Normatec Elite

The verdict

The Elite puts Normatec's compression pumps inside the boots themselves, so there are no hoses and no box on the floor. You zip in, press the button on each boot and lie down. It sounds like a small change, but it is the difference between using boots every night and leaving them in the cupboard.

The massage is the same as the Normatec 3: five zones per leg, seven intensity levels and ZoneBoost for whichever muscle needs it most. Each boot has its own pump and controls. HyperSync keeps both legs in step, or you can run separate sessions on each leg.

They are heavier than the hosed version and the price is steep. If you already own Normatec 3s, there is no reason to upgrade. If you're buying your first boots and the budget stretches, this is the one to get.

“The most convenient boots on the shelf, at a price that needs its own recovery.”