Magic Gel Neck Ice Pack - Reusable Cold Wrap for Neck, Shoulders and Back - Soft and Flexible Freezer Pack for Icing Neck, Shoulder, Upper Body Muscles - Stays Cool for 25 Minutes

I had Bicep Tendonesis surgery and I wanted to make sure I found something that’ll go around my arm and not be a hard brick like I seen a lot of other ice packs online. You gotta be careful for that. This one does not get hard like a brick otherwise I’d use it for my lunchbox lol but no, it’s soft when you pull it out of the freezer and flexible. I noticed some other reviews on many products say something about condensation ice buildup and you have to realize that when you pull something freezing cold out of the freezer that condensation naturally will build up on it due to the temperature of the product and the temperature of the air in the room. Then when you put it back in the freezer, the condensation will obviously freeze on the exterior - it’s just common sense but it seems like people lack it. Anyway, it’s good gets the job done but unfortunately, I’m a baby and I can’t move my arm much so I just put it on top of it. I don’t wrap it around.

I pinched a nerve in the nerve bank behind my shoulder and it was causing pain down my arm and sometimes felt like a golf ball was lodged behind my shoulder. I ordered this as the physical therapist recommended I ice a couple times a day. This ice pack is perfect. It’s comfortable, has some weight to it, and is malleable even when fresh out of the freezer.

I bought this after shoulder surgery. I like that I can strap it on and move around. I’ve found that if I leave the large Velcro strap fastened, I can slip it over my other arm by myself. I do have to get my husband to fasten the other strap around my arm on the side that I am icing for a better fit. My only complaint is that they do not sell or provide a thin cover to put around it to protect my skin better. I do sew, but I’m currently unable to use my left arm. I’m placing a thin pillow case on my shoulder under the ice pack, but I’d rather have something fitted.It easily stays cold enough for the 20 minute ice sessions. I think I’ll start putting it into a ziplock bag because I do not like the extra layer of frost on it from the freezer. It seems a bit stiff, but it’s flexible enough for me. It is way better than the bags of peas my doctor told me to get.

So much better than dealing with a bag of frozen peas! I feel like at this point, I’m an unofficial “expert” in shopping for ice packs. ;) I have severe degenerative disc disease and deal with debilitating chronic neck and back pain (and chronic daily migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, severe arthritis in knees, hip arthritis/bursitis, SI joint issues, etc.), so I’m constantly treating my pain and inflammation by rotating using reusable ice packs throughout the day and night. I have an entire shelf in a wider style/French door style freezer dedicated just to keeping ice packs cold at all times.Over the past 10 years, I’ve tried several different brands and types of reusable ice packs—clay packs (don’t stay cold long enough for my needs, too small), super expensive squishy gel packs with spandex fabric covering (feel good but don’t stay cold for long, and are also heavy for their size and require sealing in zip top bags during freezing so they don’t expand by absorbing water from the small amount of humidity in the freezer), flexible gel packs (similar style, “guaranteed” but only last 6 months or so before leaking). But it seems even the most expensive ice packs aren’t durable enough for the amount of frequent, constant use I put them through.I purchased 2 of these and as soon as they arrived yesterday, I popped them into the freezer (which is set to the coldest setting), and they froze rather quickly. So far these appear to be just as well made as the ones that are the same size and shape but cost 2x as much. And while the liquid inside makes a “crinkling” sound when frozen, they still remained fairly flexible, even when frozen for several hours. I have no idea what some commenters are talking about when they mention that these freeze and become rock hard— after 5 minutes or so at standard room temp (~68 degrees F), the ice packs are flexible enough for me to wrap around my neck.And here’s what I’ve found over the years- when an ice pack is advertised to remain completely flexible when frozen, then it’s most likely not going to remain cold for very long. So it’s a trade off: if you want a REALLY COLD ice pack, it will probably be a little bit stiffer at first. It’s not that big of a deal for me to let my body heat and the room temp help soften the ice pack for a few minutes.I use ice packs so often that I sewed some fabric covers that happened to fit these perfectly (just a long rectangular tube shaped “narrow pillowcase” of fabric, with a button on the open end, and an elastic loop sewn into the seam of the other end). I highly recommend that you always protect your skin from the cold temperatures by placing a thin kitchen towel, t-shirt or large bandana, etc. between you and the ice pack.I used one of the ice packs last night while I slept and it remained perfectly cold for several hours, even under several layers of warm bedding. I’ll update my review if anything changes, but so far I think these ice packs are well made and worth every penny. These are such a good deal that I’m planning to purchase at least a couple more, since I rotate them so frequently.EDIT: One month later and still going strong! just purchased 2 more, so I can rotate using them throughout the day/night! These work just as well, are holding up just like the ones I used to buy that were 2x the price! So glad I found these!

Prepare to be soaked. With no absorbent outer covering it drips down my arm as it warms up. Also, the strap rides up in my armpit. Not at all comfortable.

After purchasing two other brands, I quickly got tired of having to take out the ice pack from the sleeve to re-freeze, then have to put it back. Then I found this brand. It doesn't require a sleeve, you just chill and re-use, saving you all of that extra time and effort. Better yet, these packs stay cold a long time. Even though I usually wear a size Large in men's shirts, I bought the Small Size, and it fits just right. I LOVE these!!!

Worked well & stayed in place without shifting. Choose to use it for the cold only.

This seems ok until it’s frozen and then suddenly it’s like all the gel moved to the sides with none in the middle space and you have to move all the frozen slushy gel around to use it. I’ve moved the gel, lay flat and frozen it multiple times yet still have the same issue. If not for that, I would have given five stars.