With so many different high quality brands in the Compression Recovery Boot game, all doing things a bit differently, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to figure out what boot is going to work best for your size. This guide will help you determine what size you’d need in each brand. I also hope to highlight how they each approach sizing – which may help to simplify your choice of compression boot. I’ll show you how to measure for compression recovery boots.
Ideally you have the following three measurements.
- Your height, in feet + inches eg 5'11''
- Your inseam measurement, in inches, see below
- Your leg circumference, in inches, see below
Measuring your inseam
This measurements basically measures from the highest part of your inner leg to the floor.
Take this measurement in inches.
Image Credit: ebike24.com
I enjoyed this video that shows you how to take this measurement at home yourself 👇🏽.
Measuring your leg circumference
Again, we want to have this measurement in inches on hand.
Using a tailors measuring tape, measure the widest part of the thigh.
This video below gives a great quick tutorial on how to measure your leg circimference.
What size compression boot do I need?
You’re about to see why I have decided to give a brand-by-brand breakdown. As every brand takes a different approach, it can be a bit mind blowing. I have chosen to commentate on the 4 biggest brands in the game; Normatec, Air Relax, Rapid Reboot + Flyte.
Air Relax: What size boots do i need?
- 3 simple boot sizes
- Option to add cuff extender to accomodate wider leg
Size 2
Best for someone who is 5’2” – 5’6” in height.
Best for 26″ – 30″ inseam measurement.
Option to add full length cuff extender to increase width and diameter of boot.
Size 3
Best for someone who is 5’7” – 6’0” in height.
Best for 30″ – 34″ inseam measurement.
Option to add full length cuff extender to increase width and diameter of boot.
Size 4
Best for someone who is 6’4” and above.
Best for 34″ – 38″ inseam measurement.
Cuff extender unavailable in this size.
Air Relax offer enough length options to ensure a fairly customised leg size, unless you fall far from the norm. Their huge advantage is the cuff extenders, that set them apart from our market leaders not offering this. Note: With a cuff extended your pressure settings may need to be adjusted.
NormaTec: What size boots do i need?
- 3 simple boot sizes
- No option to add cuff extenders
Standard
Best for someone who is 5’4” – 6’3′ in height.
Short
Best for someone who is 5’3” and under.
Tall
Best for someone who is 6’4” and above.
Normatec certainly keep it simple with their sizing. The one frustrating thing is that the Short option seems to almost always be out of stock or on backorder. Basically they design their standard boot to fit the majority of leg lengths and have the two extra options for those that fall outside of the bell curve.
Rapid Reboot: What size boots do i need?
- 5 boot sizes to choose from
- No option to add cuff extenders
XS
Best for someone who is 5’0″ and under.
A good option for younger althetes.
Small
Best for someone who is 5’1″ – 5″3.
Medium
Best for someone who is 5’4” – 5’10”.
Large
Best for someone who is 5’11” – 6’3”.
X-Large
Best for someone who is 6’4″ and over.
I must admit, I am a fan of the option to have a more customised fit with so many different size options. I have heard Rapid Reboot criticised for this, which is truly hard to believe. After all, if you want to share boots with a family member they give some good advice to “order the larger size and simply turn off the top compartment for the shorter person”. You’d still get as much precision with this than you would with a boot offered in two or three sizes (in most cases).
They also advise that another approach is to order the hip and boot to add leg length for the taller person, if you would prefer to choose the shorter persons size.
Flyte: What size boots do i need?
- Just 2 sizes to choose from
- No option to add cuff extenders
Medium
Best for someone who is 4’11” – 5’9”.
Best for leg circumference up to 27 1/2″.
Large
Best for someone who is 5’9” – 6’7”.
Best for leg circumference up to 29 1/2″.
To me a clear downside to the Flyte Compression system is the all too simple leg length options. I just feel that there is a huge difference in inseam measurement between someone who is 4’11” – 5’9”, for example.
I think if you are a shorty or are particularly tall then the Flyte boots may not be your best option.
Will you need a cuff extender?
Most brands only give vague detail about the leg circumference that will work in their boots – which is a bit disappointing.
But essentially, if your upper thigh measurement is over 30″ then you should be on high alert that you may need a cuff extender. If your upper thigh measurement is over 34″ I would make sure to choose an option with a cuff extender.
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