People have been immersing themselves in frigid waters for centuries, but cold plunging has made a resurgence in the fitness world, thanks in part to scientifically backed cold plunge benefits, including reduced muscle inflammation and decreased stress levels. (1) If those benefits are enough to entice you into a cold dip, the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub might be worth adding to your list of home gym essentials.
The Yukon Cold Plunge Tub is an inflatable PVC tub with a 59” by 31.5” footprint, double-walled construction for insulation, and two chilling and heating options that raise the price significantly. Plus, at just 35 pounds, it’s easy to travel with or stow away when you’re not using it. If you’re looking for a roomy, portable cold plunge tub that can work with or without an added chiller or heater, the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub might be just what you’re looking for. Now, let’s plunge into the review.
If you want a cold plunge on a budget, then this is the way to go. You receive an insulated tub, air pump, and cover to keep the cool water cold. All you have to do is provide the ice. You can alternatively purchase the chiller for a portable true cold plunge experience for a fraction of the cost of some other plunges.
About Our Tester
Billy Brown is one of BarBend’s reviews editors. He’s a certified trainer and competitive athlete who has spent countless hours in hot tubs and cold plunges for both recovery and relaxation. He put together this review using a combination of his own personal experience, product testing notes from other BarBend testers, and reports from user reviews.
Main Takeaways
- This 35-pound inflatable cold plunge tub stows in a backpack for easy portability.
- The optional chiller/heater has a temperature range of 37 to 104 degrees F.
- Setup takes about 20 minutes.
Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub Highlights
- Price: Starts at $899
- Seating Capacity: 1
- Temperature Range: 37 to 104 degrees F with optional chiller/heater
- Included Accessories: Carrying bag, air pump, tub cover
As far as cold plunges go, the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Plunge Tup starts out on the more affordable side, especially compared to tubs like the Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge. Many tubs can cost in the $3,000 to $5,000 range, but the base model of the Yukon (which consists only of the tub) will only set you back $899. It may sound like a lot for a grown-up inflatable pool, but this is no plastic toy — the Yukon is built with PVC material similar to what you’d find in inflatable stand-up paddleboards. It also has double-walled insulation to help keep the water cold.
If you don’t want to have to add your own ice every time you plunge, however, things get pricey. Redwood Outdoors offers two chiller options: The Cold Plunge Chiller, which bumps the price up to $3,598, and the Deluxe Chiller + Heater, which will increase the price of the tub to $4,598. Both options can chill the water down to 37 degrees, but the Deluxe Chiller + Heater can also heat the water up to 104 degrees, turning the Yukon into a hot tub. Both chillers can be controlled through a touchscreen on the chiller or remotely via smartphone or tablet.
What really makes this plunge tub stand out is its portability. When empty, the tub only weighs 35 pounds, and when it’s deflated, it stows away in the included backpack. This can be useful not only for travel but also if you want to open up some more space when you’re not using the tub. If you choose to buy the Chiller and Deluxe Chiller + Heater, however, you’ll want to leave those at home — the Chiller weighs 50 pounds and the Deluxe Chiller + Heater weighs in at 75 pounds.
That portability comes at a cost, however. Our testers noticed that if you leave water in the tub for days on end, the tub will start to sag and lose its shape. Also, even though the company recommends draining the tub at least every 48 hours, there are no specific drain ports, so we had to tip over the tub to empty it completely during testing. But if you’re looking for a full-size plunge tub that can fit into a closet when you’re not using it, you might not mind the extra bit of work.
Pros
- Setup takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- At 35 pounds empty, it’s easy to transport.
- Two chilling and heating options are available.
- If you buy the tub without a chiller, it’s under $1,000.
Cons
- Redwood does not recommend you keep water in the tub for more than 48 hours.
- The price goes way up if you buy a water chiller and/or heater.
- It can be a pain to drain the water out manually.
Using the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub
While our testers were initially skeptical of an inflatable plunge tub, the Yukon Cold Plunge Tub quickly became one of our favorite cold plunges, especially among the inflatable variety. The setup only took about 20 minutes, the chiller was intuitive and easy to use, and the PVC walls were surprisingly sturdy.
The 155-gallon tub felt roomy and comfortable for testers ranging in height from 5’4” to 6’, both of whom had enough room to sit with their legs straight. Also, the tub’s walls are 23.75 inches high, so shorter people won’t have trouble stepping over them into the tub. One unexpected perk to the inflatable tub was that the walls have just enough give to provide a comfortable place to rest your arms or neck — our testers appreciated that there was no need for a neck pillow to lay back and unwind.
