10 Portable Showers for Camping: Staying Clean in the Backcountry

Nothing could be invigorating to the mind, body, and spirit more than getting away from the hustle and bustle of the world by dunking your soul into nature. Camping lets you wake up to magnificent scenic views, watch wildlife go about their business in their natural surroundings, and even truly appreciate the healing properties of fresh forest air. However, living this close to elements also entitles you to deal with a lot more basic living conditions, for which you won’t have the convenience of your everyday creature comforts.

Something that most outdoor lovers inevitably miss is the ease of a hot shower after long days of hitting rugged trails or sleeping under starry canopies. Luckily, today’s portable shower technologies can easily refresh a person in the great outdoors without having to sacrifice enjoying scenic surroundings. Here, I’ll introduce to you some of the best shower options for camping in nature’s beauty while keeping yourself clean. Each of these portable designs offers some solution to maintaining simple hygiene pleasures when residing closely with wildlife.

Be it vehicle camping, backpacking miles into the middle of nowhere, or simply some minimalist bathing solutions, I will outline key features and uses for these fixtures. Let’s look into these handy companions into the wilderness that further enrich one in the rejuvenating powers of nature!

Portable Showers for Camping: What Makes Them Useful For Campers?

There are a number of portable showers available today to let campers enjoy the outdoors while keeping themselves clean. I will be sharing my top portable shower choices in this post, perfect for any camping situation that may arise. But before getting into the list, here are some good reasons why portable showers are useful to campers and how they are differently applied.

To outdoor enthusiasts, portable showers certainly remain highly regarded for the chance to be immersed in nature’s healing scenery and activities without marring one’s sense of renewal. Designs are compact and light, hence very easy to move around with other camping equipment. Much more importantly, portable showers let one refresh themselves in picturesque surroundings without long treks taken to facilities found in public places. They can be used to wash dishes, gear, and other campsite cleanups, too!

Whether car camping in beautiful parks or hiking solo through the woods, portable showers bring power for more simplistic enjoyment of nature’s serene getaways. Their compact ease takes outdoor recreations to a whole new level in comfort by being able to clean yourself completely within beautiful surroundings without compromising basic needs.

How Do Portable Camping Showers Work?

There are a few main types of portable camping showers and to fully understand how each works, we will need to look at each one in detail. 

Solar Showers

These are insulated plastic shower bags or chambers used to heat and store water. They get filled and left in direct sunlight to warm up the water inside through heat from the sun. The bag is heated and then hung above head height using straps or ropes. Due to gravity, this allows water to slowly drain out through a hose, or flexible spout attached near the bottom. This provides a long, low-pressure rinse. Solar showers are great options for camping situations with good sun exposure and are very light, inexpensive options. They however rely on weather and can be slower than others.

Pressure Showers

A pressurized shower works on the basis of the mechanical pressurization of stored water within an internal bladder or reservoir. Usually, this involves operation by hand or through the use of a pedal-powered pump attached to the unit. Air, when pumped into this space, compresses the water and raises its pressure. Water may be released afterward under force through a hose and showerhead attachment. It gives a stronger jet of water than solar showers to make the shower experience more delightful. High-pressure showers do provide better shower pressure; however, it requires more effort as it requires to pump up the system.

Battery-Powered Showers

Electric showers hook up to rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs, which in turn power water pumps and controls. When hooked to the battery, it can push water through an attached shower head at the push of a button by use of an integrated water pump. Of all portable options, these are the most shower-like, although they do require that batteries be charged regularly, which in remote areas for camping can be a challenge. Battery showers offer convenience but rely on an external power source to work properly.

10 Portable Camping Showers to Consider 

Geyser Systems Portable Shower

Beginning with my personal preference, this unit provides a new take on sponge-bath. It can heat 0.8 gallons to a balmy 95°F within 15 minutes when connected to power sources. Then, you can easily utilize the cellulose sponge, soaked in hot water, all over the body to scrub away a day’s exertions. The electric or integrated chamber stove options fuel its rapid boiling convenience. At 13 oz, it has low weight and dimensions that stow easily. While it won’t project forceful streams like standard models do, backpackers love its gentle, water-saving functionality for being smart and lightweight. Consider adding a portable solar shower for times you need a stronger rinse. 

Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

Weighing in under 8 ounces, the Pocket Shower delivers lightweight convenience for backpackers. It’s a minimal 5 x 4 inches when compressed–one of the most compact options, easily slipping into any pack. In essence, it’s a 10-liter dry bag made in very thin porous nylon that dries in just minutes after use. 

Just fill the bag with water and tie it off. Then, hang it above your camp to slowly drain 4-5 minutes of rinsing water through gravity flow. This no-frills method cleans up without bulky equipment or complex setups better suited to vehicle camping. While the flow is gentle, it’s enough to rinse off the sweat and dirt of the trail. Sea to Summit also makes larger-sized pouches for groups or extended trips.

