I Made My Picky Gen X Mom Try Oofos’ Slip-On Sneakers. Did Her Uber-Wide Feet Approve?

Fast Facts

• Certifications: American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance
• Size Range: US 5 to 11
• Colors: 4
• Materials: OOfoam, knit upper
• Machine Washable: yes

For the last few weeks, my mom’s been wearing the OOmy Zens around Dallas running errands, taking my grandfather to appointments, walking around the neighborhood park and playing pickleball. Which is to say, she’s been on her feet a lot. She reported that the shoes were lightweight but still supportive enough to take a 30-minute walk and stay pain-free.

“The fabric was breathable and my feet did not get sweaty,” she told me. “Since I didn’t wear socks, I was concerned about skin irritation. However, the fabric around my ankles did not rub my skin. The toe box was quite roomy, and the shoes were very easy to slip off.” She was particularly fond of the Achilles cushion in the back of the shoes, as well as ultra-light knit fabric.

My mom noted that the OOmy Zens were much lighter and softer than her regular sneakers, which are a combination of rougher cloth material and faux leather. While she would wear them to run errands, she told me that they wouldn’t replace her sneakers when it came to athletic activities. The OOmy Zens do have impact-absorbing OOfoam and a cupped heel, but my mom, though preferring the feeling of the Oomy Zens, found that the arch support wasn’t as sturdy.

That being said, it’s hard for a non-athletic shoe to fairly compete with a shoe designed for sports. My mom still had glowing things to say, notably: “I loved not having to tie laces, and I could definitely feel the high arch support and the curved sole promoted proper heel to toe foot placement.”

It’s been about two weeks since my mom received the shoes, and she’s already thrown them in the wash. She reported that the stains came out easily and looked great after air-drying. However, due to the fabric, she thought they might snag if caught on something sharp, so you may want to put them in a laundry bag before washing.

Things to Consider

Oofos don’t require a break-in period, but they do stretch. My mom ordered her actual size and found that they were just right, but after wearing them for an extended period of time, found the material stretched about a half inch. She tells me after the shoes stretched out, they felt like a perfect fit. Because of the knit, the sizing was fine for walking but didn’t leave enough space for socks. If you are a sock person, then you’ll definitely want to go a half size up.

The Bottom Line

Like all the other Oofos PureWow editors have tested (and loved), the OOmy Zens deliver. In the words of my mom: “Compared to my previous pair of tennis shoes, these felt much lighter—like walking on a cloud. It made walking easier.” Being likened to a sock with a sole sounds pretty nice to me.

While the shoes come in four colors (two are limited edition), my mom and I both agreed that white was the more versatile of the two when it came to styling. Overall, it looks like my Mother’s Day gift was a hit. Now it’s time for you to knock it out of the park.