Tru Grit Cold Tub Review (2024): A Travel-Ready Ice Bath?

Tru Grit Fitness has made itself a reputable name in the home gym community since its start in 2019. Being a great company to find home gym essentials at competitive prices, Tru Grit has now entered the recovery market with their cold plunge tub—the Tru Grit Inflatable Ice Bath.

With the complete kit weighing a mere 38 pounds, this cold plunge tub is touted as lightweight, portable, and able to be collapsed and traveled with. We’ve gotten our hands on this cold plunge tub and can now answer how true that is. More importantly, we’ll go over how well the ice bath performs in this Tru Grit Cold Tub review.

Professionals in Fitness and Recovery

With a rigorous fitness equipment testing methodology to back every category of health and fitness equipment we test and review, our team of certified personal trainers, lifting coaches, and competitive athletes have the experience and knowledge to thoroughly test the best muscle recovery tools, supplements, and strength equipment—providing you with our professional and honest opinion to help you make an informed decision on your home gym equipment.

GGR performance editor Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC, tested out the Tru Grit Cold Tub. During and after his cold therapy session, he looked at different aspects of the ice bath and rated them on a scale from 1 to 5, including:

• Footprint and portability
• Delivery and setup
• Durability and construction
• Ergonomics
• Conveniences
• Draining and cleaning
• Overall value

Tru Grit Cold Tub

Tru Grit Inflatable Ice Bath

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Inflatable ice bath tub with designated fill and drain ports
• Industrial-grade stitched chassis with PVC shell
• 60” L x 30” W x 24” H exterior dimensions
• Interior size of 52.5” L x 24.5” W x 23.5” H
• Dry weight of 38 lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Affordable
• Holds its shape well
• Optional chiller

Cons

• No extra features or conveniences
• Can’t drain tub entirely with drain port

Bottom Line

For those looking for a lightweight, portable cold plunge tub that can be traveled with, the Tru Grit Inflatable Ice Bath is an excellent option. Weighing only 38 pounds, this tub can be deflated and rolled up into a simple backpack, allowing for easy travel. Although there aren’t too many extra features behind the tub, it’s affordable and portable, making it a great option for anyone on the move.

A Quick Look at the Tru Grit Cold Tub

As I mentioned before, Tru Grit has been around the home gym space since 2019, partnering up with major stores like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart in 2020—maybe you’ve heard of those companies?

Tru Grit has been heavily involved in strength and cardio equipment, with the Tru Grit Runner making a big splash upon its release (mostly by undercutting competitors’ prices). Now, they’ve entered the recovery space with the Tru Grit Fitness Inflatable Ice Bath and the optional chiller, the Ice Box.

The main marketing point of the cold tub is that it’s portable and lightweight, being able to deflate and roll up into a backpack. The entire kit only weighs 38 pounds, and it’s compact enough to toss in the trunk of your car while traveling—if you want to travel with a cold plunge tub.

My favorite aspect, however, is the price point. You can get the Tru Grit inflatable tub for $899, not including shipping costs, making it a pretty competitively priced ice bath tub—even compared to other budget-priced tubs.

Before You Buy

• The inflatable ice bath can be bundled with the Ice Box, a 0.8-horsepower chiller compatible with the cold plunge tub. The cold therapy chiller is much pricier, but the bundle saves you a bit of money, costing a total of $3,900.
• At 63 pounds, the Tru Grit Ice Box isn’t quite as lightweight as the ice bath, although it’s still designed to be portable with wheels and a handle.
• You can find the inflatable ice bath on other online stores with free shipping, like Amazon; however, it’s $100 over the original price to cover shipping costs.
• Tru Grit currently ships to the USA, Canada, and the UK. For other shipping destinations, the company requests you contact them.

Is the Tru Grit Cold Tub Worth It?

Although it’s priced low at $899, there aren’t a lot of extras or convenient features to the tub…basically, what you see is what you get. The ice tub is designed pretty well, having fill and drain ports and being built of an industrial-grade drop stitched chassis covered with a high grade PVC shell.

Still, we would’ve liked to have seen some extras. “I would’ve liked to have had a phone holder or something so I could practice Wim Hof breathing exercises,” says Anthony. The option to add the chiller is nice, but also quadruples the price.

There are some cheaper options than just the cold tub, too, the most notable being The Cold Pod at under $200. However, this tub has a capacity of 84.5 gallons, which may not be as suitable for a larger person.

Beyond that, you could make some DIY cold plunges out of a stock tank or chest freezer, but that’ll require a bit of elbow grease to get it set up. Overall, Anthony rates the Tru Grit Cold Tub a 4 out of 5 on its value—an affordable, albeit simple, ice bath tub.

