Best Compression Boots (2024): Our Top Picks to Massage the Pain Away

Recovery from training is one of the most overlooked, yet important, aspects of your fitness journey. Many love trying the best gym equipment, the latest workouts, or the best supplements, but don’t pay enough attention to how they’re recovering day to day. 

While nothing can replace proper nutrition and sleep, the best muscle recovery tools can make a significant difference, especially when you’re feeling beat up after a tough workout. A staple in physical therapy clinics around the world, compression boots can enhance your recovery by providing an air-powered, pulsing massage throughout your legs. 

Unlike massage guns, which require you to use a heavy, vibrating object, boots don’t require any unnecessary work. All you need to do is slip them on and relax. 

However, there are plenty of compression boots to choose from, and deciding which features you need can feel challenging. To help you find the perfect pair, we’ve tested some of the most popular recovery devices on the market and used our testing methodology to score and rank them on a number of criteria, including:

• Compression level
• Durability
• Sizing and adjustability
• Value

In this article, I’m going to share our top five picks to help give your legs the recovery they deserve.

Best Compression Boots

• Best Overall Compression Boots: Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs
• Best Compression Boots for Recovery: Rapid Reboot REGEN Boots
• Best Compression Boots for Athletes: Reathlete Air-C Leg Massager
• Best Budget Compression Boots: FIT KING Leg Air Massager
• Best Wireless Compression Boots: Hyperice Normatec Elite

Best Overall Compression Boots: Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs

Good for: Anyone who wants the best compression technology

Best Overall

Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs

GGR Score: 4.75

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Product Highlights

* 7 compression levels * Compatible with Hyperice app * Premium materials * Multiple sizes available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Multiple compression levels
• Mimics the body’s natural blood flow
• Durable materials
• Easy to use

Cons

• Expensive
• Fewer compression settings than competitors

Bottom Line

The Hyperice Normatec 3 compression boots are some of the best boots on the market. They’re made of premium, durable materials and feature a unique system that mimics your body’s natural blood flow. Users can choose one of seven compression levels.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, it’s hard to beat the Hyperice Normatec 3 compression boots. Packed with smart features and available in multiple sizes, these are some of the most versatile and effective boots on the market. 

Normatec also offers the Normatec Go, which is meant for calves, and the Normatec Elite, an upgraded version of the Normatec 3 that we’ll cover later.

The Normatec 3 has seven different pressure levels and can be used on the legs, hips, or arms, making it extremely versatile. Normatec also uses a technology called ZoneBoost™ biomimicry, which sends sequential pulses of compression through multiple air chambers to mimic the natural blood flow of your body. With so many options and biomimicry, we give these boots a 5-out-of-5-star score for compression.

Rather than applying general compression throughout the entire leg, the pulses encourage blood flow along its natural pattern, which is a great feature. 

They’re quite durable, and our tester has owned a pair for two years with no issues. He noted that he trains early in the mornings and mostly uses them as a warm-up to get the blood flowing before leg day. 

The boots pair with the Hyperice app via Bluetooth, allowing you to view multiple preset options to choose from for a customized compression experience. They’re not cheap, but if you’re looking for the gold standard in compression boots, the Normatec 3 is the one to choose.

Best Compression Boots for Recovery: Rapid Reboot REGEN Boots

Good for: Those looking to ease the pain after a tough workout

Best for Recovery

Rapid Reboot Recovery System

GGR Score: 4.63

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Product Highlights

* Used by athletes of all levels * Supports circulation and recovery * Durable construction

Pros & Cons

Bottom Line

Designed for active individuals and athletes of all levels, the Rapid Reboot REGEN Boots are our top pick for those who want to prioritize recovery from training. 

The boots have 20 levels of compression and four massage patterns, so you’ll have plenty of options when choosing your settings. You can customize the compression using the included control unit or pair your boots with the Rapid Reboot app to control them from your phone. 

Now, at $945, they aren’t cheap, but you can save money by choosing the original Rabid Reboot system. The boots are identical, but the control unit isn’t as portable and only has 10 compression settings instead of 20. However, they still work great. 

Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1, has owned the original boots for about 6 years and says they’ve held up great, earning a 5 out of 5 for durability. However, sizing may be an issue depending on your body’s proportions.  

“I find them pretty effective in helping flush out my legs after a heavy leg workout, and I typically use them after a heavy session to help jumpstart my recovery,” said Caine. “I have the extra-long boots, which fit me length-wise, but fitting my thighs into them is a hassle. It’s possible, but it’s a tight fit. I usually have to drop the pressure a bit because of how tight my legs are in the upper chamber already.”

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Keep in mind that Caine is an Olympian, which means he lifts weights at the highest level and has stronger legs than most of us. Still, this sizing issue is worth noting for anyone with larger-than-average thighs. 

For more, check out our in-depth review of the original Rapid Reboot Recovery System.

Best Compression Boots for Athletes: Reathlete Air-C Leg Massager

Good for: Individuals who need to customize the sizing at every part of their leg

Best for Athletes

Reathlete Air-C Leg Massager

GGR Score: 4.28

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Product Highlights

* Adjustable sizing throughout the leg * Very durable * Fits users of most sizes

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Adjustable velcro sizing
• Fits most users
• 4 compression levels
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Only available in one size
• No wireless option

Bottom Line

The Reathlete Air-C Leg Massager boots are a great choice for anyone who wants a truly customizable compression experience. There are multiple velcro straps to adjust the boots to your preferences, and 4 compression levels to choose from.

One potential drawback of compression boots is their adjustability. Many are shaped like one giant leg boot that zips up, and while you may be able to customize the compression, that’s about it. 

For athletes with large quads or anyone worried about the proportions of their legs, the Reathlete Air-C Leg Massager is an excellent choice. The boots can be adjusted with multiple Velcro straps along the leg, allowing customization throughout the entire leg. 

GGR editorial team member Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, has used these boots in her gym and is very impressed, especially with the adjustable sizing. She gave them a 4 out of 5 for sizing as they only come in one size, but that one size should fit most users. 

Kate said, “We have had a 5-foot, barely 100-pound person in them as well as competitive weightlifters who weigh north of 220. Everyone has fit inside them thanks to the adjustable Velcro straps on them.”

She added, “I think these are pretty decent for how affordable they are. I have also used the Normatec boots, and those are probably the top-of-the-line, best-you-can-find for compression. These boots still do the trick, though! I’ve used these on rest days and after heavy leg days, and I love them.”

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Normatec boots that can be sized to fit most legs, the Reathlete Air-C Leg Massagers are an excellent, more affordable choice. The normal price is $399, but we’ve seen them on sale for as low as $169.

Best Budget Compression Boots: FIT KING Leg Air Massager

Good for: Those who want recovery boots that won’t break the bank

Best Budget

Fit King Leg Air Massager

GGR Score: 4.05

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Product Highlights

* Small, portable design * Lower leg compression boot * Affordable product that’s often on sale

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very affordable
• Durable material
• Easy to use
• 3 compression levels

Cons

• Only fits the lower leg
• Only one size available

Bottom Line

The Fit King Leg Air Massager is a budget-friendly compression boot that’s great for home use. It only massages the lower leg, including the calf, ankle, and foot, but it is significantly cheaper than many full-leg competitors.

If you want a great pair of boots that won’t break the bank, the FIT KING Leg Air Massager is our top choice. With a list price of $129 that’s often on sale (we’ve seen it as low as $89), it’s priced to fit most budgets and significantly cheaper than most of the other options on our list.

However, with a low price, you are sacrificing some quality, most notably in the size. These boots are 16.8 inches tall and are only meant to cover the lower legs, so you won’t be able to enjoy compression on your entire leg. If most of your pain is in the feet, ankles, and calves, this is fine, but sore quads and glutes aren’t going to benefit from the FIT KING boots. 

That said, they do have three pressure settings and two massage modes, so if your feet are aching after a long day, you have plenty of ways to enjoy a relaxing foot massage. We also like the Velcro closure system, which allows you to make these as tight or loose as you want. 

