If you are in the market for a killer-looking and highly effective recovery shoe, then look no further than the Kane Revive. From the moment we got a glimpse at these, we were pumped to get our hands on them. They are highly Deckers X Lab has to be one of the quirkiest yet somehow coolest brands out there right now. They feel like they could be a subdivision of HOKA given the styling, material choices, and stack Heights and maybe it’s because many of their team used to work there, but they are carving out a space that is uniquely their own. We got a chance to check out their latest flip flop which also doubles as a solid recovery option, it’s the KO-Z BA DA DA.
Quick Details, Specs, u0026amp; Availability
- Took your standard flip-flop and flipped it on its head making it a solid recovery option.
- Be careful with that extra-long tail as it takes some time to get used to.
- Features a 5mm drop with over 30mm of plush cushion.
- Retails at $45.00 USD and comes in 7 colors for Men and Women.
Recovery Elements and Performance
At first glance, the KO-Z BA DA DA feels like your standard sandal. However, when you dig a bit deeper and have a chance to try them on, you’ll start to find some of the parallels to HOKA that we mentioned. They have layer together 3 mm of that gradient EVA foam, coupled it with the HOKA Meta-Rocker design, and then elongated and squared out the tail. If you have run in something like the Carbon X2, the Mach 4, or the Bondi X then that stance is going to feel very familiar to you. It leads to a gentle, more rolling ride when you walk all of that softness feels so good after a run. It can cause these to feel a bit long, so if you have concerns with that then definitely drop down a full size, but it will change that rolling sensation.
Construction and Materials
Starting at the top, Deckers X Lab went with natural hemp straps which provide that secure foothold. As for the midsole, it is really essentially two layers. The first is a brushed recycled EVA topsole that has a touch of grip to it and then below that sits an ergonomic higher density recycled EVA with some arch support elements. Lastly, they finished with a 3 mm sponge rubber outsole that again elongates the heel. there is a lot of technology and sinking into what is a really traditional flip-flop.
Softer material in between your toes to limit abrasion Hemp straps Brushed interior to keep it soft Big 30mm of multi-layered cushion Rubberized outsole
Style and Aesthetics
The best part of these is you have a lot of colors to choose from, there are seven for men and women. They are primarily monochromatic in nature but use variances within that color to produce a pretty solid-looking sandal. The elongated heel will definitely throw some people and it does feel chunkier than other flip-flops you weren’t before there is no question about it. That being said they definitely have a more premium look.
Overall Conclusion
If you are looking for a flip-flop alternative to act as a recovery shoe with a ton of cushion, then look no further than the Deckers X Lab KO-Z BA DA DA. It is definitely a weird shoe when you first see it, but as soon as you get it on your foot you are not going to have a lot of complaints. The main one will definitely be the overall footbed length, so please think about sizing down if you have any concerns at all.
Learn more on the Deckers X Lab website
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