Kane Revive Review 2024: Bringing My Fatigued Feet Back From the Dead
GQ RecommendsWalking on cloud nine has a whole new meaning.By Tyler Chin November 18, 2024Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.When it comes to exercising, my feet are the first to give out. No matter if it's a push, pull, leg, or run day, my feet are guaranteed to be the most fatigued body part at the end of it. Shitty workout shoes, poor form, or just a general aversion to stretching has left me broken and battered, but a new kind of shoe has been bringing my dogs out of the Pet Sematary and back into working form day after day.I first caught wind of the Kane Revive recovery shoes on Instagram, where a few fitness influencers were seen rocking them post-workout. These are…Crocs, I thought. But upon further inspection, the only thing in common that the Revives had with a pair of Crocs were the all-over perforations. “[Recovery shoes] are super important to allow our body to recover, providing relief, not only in the feet, but knees, hips and lower back," Dr. Brad Schaeffer, DPM, a board-certified foot surgeon, explains.I figured if these shoes were helping athletes compete better, reduce recovery time, and improve all-around performance, then I could (and should) give them a shot, too. Lately, I've been realizing that improving physical performance happens so much more outside of the gym than inside, using various tools like compression boots and high-tech relaxation googles, so I thought I'd give the Kane Revive shoes some a chance to see if they'd actually bring my poor, tired feet back from the brink of death.KaneRevive Recovery Shoes$75 KaneKaneRevive Recovery Shoes$75 KaneSpecsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronSizes: 3 to 18Colors Available: 8Style: Slip-onsMaterial: Sugarcane-derived foamDo You Need Recovery Shoes?You can work out barefoot, but that doesn't mean you would, right? No, instead you'd shell out for some shoes that'll help you improve your performance. The same can be said about recovery shoes, which are essentially any pair of shoes you'd put on post-activity so that you can engage in active recovery. (Think: a low-impact activity—whether it's walking, stretching, or just a less-intense version of your usual workout—that's designed to aid in your body's healing process.)A good recovery shoe, as Schaeffer says, is “something that offloads and supports the foot after activity and provides relief by preventing the muscle from being strained or activated through activity.” He compares not wearing recovery shoes after a workout to fatiguing your body even more as if you're about to complete even more physical activity. In the past, I'd go from workout shoes directly into regular-old house shoes, and noticed that my aching feet didn't benefit from being in something that offered zero support and minimal comfort. Having worn the Revives for a few months, I have noticed my feet get the rest and support that they need—something I'd never offered them before. So, do you need a recovery shoe? Well, if you care about taking care of your body, then it's a definitive yes.How Do the Kane Revives Look?From afar, the Kane Revives look a little bit like streamlined Crocs. However, they're obviously sleeker, and while they are slip-ons, they aren't mules like Crocs. The defining factor of the shoes is their perforated construction, which was designed to increase airflow so you're not sweating up a storm down there. I can't say they're the most stylish shoe, but every part of their design was considered for aiding in recovery and providing optimal support and comfort. I wear them exclusively at home, mainly because I have very few outfits where these shoes make sense to slot in. (But if you can find a way to style these to perfection, let us know.)How Do the Kane Revives Fit?The Kane Revives are sized just like your regular shoes, from 3 to 18. I went true to size with them, and they fit like a glove. They don't pop on as easily as other pairs of slip-on shoes because of their narrow opening, but once you get the first half of your foot in, it's pretty much smooth sailing from there. And despite the loop attachment at the rear of the shoe, those aren't meant for aiding you in putting the shoes on (though I've used them once or twice), as pulling on them too often can rip them out of the shoe. (Instead, that loop is meant to hang your shoes from your bag with the included branded carabiner, which is a neat detail, but not something I've taken advantage of yet.)Tyler ChinTyler ChinIn my initial trial of the shoe, the first thing I noticed was that they perfectly supported the bottom of my foot in a way I'd never felt before. From the heel to the arch to the forefoot, it felt like the shoe was giving me constant, even support across the entire length of my sole. Wearing these barefoot, you'll notice there's a textured insole, which was designed to stimulate blood flow and act as a low-key ma
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
When it comes to exercising, my feet are the first to give out. No matter if it's a push, pull, leg, or run day, my feet are guaranteed to be the most fatigued body part at the end of it. Shitty workout shoes, poor form, or just a general aversion to stretching has left me broken and battered, but a new kind of shoe has been bringing my dogs out of the Pet Sematary and back into working form day after day.
I first caught wind of the Kane Revive recovery shoes on Instagram, where a few fitness influencers were seen rocking them post-workout. These are…Crocs, I thought. But upon further inspection, the only thing in common that the Revives had with a pair of Crocs were the all-over perforations. “[Recovery shoes] are super important to allow our body to recover, providing relief, not only in the feet, but knees, hips and lower back," Dr. Brad Schaeffer, DPM, a board-certified foot surgeon, explains.
