I first encountered the Hyperice Normatec compression boots more than a decade ago when I was running the LA Marathon. Back then, you weren’t likely to encounter these full-leg compression boots unless you were a celebrity athlete like LeBron James. However, now that social media is giving rest and recovery the attention it deserves, compression boots have made their way into the homes of – yes, celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Lady Gaga – but also, regular people with an interest in reducing muscle pain. So when I had the opportunity to test out the newest and most advanced iteration, aptly named the Normatec Elite ($999), I quickly raised my hand to see if they’re really worth the hype (and the nearly $1,000 price tag).
In essence, the Normatec Elite compression boots use compression massage to temporarily increase the circulation in your legs. This can help reduce muscle aches and pains, and even facilitate muscle recovery. This is why compression boots are sometimes used in the athletic space for warm-up and recovery, helping to prevnt injury and improve performance. The original Normatec device was designed by Laura F. Jacobs, MD, PhD, who created it to help breast cancer patients dealing with lymphedema – a type of chronic swelling that sometimes occurs when the lymphatic system is disrupted.
The company evolved when her son, Gilad Jacobs – founder of Normatec Recovery and chief innovation officer of Hyperice – saw the potential to help athletes going through their own surgeries and injuries. It then became a tool used by the University of Florida in 2006 for ankle sprains. As Jacobs explains to PS, rather than solely using them for injury recovery, athletes soon started using Normatec for “two-a-day practices for fresh legs faster.”
Normatec’s patented air-compression massage, which uses a rhythmic inflation-and-deflation pattern, is meant to mimic natural muscle pumps, thus boosting circulation, improving lymphatic drainage, and increasing blood flow. As Jacobs says, Normatec has become “the most heavily utilized recovery tool in the world by the world’s best athletes.” While I’m more of an everyday warrior with an active lifestyle, I can confirm that during my trial of the Normatec Elite, my legs never felt better. Keep scrolling to ready my full review.
How to Use the Normatec Elite
When opening up the Normatec Elite, I received two boots, a tote bag to store them in, and the charger. The set-up was very easy; all you have to do is plug them into the wall. The boots fold compactly to charge, so you don’t need a lot of space, and the charge lasts for four hours (versus three hours on the previous model). They can also be used while being charged. Once you zip the boots onto your legs, you can choose a level and duration using the control station on the boot (or on the Hyperice app). Jacobs also recommends keeping your legs elevated while using the boots – I used mine while on my L-shaped sofa.
My Normatec Elite sessions ranged from 30 to 60 minutes (the device offers durations from 15 to 60 minutes, in 15-minute increments). I used that time as a gateway to other recovery practices, like drinking water and doing some much-needed upper body stretches. Perhaps one of my favorite parts was that once you’re zipped into the boots, you can’t immediately pull yourself out. Although you can unzip them in just a few seconds, feeling locked in allowed my time to be a bit more protected. For instance, if I’m stretching or using a massage gun, I’m more likely to stop what I’m doing to attend to my kids or husband. As a mom of two 2-and-under kids, having a more dedicated pocket of time was nothing short of miraculous.
I used the Normatec Elite boots three to four times per week, using them to unwind at the end of the day. As a mom, there’s so much emphasis on unwinding with wine, so I appreciated that this became a more healthy ritual. Even my husband used them after a hard boxing or strength-training workout. They’re also surprisingly quiet, which meant I was able to watch TV while wearing them and didn’t need to increase the volume.
What I Liked About the Normatec Elite
Wearing the Normatec Elite feels like a tight squeeze pulsating up your leg; it’s relaxing and firm, but not painful. There are seven levels, and I kept it at level five. I love a deep tissue massage, but a lymphatic massage like this is different, and a higher level of compression isn’t necessarily better. As Jacobs puts it, “If you’re trying to recover, medium to medium-high pressure is the way to go; you don’t have to max it out.” There’s also a zone-boost feature, which is kind of like asking a massage therapist to stay a bit longer in one specific area. My knees needed the most love thanks to years of running, so this customization (which is unique to Normatec) was particularly useful for me.
I found the Normatec Elite made the biggest impact for me after a long run. Aches were alleviated – not gone completely, but definitely reduced. As a study from the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation noted, 30 minutes of a sequential pulse massage increases blood flow in the lower extremities, which may help with exercise-induced muscle damage or delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).” To this point, while I was testing the Normatec Elite, I was also getting back into long-distance running (eight-mile runs after not running more than two-mile intervals over the last three years). Even though I was expanding the duration of my runs pretty aggressively during the month, I didn’t get injured. I can’t give the boots all the credit, but I suspect they may have helped.
What’s Worth Noting
Working in the wellness industry for nearly a decade as a fitness video director and personal trainer, I always say the best exercise is the one you’ll do. I feel especially strongly about that in terms of recovery, which is often the least fun part of the workout matrix. I’m not always consistent with stretching (boring) or foam rolling (painful), but while testing the Normatec Elite for a month, I used them four times a week, without fail. In my tenure in this industry, I’ve tried plenty of recovery products that collect dust after a few uses, but these are ones that I kept returning to.
Of course, at just under $1,000, these boots are definitely an investment. With the higher price tag, the newest model has four hours of battery life, seven compression settings, and is the lightest of all wireless air compression boots on the market. Seeing as I used these four times a week for a month, that works out to just over $60 per session, and the price-per-use would go down the longer you have them. Looking at the cost in this way, you can decide if the Normatec Elite are worth it for you and your lifestyle.
The good news: it’s likely to be on sale during Amazon’s October Prime Day coming up on Oct. 9, so keep an eye out for potential discounts.
Who Is Normatec Elite Best For?
Whether you’re a marathon runner, workout aficionado, or mom whose legs are sore from carrying small (but not that light) children, the Normatec Elite could be a useful investment in your recovery. The boots are very easy to use, hands-free, and portable, and they can be used by multiple people. There are a lot of recovery tools available, but this one is scientifically proven to accelerate recovery.
Additional Details
A key innovation with the Normatec Elite is its portability. Each boot weighs just 3.2 pounds, which includes the control unit attached to each boot. Other compression boots I’ve tried have awkward hoses and a control unit that goes between your legs, making the whole process feel bulky. Think of it as the difference between wireless and connected headphones. They’re also TSA-approved for carry-on, and truly they don’t take up much space. They come with a tote bag, which I was easily able to fit into my gym bag – Calpak’s Luka Duffel. Next time I run a half marathon, I’ll definitely pack these for some immediate recovery.
- The Normatec Elite is available in three sizes: short, (5’3″ and under); standard (5’4″-6’3″), the one I tested; and tall (6’4″ and over).
- It includes the two leg attachments, a wall charger, and a drawstring store and transport bag.
- Each boot weighs 3.2 pounds, and battery life lasts up to four hours.
- It is approved by TSA for carry-on.
Rating:
– Additional reporting by Chandler Plante
Genevieve Farrell Genevieve Farrell Roston is an award-winning filmmaker and the director of fitness and wellness video at PS. She oversees PS Fit, which makes fitness fun and accessible for a community of more than six million subscribers and which has a library of videos that has received more than one billion views. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with degrees in Film Production and Marketing. With more than 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry, she has produced films that screened at festivals, such as the Tribeca Film Festival, and were licensed by Showtime. Genevieve is a NASM-certified trainer and has created content for brands including Fitbit, Samsung, and Under Armour.
Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health and Fitness. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she enjoys finding new ways to rock her 18(!) different eye patches, and making videos about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.
