At this point I think I’ve owned every style of OOFOS shoe that they sell for men, and most of the women in my family own a version of their female products. If you’ve read my other reviews or follow me on social media, you have no doubt seen me raving about their benefit for post-race recovery. I’ll touch on what makes OOFOS a one-of-a-kind product in this review but focus more on what makes their newest shoe, the OOmy Zen, something unique.
What is OOfoam? OOfoam is the cushioning that makes all OOFOS absorb impact. Unlike traditional running shoe foam, OOfoam, absorbs impact without giving any bounce back or return. It’s basically the opposite of what new shoes with carbon fiber plates do allowing the shoes to absorb impact and minimize stress on your body.
What are OOFOS used for? OOFOS are for anyone that wants to maximize recovery. Whether you spend a lot of time standing for work (ex. teacher, bartender, pastor), walking around a lot on vacation or enjoy racing, OOFOS will help cushion your feet. Their absorbent foam I’ve used not only for race recovery but also for pain reduction when walking after an injury. The soft upper part of their shoes I’ve also used when I’ve had open wounds on the tops of my feet whether that be from racing or martial arts (ex. mat burn), since it is so soft.
The Newest Model: The newest model is the OOmy Zen (female versions also available) (shown throughout the article with the white base). I found two features that make this one stand apart from the other models I own:
Wider Base: The base of the shoe is noticeably flared out on these compared to other pairs of OOFOS. A great addition for enhanced stability, especially useful after a long ultra when muscles may be tired and balance may be off. Additionally, as the OOfoam wears down after a couple of years, I expect this to make the shoes last slightly longer than my other pairs since the base is wider spreading the wear over a larger surface area.
Soft But Stable Upper: The original OOmg shoe (circa 2018, all black no laces) had a very soft upper and had a rubber strap to keep your foot more stable. I liked the softness but as my shoes have worn down I feel they are less secure than I would like (yes, I still wear the 2018 pair occasionally). The eeZee (circa 2021, dark green no laces) removed the rubber strap but made the upper much stiffer thus more secure. Between eeZee and OOmg, I preferred the original OOmg based off how soft it felt even though the eeZee felt more stable in the upper part of the shoe. The OOmy Zen seems to have hit the perfect balance; no rubber strap, soft upper and still provide stability.
Sizing: I thought they fit true-to-size of my normal running shoes. I normally wear a 9.5 racing shoe. When they first started they used to only do full sizes, so in the past I’ve worn 9 OOFOS with no problem. They now have ½ sizes and have adjusted sizing since their first launch to make them more accurate. Bottom line, I would go with your actual race shoe size.
Other Features: The closed cell technology of OOfoam also makes these machine washable. Something I haven’t done with this pair yet, but I have done with other shoes. I’ve noticeably damaged other race shoes doing this but OOFOS shoes have held up well every time I’ve washed my other pairs, which is fairly infrequent.
Overall: If you haven’t made the switch to at least one pair of OOFOS, you are missing out. Whether you go with a slide, a clog, a shoe, boot or a sandal, I guarantee you’ll love them. Out of all the brands and products I’ve been exposed to, purchased and reviewed as a writer for Obstacle Course Racing related content, OOFOS is the most widely used brand beyond athlete circles and for a good reason, they are super comfortable. It is not only great for post-race recovery, but good for anyone who does what they consider a lot of walking or spending time on their feet.
