Recovery Boots?

[Gemini]

There was only one thread sort of about this topic but it was only focused on one brand -- Normatec. The market has since expanded to a number of different options but I wanted to see if anyone has an experience.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience with using recovery boots? The usage seems to be becoming more prolific with pro athletes and I was wondering if anyone here is using them with any sort of regularity?

A bit of the backstory as to why I'm thinking about them. Prior to the pandemic, my tennis was already restricted to about 2 times a week. Work/family commitments. I was in the gym doing overall conditioning work but my legs for some reason always seemed to lag in recovery. Of course for several months during the pandemic there was no tennis and no gym access. Now that things are pretty open, between the gym and general hitting, the wear and tear on my legs (among other body parts) is increasing. Even when I was playing regularly, 4 to 5 times a week, my legs are the one part of my body that, even stretching and self-massage, seemed to not recover as quickly as I would like. Now with just 2 days of hitting and 2 days in the gym, recovery is really lagging.

I know lack of conditioning is part of the issue but I wondering if recovery boots would add any value to my training/competing from a recovery perpsective. Any thoughts?

P.S. -- I thought about reviving the dead Normatec thread from 2014/2017 but it seems to have already gone somewhat off topic. And given the market has gotten broader, I thought it might be worth a new thread.

 

[WildVolley]

Those seem quite expensive.

I believe an active cool-down workout (active stretching, rolling, bodyweight exercises) would be a more efficient and effective way of moving lymph fluid to encourage workout recovery. Or if you have access to a masseuse, that would help your recovery.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Pro athletes now a days get full massages after their play or heavy workout.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

There was a guy in the "shoes section" who had stinky shoes and was going to freeze them.
So, I started thinking why not keep an extra pair of cold (tennis?) shoes in your bag- on a hot day it could help
bring your temperature down, and may help with fatigue- and it is cheep!

 

[atatu]

I bought the Normatecs when they went on sale...love them but I have noticed there are other less expensive options now. The Kingsfield boots look pretty good.

 

[Gemini]

@atatu -- A lot of competitors to the Normatecs have surfaced in recent years. The Kingsfield boots were at the top of my list mainly because of price versus claimed features -- $400. I went ahead an pulled the trigger and should receive them (Kingsfield) today. I'm already engaging in active recovery as time/space allows but I hoping the boots enhance my routine as well as giving it a bit more flexibility.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Is either Normatecs or Kingsfield are approved by the FDA? I don't think either of them is approved by the FDA.

CompexUSA, on the other hand, is approved by the FDA and it is better than Normatecs and Kingsfield, IMHO. CompexUSA uses electric pulse to warm-up and recovery of muscle, and with STENS too. Roger Federer & Nishikori used Compex when they were younger.

For anything that requires more, I just go to get a massage and cryotherapy.

 

[atatu]

Is either Normatecs or Kingsfield are approved by the FDA? I don't think either of them is approved by the FDA.

CompexUSA, on the other hand, is approved by the FDA and it is better than Normatecs and Kingsfield, IMHO. CompexUSA uses electric pulse to warm-up and recovery of muscle, and with STENS too. Roger Federer & Nishikori used Compex when they were younger.

For anything that requires more, I just go to get a massage and cryotherapy.

Is cryotherapy approved by the FDA ? No, but that doesn't mean it isn't effective for some people. It would be great if I could afford to get a massage every week, but unfortunately I don't have that kind of money.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Is either Normatecs or Kingsfield are approved by the FDA? I don't think either of them is approved by the FDA.

CompexUSA, on the other hand, is approved by the FDA and it is better than Normatecs and Kingsfield, IMHO. CompexUSA uses electric pulse to warm-up and recovery of muscle, and with STENS too. Roger Federer & Nishikori used Compex when they were younger.

For anything that requires more, I just go to get a massage and cryotherapy.

Hmmm, so is this a food or is it a drug?


How long has the FDA been in the medical devices arena? Does the CompexUSA device(s) have a Cleared status, Approved status or Granted status?

FDA Cleared vs Approved vs Granted for Medical Devices

Ever wonder what FDA cleared vs approved vs granted actually mean? Learn the subtle yet important differences between these regulatory terms.

www.greenlight.guru

 

[Gemini]

Is cryotherapy approved by the FDA ? No, but that doesn't mean it isn't effective for some people. It would be great if I could afford to get a massage every week, but unfortunately I don't have that kind of money.

Agreed. There's a level of practicality that comes into play. A person has to weigh his/her own time and resources when it comes to choosing modalities. If I got a massage after every match, hitting and gym session, I'd have already surpassed the cost of the recovery boots in 2 weeks. And a massage is luxury for me, not a necessity. The investment in at home tools is purely an attempt to bridge the gap as much as possible.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Anyone here used these boots/systems for peripheral neuropathy or edema?

 

[atatu]

@atatu -- A lot of competitors to the Normatecs have surfaced in recent years. The Kingsfield boots were at the top of my list mainly because of price versus claimed features -- $400. I went ahead an pulled the trigger and should receive them (Kingsfield) today. I'm already engaging in active recovery as time/space allows but I hoping the boots enhance my routine as well as giving it a bit more flexibility.

