Normatec has come a long way since I first got my hands on a unit over a decade ago. While the original boots looked similar, the pump was the size of a small cooler, and the price was as if said cooler was filled with $100 bills. That was the last time I gave them a shot – after all, ice packs and a foam roller hadn’t let me down.
When ACTIVE.com reached out and asked me to look at their latest and greatest offering, the Hyperice Normatec Elite, I was immediately interested. We’ve all seen how far running shoes and triathlon bikes have come in the past ten years, and I was curious to give this popular massage compression device a try.
A bit of backstory on me: I’m the former triathlon and cycling editor for ACTIVE.com, a recreational, mid-pack triathlete and cyclist, and a dad to two little ones. I’m tall and stiff, and self-care and mobility work are often sidelined for bath time, laundry, and gathering stuffed animals and puzzle pieces. Despite my schedule being busier and more stressful than ever, a 30-minute session with the Normatec Elite has become something I look forward to every evening, regardless of whether I had a ride or a run on the training calendar.
Here are my thoughts.
The Unboxing / Initial Impressions
First, I’d like to credit Hyperice – the company knows how to package a product. Like my experience unboxing their Hypervolt Go 2 massage gun, the Normatec Elite has a very Apple-esque aesthetic. Sans serif fonts, minimalistic packaging, and a basic quick-start guide – everything you need and nothing you don’t.
The box contains two leg sleeves, a power supply, and a drawstring carrying bag. At first touch, the system itself feels refined and well-made, and the set-up couldn’t be easier. Simply turn on the power button on each “leg”, and the units automatically pair with each other. From there, select your compression level and how long you’d like the session to last, press “start” (you only have to use the controls on one of the units since they are paired), then sit back and relax.
The battery, pump and controls are all attached to each “leg” and no additional set up is required. Simplicity is an underrated feature, and the Normatec Elite has it in spades.
The Experience
Even the most casual recreational athlete knows what a pair of Normatec boots looks like, but what does it feel like?
Once your legs are zipped in and settings are selected, the boots start to inflate. This happens surprisingly quickly despite the unit’s portable size, and you’ll hear a muted click as each of the five different zones (foot, calf, knee, lower thigh, and upper thigh) begins to inflate and deflate. The sensation is similar to when your doctor inflates a blood pressure cuff around your arm.
After some experimentation, I preferred the strength level set to five (out of seven). While enjoyable, “one” felt too gentle, I didn’t feel like I was getting the most out of the session, and “seven” was a bit too intense and wasn’t as relaxing. Obviously, this is a personal preference, but for context, I enjoy a rough sports massage regularly.
Duration-wise, 30 minutes felt like the sweet spot – long enough to feel the effects of the session but short enough that it didn’t take up too much of my day. Time permitting, sitting for 45 minutes to an hour on the fifth strength level wouldn’t be an issue.
The inflation cycle follows a preset cadence tuned by the smart people at Hyperice, but if you have an area that needs more attention, you can select an optional “Zone Boost” for some extra targeted compression. For me, I occasionally gave my calves some extra TLC (I’m prone to shinsplints), but I felt like the general cadence was fine for most sessions. The unit also pairs with the Hyperice app, where you can fine-tune the compression settings. While this was straightforward and has its value for maybe more performance-oriented athletes, I found using the app added an unnecessary step and preferred to just use the controls on the unit.
The unit makes a quiet hum throughout the session – you can hear it, but it’s not loud enough to disturb others in the room or drown out the dialogue on the TV. It’s almost relaxing and sounds like white noise when in a quiet room.
Lastly, thank you to Hyperice for making these boots long enough for tall people. At 6’3” and with an inseam of 34”, these boots provide full coverage.
The Results
I’m no scientist, but there’s plenty of research on how massage and compression enhance blood flow, expedite recovery, and reduce muscle soreness. The goal of Normatec Elite is to get blood moving back to the core to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage.
But what does this mean in plain language? Even after the first session, my legs felt less inflamed and I felt like I recovered faster. After multiple sessions in a row, I felt like my body started to respond to the boots quicker, and the “effects” seemed to last longer. As mentioned, these sessions became important “me” time and felt just as beneficial to my mental health as it did my physical.
Performance-wise, I noticed the greatest benefit when I used the boots within an hour or so after a run or ride. Time permitting, a session before bed also helped reduce muscle soreness and fatigue the morning after. I generally felt fresher and could push harder on a more consistent basis (and without injury) – that, in and of itself, is worth the price of admission.
Parting Thoughts
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price. At $999, a price point just shy of $1,000 is a lot to stomach for a recovery tool when other tools cost so little. But for the overall benefits and ease of use, here’s how I’d justify the price (with some basic triathlete math).
Using the Normatec Elite three times a week over three months (that’s 36 sessions), the cost per use drops to just over $27 per session, and this number will drop with more use over time. Compared to a sports massage that can generally cost between $80 - $150 dollars, and you have to leave the convenience of your own home, these boots start to look pretty attractive.
A mention of convenience: I love how lightweight and portable these are. Since everything is built into the legs, it’s super easy to take these out of the house and use them anywhere, anytime. The battery life adds to this convenience – the four-hour battery life is as advertised, if not slightly conservative. The power cables are also long enough to use for a session if in a pinch.
I do, however, wish the carrying bag was a bit larger. The legs deflate quickly enough to unzip within seconds after a session, but it takes a while for the air to completely deflate to the point where I can roll up the legs to store in the bag. It’s also important to note that the portability and convenience factor doesn’t impact the power the Normatec Elite can produce. As mentioned, the highest setting feels almost too aggressive, which is impressive given its form factor.
Overall, I’m now officially on the Normatec fan train, despite jumping on over a decade late. From the portability to the performance benefits, there’s a lot to love about Hyperice Normatec Elite if the price point is within your budget.
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