The 5 Best Ice Packs to Relieve Post-Run Pain

If you have sprained a wrist, pulled your back, or twisted an ankle before, you've likely heard of the age-old R.I.C.E. protocol— rest, ice, compression, and elevation. And while painkillers can help numb the discomfort, there is nothing as effective at providing instant relief—and jumpstarting recovery—as a good old-fashioned ice pack. Icing not only helps you to feel better by numbing the area that's causing you discomfort, but also helps decrease swelling and inflammation at the source.

While you can use a bag of frozen peas, an actual ice pack will serve you better, with longer lasting cold, less sweating, and a moldable surface that contours to your body. Since there are a lot of ice packs out there, we've gathered some of our favorites to help you choose.

5 Best Ice Packs for Post-Run Recovery

What to Consider

Generally, you will have three types of ice packs—refillable ice bags, gel ice packs, and instant ice packs. Look below for the different features of each.

Refillable Ice Bags

These are just what they sound like—bags that you can fill with ice cubes. These are great if you don't want to bulk up your freezer and have ice readily available. They are usually pretty big, and depending on how much ice you put in, they can easily contour around rounded surfaces like a knee.

Gel Ice Packs

These will stay cold the longest and will sweat the least. They come in all different sizes, and can sometimes be strapped onto your body so you can wear them while walking around. They are also pretty moldable, and some can even be heated as well as frozen.

Instant Ice Packs

These single-use ice packs are great for when you're on the go. They freeze instantly due to a chemical reaction, and are great if you find yourself somewhere without a freezer. Since they are single-use, though, they are a bit wasteful—so it's best to use them sparingly.

How We Selected

To find the best ice packs among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available and considered their materials, size, effectiveness, and, durability. We then looked at both expert reviews and customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these ice packs on sites like Amazon, to settle on the products you'll find below.

For more great ways to heal after a hard run, check out our picks for the best recovery tools, foam rollers, and foot massagers.