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Therabody Vs. Normatec: Comparing These Compression Boots

Kelsea Samson
Author:
January 11, 2024
Kelsea Samson
Written by
Kelsea Samson
Kelsea Samson is a writer, content manager, certified yoga instructor and founder of The Mindfulness Program for Kids and Yoga for the Blind in Tampa, Florida.
The best Therabody & Normatec compression boots:

The magic of compression therapy lies in the circulatory system, which is responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to every cell in your body while also flushing your system of toxins.

Therabody and Normatex have emerged as frontrunners in the market for compression tools as they're designed to enhance athletic recuperation and overall well-being.

In this Therabody vs. Normatec comparison, we’ll break down the pros and cons of these two popular compression tools having rigorously tested a few of them ourselves.

Keep scrolling for our four favorite compression options from Normatec and Therabody that span all fitness goals and price points.

What are compression boots?

Also known as recovery boots, compression boots are like leg massagers that you wear to boost circulation, reduce inflammation1 and soreness2, and improve your athletic performance.

The sensation feels like a lower body massage, only better, with multiple masseuse hands all over your legs at once.

How do compression boots work?

Compression boots work by filling with air to compress and squeeze, one section at a time from the feet to the hips.

This form of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is a popular method of mechanical massage that’s recommended by medical professionals to reduce swelling in patients with serious health conditions such as lymphoedema, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

In athletes, IPC is relieving for post-exercise inflammation, which helps you get back to training faster.

Several studies show that compression therapy helps move the “bad” metabolic byproducts from the lower legs into the circulatory system to be pumped throughout the body.

This waste is then replaced with new, fresh oxygenated blood, which is shown to promote the perfect environment for muscle healing3 and recovery.

Each compression boot boasts a unique number of speeds and massage patterns for a personalized experience on any given day.

How to use compression boots

To use compression boots, all you need to do is slip your legs into the sleeves like you would over-the-knee boots, and then sit back and relax as you reap the benefits.

Depending on the design, compression boots cover your feet, lower legs, and/or thighs and contain multiple chambers.

You can find designs that cover fewer areas, too, which are more ideal for travel.

More about Normatec

Normatec is one of the most trusted at-home compression therapy brands and is used by professional athletes and sports medicine experts alike.

The brand’s boots have been spotted on a potpourri of professional athletes, including Lebron James and tennis star Naomi Osaka.

Beyond compression boots, Normatec has a line of full-body recovery systems (even some TSA-friendly options).

Normatec was acquired by Hyperice back in 2020. Originally created by Gilad Jacobs, M.D. Ph.D., Normatec’s products were designed with input from professional athletes and sports medicine professionals.

Normatec’s boots utilize a technology called "biomimicry,” which instead of simply compressing your legs, uses "dynamic compression” (a fancy word for pulsing).

The pulsing is meant to mimic the muscle pump of the legs, which the brand says greatly enhances the movement of fluid and metabolites out of the limbs to increase circulation and reduce soreness.

Tl; dr; there’s no doubt that Normatec is one of the best compression therapy brands on the market.

More about Therabody

Therabody is a cutting-edge wellness technology brand most well-known for the Theragun massage gun.

In 2020, the brand ventured into creating other wellness and recovery tools, including compression boots which use patented pneumatic compression systems.

Therabody was born out of necessity by a chiropractor who was suffering from chronic pain after a bad motorcycle accident. The brand is built on patient feedback and the founder’s chiropractic expertise.

We recently interviewed Therabody’s founder, Jason Wersland, D.C. "I created Theragun Percussive Therapy to help people feel better naturally when they weren’t in my care,” he explains. “Looking back, Theragun Percussive Therapy was a catalyst for a bigger mission. I’m proud to say that Therabody is committed to providing natural solutions that work."

Therabody’s entire range of devices promotes faster recovery and natural solutions for everybody and every part of your body.

How to choose a compression boot

When deciding which Therabody and Normatec compression boots will best suit your recovery needs, there are a few factors to consider:

Customization: Some compression boots offer greater customization than others. The level of pressure you require may depend on the intensity of your training or activity. The intensity level of compression boots is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and indicates how tightly the boots will squeeze your lower body.

Coverage: While many compression boots target the entire lower body from the hips to the feet, others have attachments for arms or focus solely on calves. Consider which areas you’d like to target in your recovery sessions.

Portability: Is your recovery system going to stay at home or do you need something portable? Smaller and lighter compression boots might not have all the bells and whistles of the at-home versions, but they’re worth considering you’re a frequent traveler.

Budget: Normatec and Therabody boots are both a financial investment and are two of the highest quality compression boots. That said, the brands do offer a range of luxury and budget-friendly options.

Best value

Normatec 3 Legs

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Image by Normatec
Image by Normatec
Image by Normatec
Compression levels
Adjustable pressure range (20 mmHg - 100 mmHg)
Body parts
Lower body
Sizes
S, M, L

Normatec’s latest compression boot model is a lighter and more intuitive design that covers the full leg from thighs to toes. Using these boots couldn’t be easier—simply slide them on, open the app, and choose between a pre-curated “massage,” or one of seven levels of compression.

Overview

These boots bring a patented pulse technology called ZoomBoost, which delivers a precise therapy that targets specific zones with extra compression.

While you really only need around 30 minutes of treatment at a time, this model has a three-hour battery life. Plus, your purchase comes with hip and arm attachments for full-body recovery.