Tru Grit Cold Tub Specs

Using the Tru Grit Cold Tub

Anthony used the Tru Grit Cold Tub for just over 5 minutes at a temperature of about 42 degrees Fahrenheit. During that session, we also had other people test and try out the cold tub, and Anthony noted others’ responses, as well as how the cold tub held up to multiple uses. Overall, he was pretty pleased with his experience with the ice bath.

Let’s break down the aspects of this ice bath a little deeper.

Construction and Durability

The major question with an inflatable ice bath is how well the tub keeps its shape while in use. Anthony rates the durability and construction of the Tru Grit Cold Tub a 4 out of 5, saying, “The tub held its shape wonderfully as I got in and out of the tub. We had multiple people use it as well, and there weren’t any deformities after so much use.”

The cold tub is made with a PVC shell, and within is an industrial grade stitched chassis to help the tub keep its shape. We’ve used inflatable tubs before with similar PVC shells, and the material holds up pretty well.

RELATED: Inergize Cold Plunge Tub Review

Footprint and Portability

This is the highlight of the inflatable ice bath, earning a 5 out of 5 for its portable and lightweight design. The Tru Grit Cold Tub can be deflated and packed into a backpack. The entire kit weighs 38 pounds while dry.

I should probably note that the cold tub while in use—as in filled with water—won’t be portable at all. However, that’s an issue with all cold tubs once they’re filled with water. With a relatively easy draining system (more on that later), the tub can easily be drained and packed away for traveling to or from the gym, or even on a flight.

The option for that much portability may not be a need for everyone, but as an athlete who has traveled for competition, I think being able to travel with your recovery tools is a major plus.

Ergonomics

Our tester Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC, is a pretty big guy at about 6 feet and 3 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds. However, he felt nice and cozy in the ice bath. He explains, “I felt very comfortable in the tub, even at my height and build. It’s rare that something like this feels comfortable for a person my size.” While there’s no special back or arm rests on the tub, Anthony still rates the ergonomics a 4 out of 5.

Conveniences

The conveniences aren’t your typical features. For example, most ice baths have a phone holder, some way to regulate temperature, and other ways to make your experience easygoing.

The Tru Grit Cold Tub, however, has none of those features. Instead, the tub is portable and easy to set up and break down. It also comes with a backpack that acts as a carrying case for the tub while traveling. While traveling with a cold tub may not be a necessity for everyone, it’s definitely useful for athletes constantly on the move.

In addition to the portability of the ice bath and carrying case, the tub comes with a basic cover, repair kit, air pump, and the Tru Grit Rubber Floor Mat—which is pretty comparable to home gym flooring—to help protect your floor and the ice tub. Due to it being a rather simple ice bath, we rate the conveniences a 3 out of 5.

Draining and Cleaning

The ice bath as it is doesn’t come with a chiller or filter, so draining and cleaning will be much more routine than higher-end ice baths. The tub has a fill and drain port on the side which is compatible with most garden hoses. Anthony warns, “This isn’t any different than filling up a kiddy pool, but it has some limitations as well.”

RELATED: Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro review

For one, the drain port is about 4 inches from the bottom of the cold plunge tub, meaning that you’ll never be able to drain the last few inches of water out of the drain port. Anthony says, “To get that last bit of water out, you’ll either need a sump pump, or you’ll need to be able to deadlift the tub to dump out the water—something we’ve had to do in the past.”

This will require a decent amount of maintenance, especially if you use it outdoors; since it does have the functionality to be used with a chiller and filter, however, this can save you a lot of hands-on time. Anthony rates the draining and cleaning a 2.5 out of 5.

Tru Grit Cold Tub vs Redwood Outdoors Yukon Tub

Redwood Outdoors Yukon Tub

Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge XL Deluxe Kit

GGR Score: 3.8

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Product Highlights

• Inflatable cold plunge tub kit
• Pump to inflate the tub included
• Deluxe chiller and heater combo
• Packable and portable
• Backpack carrying case comes included

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Straightforward installation
• Portable design

Cons

• Pricey
• Not insulated
• Changing water frequently is recommended

Bottom Line

The Redwood Outdoors inflatable Yukon cold plunge kit is a packable solution to bringing a cold with you on-the-go. It’s easy to inflate the tub with the pump that comes with the purchase. The main drawback to the inflatable design is the brand recommends changing the water frequently due to the fact that leaving water in the tub for 48 hours at a time can lead the tub to bulge and change shape through the center of the tub.

