As someone who only travels with carry-on luggage, space is at a premium. But at the same time, I need my city travel shoes to double as slip-ons. And if I’m lucky, those slip-ons will pair well with a cute dress for the evening.
My magic solution for this logistical nightmare is a brand that athletes have been turning to for years: Oofos OOmg Sport Low Shoes. At first glance, these humble black slip-on loafers may look like ordinary (albeit slightly athletic) Mary Janes, but if you look under the hood, you’ll see what makes them a staple.
They’re designed to be recovery footwear for athletes on rest days, utilizing Oofos’ patented OOfoam technology. This “absorbs 37% more impact than traditional foam footwear,” according to the brand’s website. Plus, a wide forefoot allows your toes to naturally splay out (which is perfect for swelling extremities on flights too), while a stretchy upper conforms to your foot’s natural shape for all-day comfort.
I’ve been wearing these babies for over a year now, taking them with me to afternoon dance classes in Boulder, using them for morning dog walks in the Rocky Mountain foothills and even wearing them throughout a two-week trip to Japan to hike the Nakasendo Way. Along every step of the journey, they’ve conformed to meet my needs and keep my feet happy when I’m on the go.
Here’s why the Oofos OOmg Sport Low Shoes are my new favorite comfortable sneakers.
Made with Oofos’ proprietary OOfoam, which absorbs 37% more impact than ordinary footwear, these recovery shoes are machine-washable and wonderfully comfy on long walking days. They easily slip on and off, making them great for TSA lines and airplane travel.
What we liked about them
Though they may seem deceptively simple at first glance, there’s a ton to love about the underlying design of the OOmg Sport Low Shoes. These lightweight foam slip-ons are fantastic as a go-anywhere shoe for busy travelers.
Shock-absorbing foam for supreme comfort
The bread and butter of Oofos’ business is its shock-absorbing OOfoam technology. The idea is simple: This proprietary closed-cell foam absorbs more impact from your feet hitting the ground than traditional shoe soles. That way, your joints aren’t further impacted or tired out between workouts. The shoes are also designed with a patented footbed design that molds to the natural arch of your foot so that your weight is evenly distributed and you can stay well supported, no matter how long you’re on your feet.
I’m an avid hiker and backpacker who likes to baby her feet so that they don’t ache between my big trips, and these are my only shoes that are comfortable enough to wear without buying additional, supportive inserts, such as Superfeet, to slip inside them.
I wear a fitness watch on my wrist and routinely clock 10,000 steps even on travel days. I don’t notice any fatigue when dashing from gate to gate in my beloved Oofos. They even stood up to two 20,000-step days in a row when I was exploring the streets of Tokyo during cherry blossom season.
Incredibly lightweight
I’m adamant about never checking a bag when I travel. Time is precious, and I prioritize packing efficiently over waiting at baggage claim. So, the few pairs of shoes I bring must serve multiple purposes from city strolls to evening wear and even recovery slip-ons.
During my recent trip — which mainly involved hiking through rural Japan along the Nakasendo Way — I needed a versatile city shoe as a backup to my hiking boots. And that’s why I’m grateful I packed the OOmg Sport Low Shoes. They came in handy when my boots couldn’t do it all.
Not only do these machine-washable marvels squish down flat for easy packing, but they’re also light at 1 pound for both shoes. In turn, I didn’t have to think twice about tossing them into my hiking backpack for use as an evening recovery shoe at the various ryokans (traditional Japanese-style inns) that we stayed in along the path.
Easy to slip on and off
Lastly, I cannot overstate the importance of a pair of easy-to-slip-on-and-off shoes for those long days spent wandering the airport’s various lines and checkpoints.
Sure, you could buy a pair of flip-flops or Crocs and call it a day, but you’d be denying yourself the versatility of a true recovery shoe like the OOmg Sport, which help ensure that you arrive at your destination with recovered feet that are ready to hit the pavement and start exploring.
This was a most excellent bonus when I ventured through Japan and often had to remove my shoes before sitting on the floor at various restaurants and cafés too.
What we didn’t like about them
Of course, no travel shoe is truly perfect, and there are a couple of things we’d love to see improved in the next iteration of the OOmg Sport Low Shoes.
Ankle cuffs can be tight
When I first put on my OOmg Sport Low Shoes, I was thrilled to have a low-cut slip-on that I could wear sock-free in warm climates, with sundresses or shorts. Unfortunately, I assumed incorrectly, and the back of my right ankle paid the price, in the form of a small, red blister.
The good news? This is an easy-to-solve problem. I wear black, no-show socks with my trusty Oofos shoes, and I’ve been blister-free ever since.
Expensive for a slip-on
It’s important to note here that Oofos’ shoes are designed to be superior recovery shoes for the on-the-go traveler or athlete. As such, they’ll cost a pretty penny more than generic black slip-ons from Amazon or Target.
The hefty $140 price tag may put them out of reach for some, but I believe the difference you’ll feel in your body from absorbing less impact is worth it. Plus, the brand offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Want a more affordable Oofos model? Check out the OOahh Slide Sandals ($60), which offer the same foam technology at a fraction of the cost of the Sport Low Shoes.
How they compare
| Colors | 7 |
9 |
2 |
5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available in sizes | 5 through 11 |
5 through 11 |
5 through 11 |
5 through 15 |
| Noteworthy features | OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear |
Lightweight eucalyptus tree fiber provides next-level comfort |
Air-cooled memory foam insole |
Minimal materials and employs a simple, three-part construction |
| Price | $140 | $100 | $90 | $110 |
Bottom line
There’s no better recovery shoe option for travelers with limited space in their carry-on bag than the Oofos OOmg Sport Low Shoes. With an ultra-cushy foam sole that minimizes impact on your joints and a simple slip-on style that matches almost any outfit, these are ideal shoes for walking around a new city or swiftly getting through airport security.
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