These are very affordable and earn a 4 out of 5 for value. With over 19,000 reviews and an average score of 4.3 on Amazon, they’re both popular and loved by many. If you’re looking for an affordable way to try out compression therapy, the FIT KING Leg Air Massagers are a great choice.

Best Wireless Compression Boots: Hyperice Normatec Elite

Good for: Anyone who wants portable, wireless compression boots

Best Wireless

Hyperice Normatec Elite

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Portable air compression boots
• 7 levels of compression
• 4 hours of battery life
• Bluetooth-enabled controls
• Supposed benefits include decreasing muscle soreness, increased circulation, and improved recovery

Pros & Cons

Pros

• More portable than previous iterations
• 4-hour battery life
• Bluetooth connectivity

Cons

• Expensive piece of equipment
• Can't replace traditional hands-on massage from a professional

Bottom Line

The Normatec Elite boots are the latest iteration of air compression boots from Hyperice. These are more portable than previous versions and are controlled via the Hyperice app. You'll get a 4-hour battery life and 7 levels of compression with these boots to supposedly help recovery and muscle soreness.

The Normatec 3 boots were named the best overall, but if you’re looking for an upgraded version and are willing to spend a little extra, these are even better. 

The primary difference? The Normatec Elite is fully wireless. Each leg has an integrated control unit that’s ready to go right out of the box, so you don’t need to worry about a standalone control unit or air hoses.

No pesky cables or power cords are required; all you need to do is slip on the boots, and you’ll be ready to go. Our tester, Pete Nastasi, CPT, CNC, used these boots and was extremely impressed with the quality, particularly the battery life, which is always a concern with wireless products. 

The battery is meant to last for up to 4 hours, but Pete used the boots for 6 hours before he needed to charge them. Normatec Elite boots also earn a 5-out-of-5-star rating for durability and construction, with a premium feel and sleek design. He was also impressed with the ease of setup, saying he was able to open the box and start using them within 5 minutes.

If it sounds like the Normatec Elite is better than the Normatec 3, that’s because it is. However, it’s also going to cost more, which is why we didn’t name it the best overall. It’s great, but an extra $200 for wireless convenience isn’t necessary to experience Normatec quality. 

To read more about the Normatec Elite boots, be sure to check out our complete Normatec Elite review.

Other Compression Boots We Researched

We narrowed our list down to the top five boots, but there were a few more we considered that didn’t quite make the cut.

• Therabody RecoveryAir Pro: These look like high-quality boots, and we generally love Therabody products. However, the boots are significantly more expensive than most competitors, so we didn’t include them. 
• QUINEAR Leg Massager with Heat: The idea of adding heat to a compression boot sounds nice in theory, but several of our testers mentioned specifically using boots post-workout. If you’re already hot and sweaty, sliding into a hot compression boot may not be the most comfortable experience, so we went with standard, non-heated boots. 

How We Picked and Tested the Best Compression Boots

We didn’t simply browse a list of best-selling compression boots and put them on our list; we made sure to spend plenty of time using each pair. 

Several of these boots have been owned and used for years by our team members. For example, Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1, has owned his boots for 5 to 6 years now, which is plenty of time to test every feature. 

After testing, we used our equipment testing methodology to assign a score to each boot. Our methodology rates each product on a scale of 1 to 5 in the most important categories, like durability, technology, value, and customer experience. 

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Benefits of Compression Boots

Compression boots can be quite expensive, but depending on your health and wellness goals, they may be worth a try, especially if you find yourself suffering from chronically sore legs. Here are the two primary benefits you can expect when using air compression recovery tools.

Can Decrease Muscular Soreness

Delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is that painful feeling you experience a day or two after a tough workout. If you’ve ever felt great immediately after a leg workout, only to struggle to stand from a chair a day or two later, you can thank DOMS. 

Thankfully, several studies have shown that compression boots can reduce DOMS, like this 2021 research review¹ published in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. After examining the currently available literature on intermittent pneumatic compression, which is the technology used in compression boots, the authors found that compression had no impact on exercise-induced muscle damage.

However, they did say that compression may temporarily reduce soreness. While these boots don’t minimize muscular damage, reduce muscle fatigue, or promote faster recovery, they can certainly reduce the pain you may feel after a workout. 