Even though the inflatable nature of the tub makes it stand out, it requires some extra maintenance to keep it in shape…literally. When our testers left water in the tub for extended periods, the longer walls of the tub started to bulge outward. Redwood Outdoors recommends draining the tub every 48 hours to prevent this. But if you’re storing the tub when it’s not in use (one of the cooler perks of an inflatable tub), you’ll be draining it often anyway.
Assembly
One of the standout aspects of the Yukon Cold Plunge is its portability. Unlike Redwood Outdoors’ Alaskan Cold Plunge, which has a plastic interior with Thermowood siding, the Yukon is made up of inflatable double-walled PVC. To set it up, just use the included air pump and inflate the tub. After that, fill it with roughly 150 gallons of water and a few bags of ice, and you’re good to go. Our tester reported that inflating the tub only took about 20 minutes.
If you buy either of the optional chillers, you’ll have to connect the hoses to the tub. This is probably the most complicated part of the process, but our testers noted that Redwood Outdoors’ video guide was helpful and easy to follow.
Temperature Settings
There are several options for cooling (or heating) the Yukon Cold Plunge. The simplest and most cost-effective is just buying the base model, which costs $899 and consists of the tub, an air pump, a tub cover, and a travel bag. It’s the cheapest option, but you’ll have to provide your own ice to chill the water.
If you’re willing to lay down a few more dollars, you can buy the tub with the Cold Plunge Chiller. The Chiller raises the price to $3,598, but you won’t need to buy ice every time you want to plunge since it can drop the water’s temperature down to 37 degrees.
Looking for a tub that can do double duty as both a cold plunge and a hot tub? Then you’ll have to throw down $4,598 for the Deluxe Chiller + Heater, which, in addition to dropping the water temp to 34 degrees, can also heat the water up to 104 degrees.
Both options have touchscreen controls on the units that our tester said were intuitive and easy to use. You can also control them remotely through your smartphone or tablet.
Materials/Durability
The inflatable nature of this cold plunge can lead to images of those kiddie pools that you had in your front yard as a kid. Luckily, the Yukon Cold Plunge is a bit more substantial than your old Thundercats play pool. Instead of thin plastic, it’s made with a high-density PVC material similar to what you’d find in an inflatable paddleboard.
This material is very durable, and when inflated, it is moderately stiff. During testing, we had no qualms about the walls staying upright as we climbed over them into the tub. Our tester does note that she wouldn’t trust it enough to actually sit on the sides of the tub.
Also, Redwood Outdoors recommends emptying the tub every 48 hours. The company warns that leaving water in the tub for more than two days can lead to the tub bulging out in the middle, which is an issue that our testers did report seeing.
While there is a bit more upkeep involved with an inflatable tub, the extra maintenance may be worth it if portability is something that you’re looking for in a cold plunge.
Draining
One gripe that our tester had involved draining the plunge tub. You can drain most of the 155 gallons of water through the hose ports, but since those attachments are a few inches above the bottom of the tub, you’ll have to tip over the tub to dump out the remaining few gallons.
Our tester reported that it wasn’t a huge pain, but considering that regularly emptying the tub is part of the required maintenance, you’d think that there would be a dedicated drain port to make it simpler.
Dimensions
At 59” long by 31.5” wide and 23.75” tall, the Yukon Cold Plunge had plenty of room for our 5’4” tester, who reported that she could sit with her legs straight out with no problems. It was also wide enough for her to sit cross-legged without bumping up the sides. Another tester, who is six feet tall, reported that they can sit upright and fully extend their legs, although they’d have to bend their legs to dunk their head underwater.
What to Consider Before Buying the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub
Like a squat rack or cardio machine, cold plunges can be a sizable investment, but the Yukon Cold Plunge is unique in that it offers a wide range of prices. If you’re thinking about picking up this cold plunge tub, you’ll have to consider how much you’re willing to pay, what kind of chiller you want (if any), and just how important portability is to you.
Price/Chiller Options
As far as cold plunges go, the Yukon Cold Plunge starts out fairly affordable. But the prices rise considerably from there. When buying the Yukon Cold Plunge, you’ll have to choose between three ways to chill the tub. Here are the pros and cons of each.
No Chiller
The base model is by far the most affordable. It includes the tub, an air pump, a travel bag, and a tub cover, and costs $899 before shipping and taxes. But you don’t get any way to cool the water, so you’ll be stuck having to buy ice for it every time you want to plunge.
Cold Plunge Chiller
The next step up is to buy the plunge tub with the Cold Plunge Chiller. The chiller bumps the price up significantly to $3,598, but it does chill the water down to 37 degrees, so you won’t need to get ice for your plunges. The Chiller can be controlled through a touchpad or remotely through a smartphone or tablet.
