The work you put in after the gym is just as important as what you put in at the gym. Recovery tools, including the Hyperice Normatec Elite Recovery Boots, are designed to ease muscle soreness and help you bounce back from hard-nosed training with ease. The latest edition of these compression boots also makes upgrades in the convenience department, forgoing bulky hoses and control units and, instead, utilizing the brand’s small yet effective on-boot systems previously seen in products such as the Normatec Go.

Having tested hundreds of recovery tools including the best massage guns, foam rollers, and more, I believe the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are some of the best picks for lower body recovery. The travel-friendly design and sleek functionality have quickly made them staples in my post-workout regimen, and I feel they can be vital tools for elite athletes seeking convenient, effective relief. In this Normatec Elite review, we’ll highlight key features, add some comparisons, and get to the bottom of the brand’s latest go at compression therapy. For further information on how we trial and test the products chosen for this guide and more, be sure to read the BarBend Equipment Testing Methodology page.

Main Takeaways

ZoneBoost technology allows you to target specific areas (zones) of your lower body for extra compression and attention during recovery sessions.

These Normatec boots feature two on-boot control units that eliminate the need for hoses, making them far more convenient and portable than previous iterations.

At the time of this writing, Hyperice and Normatec do not offer hip and arm profiles in the Elite series — just leg attachments.

Normatec Elite Specs

The Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are an air compression system designed to help improve circulation and blood flow across your legs for muscle relief and activation before or after your training sessions. According to Alex Polish, our expert reviewer, “Recovery boots provide intermittent pneumatic compression, which is a fancy way of describing a deep pressure around your lower limbs caused by the sleeves of the boot ‘squeezing’ you. Think kind of like a blood pressure cuff, but over a longer period of time and a bigger surface area.”

These boots can be used as a warm-up modality prior to your workouts or operate as a soothing massage tool to ease pain and aches for better muscle recovery. There are seven levels of compression intensity controllable either through the on-boot units or via Bluetooth on the convenient Hyperice app.

While Hyperice and Normatec have been offering recovery boots for years, the Elite series is the most streamlined to date given there are no heavy external control units or hoses to worry about. Everything is on the individual leg attachment which greatly improves the portability of this recovery tool. Speaking of, you also receive a drawstring bag and carrying case for the leg attachments and 12-volt wall charger meaning you can easily take these boots with you during travel (the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are also TSA-approved for carry-on).

Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

Controlling your recovery session is easy on each unit as each metric has its own dedicated button. You have seven different intensities to choose from as well as Time allotments of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. You can also control the ZoneBoost tech across the on-boot unit which places extra time and pressure across one of the five air chambers during your session. For example, I’ve been dealing with a nagging groin injury, so I’ve used the ZoneBoost at Zone 5 which covers the upper thigh.

You also have the power to control your Normatec Elite Recovery Boots through your smartphone and the Hyperice app. I highly recommend downloading this service — it’s one of the best fitness apps for Hyperice product users — as it gives you access to all controls without the need to look at the boot itself. Plus, there are different modules like post-run recovery, leg activation, and more with preset intensities and times. At the time of this publication, Hyperice has yet to offer these programs, but given my experience with the previous Normatec 3 Legs, I don’t doubt that they’re coming soon.

The on-boot control unit featured on the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

Each Normatec Elite boot weighs 3.2 pounds with a battery life of up to 4 hours. I’m a stickler for keeping my recovery devices well-charged, so I’ve yet to run into issues with the battery life. That said, other colleagues who’ve tested these recovery boots say that they’ve gone multiple sessions without ever worrying about their power stores.

Finally, the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are available in three sizes. According to the brand, the “Short” sizing is for athletes 5’3” and under, the “Standard” sizing is for those between 5’4” and 6’2”, and the “Tall” cut is for those 6’3” and above.

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

While I have had positive results with the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots, I understand that experience can be subjective. While some may enjoy the hands-off approach to recovery, others may prefer a more controllable modality like what you’d get with the best foam rollers. Here are some suggestions as to whom these recovery boots are most ideal for.

Recommended for:

Athletes looking for compression technology without the need for lengthy hoses or heavy vacuum units.

Those wanting to focus recovery methods across their lower body.

Anyone looking for a less involved post-workout regimen where the tools do the work for you.

Not Recommended for:

Athletes needing a recovery tool for upper body areas — the Normatec Elite series does not feature arm attachments at this time.

People with circulatory issues.

Budget-minded athletes not willing to spend nearly $1,000 on a singular recovery device.

