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Although double network (DN) hydrogels are extremly tough, they are irreversibly softened during large strain deformation. We incorporated a mussel-inspired adhesive moiety, catechol, and a synthetic nano-silicate, LAPONITE®, into DN to examine the effect of strong, reversible crosslinks on the DN's ability to recover its mechanical properties during successive loading cycles. The introduction of catechol and LAPONITE® drastically increased the compressive strength and toughness of DN without compromising the compliance of the hydrogel. After 2 hours of recovery at room temperature, the nanocomposite DN hydrogel recovered over 95 and 82% of its strain energy and hysteresis, respectively, during the successive compressive loading to a strain of 0.5. Both equilibrium swelling and oscillatory rheometry data confirmed that there were minimal changes in the network crosslinking density and stiffness after …