
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