One of the largest trends in recent years in the fitness space is an increased focus on recovery.
Top tier athletes like Lebron James and Kevin Durant have drawn attention to the recovery scene by wearing Normatec Boots in the locker room.
Compression boots are used to increase circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and decrease inflammation in the body.
But are these futuristic looking boots worth the money?
The below article highlights the best 5 compression boots to boost recovery in 2022.
What Are the Best Compression Boots?
Here are my top picks for the best compression boots of 2022:
1. Air Relax AR-2.0
Overview:
The Air Relax AR-2.0 are an economical pair of compression boots that offer 3 different massage modes and 4 levels of intensity.
Coming in at $575, Air Relax is cheaper than both the Normatec 2.0 and the Therabody RecoveryAirPrime while offering more massage options than both.
Top Features:
- 3 recovery modes with varying styles are programmed on the device with; 4 levels of intensity per mode
- Each recovery mode is 15 minutes in duration and the unit automatically shuts off after 15 minutes. To use for longer than 15 minutes, you will have to turn the unit back on.
- Ability to target specific areas by selecting specific chamber or area of leg that needs treatment (4 intensities in each chamber)
- Included: Control Unit, Hose, and Leg Attachments
- Two Potential Downsides:
- No timer on unit, so you cannot track time left on 15 minute recovery mode directly on device
- Unit has to be plugged into a wall, so a power outlet is needed
Pricing:
Kevin’s Take:
- The Air Relax AR-2.0 compression boots are a high quality product at a lower price point compared to Normatec.
- There are 3 very different massage modes that are offered which is a benefit in comparison to the 1 offered from Normatec.
- I’m 2 years into using the AR-2.0 several times per week and have had no mechanical issues or problems with the boots.
- While there are some downsides (no timer on device, limited to 15 minutes), these are easily made up by the lower price point.
2. Normatec 2.0
Overview:
By far the most recognizable brand in the space, Normatec popularized the idea of air compression for recovery.
The Normatec 2.0 Legs are a great product and one that you have likely seen celebrities endorsing or available for use at your local gym/box/studio.
With the status symbol comes the highest price tag on our list coming in at $799.
Top Features:
- The Normatec 2.0 Legs has 1 recovery mode (Recovery Flush) programmed on the device with 7 levels of intensity
- Handheld display allows for easy control of device and visible timer that can be adjusted to add/reduce time
- The ZONE BOOST feature allows you to add extra time and pressure in a particular area that you would like to focus on.
- Option to connect to phone via bluetooth and control device from HyperIce app
- Potential Downsides:
- Price: The Normatec 2.0 Legs are the highest price pair of compression boosts on this list.
- Variation: The Normateic 2.0 Legs only offer 1 program or recovery mode, so you will essentially be going through the same protocol every session.
Pricing:
Kevin’s Take:
- With the purchase of the Normatec Legs 2.0, you will get the most popular name brand associated with compression boots.
- The handheld display is super easy to use and allows you to adjust timing and intensity without issue.
- These are a great pair of compression boots for people that are not worried about the price tag and want the best in class name brand.
3. Therabody RecoveryAirPrime
Overview:
Therabody burst onto the recovery scene in 2008 and has been known primarily for their portable massage gun the Theragun.
In recent years Therabody added their own lineup of compression boots and have 3 different tier offerings.
The Therabody RecoveryAirPrime is an excellent choice for compression boots and the $699 pricing falls in the middle of the Normatec and Air-Relax.
Top Features:
- Sleek design with excellent branding and color scheme
- 1 recovery mode pre-programmed on the device and 10 levels of intensity (Rated on a scale of 0-100 in increments of 10)
- Handheld display allows for easy control of device and visible timer that can be adjusted to add/reduce time
- Therabody highlights their compression boots as inflating/deflating 2-3x faster than the competition allowing higher benefits
- Potential Downsides:
- Variation: Much like the Normatec 2.0, the Therabody PrimeRecoveryAir only offers 1 massage program with the device.