RELATED: Post-Workout Recovery Myths

Can Improve Blood Flow 

Compression boots apply pressure throughout your leg, often in a pulsing manner, meant to simulate a leg massage. This pulsing compression can stimulate blood circulation throughout the leg, which is why many compression boot manufacturers suggest using them to warm up your legs before a workout. 

I couldn’t find any research supporting the benefits of using compression boots before a workout, but if they can relieve pain and improve blood flow through the leg, I don’t see any downsides to giving them a try. 

RELATED: 10 Tips to Speed Up Muscle Strain Recovery From a Physical Therapist

May Be HSA/FSA Eligible

If you’re on the fence about spending so much on compression boots, keep in mind that most can be purchased with an eligible FSA or HSA plan. 

If you’re not sure where to spend your HSA/FSA funds and want to indulge in a bit of self-care, leg compression boots are a great choice. There’s no reason you can’t buy them with your own money, of course, but we know many are always looking for creative ways to use those funds, and compression boots are a great choice. 

May Promote Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the body due to excess fluid from the lymph nodes, often in the lower limbs. Massage can be a great treatment option, but it’s not always convenient. 

Thankfully, regular treatment with compression devices has been shown to be safe and effective. This 2014 study² looked at the effectiveness of air compression in long-term lymphedema treatment in the legs. The authors found that compression therapy resulted in a permanent decrease in limb circumference, concluding that “long inflation timed therapy can be safely recommended to patients with lower limb lymphedema.”

What to Look For In Compression Boots

If you’re still unsure which boots to choose from our list or you’ve got your eyes on a different pair we didn’t include, here are a few of the most important things to consider before making your decision. 

Portability

Yes, when using recovery boots, you’ll be lying down and relaxing. However, if you travel a lot, you’ll still want a pair that’s easy to move around in. 

Many compression boots include a carrying case, but you’ll also want to consider the accessories. Do you need power cables? How long are the cords, and how bulky is the control unit?

If you’re mainly going to use these at home, this isn’t a huge deal. However, if you travel frequently and want your boots with you, or you’re taking them to and from the gym, portability absolutely matters. 

RELATED: Best Calf Compression Sleeves

Some models are also wireless, so if you don’t want to be bothered by cords at all (aside from charging), you may want to spend a little extra for a wireless set.

Sizing and Adjustability

Depending on your body’s shape, you may want to choose boots that allow you to make plenty of adjustments. 

While many boots are available in several sizes, that may still be an issue for some. For example, one of our testers is an Olympian with larger-than-average quads due to the number of years he spent training and the impressive amount of weight he can lift. He found that while his compression boots fit perfectly around his calves, they’re a bit snug in the thighs, and getting them on can be a challenge. 

If you regularly find that pants or leggings often have an unusual fit due to the shape or size of your legs, you’ll want to choose a pair of compression boots with plenty of adjustability.

Pricing

As with all purchases, your budget plays a large role in what you choose to buy. Compression boots can range from less than $100 to more than $1,000. While there are certainly differences in quality and features, ultimately, they all do the same thing. 

Many of the more expensive boots will have additional features not found in affordable options, like wireless technology, and they may be a bit more durable. However, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a more affordable pair and saving your money for something else.

We made sure to choose boots that fit a variety of budgets, and there’s no need to buy the most expensive pair on the market to see the benefits of using compression boots.  

Best Compression Boots: FAQs

References

1. Stedge, H. L., & Armstrong, K. (2021). The Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on the Reduction of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Endurance Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 30(4), 668–671. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0364
2. Zaleska, M., Olszewski, W. L., & Durlik, M. (2014). The effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in long-term therapy of lymphedema of lower limbs. Lymphatic research and biology, 12(2), 103–109. https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2013.0033

Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC

Matt is a writer and fitness coach who's been working in the fitness industry for 11 years. Before joining the GGR team, Matt was a freelance health and fitness writer for 11 years, writing for dozens of fitness websites, influencers, and wellness brands. He's also the author of three nutrition books published through Simon & Schuster. He currently lives in Las Vegas, NV.

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