Another cold plunge tub that claims to be lightweight and portable is the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Tub, which is another inflatable ice bath. Pricewise, the tubs are comparable by themselves, but the Yukon Tub is a bit cheaper when bundled with a chiller. Furthermore, the Yukon also has an optional heater and chiller, which can make the cold tub also operate as a hot tub.

The Tru Grit tub is able to operate the same way, but you’ll need to find a different chiller than the Tru Grit Ice Box.

The other major difference between the two tubs is the size. We tested the Yukon XL tub, which is a larger tub than the Tru Grit. Although Tru Grit’s ice bath posed no problem for Anthony, the Yukon might be a bit more spacious for taller and larger athletes and users.

You can read more in our Redwood Outdoors Yukon Tub review.

Customer Experience 

Tru Grit Fitness offers 30-day returns on products. To qualify for a return, the tub has to be unused and in its original packaging. Original shipping costs are non-refundable.

The inflatable ice bath has a 1-year limited warranty, which is a middle-of-the-road warranty length for cold plunge tubs—earning it a 3 out of 5 for warranty and return policies. However, this is an understandable warranty for the lower price and materials used.

Customer service can be contacted through a variety of methods, all listed on their website: phone, email, contact form, or live chat even. For the many ways they can be contacted, Tru Grit earns a 5 out of 5 for customer service.

Ordering and Assembling the Tru Grit Cold Tub

The Tru Grit Inflatable Ice Bath is available for purchase directly from Tru Grit on their website, or on some other sites, such as Amazon or Dick’s Sporting Goods. Note that shipping is “free” on these sites, but the price is also $100 more to cover shipping costs.

Standard shipping takes about 3 to 5 business days, and next-day shipping is available in the United States. The lead time for international orders may vary depending on the products and distance to ship. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout.

Financing options are available through Afterpay or Shop Pay. The tub is very easy to set up and use, as it comes with a double action pump. Although you’ll have to do the pumping, you can pump the ice bath up within minutes, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 for delivery and setup. (Tru Grit recommends pumping the tub to a maximum pressure of 10 pounds per square inch.)

Customer Reviews

At the time of this writing, the Tru Grit Cold Tub has 13 reviews on Google Shopping, taken from various websites. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive with all being 5-star reviews aside from one 4-star review, averaging out to 4.9 stars out of 5.

The lone 4-star review mostly has complaints on the tub cover not fitting adequately and not fitting over the top—an issue we didn’t come across. This was an older review, so this issue may have been fixed since. The logo and lettering along the drain and fill ports had also smeared off over time.

Outside of that wear and the cover, the reviewer said it’s a good design and build. Other positive reviews remark on the tub’s easy setup and insulation, and also how easily the ice bath can fold up and be carried.

Final Verdict of Our Tru Grit Cold Tub Review

The Tru Grit Inflatable Ice Bath Tub is an affordable, lightweight cold plunge which is easy to set up, inflate, and then break down and carry for traveling. Although it lacks in extras and features, it makes up for it with a competitive price and solid construction. Here are some reasons this portable ice bath might be the right fit for you:

• Affordable price
• Option to add a chiller
• Solid construction that keeps its shape while in use
• Easy setup and quick breakdown

Full Rating

Tru Grit Cold Tub

For those looking for a lightweight, portable cold plunge tub that can be traveled with, the Tru Grit Inflatable Ice Bath is an excellent option. Weighing only 38 pounds, this tub can be deflated and rolled up into a simple backpack, allowing for easy travel. Although there aren’t too many extra features behind the tub, it’s affordable and portable, making it a great option for anyone on the move.

Product Brand: Tru Grit

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 899.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4

Tru Grit Cold Tub: FAQs

References

1. Herrera, E., Sandoval, M. C., Camargo, D. M., & Salvini, T. F. (2010). Motor and sensory nerve conduction are affected differently by ice pack, ice massage, and cold water immersion. Physical therapy, 90(4), 581–591. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20090131
2. Stanley, J., Buchheit, M., & Peake, J. M. (2012). The effect of post-exercise hydrotherapy on subsequent exercise performance and heart rate variability. European journal of applied physiology, 112(3), 951–961. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2052-7
3. Peres Valgas da Silva, C., Hernández-Saavedra, D., White, J. D., & Stanford, K. I. (2019). Cold and Exercise: Therapeutic Tools to Activate Brown Adipose Tissue and Combat Obesity. Biology, 8(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology8010009
4. Kox, M., van Eijk, L. T., Zwaag, J., van den Wildenberg, J., Sweep, F. C., van der Hoeven, J. G., & Pickkers, P. (2014). Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(20), 7379–7384. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1322174111

Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1

Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.

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