The Normatec compression boots are a favorite of our commerce editor and marathon runner Carleigh Ferrante, who says they’re incredibly easy to fold up and store and have been a key element of her recovery routine.

What our tester says

The Normatec compression boots are a favorite of our commerce editor and marathon runner Carleigh Ferrante, who says they’re incredibly easy to fold up and store and have been a key element of her recovery routine.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • 5 overlapping chambers for added compression
  • Full-body recovery option
  • Easy storage

Cons

  • One size fits all design might be too long for shorter users
Best for travel

Normatec Go

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Image by Normatec
Image by Normatec
Image by Normatec
Compression levels
7
Body parts
Calves
Sizes
O/S

Whether you’re someone who’s always on the go, or you’re simply seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Normatec Go compression boots will be right up your alley.

Overview

Small but mighty, these compression boots are worn only on the calves and have control panels on each leg, so you can customize your sessions.

Despite its smaller size and price, this travel-friendly compression boot still has many of the same great features we love about the Normatec 3 compression boots like 3-hour battery life, 360-degree compression, app compatibility, and pulse technology.

What the reviews say

Many reviewers say these boots offer the perfect amount of compression. A few even mention that they regularly take the boots on flights, calling them a game changer.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Good for isolating calves
  • Extremely portable design
  • Completely wireless

Cons

  • Won't help with full lower-body recovery
Best wireless

Therabody RecoveryAir JetBoots

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Image by Therabody
Image by Therabody
Image by Therabody
Image by Therabody
Compression levels
4
Body parts
Legs
Sizes
S, M, L

Being hooked up to the wall can feel kind of old school, no? If you’re someone who prioritizes wireless gadgets, this Therabody compression boot model has your name all over it.

Overview

By incorporating internal pumps, the innovative design skips the need for external wires and delivers your pressure massage two to three times faster than other boots thanks to its FastFlush Technology™.

What you give for convenience, you might sacrifice in compression settings, though. Unlike the original Therabody compression boots, the RecoveryAir JetBoot has only four compression settings. Though, the highest level of compression is the same as the other boots.

There are also more features via Bluetooth connectivity to Therabody App coming soon.

What the reviews say

One reviewer with previous knee ligament damage says they use them daily and they've made a difference in their daily routine. Another user mentioned that the compression boots work great but the app could be improved.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • 60-day trial period
  • Wireless
  • App compatibility

Cons

  • Fewer compression levels
Most customizable

Therabody RecoveryAir Pro

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Image by Therabody
Image by Therabody
Image by Therabody
Compression levels
Adjustable pressure range (20 mmHg - 100 mmHg)
Body parts
Lower body
Sizes
S, M, L

For the most customizable compression boots on the market, look no further than the Therabody RecoveryAir Pro. You can play with an array of pressure and time settings of four preset programs, finagle with four unique inflation cycles (sequential, wave, isolation, and flow), or go totally freestyle with PRO mode.

Overview

You get total customization and control, right from the Therabody App where you can save and share unlimited personalized routines that you create.

The high price point appears to be a worthy investment for many purchasers. Reviewers are thoroughly impressed by the many functions and adjustments, noting that these boots make it easy to build your own recovery routine.

What the reviews say

One reviewer writes "As an avid runner and hiker, I’m always looking for ways to reduce soreness and inflammation. This product has made a huge difference and allows me to do more of what I love."

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Fully customizable
  • 60-day trial period
  • App connectivity

Cons

  • Not wireless
  • Expensive

Therabody vs. Normatec: A comparison

ProductPriceCompression LevelsSizesBody PartTrialBattery Life
Normatec 3 Legs$7997OSLegs/Hips/ArmsN/A3 hours
Therabody RecoveryAir Pro$12997One sizeCalves60 days3 hours
Normatec Go$3997OSCalves60 days3 hours
Therabody RecoveryAir JetBoots$8994S/M/LLegsN/A4 hours

How we picked

  • Ratings & reviews: We read loads of reviews (positive and negative!) to make sure each compression boot from Normatec and Therabody is effective and easy to use.
  • Features: Our picks each have a standout feature that makes them potentially perfect for your unique needs—whether that's being completely wireless, extremely customizable, or TSA-approved.
  • Technology: The optimal amount of compression for you heavily depends on your personalized needs. We opted for boots with a wide range of compression levels and the technology you need to get the most out of your recovery session.
  • Price: Some compression boots are more expensive than others. We included a range of price points on our list, though you can expect each option to be an investment because they’re the best on the market.

FAQ:

What do compression boots do for you?

Compression boots can alleviate muscle fatigue and pain by aiding in recovery between workouts or training sessions.

Does Normatec reduce inflammation?

Compression boots should help with inflammation and swelling by increasing blood flow and circulation, as well as limiting the accumulation of fluid.

How long should you wear compression boots?

You can wear your compression boots for up to 30 minutes. Most products contain programs that guide usage time.

The takeaway

Rest and recovery are key to keeping your body moving at its best. Compression boots can be a great way to enhance your recovery routine, whether you’re an avid athlete or just seeking a way to find relief from chronic pain.

People who partake in rigorous physical activity might see more benefits from compression boots due to their effectiveness at boosting recovery and easing muscle soreness after a workout. To build your recovery arsenal, see our list of the best massage guns.

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