I put Therabody's affordable recovery boots to test and I prefer them over pricier models

Compression boots are everywhere these days; at HYROX events, on Jennifer Aniston’s Instagram, and are a popular recovery tool amongst athletes. I personally think they’re the best recovery tool on the market, however, many models are big, bulky, and aren’t cheap. Enter Therabody’s JetBoots Prime.

The brand’s entry-level recovery boots are lightweight, compact and super simple to use with no confusing apps, external hoses or weighty control units. While their price tag still may not be ‘cheap’ they’re certainly the most affordable recovery boots the brand has launched, which is pretty exciting as Therabody tech is always top-notch.

I strapped myself into these beginner-friendly boots for two weeks to see how they leveled up compared to pricier models and if they gave my legs the TLC they needed after my weightlifting workouts.

Therabody JetBoots Prime: Price and availability

Therabody launched the JetBoots Prime in September 2024. They are available to buy now directly from Therabody UK and Therabody US for a recommended retail price of £449/$499—the most affordable compression boots the brand has launched. Inside the box you’ll also receive a charger and a drawstring bag to store them in when not in use.

Therabody JetBoots Prime: What’s new?

Therabody JetBoots Prime: How do they work?

Similar to Therabody’s RecoveryAir JetBoots, the JetBoots Prime are also wireless with built-in pumps and an integrated control panel attached to the boots. But, whereas the RecoveryAir JetBoots have two control units—one on each boot—the JetBoots Prime only has one, which controls both boots. I personally prefer this, it’s easier and means less bulk, so the boots are lighter and easier to transport. However, those who like to run different cycles on each leg won't.

Another change that makes the boots easier to transport is the fact they’re attached together, as opposed to being individual. Again, I preferred this, as it made moving the boots around my house much easier and, when it came to putting them away, you could just fold them up like a pair of trousers—faffing around with two single boots is too much hassle for my liking. Overall, the boots are lighter and much more portable.

Therabody JetBoots Prime: Ease of use

Whereas previous compression boots use external hoses to pump air into the boots and have a separate control unit, all of this is integrated into the JetBoots Prime. This means you essentially just have a pair of boots with no other bits and bobs to faff over.

According to Therabody, the JetBoots Prime have a new, built-in pump system with four overlapping pressure chambers that inflates both boots at the same time for precise treatment on both legs. Pneumatic compression devices are a form of compression therapy that use an air pump to provide targeted pressure to a cuffed area.

The process is said to help increase blood flow and boost circulation, helping to optimise recovery and reduce muscle fatigue. The boots also use Therabody’s ‘TruGrade Technology’, which Therabody says “delivers safe, precise compression sequentially up the legs to optimise circulation”.

I always try and test products without immediately reaching for the instructions so that I can get a real feel of how easy they are to navigate, and the JetBoots Prime are really easy. It’s a good thing too, because no instructions came in the box.

The control panel features four intuitive buttons: a stopwatch to set treatment duration, a play/pause button to start/stop treatment, a boot icon to adjust compression level, and a power button to turn the boots on and off.

Just like the RecoveryAir JetBoots, there are four compression modes (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and four timeframes (20, 40, 60 minutes and infinity) to choose from. To select your compression level, you just press the button to cycle through the four options, and you do the same with the stopwatch to set your desired treatment time. You hit ‘start’ then sit back and relax!

Therabody JetBoots Prime: Recovery performance

After my strength training sessions, which included heavy deadlifts and front squats, I’d strap into the JetBoots Prime to give my legs some much-needed relief. After one particularly grueling deadlift session, my legs were in agony, so I wore the boots for 20 minutes at 70%. While I felt slightly better the next day, I was still sore. I knew it wasn’t a miracle fix, so I persisted. The following day, I used them again at 100% for 40 minutes, and by the time I hit my front squats, my legs felt so much better. I think the key is to be consistent and use them very soon, if not immediately, after your training whilst the muscles are still warm.

A standout feature of the JetBoots Prime is how much quieter they are in comparison to other compression boots. I’d recently reviewed the Normatec Premier boots and, when I wore these, I’d have to turn the TV up quite a lot because they were pretty noisy. But with the JetBoots Prime there was no need and I could even crack on with my work whilst wearing them, which was great!

Packing them down was easier too (at least as easy as compression boots get). I’d let them fully deflate for about 15 minutes, then fold them like a pair of trousers, and they’d fit nicely in their drawstring bag. While I didn’t try to stuff them into my gym bag for immediate post-workout use, the drawstring bag makes them easy to transport and sling in the car if needed.

Unlike other Therabody boots, the JetBoots Prime can't be controlled by an app. I personally didn’t mind this, as I often find an app just extra hassle and that it's much easier using the control unit. Their battery life (180 minutes) was also shorter than the RecoveryAir Pro’s 240 minutes but again, this didn’t bother me, and you can still wear them whilst charging anyway.

The only thing that was a bit of a bother was I noticed that my legs seemed to get quite warm and a little sweaty, despite being holes at the bottom of the boots. However, this may be because the regular length (43.3 inches) were too long for my short limbs, so my feet weren't at the bottom. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t the end of the world, as the boots are available in three sizes (S, M and L) and they can just be wiped over with a damp cloth to keep them clean.

Therabody JetBoots Prime: Verdict

Therabody’s JetBoots Prime are a brilliant pair of entry-level compression boots that are uncomplicated and easy to use. They’re lighter and much more transportable than other recovery boots, yet I found they still packed a punch to help optimise my recovery.

In comparison to other models on the market, they’re far more stripped back, without multiple settings or app connectivity. This makes them ideal for those seeking a more straightforward experience. However, hardcore athletes may want more, such as targeted treatment or separate leg control (like you get with the RecoveryAir Jet Boots). Personally, I preferred this and find a lot of these added extras a hindrance rather than help.

There’s no shying away from the fact their £449/$499 price tag still isn’t exactly ‘cheap’. But, they are far more affordable than some of the brand’s other models, and significantly less in comparison to competitor brands, like Hyperice. But, despite the price and their lightweight design, Therabody maintains solid quality.

If you’re an active person—whether you do intense physical activity, enjoy outdoor adventures, or spend long hours on your feet—the JetBoots Prime are a worthy investment. Particularly if you’re looking for a pair that are easy to transport and won’t take up too much space at home. While they didn’t completely erase my DOMS, they made recovery more manageable and allowed me to train harder, which is really all I want, so I’m satisfied.

Alternatively, if you're on a very strict budget, you can't go wrong with a good'ol massage gun. They may not give you the whole 'sit back and relax' experience you get with compression boots, but are still great for easing muscle tension, and can easily fit in your gym bag.