Fomentek Hot Water Therapy Bag - Hot & Cold Water Bottle - Soothing Warm Water Heat - Comforting Cramp Relief for The Back, Stomach, Feet, Neck, Shoulders, 2-Pack Small (11" x 15")

I'll be candid...when I pulled them out of the box I thought they were pretty low-tech for the price and I thought I might have gotten ripped off. But I tried them and, boy, are they nice!! Instructions say a third full of hot tap water and they're floppy enough to envelop your neck or other hard-to-cover spots. I fill them and put it in a flannel pillowcase, making it easier to slide it down my back (holding onto the pillowcase opening for leverage) to get my traps and between my shoulders (hurty spots). It's also nicer on the skin that way when the bag is extra hot. As the bag starts to cool down, you can either take it out and use it bare (another half life) or put your feet on it within the pillowcase--cozy! I can do this a couple of times for a night of TV-watching. It's comforting to put on my lap while also warming my hands on top (I imagine you could do a hand-softening treatment if you have disposable gloves over oil or paraffin soaked hands--note to self, must try...). I will also tuck it between the sheets before bedtime when it's cold (I don't like electric blankets). I've also used it to keep stones warm when I give him a nice hot stone massage (he LOVES it!). I imagine it works well for warming up other non-body things too. You can calibrate the heat for whatever your use easily from your faucet. The plugs are really good! Pop off when you want them to, but secure (I've gone to bed with these warming my neck). I've used these easily a couple hundred times from Dec through Feb, daily, several times a day, when it was cold. Probably could have made my own towel warmer too with both sandwiching towel in a basket or container. I plan on putting chilled water in and putting under my pillow when the hot, humid months begin. I also plan on packing these on trips to ease travel-related discomforts. These are easy, portable (packs down like a Ziploc), durable (I've even put more water in than recommended for longer heat retention, but then it's firmer/less pliable), multi-purpose with no failures nor sign of impending failure, great heat retention, no electricity needed. I've used them on my shoulders while driving to the chiropractor to help warm up/relax the muscles before a treatment. Better than a hot water bottle, now I'm thrilled with Fomentek's simple design and all the things I use them for. What a 180! By the way, I bought the large one too, but these small ones are the ones I grab, often two at a time, feet and hands, neck and tummy, tummy and feet...

Excellent bags for pain relief. Love the immediacy of heat. I especially use the smaller bag. I have been using these bags for years. But the large size is excellent to lay on. Very well made. Never had an issue with leakage with the top but over many, many use, there will be water pulling between the layers, which means it’s time for a replacement. Way more helpful than a traditional hot water bottle for my needs.

Great hot or cold therapy, strong enough for laying on. I like to use hot water which means mine wear out in about 6 months.

Nice

So follow the instructions for sure on not putting water in it that is too hot. Eventually your bags will leak if you continue to put water that is too warm in it and definitely do not put in boiling water. I am a massage therapist so I use these for clients. With all the concern with electrical heat our household uses these as bed warmers and as a therapist I especially like that they mold to your body. Neck, back, etc. Clearly you don’t want to put them under your body as they may rupture. The five gallon bag is quite large so be aware of that. If you laid it on your chest for most people it would go from your clavicle to about the top of your thigh. I recommend these to every single one of my clients and will always be a forever fan. Smaller bags are great for making your own ice packs or use them warm for small area pain. I think the middle of the sizes is the best as the 5 gallon will be too large for most.

Do not buy this item. It's just a plain plastic bag with a flimsy pop-on plastic gasket to close it. I do not trust the closure to hold and prevent the water from spilling all over and soaking my bed. When the large size is filled to 1/3 capacity, as described in instructions, it is too heavy for me to carry because of my back injury. The water sloshes around so that the bag slips and slides. It doesn't retain heat. There's no way to dry out the inside for storage after you fill it. Plus, it's not returnable if you hate it as much as I do. There's no refund unless the product is "defective" (rather than just stupid and pointless), and you have to pay a $5 handling fee plus return shipping. If you're shopping for this because you're in pain, as I am, you don't need the hassle. Amazon should not sell this product. I am so sorry that I wasted my money.

I like that the bags that I purchased are larger than a gallon ziplock bag. I like that the bag has a resealable opening. I like that the bag hasn’t leaked. The bag doesn’t stay warm like a hot water bottle would. It stays warm long enough to do the job it was purchased for though.

I have used Fomentek Bags for YEARS and I have never had an issue that wasn't taken care of for me easily and quickly. If I put a hole in the bag, I sent it back and a replacement was sent. No hassle, no questions! I hope this is still their policy because it's one that has kept me coming back to buy from them for over 15 years! It's extremely difficult to damage the bags and they keep hot tap water hot for a very long time!! My clients LOVE them. The hot to cold option is a HUGE plus for me as well. I could go on and on, but I'll sum it up by saying, as a massage therapist for over 20 years, I have a very short list of companies who's products stand the test of time...Fomentek is one of the very best purchases I have ever made and will continue with as long as I'm working, or as long as they keep making such a FANTASTIC product! Thank you! Adding that they are some of the nicest people to deal with. It's been a pleasure!

Best to place under the base sheet with client in Supine position. I have used Fomentek for 30 years. I use the Fomentek 5 times a day, 5 days each week. I find after 8 months of using the Fementek the plastic starts to break down and will not allow the water to drain. I wash the Fomentek bag every 2 weeks with Dawn dish soap to extend it's life.

Nice and good

Poor quality. Too thin to hold water