Therabody Vs. Normatec: Comparing These 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.