As an endurance athlete always looking to take my cold plunging with me when I travel, I’m intrigued by the new Edge Tub Core by Edge Theory Labs. When I heard about this cold plunge tub, I knew I had to give it a try. After a few weeks of regular use, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this smaller, more portable product.

Benefits of a Cold Plunge

Since incorporating daily cold plunges into my routine, I’ve noticed a dramatic decrease in muscle soreness and inflammation. Those days of hobbling around after an intense workout are gone. The cold water works its magic, reducing swelling and speeding up my recovery time like nothing else.

But it’s not just about physical recovery. The mental clarity I experience after each plunge is unreal. It’s like hitting a reset button on my brain, washing away stress and leaving me focused and energized for whatever challenges lie ahead.

Stepping into that chilly water still takes a bit of willpower. I tend to not stay longer than 3-5 minutes in a plunge, as my feet begin to hurt from the cold water. But the rush of endorphins and the incredible benefits make it all worthwhile.

Cold plunging has become an essential part of my athletic performance and overall well-being.

If you’re an athlete looking to step up your recovery game, I can’t recommend cold plunging enough. The cold plunge has become an integral part of my training regimen, helping me bounce back faster between sessions and maintain a higher level of performance.

What Is The Edge Tub Core?

Similar to all other Edge Theory Labs products, the Edge Tub Core is built to withstand regular use and temperature variations, ensuring longevity and consistent performance. Its robust design lets you enjoy the benefits of cold plunging without worrying about wear and tear.

Since I travel a lot, I am most interested in the portability of this product. I typically have to leave the chilling motor at home when I travel, so this may be an excellent option for me when I travel to race venues.

First Impressions: Unboxing

The tub itself is round (barrel-shaped) and inflatable. Like other Edge Theory Labs products, it’s well-built and looks great.

I got the Bundle package, which comes with a few extra goodies. The two packages contain:

Standard Package	Bundle Package (standard pkg plus these items)
The tub	Floating analog thermometer
Non-insulated lockable lid/cover	2 large ice cube molds
Air Pump	Inflatable insulated cover
Vinyl backpack/carrying bag	3-month subscription to the Edge App
Garden hose adapter for draining
Patch kit

Full Setup

Setting up the Edge Tub Core was a breeze. It inflated quickly (62 seconds) with the pump, and I had it full of water 15 minutes later.

It was super simple.

The Edge Tub Core is more basic and priced lower than many other cold plunge tubs on the market. However, this is not a cheaply made cold plunge tub. This is made out of the same materials that their higher-priced tubs are made from. The main difference is that it doesn’t have chilling motor ports. So ice will be your cooling method.

It includes all of the important core functionality necessary to get in a great cold plunge without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

One immediately apparent thing – it has a very small footprint. It doesn’t take up much space. I like that. It measured 31.5 inches tall and 29 inches wide.

This tub fits me just fine. The manufacturer says that it will fit a person up to 6’5″.

For me, the biggest benefit is its extreme portability. It’s designed to be ultra-portable. You can easily take this with you anywhere and use it anytime in minutes.

If you’re looking for your first tub, this is a solid option. It’s well-built and does exactly what it’s designed to do.

Cooling Method and Efficiency

Ice as a cooling system is both simple and effective. The difficult part is the initial amount of ice it takes to get your water down to the desired temperature. 4-5 bags of ice was sufficient to bring the water temperature down to my preferred 50°F.

Once I replaced the insulated lid on the tub, the water would stay chilled for a while. I would drop in the newly made frozen ice blocks each morning to “re-chill” the water.

Ice Block Molds

For those who opt for the Bundle Package, the included ice block molds are a game-changer. They create large, slow-melting ice blocks that are perfect for maintaining the tub’s temperature. It’s great not having to go buy bags of ice each day.

However, the blocks are really large. Make sure you have space in your freezer. With the lids, you can stack them, albeit carefully. The lids are a little flimsy. Also, due to their size, it may take nearly 24 hours for them to fully freeze.

The Cold Plunge Experience

Once filled and cooled, I took my first plunge into the Edge Tub Core. The round shape is comfortable and allows for various sitting positions, which I found helpful for targeting different muscle groups. I had no problem submerging up to my neck while seated. My legs were crossed and I was not touching any of the walls at all.

