Women's Health August 19, 2026 0 Comments

The Surprising Pregnancy Hack That Changed My Recovery Game Forever—And Why You Need It Too

Ever wonder what happens when pregnancy throws a curveball right at your feet? At nearly 30 weeks pregnant, I thought I’d nailed the first two trimesters with barely a hiccup—goodbye, relentless nausea and wardrobe struggles. But now? Welcome exhaustion, sizzling hot flashes, and joint pain that has me questioning if my wrists and ankles secretly hate me. Enter recovery slides: not your grandma’s slippers, but game-changing footgear designed to cradle tired, achy feet with proper support and cushioning. Curious how these ultra-comfy slides transformed my pregnancy survival kit and became my new obsession? Stick around—I’m spilling all the deets on why they might just be your feet’s new best friend too. LEARN MORE

3 min read

At nearly 30 weeks pregnant, I’ve been pretty lucky. My nausea in the first trimester was manageable, my regular clothes fit me until about halfway through the second trimester, and I haven’t had much heartburn or acid reflux. Now, although I may only be at the beginning of the third trimester, it has already hit me like a train. I’m exhausted, I’m hot, and I’ve been having bad joint pain for the past few weeks. The pain is the worst at my wrists, feet, and ankles.

To manage the pain that clusters in my feet and ankles, I’ve been utilizing one surprising product more than ever before—my recovery slides. Recovery slides differ from traditional slide-on sandals because they typically provide extra support, stability, and cushioning to reduce stress on the feet and body during recovery from a big workout or injury.

I didn’t get into recovery slides until this past spring. All winter long, I’d been wearing my Ugg Tasman, and when the hot weather hit, I wanted a similar comfortable, slide-on shoe that wasn’t fur-lined. My wife, a dedicated ultrarunner, has sworn by her 008 recovery slides from the trail-running brand Norda since they first released in 2025. They’re immensely supportive and durable, and even have Vibram soles to prevent slipping and sliding on wet or sticky ground.

Designed for pre-run comfort, post-run recovery, and everyday wear, the 008 combines the convenience of a slide with the performance of a technical shoe. My wife gifted me a pair once the Ugg slipper season ended, and they’ve been a pregnancy staple for me.

At first, I wore these slides mostly indoors. I always had them on when I was cooking, doing dishes, or just moving about my apartment. But as the summer dragged on and I only became more pregnant, I started to experience more discomfort. I found myself reaching for my slides for absolutely everything I could get away with—taking the dog out, going to doctor’s appointments, running to the grocery store, and heading out to my apartment complex’s pool. No other shoe provided me with the same level of support and comfort while also allowing my feet to breathe on hot days.

The Vibram soles make these slides easy to wear outside on damp days, which is great with all the rainy days we’ve been having here on the East Coast this summer. I don’t have to worry about slipping on damp grass when I’m running the dog out for a potty break after an afternoon thunderstorm. Some of my sneakers don’t even provide that kind of traction.

I have even considered wearing my 008s to the office on days when the pain is particularly bad. On those days, I settle for my Nike Vomero Plus sneakers. They’re not nearly as stylish as a dress shoe, but paired with the right pieces, they get me through the workday comfortably while still looking appropriate for my workplace’s dress code. The Vomero Plus shoes are the only sneakers I’ve worn so far that have a cushion level similar to the 008 recovery slides.

If the Norda pair is a little too high-tech or too expensive for your taste, our editors here at Women’s Health have tested and loved several recovery slide pairs. Below, check out the list of recovery slides our team trusts.

Shop More Recovery Slides We Recommend

Sarah Connor is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics. She also contributes to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Best Products, and Biography.com. Before joining the Hearst Magazines team, Sarah was a National Content Editor for Hearst Television. She holds a master’s in Journalism from Syracuse University and a dual bachelor’s in English and Communications from the University of Pittsburgh. When she isn’t writing up a review of the newest gadgets, you can find her heading to the nearest rink for a figure skating session or enjoying the outdoors with her beloved Australian Shepherd, Rosie.

Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women’s Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.