Gear Review: Hyperice Vyper 2.0

A runner holding the Hyperice Vyper 2.0

By the Fleet Feet Review Team. With over 80 years of combined experience, our review team is dedicated to providing in-depth gear and shoe reviews to help you find the best shoes and gear for your next run.

If you’re a runner or athlete, you’re probably familiar with foam rolling. Foam rollers can help loosen tight muscles, relieve soreness and increase range of motion, so they’re perfect for warming up and winding down.

The simplest foam rollers are rigid tubes wrapped in dense foam, but more advanced models include motors to add another dimension to your massage. That’s where the Hyperice Vyper 2.0 comes in.

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The Vyper contains a powerful motor that creates vibration to work your muscles beyond what a standard foam roller does. The vibration enhances the usual benefits of a foam roller, and three different intensities let you dial in the massage.

Fleet Feet runners tested the Vyper 2.0 to see how it compares to the best foam rollers on the market today. Here’s what you need to know.

Tech specs

Hyperice Vyper 2.0

Surface

High-density polypropylene foam

Vibration speeds

3

Battery type

Lithium ion; rechargeable

Battery life

2+ hours

Carry-on approved?

Yes

High Quality Materials, Intuitive Design

A close view of the Hyperice Vyper 2.0 foam roller

The Vyper 2.0 is compact but delivers a powerful massage.

The roller measures just under 12 inches long, and it weighs a little less than 3 pounds. An internal motor creates three different levels of vibration.

On its highest setting, Hyperice says the battery will run for about two hours. You’ll get more juice on lower intensities, but Fleet Feet reviewers say they never unexpectedly ran out of power.

Part of that is due to the battery indicator lights on one end of the roller. When you switch the roller on, it immediately shows you how much battery is left. On the other end, three lights show you which vibration setting you’re currently on: low, medium or high (48Hz, 60Hz or 72Hz).

“I love the Vyper because it’s so simple,” one reviewer says. “You turn it on, and you know exactly how to use it. The lights are easy to understand. But at the end of the day, it’s still a foam roller, so it feels accessible to anyone who’s used one before.”

A firm foam wraps the roller. And the firmness has two distinct advantages: It lets you dig into muscles, and it transfers the vibration efficiently. While a soft foam could soak up some of the vibration, the firm composition allows more of the vibration from the motor to travel into your muscles.

Like other Hyperice massage tools, the Vyper is simple to operate. An on-off switch on one end turns the roller on, and a single button on the other end changes the intensity.

Vibration Makes Rolling Easier, More Effective

A runner using the Hyperice Vyper 2.0 foam roller

The Hyperice Vyper 2.0 comes in a familiar size and shape, but the added element of vibration changes the way it works.

One of the things Fleet Feet reviewers love is how the vibration makes foam rolling easier. Instead of holding your body up for an extended period of time to put adequate pressure into the roller, you can sit back and let the vibration do the heavy lifting.

“Instead of having to move my body around on the foam roller to release tight areas, I can stay in one spot for a while and let the vibration do the work for me before I shift around,” one reviewer says.

But push your calf or quad down into the roller, and you’ll feel the full effect of the Vyper 2.0. Reviewers who have been using foam rollers for years were surprised by how effective the vibration is. One reviewer says it sped up her routine.

“The vibration makes this a totally different foam rolling experience,” she says. “You can accomplish a lot more with less time and effort.”

Testers found the Vyper to work on all the same muscles as a traditional roller. The familiar shape means you can use it the same way you do on your hamstring, calves and quads. It also works for smaller muscle groups, like those around your hips, or your back.

Another reviewer says it actually makes him feel warm before a workout.

“The Vyper is super efficient,” he says. “I felt warmer quicker than I’ve experienced with any other foam roller.”

But it’s not just great before or after a workout. Another Fleet Feet reviewer says it’s a great way to take a break from work or after a long day at the keyboard.

“I love the Vyper for loosening up major muscle groups before a run, as well as for the recovery process afterward,” she says. “It also feels nice on my upper back if I’ve been sitting at the desk for too long.”

Final Thoughts

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The Hyperice Vyper 2.0 elevates your current foam rolling routine by adding vibration into the mix.

Hyperice’s powerful motor delivers three levels of vibration, and the firm foam shell transfers that vibration directly into your muscles for an efficient warm up or soothing recovery. Reviewers say the Vyper accelerates warm ups and makes recovery even easier. Plus, it works quickly to loosen your stiff back after a long day at a desk.

Measuring less than a foot in length and weighing just under three pounds, the Vyper 2.0 is easy to stash in a closet or cabinet when you’re not using it. But, despite its stash-able size, it packs a serious punch to give your body the massage it needs before or after a hard workout.

With its simple operation and familiar form, reviewers say the Vyper 2.0 is one of the easiest and most effective massage tools in their arsenals.

Still not convinced? Don’t sweat it. Fleet Feet's return policy means you can test drive your shoes and gear without risk. If you’re not happy with the way your gear performs, looks or fits, we’ll take it back within 60 days. Plus, you’ll get free shipping on orders over $99 and free return shipping on all fleetfeet.com orders. That's our Happy Fit Guarantee.

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