No matter your fitness level, recovery should always be a word in your vocabulary. That’s because proper recovery helps ensure the body is able to not only repair itself but also bounce back stronger and better. One recovery method that folks are gravitating toward is compression therapy, which is a treatment used to help improve blood flow in the lower legs and is propagated through things like compression stockings, bandages and wraps and/or inflatable devices. The Hyperice Normatec Go, which falls into the last category, makes it that much easier for everyday athletes to enjoy this type of compression therapy as part of their at-home or on-the-go recovery routine.
As someone who is a fan of full-leg Normatec compression boots — I’ve used them at physical therapy on numerous occasions as well as at JFK Airport’s Amex Centurion Lounge when I have some extra time to spare, and at events like race-day expos — I was stoked for the opportunity to test this travel-ready version. The box they arrived in was no bigger than a boot shoebox, and inside were two durable, nylon compression sleeves measuring 25 inches by 12 inches by 1 inch and weighing in at a combined weight of 1.2 pounds. Also included were two nonremovable batteries inside the sleeves, a 5V charger that has a double USB port so that you can charge both simultaneously and two USB cords. On the battery pack, there are four LED lights to indicate how much of a charge there is — similar to an?external battery like a power bank or the one that comes in the Away suitcase. Both sleeves had four of the five battery indication dots charged on arrival, but per the manual instructions, I charged the Normatec Go fully, which took about 2 hours. I did notice that one sleeve finished charging a full 15 minutes quicker than the other.
As the Normatec Go was charging, I downloaded the Hyperice companion app. And while the app does offer some cool features — hands-free usage; a list of activities that you engage in frequently so Hyperice can recommend the best recovery routines for you; and some recovery-targeted content reads — you can still use the compression sleeves through the manual controls on the device.
Once they were fully charged, I wrapped the Hyperice Normatec Go compression sleeves around my lower legs for the first of many times over about a six-week period. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Hyperice Normatec Go is a portable version of the company’s popular full-leg compression boots. Simple to charge and easy to put on and use, it’s controlled via the free app or manually. Though it’s on the pricey side, it pays for itself if you use it regularly.
What we liked about it
Pairing is easy
After downloading the app on your smartphone or tablet, which only takes a few seconds, you click on the device you have — the Hyperice Normatec Go. You then need to make sure both sleeves are turned on and close to your smartphone or tablet so that the Bluetooth can pair. (FYI: The sleeves are paired with each other on arrival.)?If the devices are not close enough or Bluetooth is not turned on, you’ll get a notice that says “searching for devices” and then subsequently “no devices were found nearby.” If the devices are charging, you won’t be able to pair them either. When the app detects the Normatec Go, you will see a picture of each sleeve, along with their names (each sleeve has an individual name), the word “connected” and a green checkmark. You’ll also see a “continue” button. Once you click on it, the app again shows you that the Normatec Go is connected, as well as the intensity level and the time, which you can adjust.
If you’d rather not use the app, that’s fine too. Each sleeve features its own control panel, which is super intuitive. The app also has alternate features, including the ability to connect to other health apps (think Strava,?Apple Health, Whoop and Garmin), links to the most-used recovery routines across all Hyperice devices and general content on topics such as plantar fasciitis, injury and better sleep.
There’s serious compression
I’ve never been a fan of?a “delicate” massage, so it’s no surprise that I spent a lot of time with these compression sleeves on level 7.?But even with these sleeves on a lower setting, the Normatec Go still manages to pack a lot of power, thanks to the three compartments that fill with air and tighten around the calf, then release at regular intervals. While the device is?“heavy-handed” (in a good way), it is also super soothing. The pressure these boots provided was a godsend to my muscles after more than one jaunt on my Peloton Bike+, a long run, a leg-heavy workout or even just a full day of walking around the city. Some nights, I even made the Normatec Go part of my get-ready-for-sleep ritual, using them while lying in bed and doing a five- to 10-minute meditation.
They’re super portable
These 25-inch-by-12-inch-by-1-inch air compression sleeves take up minimal space, and they can easily be laid flat or rolled to fit into a large purse, gym bag, carry-on suitcase or heck, even your race-day plastic baggie, making them perfect for on-the-go use. I carried them with me on an Amtrak ride as well as on a Delta flight with no issues. Together, they also only weigh a little over 1 pound, so you won’t really feel like you are lugging around an extra load. You also don’t have to worry about extensive charging cords, as there are only two USB-C chargers that connect to a single dual-port wall charger. Plus, they?aren’t noisy, which is a bonus if you are using them outside your home. The Normatec Go has more of a constant melodic hum that, for me, felt like background noise rather than something more distracting.