Pricing:
Kevin’s Take:
- The Therabody PrimeRecoveryAir is a stylish pair of compression boots that will certainly aid in your recovery protocol.
- The lack of power outlet needed makes this product extremely versatile and a great pick for someone on the move.
4. Flyte Air
Overview:
Flyte is a company that is relatively new to the recovery scene and sells all of their products directly through Amazon.
The Exerscribe Flyte Air Compression Boots offer a competitive package of features in comparison to Normatec, Therabody, and Air Relax for a price of $599.
Top Features:
- Flyte offers a kit that comes complete with the pump machine, leg cuffs, handheld device, as well as a carrying case.
- There are 4 Massage Modes & 16 levels of pressure, so Flyte offers more ability to customize your recovery session in comparison to both Normatec and Therabody.
- The Flyte device is also cordless and chargeable. Combine that with the travel case, this is perfect for someone that needs to be able to travel with their compression boots.
- Potential Downsides:
- Flyte is new to the recovery scene and only sells their products on Amazon. While this is not a necessarily a downside, it is not the strong brand value of some of the other options on this list.
Pricing:
Kevin’s Take:
The Exerscribe Flyte Air Compression Boots offer the most versatility in comparison to the price out of any other option on this list.
If traveling with your boots is super important as well as the ability to customize your massage sessions, consider giving Flyte a shot.
5. Compex Ayre
Overview:
The Compex Ayre is the lowest priced recovery boot on our list and is the only completely wireless option at this price point.
The Ayre also offers quite a bit of versatility with 12 intensity levels and 2 massage modes programmed into the device.
There are also limitations with this product, particularly the battery life of 1 hour and the fact it does not cover your entire leg like the other options on this list do.
Top Features:
- The Compex Ayre is a completely wireless recovery boot with the pump and display built directly into the boot. This is the only wireless device we have seen at this price point.
- While Therabody does offer this in their 2nd tier model (RecoveryAir), it is nearly 2x the price point of the Compex Ayre.
- Each boot has 4 chambers for air to fill and there are are 12 intensity levels that allow you to choose what style massage you are looking for.
- The Compex Ayre comes with a very high end carrying case that makes this unit super portable if you are looking to travel with it.
- The boot itself is unique in the fact that it zips up your leg on the bottom portion and then connects with velcro on the top half. With this, the Compex Ayre does not fully cover your leg like the other recovery boots on this list and a portion of your leg (primarily the knee area) will not be covered.
- Potential Downsides:
- The battery life on the wireless boots is just 1 hour. While you can still use the boots while they are charging, the 1 hour battery life is definitely a downside.
- The fact that the boots do not cover your legs completely like a true compression boot is certainly something to think through, as your knee area will be exposed.
Pricing:
Kevin’s Take:
The low price point and wireless capabilities of the Compex Ayre certainly makes this an intriguing product, but their are also some limitations that come along with it.
If you are looking for the cheapest way to get into compression therapy, the Compex Ayre would be a great option. Just realize that this product has some fairly significant limitations in comparison to the other four on the list.
What Are Compression Boots?
- Compression Boots are a recovery device used by athletes to increase circulation and reduce soreness.
- These are a performance device allowing athletes to return to their sport or training program as soon as possible.
- Recovery boots were made popular with public usage of Normatec Boots by big time athletes, consumers now have multiple companies and price points to choose from.
Summary
- Bottom line, I recommend the Air Relax Classic AR-2.0 Leg Recovery System as the best compression boots of 2022.
- The Air Relax AR-2.0 is the best compression boot option on the market if considering both price and versatility. Coming in at $575, the AR-2.0 offers 3 massage modes as well as 4 different intensity levels.
- If you are looking to spend additional money, my recommendation is to go with the Therabody RecoveryAirPrime ($699) rather than opting for the more recognizable Normatec Boot.
- While Normatec has the name recognition and Therabody has more advanced features, the Air Relax AR-2.0 compression boots meet all of the requirements needed to get in a great recovery session without completely breaking the bank.