3 Best Portable Showers for Camping

Hey there campers and welcome to my post discussing my three best portable showers for camping this year. One of the best things about camping is it provides us with the necessary break we all want from our day-to-day activities, even if it is only for a couple of days. But we have to admit that not everything we do daily is something we need to leave behind as we pursue the urban adventure – like the ones that keep us nice and clean. With this in mind, each time we head to the great outdoors, I recommend bringing a portable camping shower.

So let’s check out some good shower options for camping below…

I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:

	Portable Camping Shower	Price	Get it
	KIPIDA Solar Shower Bag	$	CURRENT PRICE
	innhom Portable Shower Camping Shower	$$	CURRENT PRICE
	Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump	$$$	CURRENT PRICE

Along with portable camping toilets, camping showers are our best friends for achieving proper hygiene during our outdoor excursions. These are generally lightweight and compact so that you can use them wherever you are in the outdoors. Some showers have a pump system which you can submerge into a bucket of water whilst others have integrated carry bags filled with water. Then there are the most sophisticated and advanced designs that have electronic shower and heater systems.

The best part is that many camping showers are multi-purpose and many also use them to you need to wash other camping equipment such as tableware and cookware as well.

Below are some of the main factors you should take into account as you shop for a good portable shower for camping:

1. Flow methods
2. Heating methods
3. Tank capacity
4. Construction
5. Ease of setup
6. Additions

Flow methods

Three types are known for this feature:

1. Gravity – This is the original type of portable shower you can bring to any campsite. The science behind this shower is it utilizes gravity to dispense water at a steady rate. Showers of this kind come with a water-filled bag that could you can hang and are typically the cheapest camp showers available owing to the fact that they are the most basic types with minimalist design.
2. Pump – This type of portable camp shower employs a foot or hand pump to pressurize a water chamber. This design allows a portable shower to operate at a controlled pressure allowing the nozzle to spray rather than simply pour at gravity’s rate.
3. Electric – This camping shower has electric-run pumps that you can submerge into a bucket of water. Water is then routed through the powered system, resulting in a highly mobile and compact yet surprisingly efficient, off-grid shower option.
4. Water heater attachment – some are attached to a portable water heater as a means of gaining a happy and refreshing hot water shower.

Heating methods

Some of the more feature rich camping showers are equipped with a heating system which is useful when the surrounding temperature cools – especially within the winter months. There are three ways to do this:

1. Solar energy – The portable shower harnesses the solar power from the Sun in order to warm the water it dispenses. Due to reflective elements and special insulation, many modern solar-powered camp showers can quickly reach over 90 °F (32 °C).
2. Gas – Gas tanks, such as propane, power this portable shower equipped with a heating system. Showers that utilize such gas as a power source can be used both day and night, unlike their solar-powered counterparts.
3. Electric – Portable showers that run on electricity function similarly to gas-powered showers. If you prefer to have this kind of portable camping shower, be sure to bring with you some mobile electric power sources such as camping generators or power stations.

Note: before choosing your preferred heating option just make sure it is compatible with your shower tent as well.

Tank capacity

When it comes to tank capacity – i/e/; how much water the shower can hold, the main factor to consider is how long you intend to be off-grid and how many people will be using it. This feature can range from large, multi-gallon tanks to handheld units with no tank at all.

Water reservoir systems provide you with the unique benefit of allowing you to have control over your water. You will, however, need time to fill and transport the water to your camping location. For submersible types, all you need is a bucket to dip it in while taking a bath. In fact, you could even bathe directly in a stream or lake.

Construction

The overall quality and durability of the camping shower you will purchase, like any other piece of outdoor gear, will be primarily determined by its construction. A general rule of thumb is that the more rigid and robust the materials, the tougher the shower and the longer it should last.

Whatever shower you bring with you must be able to withstand the rigidity you intend to take it on. Such situations would include being jostled inside a backpack, surviving a fall while you attempt to hang it, or being able to tip over in the back of a truck amid traffic.

Ease of Use

At the campsite, you want ease of setup with everything you use and showers are no different. Of course, those that offer minimalist features are best for this category, but if you prefer to bathe with warm water, be sure that the device is not that complex to operate.

Additions

Other potential additions include:

1. Length of hose – When purchasing a kit that includes a reservoir that you will need to hang or suspend as you use, hose length may not be a priority. However, for other types of kits, you will need a hose at least 7 feet long and can comfortably extend past your entire height.
2. Automatic safety shut off – This additional is commonly present among camping showers with a water heater system. The device shuts down once the gas burner reaches a specific critical temperature.
3. Temperature indicator – With this element, you are well aware of the water’s temperature inside the reservoir of the product.
4. Water filter system – This addition is essential to guarantee that the water you are using to wash off the grime is sanitary and without any unwanted elements.
5. Leakproof – You would not want to have your water bag or tank losing water when you are showering in the wild due to perforations.
6. Extra pockets – It would be a hassle for you to hold the soap and shampoo with your bare hands or put them on the ground where you need to bend over just to reach them. To address this inconvenience, some hangable camping showers have built-in mesh pockets to hold your toiletries.

So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:

1. KIPIDA Solar Shower Bag

This first option boasts a five gallon capacity and a reservoir design that maximizes surface area and makes the most of its solar-powering capability. This product is equipped with a back temperature Indicator that allows you to monitor the temperature of the water and since it can fold into a minimal size and not consume a lot of space, it is the perfect outdoor camping shower for light packers and hikers. See its specifications below:

• Brand: KIPIDA
• Flow type: Gravity
• Reservoir capacity: 5 gallons
• Heating method: Solar-powered
• Weight: 0.97 pounds
• Dimension: 18.5 x 19.7 inches

Other inclusions:

• Temperature indicator
• Plastic tube
• Shower head
• Leakproof

Why have I chosen it?

This portable shower has a minimalist design which means you may use it with great ease. The five-gallon water capacity is sufficient for one or two people and the upgraded shower head comes with a primary on/off switch and a low to high water flow.

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2. innhom Portable Shower Camping Shower

The following camping shower is battery-powered that will power the pump continuously for 90 – 120 minutes straight. Instead of carrying a reservoir, simply submerge the pump in water, turn it on, and you have a pressurized shower that can be used almost anywhere. This item is also highly versatile and it is ideal for cleaning equipment or even hosing down the family (or dog) after a day on the beach. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Innhom
• Flow type: Pump
• Reservoir capacity: Not applicable
• Heating method: Gas-powered
• Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Dimension: 8.43 x 8.39 x 2.83 inches

Other inclusions:

• USB output for charging
• O-rings and filters
• Hook for hanging
• USB charge cable
• Mini car charger

Why have I chosen this?

With just a bucket and a fully charged battery, you can bring the conveniences of your home shower into the great outdoors with this pump camping shower. The battery is housed within the pump and can be easily recharged with a USB cord in a few hours (2 – 5 hours). Because of the product’s water filtration systems, clogging of the shower head is also avoided.

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3. Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump

This last option is an advanced and high-end propane-powered camping shower that is simple to use and is perfect for various outdoor activities, including camping. While the heater operates, you can monitor the water temperature, ignition status, and safety cutout through an integrated panel on the central unit. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Hike Crew
• Flow type: Pump
• Reservoir capacity: Not applicable
• Heating method: Gas-powered
• Weight: 13.2 pounds
• Dimension: 9.65 x 12.2 x 11.8 inches

Other inclusions:

• Water heater and shower system
• Digital panel control
• Gas/Heat control
• Gas regulator
• AC/DC adapter
• Water flow sensor
• Carry case

Why have I chosen this?

This product boasts superior shower and heater systems with a built-in auto safety shutoff that turns off the gas burner when the water temperature reaches 125°F (51°C). There is also a tilt switch, a water flow sensor, and fuse protection on the unit. This item is best for you if you seek a deluxe shower experience, even if you are outdoors.

There you have it, my three best portable showers for camping this year. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul