Redwood Outdoors Yukon Kit Review: The Inflatable and Portable Cold Plunge

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Key Features:

• Standard Tub Dimensions: 59 inches L x 31.5 inches W x 23.75 inches H
• XL Tub Dimensions: 72.75 inches L x 31.5 inches W x 23.75 inches H
• Chiller Dimensions: 17.75 inches L x 11.75 inches W x 16.5 inches H
• Tub Weight: 30 pounds empty
• Chiller Weight: 50 pounds
• Tub Capacity: 120 gallons
• Temperature Range: Cools water down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit
• Kit Price: $3,499 (tub and chiller)
• Tub Price: $899
• Warranty: One-year limited warranty
• Materials: Double walled PVC

If you’re looking to hop on the cold plunge hype train and integrate cold water therapy into your wellness routine, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we take a look at the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Kit, an inflatable cold plunge tub that’s equipped with a powerful and easy-to-use electric chiller system. With the ability to keep water temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, this cold plunge can deliver a number of potential health benefits for your body and mind, including enhanced recovery, a boosted immune system, improved mental health and even stress relief.

The standout feature of the Yukon is definitely its portability, making it an ideal choice if you’re looking to take your cold plunge with you on the road. Constructed using durable, double walled PVC plastic, this cold-water therapy solution is designed for both indoor or outdoor use and can be fully inflated and ready to use in less than 10 minutes.

Purchase of the Redwood Outdoors Cold Plunge kit includes the tub and chiller system, a convenient carrying case, air pump and a standard tub cover to keep your water free from leaves and debris. If you’re interested in learning more about the Redwood Outdoors Yukon, including our own first-hand experience testing the product for ourselves, then read on to determine whether this powerful and portable cold plunge is right for you.

What Is the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge?

The Redwood Outdoors Yukon is an inflatable cold plunge tub that’s designed to offer consumers a premium and portable cold water therapy solution. What sets this tub apart from other inflatable cold plunge and ice bath products on the market is the durable, double walled PVC plastic construction that’s rugged enough to withstand the elements and be used outdoors.

The Yukon is available for purchase either as an ice bath (no chiller system) or as part of Redwood Outdoors’ Yukon Cold Plunge Kit, which includes the powerful cold plunge chiller. Based on the information found on the Redwood Outdoors website, the ¾ horsepower chiller can cool your water down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit under ideal conditions. In regard to cooling time, the brand mentions that it will take approximately four hours to drop the temperature from 75 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit based on a 100-gallon tub.

How the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge Works

After the initial setup, which involves inflating the tub, connecting the chiller system and filling the tub with water, using the Yukon cold plunge is as easy as setting your desired temperature on the chiller system and allowing the water to cool.

Our reviewer noted that this was an easy and straightforward process that a single person can do by themselves. They mentioned that once the tub structure was fully inflated, connecting the hoses and the water chiller was as simple as tightening the hoses to the proper valves. From start to finish, including filling the tub with water, this process may take around 30 to 45 minutes.

In regard to maintenance, Redwood Outdoors gives a few different options depending on whether you purchase the chiller system and if you plan on using a sanitizer such as bromine for your tub.

The brand notes that if the tub is used without a chiller system and without a sanitizer, then it recommends changing the water after each session, which can become quite a hassle. That said, if you don’t have the chiller but are using the sanitizer, then your water may last up to seven days.

If the tub is used with a chiller, then you will have to change the water less frequently. The combination of the chiller’s filtration system, along with the bromine sanitizer, will allow you to use the tub for about two weeks before needing to change the water. Our reviewer confirms these recommendations, as she noted that the Yukon’s water began turning green within three weeks despite the use of the chiller system and sanitizer solution.

Using the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge

Using the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge is extremely straightforward, just set your desired temperature via the chiller systems digital display and allow your water to cool. Note that the chiller system is also WiFi compatible, which allows you to also control the temperature setting directly from your phone. This enables you to set your plunge remotely, so that it’s at temperature and ready to use when you are.

When you are ready to actually hop in the tub, it should be easy enough to simply step inside and lower yourself down into the water. Unlike other cold plunges that sit higher off the ground, our reviewer notes that the Yukon tub is just over 23 inches tall, meaning you shouldn’t need extra assistance from a stepstool to enter or exit the tub. She also mentioned that the insulated walls provide a nice place to hold your arms above the water and rest your head while plunging.

Finally, before purchasing a Yukon cold plunge, you should consider the height of people who will be using the cold plunge. This will help you decide if the standard Yukon tub, which is about five feet long, will meet your needs, or whether you should consider upgrading to the larger XL model. For reference, our reviewer is six feet tall and tested the Yukon XL that is 72-¾ inches in length. She said that sitting upright was necessary in order to fully extend her legs, noting that if she wanted to dunk her head underwater, she would need to bend her knees in order to lay on her back and fully submerge.

What We Like About the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge

We believe that the standout feature of the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge is its portability. There aren’t many full-size cold plunges on the market that are durable, weigh only 30 to 35 pounds (depending on the model you purchase—standard vs. XL) and easily fold up into a convenient carrying case. Our reviewer also noted that although the pump was manual, she was surprised at how well the pump worked and how quickly she was able to inflate the tub.

This makes this product a fantastic choice if you are an athlete who travels for events, but still wants to support their recovery; or are a routine traveler that simply wants to take their cold plunge tub with them while on-the-go.

Despite adding another $1,000 to your order, we also like the fact that you have the option to upgrade your cold plunge chiller to a deluxe dual chiller and heater system. This allows you to turn your cold plunge into a hot tub, since the heater can bring the water temperature up to a cozy 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This heating element also doubles as a freeze control device, keeping your system safe in below freezing weather if your plunge is stored outside.

Finally, we love that the chiller can connect to a smartphone app and is able to be fully remote-controlled. This allows you to set your system so that it’s ready to use while you're driving home from work, wrapping up your workout, or before you get out of bed for your morning plunge.

What To Consider About the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge

Before you commit to purchasing the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge, there are a few things you should consider.

First, our reviewer notes that it is imperative that your tub is inflated properly before adding any water. Redwood Outdoors recommends that the pressure inside the tub when fully inflated should read between eight and 10 psi. From her personal experience, she noted the tub walls had begun to droop slightly and the tub no longer held its cylindrical shape when filled completely with water. That said, this is more likely to occur in the XL model which holds 155 gallons of water, compared to the 120 gallons in the standard size.

Our reviewer also commented that the Yukon’s drain holes are located a few inches above the bottom of the tub. This means that you will still have several gallons of water sitting in the bottom of the tub after emptying. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, this is a slight inconvenience when trying to fully drain your tub before storing.

Our final note is that shipping is not included with the purchase of the Yukon cold plunge. So be ready for an additional $500 plus to be added to the price point once shipping and sales tax are calculated.

Related Article: Redwood Outdoors Pacific Cold Plunge Kit Review: Is This Icy Experience Worth its Price?

Warranty and Return Policy

Both the Yukon cold plunge tub and chiller system are protected by a one-year limited warranty that starts on the date you receive the product. This will cover any defects in the materials that existed at the time that the product left the warehouse. What this won’t cover is any damage that happens during transportation, storage or improper use of the product after receipt.

Regarding the return policy, the Redwood Outdoors website reads that it may accept the return of products within 30 days of receipt, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions to be determined solely by Redwood Outdoors. This means that any damage that occurs to the product during shipping will not be handled by the Redwood Outdoors team and would need to be settled with the shipping company.

Customer Reviews

Redwood Outdoors has a 4.9 star rating on Google Reviews with over 180 reviews. That said, the reviews include a combination of their products, including their saunas, hot tubs and other cold plunge units. At this time, I didn’t manage to find any reviews on the Yukon cold plunge specifically so I headed to the r/coldplunge section on Reddit.

A few positive reviews commented on the Redwood Outdoors support staff, saying they are always helpful and on top of their game. One of the less positive reviews concerned the Redwood chiller system, which the user commented only got the water down to 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the advertised 37. However, I don’t see this as much of an issue since 43 degrees Fahrenheit is still extremely cold and the Redwood Outdoors team makes it clear that 37 degrees Fahrenheit is only achievable under ideal conditions.

Redwood Outdoors Yukon vs. Ice Pod 2.0

The Ice Pod 2.0 is an affordable ice bath option for individuals who may not be willing to invest in a more expensive model. This is a solid entry-level cold water therapy solution to determine whether you enjoy plunging enough to pursue a more serious investment.

In terms of similarities, both the Ice Pod 2.0 and Redwood Outdoors Yukon are both portable and easy to set up and break down quickly. They also both have the ability to be connected to external chiller systems in order to keep the water at a desired temperature level. For reference, the Polar Pod external chiller is priced at $990 and includes a free Ice Pod bath with purchase.

The key difference is the size of the two tubs. The Ice Pod 2.0 is circular in shape and would require you to squat inside to fully submerge, while the Yukon will allow you to lay down completely.

If you're brand new to plunging, then the Ice Pod 2.0 may be the way to go. However, if you’re interested in a larger and higher-quality cold plunge, then I would consider choosing the Redwood Outdoors Yukon. Just note that the Yukon does come with a higher price point.

Redwood Outdoors Yukon vs. Plunge

Plunge is a well-known cold plunge brand that’s constructed from acrylic and fiberglass and features an aesthetic white design. On the other hand, the Yukon is a portable and inflatable cold plunge that’s made from durable PVC plastic.

Regarding the similarities, both tubs are suited for either indoor and outdoor use, utilize external chiller systems to cool the water and feature lay-down designs. In terms of differences, the biggest difference between the two brands is in the construction. The Plunge does come at a slightly higher price point, but is also designed to be a more permanent structure in the home and is therefore made with more durable materials. Conversely, the Yukon is meant to be portable and therefore necessitates a lighter PVC plastic composition.

In order to determine which product is right for you, consider your budget and how important a portable cold plunge is for your lifestyle. If portability isn’t a must, then I would advise the Plunge as the option to go with. However, if you plan on using your cold plunge while traveling, then the Yukon is for sure the correct choice.

Redwood Outdoors Yukon vs. PolarMonkeys Brainpod 2.0

Similar to the Plunge, the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 features a sleek, aesthetic design that you would likely feel comfortable having in your house year round. However, the Polar Monkeys product looks very similar to a classic free-standing tub, which is very different from the Yukon’s inflatable design.

Both the Brain Pod and the Yukon are similar in the sense that they are both durable, suitable for outdoor use, and use external chiller systems that are compatible with the Tuya app for remote temperature control.

In terms of differences, the Yukon is inflatable, portable and made of PVC plastic, while the Brainpod 2.0 is constructed with durable fiberglass and will likely be placed in a permanent location within or outside the home.

When determining which cold plunge is right for you, you will be happy to know that both the Brainpod 2.0 and Yukon have a similar price point. Ultimately, the determining factor comes down to portability, if it’s a must then the Yukon is the right option. However, if you don’t plan on traveling with your plunge, then I would suggest the Brainpod 2.0 for its durability and aesthetic design.

Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge FAQs

How hard is it to inflate the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge?

Inflating the Redwood Outdoors Yukon Cold Plunge is as simple as using a bicycle pump to fill up a tire. The tub can be fully inflated in less than ten minutes and you will know when it is ready to use when the gauge on the pump (which is provided) reads between eight and 10 psi.

Can you put a cold plunge tub outside?

Yes, the Yukon Cold Plunge is designed from durable, double-walled PVC that’s designed to withstand the outdoors. That said, if you plan on keeping your plunge outside, then you will likely want to add the waterproof chiller cover which will add another $149 to your order.

How big of a tub do I need for a cold plunge?

The size of the tub you need for an effective cold plunge does vary from person to person. This is why cold plunges come in various sizes, ranging from compact individual barrels to longer tubs that allow you to lay down. The Yukon Cold Plunge is just shy of five feet long and is designed to accommodate most individuals. However, if you need to size up, you should consider the Yukon Cold Plunge XL, which is 72.75 inches, or just over six feet in length.

Final Thoughts

If a portable and durable cold plunge tub is a must, then I don’t think you can beat the value that the Yukon cold plunge provides. It’s extremely easy to set up and break down, and the entire tub is lightweight and fits into a convenient carrying case. We also really liked the fact that you have the option to upgrade your chiller to a dual chiller and heater system if desired. That said, if portability isn’t important, and you plan on using your cold plunge tub solely at your house, then I personally believe there are better options available at a similar price point.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.