Our Experience Training Using the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

I tested the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots for multiple weeks, utilizing the compression technology for both pre- and post-workout needs. I conducted 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-minute sessions to get a feel for the experience across different intensity levels and used the ZoneBoost feature at different areas when necessary. Below are some of the key findings that resulted from my experience with these boots as well as comparisons to my prior experience with other Normatec products including the Normatec 3 Legs setup.

On-Boot Control Units

One of the biggest benefits of this new Normatec design from Hyperice is the on-boot control units that eliminates the need for hoses and heavier modules. I’ve previously utilized the Normatec Go system which had similar control units, but was packaged as more of a travel-friendly profile that wrapped around your calves. Having this tech in a full boot silhouette definitely takes the strain out of post-workout recovery sessions — you can quickly zip up the boots, hit a few toggles, and be minutes away from muscle relief.

The latest Normatec iteration from Hyperice removes all hosing and external control units for an on-boot module

With previous Normatec iterations — namely, the Normatec 3 Legs — you would need to hoist the control unit to your side, aggressively snap the hose connectors to each leg, and remain in a stagnant position for your allotted session. Now, I’m not saying that you should be walking around with the Normatec Elites, but the contained hardware does give you more room to stretch out and get comfortable across your bed or couch. As such, I rated the convenience at 5 out of 5.

[Related: Post-Workout Recovery Tips From Celebrity Fitness Trainer Don Saladino]

Travel-Friendly Conveniences

Given the on-boot controls, the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are far more portable than previous versions of Normatec boots. I say “boots,” here, as the Normatec Go is more of a calf sleeve than a full lower body recovery tool.

I feel Hyperice acknowledged this by including a convenient drawstring bag within the packaging that features pockets for the boots themselves along with the 12-volt charger. Plus, as with other Hyperice products, the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are TSA-approved as a carry-on.

Normatec Elite Recovery Boots travel drawstring

With this sleek, upgraded design, I believe I’ll be more inclined to keep these boots with me during travels, especially to day-long or weekend-long competitions where I’m looking to stay as fresh and rejuvenated as possible. Overall, I rated the portability at 4 out of 5 — a significant improvement over previous iterations.

Hyperice App Compatibility

While the on-boot controls are far more convenient than previous Normatec products I’ve owned, I particularly enjoy the Bluetooth connectivity showcased through the Hyperice app. Rather than bending over to change settings or toggle through adjustments, you can seamlessly control your recovery sessions through your smartphone. There have been plenty of afternoons and evenings where I zip in for a session, set my preferred time and ZoneBoost through my smartphone, and pass out as the boots do their thing.

[Related: How to Improve Recovery and Adapt from Hard Training]

I rated the tech features at 4 out of 5 because of this app compatibility. The score would have been a perfect 5 out of 5, though, if Hyperice had activity-based modules available for the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots. With other Hyperice products controllable through the app, the brand offers specific modules with certain goals in mind such as post-run recovery, pre-training activation, and more. Given that the Normatec Elite boots are a newer product, I suspect the brand will offer these modules in the future. For the time being, though, an athlete can dream.

Lower-Body Recovery Only (For the Time Being)

It takes one look at the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots to understand their targeted muscle groups. That said, previous Normatec iterations have also included arm and hip attachments that offered compression therapy for different areas of the body. As a competitive softball player, I’ve definitely used the arm attachments to relieve post-game soreness.

Our tester wearing Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

At the time of this publication, Hyperice has yet to unveil additional silhouettes for the Normatec Elite lineup. If you’re someone looking to target different muscle groups beyond your legs, I’d suggest looking at a different modality for the time being. Hopefully, the brand will offer these hip and upper body profiles in the future.

What to Consider Before Buying Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

When looking to purchase any recovery product — from the best recovery shoes to the best massage guns, foam rollers, cold plunge tubs, and more — you want the best product for your specific needs. Below are a few factors worth considering before adding the Normatec Elite recovery Boots to your cart.

Targeted Area: These Normatec recovery boots are only available in a leg-based profile, so if you want some relief across your upper body, you may want to consider a different tool.

Recovery Preferences: According to Alex Polish, our expert reviewer, “If someone doesn’t like the feeling of compression, then a recovery boot might induce claustrophobia or other discomforts.”

Circulatory Issues: According to Kate Meier, BarBend editorial team member and our expert reviewer, “Especially if you’ve got high or low blood pressure, or any known conditions with your blood flow — even if, for example, your hands or feet tend to run very cold — you’ll likely want to check in with a qualified healthcare professional before diving into recovery boots.”

