The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide is one of three models from Roll Recovery’s foray into recovery-focused footwear. It’s complemented by the SUPERPLUSH Classic and the SUPERPLUSH Flipflop, giving runners three upper options atop what is basically the same midsole – which is great for us because it means we can essentially knock out all three in one review.
But, for some of you, the first relevant question is, who is Roll Recovery and why is the company making footwear? Let’s dig into that story before we dive into the review.
Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide
Release Date: November 2024
Price: $69
Weight: 7.7 oz. / 218 g
Sizing: True-to-size
- Rundown: The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide aims to sustainably balance cushioning and support to create the perfect recovery option for hard-training athletes.
Pros
- Supportive build
- Easy to keep clean
- Gender-specific sizing
- Dependable outsole traction
- Understated but helpful arch support
Cons
- Edge around footbed may annoy wide-footers
- Midsole is more firm than plush
- Long-term outsole durability
Who is Roll Recovery?
Founded in 2011 in Boulder, Colorado, Roll Recovery is the result of a mechanical engineer trying to help his professional-athlete wife recover faster and better from her training and races.
The initial product, the R8 Massage Tool, was built to provide a deep tissue massage of the calves, quads, and hamstrings by rolling a contraption with roller blade wheels over those muscles. I bought one at a marathon expo in 2012 because it delivered a surprisingly deep massage. It has since been updated in many ways, but the basic concept is still the same to this day.
From that early version of the R8 I could tell Roll Recovery had some brainpower and was thinking outside of the box. Since then, I’ve followed the company closely. Nowadays Roll Recovery makes my personal-favorite foam roller, the R4. The R4’s center groove is absolutely perfect for hitting the calf muscles that line my Achilles. Because of these previous (overwhelmingly positive) experiences, I’m always ready to try a new Roll Recovery product.
Why is Roll Recovery making footwear?
Recovery footwear is everywhere, but much of it is of subpar quality. I imagine Roll Recovery saw a chance to bring its ethos of high quality to a category saturated with iffy, cheaply made products (though there are some diamonds in that particularly deep rough). And the plan of attack, including a closed-toe shoe, slide, and flipflop, allows Roll Recovery to compete (at least in mindshare) with current leaders Oofos and Kane.
Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide Review
The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide is built traditionally, but Roll Recovery throws in several bonuses that make the experience better than a typical slide.
There’s a rim around the footbed to better keep the Slide from, well…sliding. [Editor’s Note: Fair.] The footbed is almost completely covered with a diamond pattern for grip but also includes a striated pattern at the big toe for extra security (as that toe often has to grip the slide on steps or other uneven terrain). There’s also a ridge underneath the flex points of the toes to provide a more tactile feel where the toes otherwise don’t hit the footbed. And finally, said footbed isn’t flat; instead, it unobtrusively supports the arch and midfoot.
All those little details add up to one of the better slides on the market. Whether or not you want it will depend on what underfoot experience you want. The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide is more supportive than plush. The cushioning is nice, but it’s not as soft as other options on the market. For those who prefer a non-marshmallowy recovery slide, this is a great option.
The outsole pattern, largely a bunch of Roll Recovery logos, grips very well for a foam slide. But it’s also made of foam (an algae and EVA blend), so long-term durability – assuming your main usage is on cement or asphalt – will pale in comparison to your running shoes.
The sizing is on-target with my typical running shoe size and slide size. Wide-footers may not love the edge that lines the footbed because some footshapes may run up against it. I had room on all sides most of the time, but my only annoyance with the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide was when my toes bumped up against that edge. I know Hoka does the same, but that bumper was somehow less obtrusive on the Hoka Ora Luxe.
But even with those negatives, the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide has become my go-to for after hard efforts, including my most recent marathon.
Is the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide worth $69?
Yes, $69 is right in the middle of the expected $60-$80 range for a high-quality, dependable slide. Roll Recovery is a small company but is still managing to provide good value.
Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic Review
More shoe than sandal, the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic offers one of the best slip-on shoe experiences for after a hard effort. Despite being a slip-on, it’s not tight on the foot yet still stays locked in place across varying terrain.
The mesh AirYarn upper is comfortable but not tall enough for most feet. I can clearly see the knuckles of my toes outlined by the mesh. This sufficiently annoys me so that I won’t often turn to this shoe for my recovery and instead reach for the Slide.
Underfoot, despite the shoe-like build of the Classic, it feels remarkably like the Slide in terms of a supportive, firmer feel that cushions without feeling plush. It has a strobel board and a thick, padded insole yet still manages the same feel. It’s an accomplishment that will bear fruit for Roll Recovery as those who love one shoe in the line will find it easy to buy the others for different use cases.
For me, the fit needs some adjusting, but if you prefer to charge people to look at your toes [Editor’s Note: This took an unexpected turn…], then the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic is a great option.
Is the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic worth $110?
With a lot of closed-toe recovery footwear sitting in the $100-$120 range, I think the Classic is correctly priced.
Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Flipflop Review
The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Flipflop is built almost exactly the same way as the Slide but with a Flipflop style attachment point between the big toe and the second toe. If you prefer Flipflops over Slides, go with this option. Simple.
Is the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH FlipFlop worth $69?
Yes. As with the Slide, $69 is right in the middle of the expected $60-$80 range, and Roll Recovery is providing good value at that price point.
How to use the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide
The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide is best used post-race or hard effort to get your feet out of sweaty, hot running shoes and into a less demanding, healthier state of recovery.
Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide Summary
The Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide is one of the better slides on the market and will be joining our ever-changing Best Slides list. It’s not a perfect slide, but it nails the details and checks almost all the boxes for those needing a firmer, supportive feel after their hardest athletic efforts.
How does the Author Run?
Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.
Disclosure
While Roll Recovery did provide a pair of the Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
