Article
What equipment do you need for cold baths and ice baths? We go through everything from ice tubs and thermometers to neoprene gloves and robes - and what you actually need.
The market for cold-bathing products has exploded as interest has grown. You can buy cold tubs for tens of thousands of kronor with built-in cooling and app control. There are neoprene gloves, special robes, thermometers, and recovery drinks. But what do you really need?
What You Actually Need
A large towel. That is the only absolute requirement. Everything else is either convenience or optimization. If you bathe in a lake, the sea, or a river, you need nothing more. If you bathe at home, you need access to cold water - a bathtub, bucket, or tub. A simple plastic thermometer for under one hundred kronor is genuinely useful for knowing what temperature you are bathing in, but it is not strictly necessary.
Ice Tubs - When Are They Worth It?
A simple round polyethylene ice tub costs around 300-800 kronor and is a good alternative to a bathtub for anyone who wants to sit or stand in a dedicated container. It is easier to fill with ice and reach a lower temperature. An advanced tub with a built-in chiller and temperature control can cost 8,000 kronor and up. That is convenient and precise - but it is a luxury, not a necessity.
Neoprene - For Extreme Conditions
Neoprene gloves and socks protect your hands and feet during very cold winter bathing. Fingers and toes are the most sensitive to cold and the first to lose function. If you regularly bathe in water below 4-5 C, neoprene on the extremities is sensible protection. A neoprene vest or jacket, on the other hand, reduces the effect - a bit like taking ibuprofen and then hoping for immune-system training.
Robe and Rewarming
A thick robe to throw on immediately after the dip is one of the most practical purchases for anyone bathing outdoors. It helps retain warmth and frees your hands so you can dry off properly. A down or fleece jacket works just as well. A warm drink in a thermos is a simple way to warm yourself from the inside and make the ritual a little more enjoyable.
Start simple. A towel and a bathtub are enough. Buy more only if you notice that it actually solves a problem - not because a website told you that you need it.