What we didn’t like about it
Velcro closure is too secure
While I like that once the Normatec Go is in place, it’s not going anywhere — no slipping down the leg, no movement whatsoever — I find the Velcro closure, which runs the entire length of the sleeve and is the width of an iPhone 11 (no judgments!) turned horizontally, to be, well, a bit too locked in place. So whether you stick it together incorrectly at first or are trying to take the darn sleeve off, you are really going to have to use your arm muscles.?I’ll admit that on more than one occasion, if someone was with me while I was using the Normatec Go, I would have them help me pull the Velcro apart so that I could unravel them from my legs.
Battery life is less than promised
While these compression sleeves tout up to 3 hours of battery life, I can’t say I ever reached the three-hour mark. I would typically do two 15-minute sessions at a level 7 intensity level with every use, which theoretically should have netted 12 total sessions per sleeve. I would say, on average, it was more?like seven to nine sessions before the LCD monitor read “Low Battery, Please Charge.” If I changed the intensity, that would extend the battery life a bit more. Plus, one sleeve always seemed to lose its charge at a much quicker pace than the other, even though I always charged both fully at the same time. Also, when they are paired together through the Hyperice app, if one sleeve’s battery is on E and the other’s is not, the app will allow each sleeve to cycle through a final compression session before cutting off and alerting you to recharge the batteries.
The price
As important as self-care and recovery are, we have to admit that when it comes with a $399 price tag, it may make you do a double take. In other words, you may see the Normatec Go as a luxury item — something nice-to-have but not essential. That means if you are going to make the investment — which is a good one since there are small studies that tout the benefits such as enhanced blood flow and reduction in soreness — you should also make sure that you are putting these on more than just once every couple of months.
How it compares
There is no shortage of quality compression sleeves lining the shelves these days, but depending on what you are looking for, the Normatec Go may or may not be your best choice. For example, the completely wireless Therabody RecoveryPulse Calf is a less expensive option, ringing in more than $100 cheaper than the $399 Normatec Go. What’s more, you don’t have to purchase these as a pair. For just $149, you can buy a single sleeve. Price aside, the Therabody RecoveryPulse Calf is a slip-on sleeve rather than a wrap style like the Normatec Go and only has a 45-minute life span. But it does come in multiple sizes (XS-XL), is sweat resistant and machine-washable (with battery removed) and offers three vibration modes.
A more economical option, at just $80 (and often on sale for less), is the Cincom Leg Massager; however, this is also way more cumbersome. Unlike other compression/massage devices, the sleeves on the Cincom, which offers two massage modes and three intensities, are tethered to each other as well as to a remote control. The Homedics Real Relief Calf Compression Massager is another value buy at $100, offering five intensities, four compression programs and 2 hours of compression and massaging time. What sets this device apart, though, is that there are heat settings too, and research shows that heat can help if you’re experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
If you are fine with your compressive sleeves being a tad bit bulkier, the Hammacher Schlemmer Cordless Circulation-Improving Calf Wraps may be an option. This cordless option, which you wrap around the lower calf, is about $200 cheaper than the Normatec Go but still offers multiple intensity levels as well as charging via a USB port. There is also the Spryng Wireless Leg Compression Calf Wraps 2.0. Yet another streamlined option, and apparently one that is the official partner of the USA Triathlon, the Spryng wraps are wireless and rechargeable, use graduated pressure to help legs recover and come with their own carrying case. Like the Normatec Go, you can adjust the intensity and mode with the buttons at the top of the wraps or through its companion app.
Bottom line
As someone who believes massages are a big part of self-care and often has my therapists focus on my lower body, these compression sleeves are akin to having a masseuse with you at all times. Now, I can’t pretend it’s an exact substitute for someone laying their hands on you, but it is a pretty good stand-in for helping to refresh legs by easing tired, sore and tight calf muscles.
Yes, they are on the pricey side at $399, but if you are using them regularly, you’ll get your money’s worth. Plus, according to the Hyperice website, these are FSA/HSA eligible. The only place where this gadget does fall short is that it leaves you wanting more. Sure, my calves felt great, which arguably is the point. The website says that they are built to “flush out and rejuvenate your lower body”?and also notes that “the calf muscle is often considered the second heart as it plays an important role within the circulatory system of the body.” That said, my thighs were a little jealous and made me wish that I had the much pricier Normatec 3 Legs ($799), which are full-leg compression boots. Other than that, though, everything else about it — its portability, ease of use, the fact that I could use a single sleeve and wasn’t tied to using them both every single time and overall effectiveness — is a thumbs-up in my book.
