Buyer's Guide | Fleet Feet
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The best foot massagers target the plantar fascia in your feet, which can become tense after prolonged activity like running. Keeping your feet strong and healthy can improve your running form and prevent injuries like plantar fasciitis.
An effective foot massager can be as simple as a tennis ball, lacrosse ball or even a frozen water bottle. But a few extra features can improve the experience.
Foot massagers come in all shapes and sizes, giving you the power to choose the best model for your feet. While some massagers stick to a ball shape and use added texture to create a more aggressive massage, others use an elongated shape to accommodate the contours of the whole foot.
Similar to the best foam rollers, foot massagers come in manual and battery-powered models. This allows you to control exactly how much pressure you want and to use a variety of features to personalize your massage.
The shapes may change, but one thing these foot massagers have in common is thier affordability. With few moving parts and almost nothing to wear out, these simple massage tools make for a great solution for achy feet and can even be repurposed to massage the calves and back.
If you’re ready to upgrade from the old lacrosse ball, here are some of the best foot massagers you can find today:
- ROLL Recovery R3
- Hyperice Hypersphere Mini
- Due North Foot Rubz
- TriggerPoint NANO X Foot Roller
- Pro-Tec Spiky Massage Ball
- Power Plate DualSphere
- Addaday Marble Roller
[This article is part of the Best Massage Tools 2024 Buyer's Guide. Find the right massage tool for all your needs at Fleet Feet.]
ROLL Recovery R3
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The R3 from ROLL Recovery pairs the classic lacrosse ball feel with a more stable frame for easier use.
ROLL designed the R3 with a bulb flanked by two flared ends. The bulb, situated just off center, rolls along the plantar fascia to soothe any soreness and help stretch the connective tissue.
The R3 has two narrower channels on each side of the bulb; the deeper groove goes on the outside of your foot, and the shallower one is for the inside. The asymmetrical shape matches up with the shape of your foot to massage not just the plantar fascia but all the surrounding tissue, as well.
The flared ends are also an important design feature. Not only do they help create those grooves on either side, but they also provide two points of contact with the ground. The two contact points create more stability so you don’t have to worry about the R3 rolling out from under you.
Hyperice Hypersphere Mini
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The Hyperice Hypersphere Mini takes that lacrosse ball you’ve been smashing your foot into and kicks it up a notch.
With three speeds of vibration, the Hypersphere Mini feels great on your feet but is versatile enough to on all of your sore muscles.
Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, this massage ball is TSA carry-on approved so you can take it with you when you’re running on vacation.
Due North Foot Rubz
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Designers coated the Due North Foot Rubz foot massager in flat-topped spines to increase the level of massage.
Due North says the spines mimic acupressure techniques that can help loosen tight muscles and increase circulation. The ball shape is ideal for rolling back and forth beneath your foot to help soothe the plantar fascia, and the blunt spines aren’t too aggressive.
Like many of these foot massagers, the Foot Rubz is small and easy to pack away. Take it with you when you travel to roll out your feet after a long day.
TriggerPoint NANO X Foot Roller
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The TriggerPoint NANO X Foot Roller shrinks the GRID down to a manageable size for your feet.
Like the GRID foam roller, the NANO X features a grid of protrusions to create a deeper massage than a flat surface would. The texture is consistent around the entire massager, so you get a predictable, repeatable feel.
TriggerPoint capped each end with a taller disc that makes the entire roller more stable under your weight. It won’t slip side to side as you roll like a ball would.
Put the NANO X on a table top, and it doubles as a forearm roller, too.
Pro-Tec Spiky Massage Ball
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The Pro-Tec Spiky Massage Ball has an aggressive look and feel thanks to its array of spikes.
Unlike the Foot Rubz that truncates the spines, the Pro-Tec ball keeps them pointed for a more stimulating feel. The ball is just 3” in diameter, and is built to be firm so you can put as much pressure into you massage as you want.
The ball shape is easy to use standing up or sitting down, so you can keep your feet loose even while you’re at your desk.
Power Plate DualSphere
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The Power Plate DualSphere will elevate your foot massage with it's cutting-edge vibration technology.
Featuring a uniquely contoured shape that targets hard-to-reach areas on your feet and textured design, the DualSphere helps you warm up and recover faster. The DualSphere is USB chargeable and offers four layers of vibration to promote blood flow and fascia release to sore or tight muscles.
Take powerful, concentrated massage with you wherever you go with the Power Plate DualSphere.
Addaday Marble Roller
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The three-pronged Addaday Marble Roller can be used all over your body, but it shines as a foot massager, too.
Addaday built the Marble Roller with a flat base, so you can place it on the ground to massage your plantar fascia. The lightweight roller is also easy to hold in one hand, which lets you pick it up and maneuver it around other muscles.
The smooth-rolling action makes it easier to maintain consistent pressure as you move. You can also use each individual marble to put precise pressure on troublesome spots.
Injury Prevention
Injury Prevention
How We Picked the Best Massage Tools for Running
With more than 45 years of experience, Fleet Feet is the expert in running. What makes the ideal massage tool for a runner comes down to the personal experience, goals, preferences and style of that runner. At Fleet Feet, we have been helping runners pick out the right gear for decades and want to pass that knowledge onto you.
We use a combination of real-life use, quality of materials, seasonal trends and our own top-seller lists to pick out the best massage tools for running. With all that in mind, we picked gear that lived up to our personal (and professional) expectations and we think they will live up to yours as well.
Standing Behind Our Picks
We picked the best massage tools based on what we think will work for the most people in most situations. If you buy any gear from us and you don’t love the way it looks, fits or performs, bring them back within 60 days for a full refund. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.
Plus, we offer free shipping on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer.