The great outdoors are a magical place, right? The promise of adventure, crisp fresh air, beautiful wildlife and stunning nature, and truly, the chance to get away from it all. Stop right there though, right in your tracks. You’re forgetting something, aren’t you? You’ve probably got your rugged hiking boots, your durable work pants, a moisture-wicking shirt and perhaps even a waterproof backpack. But for trips into the wilderness for any length of time, don’t forget that most overlooked and yet seemingly necessary of comforts: A camping shower to help you stay clean and refreshed on the go.
Yes, we went there. You need one of the best camping showers as part of your haul into the great outdoors, and we make no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. The best camping showers are surprisingly portable, highly effective and every bit as well-made and durable as the rest of your camping gear. No one wants to go days at a time in the wild without a refreshing shower, and if ever you’ve struggled through an excursion without one, perhaps you’ve learned your lesson.
But let us save you the hassle of having to learn that lesson this time out, because a camping shower is going to be your secrt life-saver and in effect, your new best friend. It’ll prove a quick and effective way to get clean after grueling days on the trail — and heck, even if your camping just involves more leisurely pursuits (bonfires and beers come to mind), as opposed to scaling treacherous terrain or searching for never-before-seen wildlife, you can’t top a nice shower with a portable shower, can you? We didn’t think so.
Add to your packing list in a hurry with our picks for a portable shower for camping — they’ll have you wondering why you didn’t have one in your packing list before.
What To Look For When Buying A Camping Shower
While you could certainly throw caution to the wind and dash out to buy the first camping shower you lay eyes on, we’re going to go ahead and advise against doing that. Whether you pick up a solar shower or a portable shower, the best gear picks come through careful research and planning. The good news is, if you don’t know where to start when buying a camping shower, here are a few pointers on what to look for.
- Portability: The ideal camping shower should be easy to haul with the rest of your gear, be it in your trailer, your camper or even on foot, if you’re packing light and feeling adventurous. Most are small enough to fit within your backpack, as well.
- Durability: You don’t want a flimsy camping shower, especially if it’s compact enough to be easily carried. Look for camping showers that incorporate strong hardware, as well as durable materials, like ripstop nylon, to provide you with a set-up that won’t give out on you.
- Price: Of course, as with any gear purchase, even one as crucial as a camping shower, you’re not going to want to spend an arm and a leg trying to find the right one. That’s even the case with solar showers, which are more affordable than you might think.
The Best Camping Showers to Buy Right Now
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
You see, we mentioned that camping showers were more affordable and more compact than you might think. This durable camping shower can hold 10 liters of water for a 7-minute shower, and is made from polyurethane-coated nylon fabric for added durability. Plus, the black color of the packaging absorbs heat from the sun, warming the water within. How cool is that for a mini-solar shower? Just find a place to hang it above and start getting clean.
Geyser Systems Portable Shower with Heater
Here’s an option that’s pricier and yet all the more premium because of it. It’s also an ideal purchase if you’re the type who can’t forgo a hot shower (and we don’t blame you when in the great outdoors). This Geyser Systems portable shower heats water in as quick as 15 minutes and uses pump technology for consistent water flow. It even includes a sponge attachment. This is perfect if you’re camping out of your vehicle and want a bit of added luxury.
Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower
The best camping showers are ingenious and highly effective, as well as affordable (or at least, optimal in providing some bang for your buck), and Coleman’s Solar Shower checks off all those boxes pretty handily. Just hang this solar shower and let the sun do the work as it warms the water. It’s an easy way to get clean, and you can even leave the portable shower set up throughout the day as you depart your campsite — it’s really your call.
RinseKit RinseKit Plus
RinseKit bills itself as the “original pressurized portable shower,” and with a pedigree like that, it’s hard to argue against you making this purchase to upgrade your camping gear in a big way. It requires no pumping and no batteries, and can store 2 gallons of pressurized water for up to a month. Accessorize it with the brna’ds Pressure Booster Pump for an added bit of functionality.
Coghlan’s Solar-Heated Camp Shower
A portable shower for camping that’s as effective as it gets? That’s the name of the game with Coghlan’s innovative Solar-Heated Camp Shower, a compact 5-gallon shower that works with the rays of the sun to provide you with a hihg-quality hot water shower on the go. The best part? It retails for under $10.
NEMO Helio Pressure Shower
Get the ease and portability of a compact shower with a whopping 11 liters of carrying capacity, and use the foot pump to get this thing going for whatever might be required, from cleaning gear to y’know, showering. Best of all, it’s made to be placed on the ground (hence the foot pump), making it quite easy to use. The 7-foot hose provides adequate length and an easy set-up, too. What’s not to love, right?
Advanced Elements 5-Gallon Summer Shower
For those who value both utility and affordability when shopping the best camping gear, might we introduce you to this Advanced Elements Summer Shower? The name is quite apt for a portable camping shower, and the fact that it retails for under $40 is a huge bonus, too. Oh, and the rest of the specs on display here are everything you need in a camping shower, from the durable ripstop fabric to the fact that it’s got soap pockets, too. Roll it up and stow it away when you’re not using it, because it’s also easily portable (as it should be).
Decathlon Quechua 10-Liter Pressure-Balanced Solar Camping Shower
If you ask us, this camping shower checks off all the right boxes as far as the search for a perfect camping shower. It rests on the ground and is pressurized with a pump, and when not being used, it easily stows away in a storage bag. Plus, it only weighs two pounds and is all the more functional because of it. What are you waiting for? Your guests on your next camping trip will certainly thank you.
Yakima RoadShower
Inspired by the Pacific Northwest and the spirit of adventure, this durable and dependable road shower is for the guy who lives on the road and uses a rugged vehicle and set-up with which to do it. Yakima’s aptly named RoadShower is made to attach to your roof rack, and it’s made with durable aluminum construction to boot.
POMO Outdoor Portable Camping Shower
High-density polyurethane and a high-pressure attachment characterize this portable and durable shower, fitted with five liters of carrying capacity for all your outdoor excursions. As with all great camping showers, it retails for a very fine price, too (try under $50).