NEMO Helio Pressure Shower

The NEMO Helio offers a high-quality 2.9-gallon capacity and runs clean with a minimal footprint. It is stowed uncompressed at 7 x 10 inches until ready to inflate the internal bladder. Attach the included foot pump and hose. A few presses pressurizes water through the spray nozzle for stronger flow than gravity alone. Adjust pressure to your liking via the durable pump. Retractable legs steady it on any solid surface, fully handing one to wash. Car campers love its full shower capabilities from a compact package, perfect for all-terrain. Its simple layout intuitively works without manuals. 

Advanced Elements Summer Shower

The Summer Shower is the most consistent of the gravity-fed options we reviewed. Made from puncture-resistant PVC in sizes as large as 10 gallons of water, its wide base retains heat well. Fill it up before the sun rises, and it’ll be at comfortable temperatures by mid afternoon. Then, hang it securely and enjoy 6 minutes of controlled flow. Additional attachments store neatly on built-in straps. Weighing just 1.3 pounds, its portable package outperforms cheaper imitations that sacrifice resilience. With quality materials, it provides the solar method’s ease of use and is a great low-tech option. 

Coghlans Gravity Shower 

Value-conscious buyers will appreciate how, for $12, Coghlans provides standard 5-gallon function. That inexpensive construction does become apparent, however. It’s hard plastic hose twists irreparably with time, shortening its adjustable 22″ length. Plus, the thin nylon rope can’t suspend the PVC body securely among foliage. With minor adjustments to materials, it would be on par with competitors. As is, beginners might get occasional use from it, while frequent campers get more years out of more robust options that cost just a few dollars more upfront. Savings become minimal through continually replacing unsatisfactory parts, but this is a good option for those who camp minimally. 

JOOLCA HOTTAP V2

Luxury setups feel complete with the JOOLCA’s shower capabilities. Two powering methods heat 0.8 gallons to temperatures just under the human threshold in only minutes. Five adjustable nozzles then spray water in patterns to fully douse and wash off. A propane burner runs from small canisters inexpensively and readily available anywhere. Integrated battery mode recharges via wall plug for off-grid areas. The hose is well-made with no complaints of leaks through the components. While large for serious backpacking, overland families find true shower comforts where and when they explore. Easy assembly provides cleanliness without plumbing necessities. 

Shower Toga Shower To Go

Weighing only 1.7 ounces, the Shower Toga Shower To Go brings refreshing capabilities to any trail outing. Simply attach the compact shower head via threaded nozzle onto standard water bottles holding at least one liter. Compatibility is best with narrow mouth bottles like Smartwater or Platypus; wider mouth Nalgenes may find the Sea To Summit Pocket Shower more accommodating. 

Though small in size, this accessory unleashes a constant stream of water pressure through its single spray outlet. The various orientations of its usage completely shut or steadily drench the flow, as needed. While not a full immersive shower, the To Go far surpasses the crudely pouring of water over oneself. Although its the most minimal option on the list, it’s one to consider for more rugged camping. Minor leaks around connections over time prove manageable but are outweighed by the budget-friendliness. 

Decathlon Quechua Solar Pressure Shower 500

Offering top-notch functionality combined with a very affordable price tag, the Quechua earned is a very good portable shower option. Mount the attached pump handle and press compressed air multiples of times to pressurize 2.6 gallons inside. Water is then dispensed into quick connectors, then powerful rinse water through an adjustable 6-foot hose into adjustable spray patterns. Although re-pumping does involve the cessation of flow briefly, this foot-operated mechanism becomes easy and ergonomic to tired muscles. Stable kickstand legs anchor solidly on any surface from trail to beachside. A stowage bag and carrying strap transport it hassle-free among other camp belongings.

Kakadu Outback Shower

Convenience arrives at camp via the Kakadu model’s ultra-fast water heating abilities. The decision of either propane or power from an onboard lithium battery boils half a gallon within minutes to shower-worthy temperatures. A variety of full-bodied spray nozzles then douse skin to solicit grime without tugging close to some electrical hookup. Extra hoses twist on firmly to broaden cleaning duties. While not petite for trekking distant locales, vehicle campers claim to feel truly refreshed anywhere their travels lead. It’s user-friendly, inviting continued comforts beyond basics.

With portable showers, outdoor showers have never been easier.

Portable camping showers give a convenient way for outdoor enthusiasts to feel refreshed while living near nature. Choosing a design based on needs, from lightweight solo backpacker options to family car-camping size, allows the fun of camping without compromising on comforts. Their versatility also lends to washing dishes, gear, and keeping overall cleanliness at a campsite. As important outdoor companions, portable showers make enjoying nature’s rejuvenating effects even more pleasant.

In remote situations, using portable desalination kits or water ionizers ensures access to safe drinking water as well. While more involved to use than ready-to-pour bottled water, these options empower you with self-sufficiency wherever outdoor adventures may lead. Whether car camping in developed sites or trekking miles from civilization, today’s shower and water treatment technologies synergize the soul-nourishing elements of nature with basic hygiene needs!

For more information on beneficial water therapies and all things around benefits of water, stay tuned to my blog. I’m always available to give recommendations, reviews, and health information around water. If you found this particular post helpful, you might want to check out my posts on portable water ionizers, portable desalination kits and best portable water filters!

Stay hydrated,

Shashank Varma (Mr. Water Geek).