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In the old days, you have to find a pond or river to get cleaned up during a camping trip. Now, camping showers have become popular and are a great way to get cleaned up.
A good portable shower is not just used by campers, but those living off the grid, and vanlifers can also greatly benefit from these types of devices.
Camping showers can also be brought in festivals and can serve a lot of functions, not just for taking a shower.
We have reviewed a lot of camping showers and will now present to you seven of the best ones that we have found.
Why Do You Need a Camping Shower
A camping shower can serve several purposes. For one, it can be a good way to store up water especially if a water source is difficult to come by.
Some showers don’t even need to store water that you will need to lug around as some models have pumps so all you have to do is dip it in a water source and you can shower as usual.
Other models also have heating capabilities. This is perfect for those who are averse to taking cold showers, especially early in the morning or late at night.
Aside from cleaning yourself up, camping showers can also be used to clean up other gear like utensils and any other equipment after a muddy trek.
Best Camping Showers
Here are seven of the best camping showers that you can get for your next camping trip. We have discussed their basic features as well as some pros and cons that we have found.
Advanced Elements Summer Shower
Available in 2.5 gallons all the way to 10 gallons in capacity, the Advanced Elements Summer Shower is one of the most reliable camping showers that we have used.
The Advanced Elements Summer Shower is completely leak-proof and its filling spout is a perfect fit for garden hoses. However, that comes with its caveat.
The small hole makes this camping shower difficult to fill from other water sources. It also takes quite a long time to dry out completely.
Still, if you want a quick-heating camping shower, then the Advanced Elements Summer Shower is your best bet. It even has a temperature gauge that gives you a good estimate of how warm your water currently is.
The Advanced Elements Summer Shower can provide a little over 4 minutes worth of shower time for its 4-gallon model, and it is also very easy to hang with the sturdy hook provided.
This product’s flow is very consistent even when close to empty. The Advanced Elements Summer Shower is also very easy to roll up and store for future use.
All in all, we can say that the pros of this product far outweigh its shortcomings.
Ivation Portable Camping Shower
The Ivation Portable Camping Shower does not have its own bag for storing water. Rather, it is a combination pump and shower that provides up to an hour’s worth of showering time for as long as there is a water source nearby.
The product comes with a 2200 mAh Lithium battery that takes about 5 hours to charge to full. It is very lightweight and runs a little over six feet in length. Despite this, the Ivation Portable Camping Shower is easy to roll and store.
The Ivation Portable Camping Shower does not offer a heating function, though. Also, you might need to shower sitting down depending on where you are getting water from.
Lastly, some care must be taken as the USB charging port is located at the pump which will definitely get wet when used.
Regardless, this product is one of the most portable camping showers that we’ve found and it can be the perfect type of gear that you can bring along in specific situations where water is readily available.
Coleman Solar Shower
Coleman is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to camping gear, and the overall performance and quality of the Coleman Solar Shower is a testament to that.
The Coleman Solar Shower is quick to heat up and retains the temperature well. It is also quite compact despite having a maximum capacity of 5 gallons.
Nothing beats the Coleman Solar Shower when it comes to ease of use. It is also very lightweight, weighing only 8.8 oz when empty.
Our only gripe is that the handle for both carrying and hanging digs into our palms especially when the bag is filled to the brim. Other than that, we have no complaints about this very good camping shower.
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
What’s great about the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is that it serves a dual purpose. Not only is it a dry bag, but it can also instantly transform into a 2.6-gallon camping shower with heating capabilities.
Weighing just 5.25 oz when completely empty and capable of being packed easily into a backpack, the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is easy to use and almost 100% leakproof when used as a shower.
The product also comes with a 20 ft. nylon cord which makes hanging the entire thing onto a branch a breeze.
Showering with the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower can be easily controlled via the valve located at the bottom of the valve. Despite the lower water capacity, you can easily stretch showers to 7 minutes by controlling the water pressure.
The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is made out of very durable nylon, ensuring you of years and years of usefulness in the wild.
Geyser System Portable Hot Shower
The Geyser System Portable Hot Shower makes cleaning up such a convenient experience. All you need is a gallon of water to enjoy up to 15 minutes of shower time with heated water. It even has a sponge attachment so you can clean up better.
There are a few things to consider about the Geyser System Portable Hot Shower, though. One, it needs a 12v outlet to work. This makes the product good for vanlifers or for camping close to your car or power source. Otherwise, it’s going to be difficult to operate as needed.
Another thing is that it weighs eight pounds.
Still, if you want a no-frills camping shower that doesn’t require you to wait too long for water to heat up, then the Geyser System Portable Hot Shower is the way to go.
Just make sure that you have an electrical supply close by, though.
Stearns Sun Shower
We love the solid feel of the Stearns Sun Shower. Even when filled up to its full 6-gallon capacity, the product still feels pretty solid and nowhere close to bursting at the seams.
The temperature gauge included in the product is also pretty accurate. The material that the Stearns Sun Shower is made of allows stored water to heat up fast, as well, at a rate quicker than most of the other camping showers that we’ve tried.
What we don’t like about the Stearns Sun Shower, however, is the handle. We found that hanging the product on a branch can be cumbersome. We suggest using a carabiner or some rope for this.
Still, the Stearns Sun Shower makes our list of the best camping showers because of its durability, ease of use, large spout, and quick heating capabilities.
Yakima Roadshower
At this point, getting a Yakima Roadshower feels like showing off. This product has 4, 7, and 10-gallon variants available and is capable of providing high-pressure showers similar to what you can get at home.
Don’t expect to bring the Yakima Roadshower up the mountains for a wash, though, as the entire thing weighs over 50 pounds when filled with water.
Also, the Yakima Roadshower requires a pump in order to operate. It is also intended to be attached to the roof rack of a car.
Thus, the Yakima Roadshower is intended for, and even the best product for, showers close to a car. This makes this product perfect for vanlifers or campsites where you can bring your car along.
The Yakima Roadshower has a pretty hefty price tag of around 300 dollars. Still, it’s much cheaper than booking a hotel just to get a shower. Also, its aluminum and brass composition is sure to last for many years to come.
Conclusion
Here is our list of some of the best camping showers. Each has its specific use case, as well as its pros and cons.
Find the best product that suits your needs, whether you are going camping in the mountains, on a field, or in a park.
There is one product among all these on the list that will be perfect for you and your group because you deserve to be clean no matter where you are.
