Patrick Gunther
My Comprehensive Review of the Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro
I recently received a Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro to review. Even though the product was pro bono, my opinions about the product are my own.
I was psyched to get this model because I knew it would fit my larger frame (I’m a big guy), and from studying the website, I knew that it was much sturdier than some of the less expensive entry-level type ice baths in the marketplace.
Ice Bath Barrel Pro Shipping and Delivery
My Freein ice bath was shipped promptly, and arrived in two days. A lot of companies in the ice bath tub/cold plunge industry have a lengthy lead time prior to being shipped out (2-4 weeks is not uncommon), so this was a welcome experience to not only have it ship immediately, but to also receive it so quickly. The box it came in arrived at my doorstep via FedEx, and measured 15-inches by 24-inches by 10-inches. It was packed nicely and neatly, and didn’t have complicated (or too many) parts.
My Unboxing and Testing of the Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro
Below, I will let you watch my unboxing and product testing video, but I would like to cover some of the things I did not mention in the video, as well as elaborate a little bit on things that I did mention. I was really impressed with the straightforward and intuitive assembly of the Ice Bath Barrel Pro by Freein. It really doesn’t require any written instructions, unless of course you purchase a chiller unit to go along with it, in which case you will need to do a little extra assembly in terms of connections, and maintain the chiller to keep it in good working condition. Everything is labeled and self-explanatory.
Some Observations
The double-action pump is a nice touch because it reduces the time it takes to inflate the ice bath. And, the dial that shows the PSI is really helpful, even though my first go-round I didn’t pay as much attention to it as I should have. I believe in the video I overinflated the unit somewhat. To preserve the longevity of the ice bath, I’ll be more careful when I inflate it going forward.
Upon fitting the tube to the unit properly, the ice bath inflates quickly, and the dimensions are adequate to fit even those who are “big and tall”, one thing that the chintzier ice bath tubs are lacking in. Also, the double drop stich material is a real boon, and you can tell it’s a really strong structure just from feeling it, and pressing against it. This ice bath isn’t something that will blow away in the wind. Not to mention, it insulates well, and keeps the water cold. With a one-year warranty, and a 14-day risk-free, money-back guarantee, I feel assured that the company stands behind its product.
If you have the budget, I’d recommend the Freein chiller. I spent around $10 putting in the 40 lbs of ice that I used for the video. That can get expensive, especially if you plunge as often as I do (every night). As an alternative, I recommend freezing and refreezing 30 to 35 (17) oz. water bottles every night to cool your ice bath. You might not even need to do it that often, based upon your climate, and the excellent insulation that the Ice Bath Barrel Pro provides.
The Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro doesn’t come with a stool, and as tall as it is, you might want to either purchase a hard plastic or metal step stool from a home goods store, or go a step up, and purchase the Ice Bath Barrel With Step Stool version from Freein. You can see in the video that even as tall as I am, I still had to strain just a little bit to get my leading leg up to get inside of the ice bath.
Highlights – What I Like Best About this Ice Bath Tub
I have to say that what I like the very best about this ice bath is that with its military grade material, I can absolutely tell that it is not only sturdy, but that it is going to last a very long time. Nothing is worse than investing hundreds of dollars into something, and have it rip, have components fall apart, or for it not to be as durable as represented. You won’t take this unit out to use it one morning, and find that it is leaning to one side, ready to collapse. It is definitely the case that this ice bath tub is reliable, and if taken care of, you’ll be able to get years of use out of it.
Volume
The other thing that I’m really pleased with about the Freein Ice Bath Tub Barrel Pro is that at a volume of 101 gallons, and with the dimensions of 35” x 35” x 30”, it’s absolutely going to fit most people, maybe with the exception of a 350 lbs. defensive end in the NFL.
Shipping
As a bonus, your ice bath has a quick turnaround time. You can look forward to fast free shipping and delivery!
Portability
Further, if you want to share the virtues of cold water immersion therapy with your tribe, you can extremely easily take this anywhere you go. With the double-action pump, it deflates just as easily as it inflates, and the carrying case it comes with makes it easy to take this light, yet durable unit anywhere you go to share the benefits of it with friends and family, or even on vacation with you.
Everything’s Included
I also love that this comes with everything you need – including a nice, well insulated lid to keep things cool. As well, the patch kit is a nice touch, just in case you have an accident, and need to fix any holes.
Possible Downside?
The only downside I can even think of with this is that is that if you have shorter legs, you might want to purchase a step stool to go along with it, to make it easier to get into and out of. This is something that is easily remedied.
Nice Price
As a cherry on top, you can get the Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro for just $399. A lot of units in the marketplace are bulkier and come with chillers, but if you are just getting into the healthful practice of cold water immersion therapy, this is a fantastic unit for the price. No need to spend thousands of dollars if you don’t know whether or not you’ll be doing this regularly and indefinitely (although I personally can’t imagine a person not wanting to do it indefinitely with all of the amazing benefits that cold water immersion therapy affords you).
The Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro Value Proposition
I am really excited to use this ice bath as part of my routine. I do go to a contrast therapy studio quite regularly, but Sunday nights it will be my go-to ice bath, as I do not like to skip even one day of cold plunging, since it’s always a tranquil and meditative experience for me afterwards, and I sleep exceptionally well. I’m excited to share this cold plunge unit with the world, as I know that if you get even half of the benefits from it that I do, your life will be changed and enhanced for the better. I’ll say it again: for the price, this ice bath is definitely worth it. Even if it lasted me only 2 years of using it nightly (which I believe it could probably go 5 years or more), that’s ~$400/730, which is about $.55 per day only, and I’ve already given you the secret sauce to not spending a bundle on ice replenishment. You won’t find a better value for the price than what you get with the Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro!
Is the Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro for You?
If you liked my Freein review, and think this exemplary ice bath may be the right fit for you, please consider using my Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro affiliate link. It’s a win-win; that link will give you an additional 10% off on select ice bath tubs on their website.
For additional in depth reviews, visit my ice bath tub reviews page for at-home cold plunges and venue experiences. For a discount on the Freein Ice Bath Barrel Pro, visit my Freein Ice Bath Tub Discount Code page.
