When you know players like Virgil Van Dijk swear by recovery tech, you tend to take note, so when I heard he uses the Hyperice x Nike Hyperboot as part of his warm-up and recovery routine before and after games, I wanted to test these sought-after recovery boots for myself.
Of course, it's a Hyperice and Nike collab, so the boots look darn good. But are they really as great as I've been told? I wanted to find out.
Recently, I've been exploring the best massage guns and alternative recovery tools in a bid to ramp up my recovery routine after weightlifting, Pilates, and yoga. I just couldn't say no to this opportunity, and I've already clocked a few things I like and dislike along the way.
Here are three reasons I'm hooked, and two areas I think could use improvement.
What are the Hyperice x Nike Hyperboots?
Like the famous Hyperice Normatec sleeves, the recovery Hyperboots combine heat and compression to boost recovery and reduce soreness; Liverpool FC and Netherlands player Virgil Van Dijk is a huge fan and ambassador.
Using a boot design, the recovery tech can effectively target the ankles, feet and Achilles tendons, helping to improve range of motion, warm the joints and muscles before exercise and aid soreness and recovery post-game or training session.
The Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot is available globally and retails for $799/ £699, including a USB charging cable.
I did a little digging into research on heat application for recovery, as the surge in recovery trends like saunas, contrast therapy, infrared sauna blankets and heat pads continues to gain traction for exercise recovery and boosting athletic performance.
Multiple studies, like this one on local heat therapy, show that heat application can improve blood flow to the area, increasing vasodilation and reducing the onset of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS, and stiffness.
There's also research showing the benefits of compression, which can mitigate both muscle strength and power decline following exercise-induced muscle fatigue. This can be the case for trained and untrained people; in this piece of research, trained individuals benefited most, making it a promising tool for recovery, particularly when paired with heat therapy.
And what's more, these tools are becoming more accessible for at-home use, although it'll cost you. Here's what I think so far after testing the Nike x Hyperice Hyperboots.
Like 1: They're powerful
These Hyperboots don't mess around. There are three settings to choose from on the sides of the boots, allowing you to tailor the heat and compression to your personal preferences. All you have to do is hit play once you've chosen your settings.
On full whack, I had to reduce the heat because it was so strong, which isn't a bad thing, as I find some heat therapy devices can be tepid, but be warned that they come in hot. I recommend starting on just one bar, then moving up from there.
The compression was also great, covering my feet, ankles and lower leg up to roughly half of my shins and calves. I'm impressed by the coverage and the bang for your buck.
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Like 2: They look good and they're easy to use
I had no doubts that any Nike and Hyperice collab would produce a good-looking product, and the Hyperice x Nike Hyperboots don't disappoint. They look a bit like moon boots, but they're super easy to put on and secure, and I personally love the design: chic, understated and a little bit soccer-boot-esque.
I also loved that I could walk about if I needed to, unlike compression leg sleeves, where you're rooted to one spot for the duration of the compression therapy. They're also quite flexible and attach with a wraparound Velcro strap, so you can get in and out easily enough with very little fuss.
Like 3: I can feel them working in real time
Not only is it a relaxing form of recovery, but my ankles feel less stiff after running and the heat is definitely improving the overall range of motion. Plus, it's super relaxing and my ankles and feet feel better prepped for yoga sessions and weightlifting.
I like the versatility of the boots as well, as I can slip them on before or after training, or even as a relaxing bedtime routine at night while I'm winding down (and not scrolling on my phone, promise).
On cooler days, I can see the attraction of getting heat delivered directly to your joints and muscles, helping speed up the warm-up and recovery processes. After all, we never want to approach exercise without warming the joints and muscles first.
Whether or not I will notice any long-term improvements is yet to be seen, and I'll update you once I've been testing for longer. But for short-term effectiveness, I'm loving the Hyperboots so far and the benefits are immediate.
Dislike 1: Heat strength
It's not exactly a dislike, but I found the highest heat setting to be incredibly intense and I didn't have much warning that the Hyperboot heat could be so powerful. I'd rather be looking at too much heat so I can reduce it than not enough, but I just encourage anyone trying them for the first time to be mindful of the setting options, as, combined with the compression, that heat is pressing directly into your lower limbs.
Dislike 2: Sizing
I'm a UK size 3 foot and found the boots hard to secure close to my feet. That said, the compression was still strong enough for me on the highest setting, so it didn't matter too much.
I suggest taking note of the sizing options, which range from S (UK size 5) to XXL (UK size 15). I could have done with a little extra compression around the mid and forefoot, as I'm a fan of intense sports massages and love nothing more than feeling the pressure release along my arches, but this is a minor gripe for an otherwise pretty powerful recovery product, making it well worth the price tag, in my opinion.
Verdict
All in all, I'm so impressed by the Hyperboots and I can see why even the most elite soccer players are using them. Powerful compression, even more powerful heat therapy, and you've got yourself a wonder boot that is quick, easy and effective, whether you're on the go, competing at a high level, or just sitting at home (like me) needing some TLC.
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