@Gemini how are the Kingsfield boots working out ?

 

[Gemini]

@Gemini how are the Kingsfield boots working out ?

@atatu -- So far the experience with the Kingsfield boots has been totally positive. Since I don't have any experience with other recovery boots as a point of comparison, I can only share what I like about the Kingsfields after 8 sessions since receiving them.

1. There's a large range of pressures and honestly I haven't found the need to use anything beyond the lowest end. Full disclosure -- not knowing what the pressure was going to be like, in the first use, I set the pressure midway and the constriction was way more intense that I was expecting. I quickly released the pressure and started at the lowest setting and moved up just slightly from there. Based on my initial reaction, I don't think I'll ever say that the system didn't generate enough pressure.

2. It has 3 modes --single flush, double flush, full flush. These modes in combination with the large pressure range gives a lot of room for targeted recovery options.

3. The whole system is fairly compact with its own carrying case. The controls are pretty straightforward as well. It takes no more than 2 to 3 minutes to unpack, set up and begin using.

In combination with the other modalities that I've been using (rolling, cooldown stretching), the Kingsfield boots have much improved my next day recovery it seems. I'm noticeably less tight and my legs are definitely more energetic after each use. I think the boots have even helped me get over my "runner's itch" hurdle which was pretty annoying.

 

[Ryebread]

I got the normatec 2.0 boots and arms last month.

 

[Scoop]

I got the normatec 2.0 boots and arms last month.

Feedback? Likes and dislikes? Do they help? Worth the elevated cost?

 

[Ryebread]

Feedback? Likes and dislikes? Do they help? Worth the elevated cost?

There was or is a sale
They aren’t cheap
But I play 5-8x a week
I am in my mid 40’s


The boots are amazing
I think they are quite helpful
I REALLY like laying in bed and doing a long 30 min session while watching tv or reading.
I also have done quicker 10-15 sessions while sitting in my office - at my computer, catching up with work - after a match.

I think you could use the boots on your arms too- I’ve done it a few times. But eventually got the arm pieces. They are just ok IMO.

But it’s probably a matter of preference……
I really don’t have much arm pain ever. But my legs and feet were always aching. I notice less aches now, for sure.

 

[atatu]

There was or is a sale
They aren’t cheap
But I play 5-8x a week
I am in my mid 40’s


The boots are amazing
I think they are quite helpful
I REALLY like laying in bed and doing a long 30 min session while watching tv or reading.
I also have done quicker 10-15 sessions while sitting in my office - at my computer, catching up with work - after a match.

I think you could use the boots on your arms too- I’ve done it a few times. But eventually got the arm pieces. They are just ok IMO.

But it’s probably a matter of preference……
I really don’t have much arm pain ever. But my legs and feet were always aching. I notice less aches now, for sure.

I don't know about you but if I use my Normatecs before bed, I almost always fall asleep in them, wake up and unzip them and then sleep very well.

 

[Ryebread]

I don't know about you but if I use my Normatecs before bed, I almost always fall asleep in them, wake up and unzip them and then sleep very well.

I know that feeling. Yes. Extremely relaxing.

 

[catch89]

I own both Normatec and Air Relax and quality are the same and both FDA approved. Normatec is around 3X more expensive... they probably need the money to pay high profile athletes to promote their brand. I like the Air Relax classic better as it has a tighter squeeze option. I got the Air Relax from a dealer at 10% off their website price for being an athlete.

Scenarios where it benefited us most...

1. My daughter at a Tennis tournament... morning match of the day, 3 tiebreak sets played for 3.5 hrs. She'd normally withdraw from her next match but with the recovery boots after the match, she's recovered enough for her next match in the afternoon.
2. Daughter practices 3-5 hours a day and the boots helped her get ready for next day's practice.
3. We take it to vacation trips that involves a lot of daily hiking or climbing. Boots at night and legs are refreshed for next day's hike.
4. When we're out all day standing or walking, boot session kept us going to do some house chores.

 

[Ryebread]

Still loving my boots!

 

[tennis3]

Anyone here used these boots/systems for peripheral neuropathy or edema?

I used boots when I shoveled pig manure. Worked great. $10 at Wal-Mart

 

[johnmccabe]

I own both Normatec and Air Relax and quality are the same and both FDA approved. Normatec is around 3X more expensive... they probably need the money to pay high profile athletes to promote their brand. I like the Air Relax classic better as it has a tighter squeeze option. I got the Air Relax from a dealer at 10% off their website price for being an athlete.

Scenarios where it benefited us most...

1. My daughter at a Tennis tournament... morning match of the day, 3 tiebreak sets played for 3.5 hrs. She'd normally withdraw from her next match but with the recovery boots after the match, she's recovered enough for her next match in the afternoon.
2. Daughter practices 3-5 hours a day and the boots helped her get ready for next day's practice.
3. We take it to vacation trips that involves a lot of daily hiking or climbing. Boots at night and legs are refreshed for next day's hike.
4. When we're out all day standing or walking, boot session kept us going to do some house chores.

This post convinced me to get one. both my son and I use it frequently.