Deluxe Chiller + Heater
If you’re willing to spend another thousand bucks, you can buy a Deluxe Chiller + Heater. Sold with the Yukon Cold Plunge Tub for $4,598, the Deluxe Chiller + Heater can not only chill the plunge tub’s water down to 37 degrees, but it can also heat the water up to 104 degrees when you’re in the mood for a hot tub.
Dimensions
At 59” long by 31.5” wide, the Yukon Cold Plunge won’t take up a lot of floor space. Plus, it was able to comfortably fit our testers, who ranged in height from 5’4” to 6’ tall. What makes this plunge tub stand out from much of its competition, though, is that it can be deflated and stored in a bin or closet when not in use. So, if you want a cold plunge tub but are tight on floor space, this might be a good solution.
Portability
Our testers found the main perk of this tub is the easy portability. At 35 pounds without any water in it, it’s easy to carry around in the included backpack, and thanks to the efficient air pump, setup can be done in just a few minutes.
However, we did find some drawbacks that result from this portability. If water is left in the tub for an extended period, the walls start to bulge out and lose shape. Redwood Outdoors recommends emptying the tub every 48 hours to prevent this, but it’s still something that you wouldn’t have to address in a more stationary tub like The Plunge.
Also, the chillers range in size from 17.75″ L x 11.75″ W x 16.5″ H for the Chiller to 19.25″ L x 12.75″ W x 18″ H for the Deluxe Chiller + Heater and weigh 50 pounds (for the Chiller) and 75 pounds (for the Deluxe Chiller + Heater), so you won’t be taking those with you. The chillers have wheels on them, so you can roll them out of the way when not in use, but don’t plan to take them on vacation.
But if portability or the option to break down and stow the tub is a must-have option, this is worth a good, hard look. Our testers found this to be one of the best portable tubs they’ve used, thanks to its roominess, quick setup, and thoughtful design.
Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub Vs. The Competition
Buying a cold plunge is a commitment of both money and floor space. So before you pull the trigger on one, it’s worth shopping around. Here’s how the Yukon Cold Plunge Tub stacks up against some similar products.
If price is your main consideration, The Cold Pod wins out at $184.99. Plus, it’s available on Amazon, so with Prime, you should be able to get it within a few days. However, it’s bare bones: You’re basically paying for a large bucket. The Yukon Cold Plunge Tub is the next cheapest option, starting at $899 for just the tub. But when you add the Deluxe Chiller + Heater, you’re spending $4,598 for this portable tub, which is only $400 dollars less than the next closest option.
For those who don’t mind spending a bit more on a more permanent fixture, The Plunge will cost $4,990 without the optional heater, but it is far more durable than the Yukon and The Cold Pod. If you want as much space as possible, the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro is the way to go. At over 6’6” in length, all but the tallest people can fully submerge themselves without having to bend their legs.
As you can see, there are options for whatever your priorities are, whether you’re looking for spaciousness, portability, or affordability. Just be sure to do your homework, and you’ll find the right cold plunge for you.
Places to Buy
You can buy the Thermowood Yukon Cold Plunge directly from the Redwood Outdoors website.
Company Information
Redwood Outdoors offers an extensive line of cold plunges, saunas, and hot tubs. In addition to their one-year warranty, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of their products and financing options through Affirm. To speak to a team member, you can contact them at 1-800-567-8036, or head over to their Contact page, fill out a form, and someone will email you.
In Conclusion
As far as portable cold plunge tubs go, The Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub is one of the most impressive we’ve seen. It’s easy to set up, surprisingly roomy, and can pack down into a backpack that makes it easy to stow or transport. The optional chillers provide an impressive temperature range, and you can operate them remotely via smartphone or tablet.
There are some minor qualms we had, mostly due to the inflatable build. The company recommends draining the tub completely every few days to prevent sidewall bulges, which our testers did experience after a few days without draining the tub. And, despite the fact that you need to drain it regularly, draining the tub can be awkward since there are no dedicated drain ports. Minor quibbles aside, if you’re looking for a tub (minus the chiller) to take on vacation or to a friend’s house, the Yukon is definitely worth a look.
FAQs
How much does the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub cost?
The starting price for the Thermowood Yukon Cold Plunge is $899 before shipping. If you buy the optional chiller to cool the water, the price jumps up to $3,598. If you get the combination chiller and heater, you’ll spend $4,598.
What is the temperature range of the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub’s chillers?
The Yukon’s chiller can reach temperatures as low as 37 degrees F, while the heater can get as high as 104 degrees F.
How many people can fit in the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Tub?
The intended capacity for the Yukon Cold Plunge Tub is one person.
Resources
- Esperland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB. Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing subject of debate. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022 Dec;81(1):2111789. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789. PMID: 36137565; PMCID: PMC9518606.
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