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If you've ever been on your feet all day and your calves felt like two sandbags, you know how tough it can be to find relief. I'm a marathon runner, so I know it well. Training blocks mean high mileage, and calves take a beating on every mile. I've tried foam rollers, massage guns, stretching, and my favorite maneuver: lying with my legs up against the wall.
This week's upgrade is the first recovery tool that seems to do all the work for me, and hey—after a long run, I'm not complaining. It's my first foray into compression boots: the Hyperice Normatec Go.
How the Normatec Go compression boots work
The Normatec Go is a pair of wearable compression sleeves that wrap around your calves and give you a dynamic air compression massage. Hyperice describes it as a fully portable version of its Normatec line, which pro athletes and recovery rooms have used for years.
The sleeves inflate and deflate in a pulsing pattern (as opposed to just squeezing constantly). Hyperice calls this compression "gapless": There are three overlapping zones of 360-degree compression working through the calf. In theory, the wave of pressure helps push fluid and blood through your lower legs, which is why Hyperice says the massage increases circulation and reduces tension and swelling.
Hyperice also points out that the calf is often called the body's "second heart" because it helps push blood back up from your lower legs. That matches my experience: After a long run, calves are where the heaviness and tightness show up first.
Why I recommend these compression boots
The biggest upgrade over traditional compression boots is that you don't need to set up a whole system. You strap on the sleeves, open the app, pick an intensity, and relax. I've worn them at my desk, on the couch, and while answering emails after a long run. I show up to my next run feeling fresher, and for a marathon runner, that's the whole point of recovery.
A few features make the experience better:
Seven compression levels (40 to 200 mmHg), so you can go gentle after an easy run or firm after a long one
The two sleeves always stay in sync for a symmetrical massage
Bluetooth control through the Hyperice app, so you adjust everything from your phone
1.2 pounds total, and TSA friendly, so they can travel with you
Hyperice recommends sessions of about 20 to 30 minutes. You can go up to 60 after a tough workout, or use a shorter 15- to 20-minute session at medium intensity before a run to warm up your legs.
The Normatec Go costs $379. Full-size compression boots that cover your whole leg usually run well over $1,000, so that's a big difference. These only cover the calves, but if calves are where you need relief, you don't have to pay for coverage you won't use. They're also FSA/HSA eligible.
At the same time, the obvious limitation is that these are for calves only. I suppose it's a testament to the product that I've never been more tempted to spring for full-size boots, so that my quads and hamstrings can experience the same treatment.
The battery life also leaves something to be desired. Hyperice claims they last three hours per charge, but in my experience, you're better off charging between every hour or so of use.
If you're training for a race, spending long days on your feet, or just tired of tight, heavy calves, the Normatec Go is the upgrade I'd recommend. I can't imagine my recovery routine without it now.