I’m Not an Athlete, but This Ice Bath Made Me Feel Like One

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

What I Tested...

Savage Ice Bath’s Portable Cold Plunge Tub ($89.95)

Why I Tested...

How I Tested...

For a week and a half, I used the cold plunge tub immediately after various types of exercise, ranging from weight-training to casual walks in the park, and at different times during the day. Since I don’t have outdoor space, I tested it on my friend’s terrace.  

Test Results...

• Easy setup. This tub can be set up in under 10 minutes. The kit comes with rods that you insert around the tub to make it stand on its own. Then you use the air pump to create an inflated ring to keep the whole thing upright. All that’s left to do is fill it up with ice and water. Done and done. 

• Swift recovery. While it did take me a while to take the leap (dunk) of faith, I can wholeheartedly say that the first 30 seconds of shock is worth it. My body took about 25 seconds to get acclimated to the 45-degree water, and after that, I could feel every muscle in my body relax. 

• Tension relief. The real pleasure is when you get out of the tub — I felt less tight and sore overall throughout the day. I’m not saying I would replace my morning coffee with a morning plunge, but I definitely detected looseness in my body and more mental clarity, especially toward the end of the day when I’m usually more sluggish.  

• Portability. The kit comes with a large bag that fits everything — including the poles, temperature gauge, cover, and accessories. It’s waterproof and has long straps so I could easily take it from my apartment in Manhattan to my friend’s place in Brooklyn on the subway. 

• Size. According to the product’s description, the tub can hold anyone with a height of 6’5” or below. I’m 5’5” and fit inside perfectly with my legs criss-crossed and my arms fully submerged. My 6’1” friend could also fit inside fully submerged, but reported a snugger fit. 

• Long-lasting temps. The cover was great at keeping the water’s temp below 65 degrees with the cover on, even on 85+-degree days. It has an elastic band that makes the cover work like a fitted sheet that keeps taut over the tub so no leaves or bugs will fall in. It’s also easy to fold up to place in the storage bag.

Sidenotes...

• Ice quantity. During the testing period, I used anywhere from four to seven bags of ice during each session. The key is to fill the tub up with water first to keep the ice from melting rapidly — which I learned the hard way and ended up having to buy a few extra bags. It’s something to keep in mind if you don’t have access to an ice maker. 

• Accessories. My favorite thing about this kit is that it truly comes with everything. Not only everything you need to set up the tub, but it also includes a floor mat, temperature gauge, adhesive repair patches in case the nylon gets compromised (PS: you can snag more here), and the snuggliest robe to throw on when you’re finished. Truthfully, I’ve lounged in this robe after my regular showers, too. 

• Drainage. There is a small drain at the bottom of the tub you can open to let the water out, so there’s no need to dump the entire thing on its side to empty it. It doesn’t drain very quickly, so be prepared to wait it out a bit, but the nylon is quick-drying once the tub is fully drained.

The Fine Details...

• Savage Ice Bath’s Portable Cold Plunge Tub ($89.95)

• Kit includes the tub, a carrying bag, a floating thermometer, a tub cover, repair patches, an air pump, a robe, and a floor mat.