Blackroll recovery products: Foam Roller, Ball, and Recovery Pillow

Publication date: 15 May 2025

GearRecovery

Recovery matters. If you’re putting in serious miles on the trail, what you do afterward can be the difference between bouncing back strong or hobbling around for days. And as we know, hiking long distances can mean sore muscles are just part of life.

My physical therapist recommended I try foam rolling and incorporating more recovery options into my lifestyle, so I picked up a few Blackroll products—the Recovery Pillow, Standard Foam Roller, and Ball 08—to see if they could help.

Editor

Katie Mitchell

After a whirlwind of 8 years on the road (and trail!), Katie has hiked the Camino Frances, the Peaks of the Balkans, the Fisherman’s Trail, and extensively in the United States. She is an avid trail runner and now lives in Colorado where she plays in the mountains in her free time. You can follow her adventures on Instagram.

View profile

Testing the Blackroll Recovery Pillow, Foam Roller, and Ball

First up, the Blackroll Recovery Pillow. I’m a restless sleeper after big hikes, and bad sleep just drags out recovery. This pillow helps with better sleep and neck support, and it keeps me from tossing and turning as much. After trying it for a few days, I found that I was waking up feeling more rested than usual. It’s smaller than a regular pillow, which took a couple of nights to get used to, but overall, I slept better. And better sleep means better recovery.

Next, the Blackroll Standard Foam Roller. I got this on my physical therapist’s recommendation, and I’ve been using it ever since. I broke my foot about 10 years ago, and it’s impacted my gait. So foam rolling after big hikes has helped to reset my form to where it’s supposed to be! It’s firm, which means it actually works out the tight spots instead of just lightly pressing on them. After back-to-back long days on the trail, rolling out my legs with this noticeably helped. It’s not magic—foam rolling still requires effort—but I found if you’re consistent, it pays off.

Finally, the Blackroll Ball 08. Small but surprisingly effective, this thing has become a lifesaver for my feet after big-mile days. Rolling it under my arches after 25+ km days made a huge difference in how my feet felt the next morning. If you’ve ever woken up with feet that feel like bricks, this is worth trying. Plus, it’s tiny and easy to throw in a pack.

About Blackroll

Blackroll is a German brand focused on recovery and mobility. They work with therapists and trainers to develop products aimed at keeping people moving pain-free.

Founded in 2007, Blackroll started with a simple goal: making recovery tools accessible and effective for athletes and everyday users alike. Over the years, they’ve expanded their product line beyond foam rollers to include massage tools, stretching aids, and even mobility programs. They emphasize sustainability, using eco-friendly production processes and materials that are 100% recyclable. Their products are also made in Germany, which means strict quality control and durability you can count on.

About the Blackroll Recovery Products

The Blackroll Recovery Pillow is designed for better sleep and neck support. It’s compact, breathable, and great for travel if you have extra space (not quite ultralight!). If you need a big, fluffy pillow, this isn’t it. But if you struggle with bad sleep after intense activity, it’s worth trying.

The Blackroll Standard Foam Roller is firm, lightweight, and solidly built. It’s great for loosening up tight muscles and preventing soreness after long hikes. If you’ve never used a foam roller before, it might feel brutal at first, but that’s kind of the point. You’ll thank yourself the next day.

The Blackroll Ball 08 is a no-nonsense recovery tool. It’s small enough to target problem areas like feet, shoulders, and glutes. If you’ve got persistent aches in specific spots, this thing gets right into them. Plus, the ball is great to take along on long-distance treks to keep you going each day instead of working on your recovery only once you get home.

Specifications

Pillow

Breathable memory foam
Ventilation channels inside the foam
Quick-drying
Compact pillow bag included
Weight: Pillow: 805g; Pillowcase: 95g; Travel bag: 65g

Foam roller

Up to 100% recycled materials
Weight: 152g
Up to 100% recycled materials

Ball 08

Up to 100% recycled materials
Weight: 22g
8cm diameter

pro's

Pillow: helps with better sleep and recovery | small enough to travel with | supports neck and spine alignment

Foam roller: firm but not painful | durable and lightweight | essential for injury prevention

Ball 08: perfect for feet, shoulders, and small muscle areas | easy to pack for travel | simple but highly effective

con's

Pillow: smaller than a standard pillow, it takes getting used to | pricey for its size

Foam roller: It can be too firm for beginners | takes commitment—no instant results

Ball 08: can be intense on sore spots

Conclusion

The Blackroll recovery products treated me well. I’m pleased with the many versions of fascia recovery products they have for each ache and pain, along with such a great pillow. The company also has items for posture correction and pain relief sets, and even bed linens! Learning the best recovery methods for each person isn’t a simple process, but it feels easier when there are products that are created specifically to help.