Noise: There is a slight hum to the on-boot control units, and while the audible experience is less than that of a massage gun, you still may want to think about this notion before wearing Normatec Elite Recovery Boots during a Zoom call or other happenings.

Price: At nearly $1,000, these boots are not cheap — take a look at your finances to ensure you can comfortably afford these soothing recovery tools.

Normatec Elite Vs. Competitors

The Normatec Elite series are a unique silhouette, indeed, but that doesn’t mean they’re without competition in their category. Below are some comparisons to two other popular recovery boot profiles — the aforementioned Normatec 3 Legs and the RecoveryAir JetBoots from Therabody.

Comparing the Normatec Elites to their previous iteration, the Normatec 3 Legs, is fairly simple. Both boots feature seven compression levels and five ZoneBoost chambers across the silhouette. The major differences lie in the control units. The Normatec Elites are controlled via on-boot modules, while the Normatec 3 Legs utilize an external control unit that connects to the boots through long, cumbersome hoses. The battery life of the Elites has improved, too, from 3 hours to 4 hours.

I’ve used both and highly recommend either silhouette, but the convenience and travel-ready design of the Elites wins me over. If you’re not worried about traveling with your boots — and want to save $200 — the Normatec 3 Legs can still be a high-quality pick.

Moving on, Therabody and Hyperice have long been neck and neck with one another in terms of recovery gear. Both brands offer similar products (the Theragun vs. Hypervolt massage gun is basically to the level of a timeless sports rivalry) and that includes recovery boots. The RecoveryAir JetBoots also boast a hose-less design with all controls built right onto the boots themselves. However, the Normatec Elites offer more versatility with seven compression levels as opposed to Therabody’s four. Each RecoveryAir JetBoot is also heavier at 4.12 pounds.

Ordering and Assembling Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

There’s no setup required with these recovery boots — simply unbox the Normatec Elites and get into a session. I do appreciate that Hyperice ships these compression boots with a partial charge if you’re interested in immediately getting into a module, too.

Normatec Elite Recovery Boots zipper and on-boot control unit

As far as upkeep, the only things you need to worry about are keeping the control units charged and keeping the boot interiors clean. I’ve had instances where I’ve developed some sweat, so I’d recommend taking a disinfecting wipe and cleaning the boot sleeve every few weeks. Personally, I try to keep my cleaning regimen to weekly, but I’m using my Normatec Elite Recovery Boots at least three times per week.

Places to Buy Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

The Normatec Elite Recovery Boots are available online through the brand’s dedicated retail site. Additionally, you can find this recovery system at third-party retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, DICK’s Sporting Goods, REI, and others.

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

Hyperice offers a suite of products rooted in post-workout recovery. The brand’s lineup of massage guns, compression therapy devices, vibration therapy tools, and temperature-related gear can be excellent for keeping your body primed for whatever task you throw at it. To contact the brand with any inquiries, Hyperice has a Live Chat feature on its main retail site and can be reached via email at customersupport@hyperice.com or by phone at +1 (949) 565-4994.

[Related: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 Review]

In terms of customer reviews, the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots is fairly new so there are limited insights online across the brand’s site and other third-party retailers. That said, we’ll be sure to examine and monitor customer reviews as they begin to roll in.

Warranties

Hyperice offers a standard one-year warranty for the Normatec Elite Recovery Boots against manufacturer defects in material and workmanship. According to the brand, “In the event of any such defect occurring during the warranty period, Hyperice will, at its option, (a) correct the defect by repair or by replacement of the applicable part or component that fails as a result of such defect, without charge for parts and labor; or (b) replace the control unit with one of the same or then current design.”

Final Thoughts on Normatec Elite Recovery Boots

After testing and using the Normatec Elites extensively, I believe they’re some of the best recovery boots out there. The on-boot control units work seamlessly with one another, and the travel-ready design can be excellent for jet-setting athletes looking to take their relief on the road. Plus, the ZoneBoost technology allows you to target specific pain points with a little extra attention throughout your recovery protocols.

Are these recovery boots for everyone? No. The price does make these more of a luxury buy, and compression therapy may not be everyone’s cup of tea. That said, if you’re looking to invest in your lower body recovery, these pumped-up kicks can surely be worth your time.

Normatec Elite FAQs

The post Normatec Elite Review (2024): Pumped Up Relief from One of the Best Recovery Devices Out There appeared first on BarBend.