I figured if these shoes were helping athletes compete better, reduce recovery time, and improve all-around performance, then I could (and should) give them a shot, too. Lately, I've been realizing that improving physical performance happens so much more outside of the gym than inside, using various tools like compression boots and high-tech relaxation googles, so I thought I'd give the Kane Revive shoes some a chance to see if they'd actually bring my poor, tired feet back from the brink of death.
Specs
- Sizes: 3 to 18
- Colors Available: 8
- Style: Slip-ons
- Material: Sugarcane-derived foam
Do You Need Recovery Shoes?
You can work out barefoot, but that doesn't mean you would, right? No, instead you'd shell out for some shoes that'll help you improve your performance. The same can be said about recovery shoes, which are essentially any pair of shoes you'd put on post-activity so that you can engage in active recovery. (Think: a low-impact activity—whether it's walking, stretching, or just a less-intense version of your usual workout—that's designed to aid in your body's healing process.)
A good recovery shoe, as Schaeffer says, is “something that offloads and supports the foot after activity and provides relief by preventing the muscle from being strained or activated through activity.” He compares not wearing recovery shoes after a workout to fatiguing your body even more as if you're about to complete even more physical activity. In the past, I'd go from workout shoes directly into regular-old house shoes, and noticed that my aching feet didn't benefit from being in something that offered zero support and minimal comfort. Having worn the Revives for a few months, I have noticed my feet get the rest and support that they need—something I'd never offered them before. So, do you need a recovery shoe? Well, if you care about taking care of your body, then it's a definitive yes.
How Do the Kane Revives Look?
From afar, the Kane Revives look a little bit like streamlined Crocs. However, they're obviously sleeker, and while they are slip-ons, they aren't mules like Crocs. The defining factor of the shoes is their perforated construction, which was designed to increase airflow so you're not sweating up a storm down there. I can't say they're the most stylish shoe, but every part of their design was considered for aiding in recovery and providing optimal support and comfort. I wear them exclusively at home, mainly because I have very few outfits where these shoes make sense to slot in. (But if you can find a way to style these to perfection, let us know.)
How Do the Kane Revives Fit?
The Kane Revives are sized just like your regular shoes, from 3 to 18. I went true to size with them, and they fit like a glove. They don't pop on as easily as other pairs of slip-on shoes because of their narrow opening, but once you get the first half of your foot in, it's pretty much smooth sailing from there. And despite the loop attachment at the rear of the shoe, those aren't meant for aiding you in putting the shoes on (though I've used them once or twice), as pulling on them too often can rip them out of the shoe. (Instead, that loop is meant to hang your shoes from your bag with the included branded carabiner, which is a neat detail, but not something I've taken advantage of yet.)
In my initial trial of the shoe, the first thing I noticed was that they perfectly supported the bottom of my foot in a way I'd never felt before. From the heel to the arch to the forefoot, it felt like the shoe was giving me constant, even support across the entire length of my sole. Wearing these barefoot, you'll notice there's a textured insole, which was designed to stimulate blood flow and act as a low-key massage. "Massage" might be pushing it, but the increased blood flow does feel like it helps with recovery. (If the textured nodes are uncomfortable for you, wearing socks can mitigate the sensation while continuing to reap the other benefits of the shoe.) The Revive's nine millimeter heel-toe drop helps with shock absorption, while the segmented outside makes the shoe incredibly flexible to put less of a strain on your foot while walking. While the perforated upper is meant to increase airflow to prevent sweaty feet, I found that they do still tend to get a little sweaty from time to time.
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Are the Kane Revives Worth It?
How much does a trip to the podiatrist cost you? Or a visit to PT? I'll tell your right now that it's definitely more than the Revive's $75 price tag. The Kane Revives are absolutely worth it. I've been wearing these almost daily whether or not I've worked out that day. I've never noticed how little support (a.k.a. none) that my regular home shoes were giving me and how that impacted my workouts and overall foot health. But as Schaeffer mentions, recovery shoes aren't just about protecting the feet. As the literal base of our bodies, supporting the feet means you could have fewer aches and pains when it comes to your entire posterior chain. Even if I'm just standing for an hour or two prepping dinner, the Revives have been able to alleviate the soreness and fatigue I'd usually feel for being on my feet for that long. (Think of them kind of like an anti-fatigue mat you wear.) The brand considered pretty much every aspect of this shoe to make sure you can stay on your feet for longer, and in my testing, it's also helped to reduce the recovery time I need in between workouts. So are the Revives worth it? My once-tired dogs seem to have been given new life—and that absolutely justifies my making space for the Kane Revives on my shoe rack.