I’m 5’10” and found the height of the tub was easy to get into, but if you are shorter, or have any issues with raising your legs to step in and out of a tub, you’ll want to consider the wall height.

Portability and Storage

One of the standout features of the Edge Tub Core is how easy it is to take it with you. The included backpack can carry the tub, and lid(s) with room to spare. It weighed just 19 pounds, making it easy for anyone to carry.

Let me break down why this aspect has impressed me so much:

1. Compact When Deflated: When not in use, the Edge Tub Core deflates to a surprisingly small size. I measured it at roughly 24″ x 18″ x 8″ when fully deflated and folded, which is about the size of a medium duffel bag. I can easily store it in my closet or under my bed when it’s not in use, which is a huge plus for anyone living in smaller spaces.
   
2. Lightweight Design: Despite its durable construction, the Edge Tub Core is remarkably light when empty. I’ve found this particularly useful when I want to set it up in different locations, like moving it from indoors to my backyard on sunny days.
   
3. Quick Setup and Takedown: The inflation process is quick and straightforward. Using the included air pump, I had the tub inflated in 62 seconds. Deflation is even quicker, with just a push of the valve button it deflates in about 20 seconds.
   
4. I’ve taken it on a weekend training retreat and even to a friend’s house for a recovery session after a group run. It fits easily in the included backpack.

The only pain is that the pump doesn’t fit easily into the backpack. It needs to be carried separately. Not a huge deal, but kind of an inconvenience. Also, the pump doesn’t have a deflate option, as many others do. It would be nice to suction out all the air in the tub to get it as small as possible.

Things I Love

The Edge Tub Core is priced at $299 for the basic tub, which I find to be excellent value considering the quality of the product and the benefits it provides. I opted for the more comprehensive package, which includes some extras that I wanted to try out.

Some of the core things I love about this tub are:

• Price
• Construction Quality
• Small Footprint
• Locking lids – great for safety and uncommon even in more expensive tubs.

The thermometer is great for making sure the water temperature remains consistent, while the insulated lid has significantly extended the time the water stays cold.

My favorite item might be the ice block molds. They allow me to freeze my own ice and easily drop it in the water each morning vs. taking all the ice in the fridge’s ice maker (which never seemed like enough). I can now consistently have cold water each morning. I’m not sure why I didn’t think about this before.

I wasn’t sure about the Edge health app subscription but I have to say I really enjoy the benefits and insights it provides about optimizing my cold plunge routine. I’m not sure that I’ll continue to use it after my three-month subscription is up, but I can certainly see the value of it for many people.

Room for Improvement

While my overall experience with the Edge Tub Core has been overwhelmingly positive, there are a couple of small areas where I see room for improvement:

• I wish the straps on the lids were adjustable. I like to crank them down so there are no chances bugs can get in there.
  
• I wish the bag material was slightly thicker. It hasn’t torn or anything, but I have concerns about its sturdiness for the long term. For now, I am careful when I put the tub inside of it and try not to stress the seams.
  
• I wish the pump had a deflate option to remove all the air in the tub. Not a huge deal, but one of those nice-to-have options since this is a portable tub.

Final Thoughts

After a week of regular use, I can confidently say that the Edge Tub Core has exceeded my expectations. It’s a well-designed, efficient, and affordable solution for athletes looking to incorporate cold plunging into their recovery routine.

I had not used a barrel-shaped tub much before, but generally liked it a lot. It keeps you upright and the position feels comfortable.

This is definitely a beginning or traveling-specific tub. It’s not a tub that will “grow” with your cold plunge routine since it doesn’t include chilling motor ports. What you have now, is what it will have later.

For me, I love this tub. It looks great and is really well-constructed. It’s simple, which is fine for when I travel. For home use, I can use my chilling motor with another tub.

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, the Edge Tub Core offers an accessible way to enjoy the benefits of cold plunging from the comfort of your own home or on the road.

If you’re on the fence about cold plunging or have been looking for an affordable way to try it out, I wholeheartedly recommend giving the Edge Tub Core a shot.

Happy plunging!

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