Shoulder recovery
Shoulder cooling that doesn't slide off
Recoolvery+ is not an ice pack. It is a cooling recovery wrap: freezable RCPad pads made with HypoCarbon® sit over the shoulder under three adjustable straps, so they stay put while you move. HypoCarbon® conducts heat 15× better than ice and doesn't melt or drip. A session runs 15–60 minutes, and the pads refreeze in 2–4 hours.
Shop the wrap, from US$119 Which size?
Why ice packs struggle on the shoulder
The shoulder is rounded, sits at an angle and moves in every direction. A bag of ice or a flat gel pack balances on top for a minute and then slides down your arm, or you end up pinning it in place with your other hand. The Recoolvery+ Wrap is built for that shape.
- It follows the curve. The cross-shaped holder lays pads over the top, front and back of the shoulder, not just one spot.
- It stays flexible. RCPads firm up in the freezer without going solid, so they mould to the joint straight away.
- It's hands-free. Three adjustable straps hold it in place, so both hands stay free to stretch, eat or drive home.
- It doesn't drip. No melting ice running down your arm, no wet shirt.
What makes the cold different: HypoCarbon®
How well a cooling pack works depends on how quickly it can pull heat away from the skin. That is measured as thermal conductivity, in watts per metre-kelvin (W/m·K).
Water is 0.6 W/m·K and ice is 2.3. HypoCarbon®, the carbon-based medium inside every RCPad, measured 35.0 W/m·K in in-house testing of the proprietary formulation.
HypoCarbon® wasn't made for the gym first. It is the cooling formulation behind CarbonCool® and EMCOOLS®, cooling products from Global Healthcare SG with more than 20 years of clinical and field use.
Recoolvery+ vs ice packs and machines for the shoulder
| Bag of ice | Gel ice pack | Cold therapy machine | Recoolvery+ Wrap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hands-free | No | Only with a separate strap | Yes | Yes, three adjustable straps |
| Shapes to the shoulder | Partly | Depends on the pack | With a shoulder-specific pad | Flexible pads in a cross-shaped holder |
| Needs ice, water or power | Ice | Freezer only | Ice and water; motorised units need power | Freezer only |
| Drips as it warms | Yes | No | No | No |
| Fits other joints | Yes | Depends on shape | Needs a pad per joint | Knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, calf, thigh, arm, back |
| Fits in a gym bag | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Typical price | Pennies | Low | About US$150–300+ | From US$119 |
A machine makes sense if you need long, continuous cooling for hours at a time. For everyday recovery, a wrap is simpler. Read the full machine vs wrap comparison →
How to put it on your shoulder
- Freeze. Keep the RCPads flat in their sleeve in the freezer for 2–4 hours.
- Wrap. Slot the pads into the holder and place it over the shoulder.
- Adjust. Bring the straps around and set them snug, not tight: firm enough to hold the pads, loose enough to stay comfortable.
- Recover. Cool hands-free for 15–60 minutes, then wipe the pads and put them back in the freezer.
Prefer it gentler? Wear it over a thin layer of clothing instead of bare skin. Take it off if the skin becomes numb or painful. Keep a spare pad set in the freezer if you want a second session.
Which size for the shoulder?
Standard · US$119
Standard suits most adult shoulders: 30 cm wrap span, 5 × RCPad 3×3 pads (76 × 76 mm), straps 0.8 m, 1.0 m, 0.8 m.
XL · US$139
Choose XL only if the area you want to cool measures 40 cm or more around: 40 cm span, 4 × RCPad 3×6 pads (76 × 152 mm), straps 1.0 m, 1.2 m, 1.0 m.
Not sure? Choose Standard.
When athletes reach for it
- Overhead sports: after swimming, tennis, volleyball, baseball or a throwing session.
- Lifting days: after pressing, pulling and anything overhead in the gym.
- Between sessions: a quick wrap between training blocks, then back to it.
- At home: after a long day at a desk or carrying kids and shopping.
Questions about shoulder cooling
How long should I cool my shoulder with Recoolvery+?
A typical session runs 15 to 60 minutes, depending on room temperature and how snugly the wrap is fitted. Start at the shorter end, wear it over a thin layer if you prefer it gentler, and take it off if the skin becomes numb or painful.
Will it stay on my shoulder while I move?
Yes. Three adjustable straps hold the pads against the shoulder hands-free, so you can stretch, walk around or sit back without holding it in place.
Which size fits my shoulder, Standard or XL?
Standard suits most adult shoulders. Choose XL only if the area you want to cool measures 40 cm or more around. If unsure, choose Standard.
How is it different from an ice pack?
The difference is the cooling medium and the fit. RCPads are made with HypoCarbon®, measured at 35.0 W/m·K in in-house testing, against 2.3 W/m·K for ice and 0.6 for water. The pads stay flexible, and the straps hold them on hands-free.
Can I use it after shoulder surgery or for an injury?
Recoolvery+ is a recovery and comfort product, not a medical device. After surgery or a significant injury, follow the plan from your surgeon or physiotherapist.
Does the same wrap work on other joints?
Yes. One wrap fits the shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle, and also the calf, thigh, arm and back.
Freeze · Wrap · Recover
One wrap for the shoulder, and every other joint
Standard US$119 · XL US$139 · Ships worldwide · 30-day returns
Shop the Recoolvery+ Wrap