Highly Anticipated Nike and Hyperice Recovery Boot Delivers on Expectations - Priced at $900
Modern Athletic Recovery - From Normatec Legs to Hyperboots
The period between 2015 and 2020 marked a significant shift in the athletic recovery landscape. Gone were the days when a grueling workout or a long run didn't lead to a session with a Normatec Legs or a massage gun. In 2025, athletes of all calibers, from pros to amateurs across various sports, consider recovery an essential part of their training routine. This shift is reflected in the new tech and tools accessible to athletes, like Normatec boots, Hyperice massage guns, and now, the Hyperboot.
The Hyperboot, a collaborative effort between Nike and Hyperice, aims to offer a unique blend of comfort, support, and recovery benefits for the foot and ankle. While it resembles a recovery shoe, its design is more akin to a compression boot, tailored for specific recovery support in the foot and ankle.
Hyperice x Nike Hyperboot - A Sophisticated Recovery Tool
The Hyperboot offers an invigorating post-workout experience, but its price tag of $899 might leave some questioning its value.
Pros
- Delivers a wonderfully refreshing sensation
- Easy setup and use
- Approved for carry-on travel by the TSA
Cons
- Bulky and somewhat peculiar appearance
- Expensive compared to other recovery tools
What Do Hyperboots Do and Why Do They Look So Unusual?
The Hyperboot's distinct appearance might make you think it belongs on an astronaut's moonwalk, but this isn't far from the truth. While many sports enthusiasts have grown accustomed to oversized running shoes, the Hyperboot takes the cake. The bulkiness comes from the built-in air compression technology similar to what is found in Normatec boots. This technology, known as intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), uses air pumps and chambers to inflate and deflate in a series, increasing blood flow and the movement of lymphatic fluid for better circulation and waste removal during rest periods.
The unique addition to the Hyperboot is heat, which, when combined with compression, maximizes blood flow and fluid movement while promoting relaxation.
The Hyperboot Experience
After two weeks of testing the Hyperboot, I must admit I can't hate them. Wearing them before and after every run, ranging from easy three-to-five-mile runs, interval workouts, and an 8-mile weekend run, I found myself looking forward to my workouts. The feeling of "fresh legs" these devices create is undeniably pleasurable. The Hyperboot lived up to this reputation, but the presence of heat made it feel like stepping into a therapeutic foot spa minus the messy water setup and cleanup.
The setup of the boots is straightforward, with USB-C cords used for charging, and four buttons for control: on/off, compression, heat, and start/stop. The compression and heat settings can be adjusted to three levels of intensity. Once turned on, the boots compress around the feet, and pressing the start/stop button initiates the sequential compressions and heat cycles.
While the intense compressions didn't bother me, the heat became unbearable at its highest setting. In contrast, the lowest setting provided a soothing and refreshing sensation.
How Hyperboots Compare to Normatec Legs
Compared to the Normatec Legs or similar compression sleeves from other brands, the Hyperboot offers a more targeted compression to the ankle. While both devices can aid in improving circulation and reducing muscle soreness, the addition of heat in the Hyperboot enhances the overall recovery experience.
Do Hyperboots Actually Expedite Recovery? What Does the Science Say?
The Hyperboot undoubtedly provides a relaxing and rejuvenating foot and ankle experience, but its benefits beyond that are debatable. Initially developed to prevent blood clots in bedridden patients, compression devices like the Hyperboot aim to mimic the effects of walking, improving blood flow and promoting lymphatic drainage.
In the athletic community, the original Normatec Legs were introduced as a means to help with post-operative lymphedema in breast cancer patients. While these devices may have some benefits in this context, there is limited evidence to suggest they significantly aid in athletic recovery beyond what can be achieved through regular exercise.
Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of compression boots, with mixed results. Some studies indicate that compression devices offer minimal benefits in terms of reducing muscle soreness and muscle damage, while others suggest they can offer a slight improvement in recovery. However, it's important to note that the Hyperboot is a relatively new product, so further research is needed to establish its specific benefits.
In conclusion, the Hyperboot provides a pleasant and relaxing foot recovery experience. If the benefits it offers can be achieved through less expensive methods, such as walking, it may not be worth the $900 price tag, despite its appealing features.
- In the future, athletes might find the Hyperboot, a novel collaboration between Nike and Hyperice, as an essential tool in their recovery routine, much like the Normatec Legs and massage guns are now.
- As technology continues to evolve, sports enthusiasts may look forward to reviews of gadgets like the Hyperboot from recognized tech outlets such as Gizmodo.
- The integration of technology in sports gear is not limited to the Hyperboot's unique air compression technology; future advancements in technology might lead to innovations in sports equipment that could have an impact on athletic performance, similar to the ways in which Hyperboots and Normatec Legs have influenced the recovery landscape.
