A (Brief) Ode to the Roll R8 Plus ($169)
By Michael Ellenberger
As any runner knows (or will soon find out!), recovery is just as critical as training. That’s why, this fall, in preparation for the Chicago Marathon, the Roll Recovery R8+ quickly became my most trusted companion. While the race didn’t totally go my way, it definitely wasn’t due to soreness - and (not to totally oversell the thing), I actually think that getting to the start line feeling better than I have in any recent build is due in large part to this little tool.
The R8+ has a distinctive spring-loaded design, which looks elaborate (and I do worry about little one’s fingers getting trapped in the mechanism - parents, beware) - but made targeted muscle relief effortless, applying consistent pressure to often hard to reach spots. Late in the build, when my mileage was up and I was steering over every little thing, the genuine relief you feel from this thing became invaluable after pounding out miles on pavement—my quads, IT bands, and calves got the attention they desperately needed (in a way that I can’t always reach from The Stick or self-massage, or even the lower-end, “Amazon special” massage guns).
In my book, what sets the R8+ apart is its adjustability and build quality. The compression dial allows for customizable intensity, which allows you to really dig deeper into sore spots when needed (also allows for more versatility amongst different-sized users).
The precision engineering of the rollers - functionally, it’s a metal contraption applying pressure onto sealed roller blade wheels - provides durability and a high-quality feel, which is something you notice immediately in use (again, especially compared to the plurality of plastic options about).
Plus, unlike foam rollers (which can really get good pressure onto hot spots, to their credit!), the F8+ is adjustable and doesn’t require laying down to use. It’s compact, portable, and even TSA-approved (though I haven’t yet had cause to travel with it - but plan to).
For anyone looking to elevate their recovery game, the R8+ offers both convenience and quality; it’s not inexpensive, but I do feel like it’s a genuinely well-made tool when I use it, and (again, just my experience), it really feels like it gets to the heart of soreness (be it hamstring, ITB, even to some extent a Achilles and lower leg, which I’ve always found hard to work with these tools).
While it may not replace a full suite of tools—a massage gun can hit specific small spots better, and foam roller will always have their place—the R8+ does stand out for me in its ease of use and adjustable (and considerable) power. It’s not a must-have, but it sure is nice to have.
The Roll R8 Plus is available at
Roll SHOP HERE
AMAZON SHOP HERE
Michael is a patent attorney and graduate of Northwestern University Law School. Prior to law school, he competed collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs include a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:21:19 marathon PR at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ in the future.
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