This is what it comes down to for me…I have no idea if they help with recovery phsyiologically. Sequential compression is hardly new therapy. Been around for decades and there are medical benefits to the concept (preventing DVT, etc).
But at the end if the day, they feel awesome when they are on and help relax me in general during use (I usually nod off).
Damn if I know if they help me recover faster or make me faster on the bike, but I like using ‘em so i keep doing it!