The first time I ever tried on a pair of compression boots, I had just completed a 50k at Mt. Bachelor and my legs were hurting pretty good. As soon as I slid them on and pressed start, the pressure that collected on my legs felt like I was getting to scratch an itch that I had never been able to reach. I felt instant relief and I immediately began researching how much it would cost to buy a pair of my very own.
Unfortunately, it was way out of my price range.
That was close to a decade ago and fortunately, recovery is getting more affordable all the time. Companies like Nekteck understand that we need tools that will allow us to work hard and to help us recuperate quickly. I jumped at the chance to try a pair of their Cordless Air Compression Full Leg Boot Massagers, as I’m currently training for a very hilly marathon in September.
It’s certainly not getting any easier the longer I live in my body to get through the punishing “long run” days and “bounce back” is getting harder and harder too.
These could not have arrived at a better time in my life. I returned home after completing a 16 miler on massive hills to find the box waiting and I wasted zero time in getting the leg massagers up and pumping.
Compression boots are known to deliver pressure that will accelerate recovery and boost circulation. They revive and revitalize sore and tired limbs after they have been subjected to a tough workout. The boots push deoxygenated blood back to the heart and promote the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. Everyone should have access to this technology.
The best thing you’ll notice initially about Nekteck is that the cost will not break the bank. You can purchase just one leg massager if you want to save a little money, and all this means is you’ll have to massage your legs one at a time. It of course takes longer to do so, but it might be worth the time if it better fits your budget.
However, if you purchase a pair of them, it’s still pretty affordable to do so at only $220. This is basically the going rate for 2 professional massages and you don’t even need to leave your house or get naked in public.
The massagers are cordless so you can use them anywhere so long as they are charged. They come with standard charging cables, and a charge should last you over an hour which is more than enough time to get the job done. Everything fits easily into a small duffle bag which makes this product easy to travel with.
The Air Compression Boot Massagers are very simple to use. You place a leg into the boot, zip it up, and hold the power button for 2 seconds. The display screen on the boot will light up and you can adjust the mode, the intensity, and the duration with a quick press of a button. There’s a pause button too, just in case you need to stop mid-massage. The first time you use the massager, it will start you at the lowest intensity rating for the shortest time duration.
If you’ve never tried a pair of compression boots, the best way to describe them is to consider something like a blood pressure cuff for your entire foot and leg. Imagine that cuff getting really tight and then releasing, and then that cycle happening over and over.
When the power turns on, the boots will fill with air and get very tight around your entire leg and foot. It’s a very firm “hurts so good” hugging sensation. After a pause, the pressure will release and you’ll feel the blood flow. This tightening, pausing, and releasing will continue over and over again, depending on how long you’ve set your timer for.
There are 6 different compression massage modes to choose from, and you can even concentrate on a specific area (your foot, calf, thigh, or entire leg and foot).
There are 4 intensity levels (anywhere from 50 to 200 mmHg) and 3 timer settings (10, 20, or 30 minutes). The memory function will default to your last used setting every time you turn it on. Also worth noting is that there are a few size options for the boots depending on how tall your legs are (I am 5’-4” and was sent a size medium).
After using the Nekteck compression boots for the first time, I was able to go on a 3.5 mile walk with no pain, even after those 16 miles of unforgiving hills. Though I can’t guarantee these results to everyone, I can say that I am a big believer and am planning on using my boots after every long run until the day I die.
