Best Camping Showers of 2026
Solar shower bags and heated portable camping showers
The Advanced Elements Summer Shower hanging in the Kelty H2GO shower tent at a remote campground in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.
June 28th, 2026 with 3 new models tested, a new winner for camp shower alternative, and to remove discontinued products
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Showering while camping used to mean either driving to a facility or going without. Portable camping showers have changed that, and the difference between a solar bag that heats up reliably and one that delivers a lukewarm trickle after six hours in the sun is something you feel immediately on day three of a backcountry trip.
We spent four years testing solar shower bags and electric camping showers with a dozen campers across Montana, California, Nevada, and Oregon, including a five-day fly fishing trip in the Bitterroot Valley and three months at a summer camp in the Sierra Nevada. We also got some unplanned real-world testing when our water heater failed at home for a week, which turned out to be one of the more useful pressure tests we ran.
What separates a genuinely good camping shower from one that disappoints comes down to how quickly the solar bag heats water to a usable temperature, how easy the handle and hanging system is when the bag weighs 30-plus pounds full, whether the valve and showerhead seal reliably without leaking on the rest of your gear, and how the shower time holds up against the capacity advertised.
Top Pick: The Advanced Elements Summer Shower earns our Best Overall award. It stood out as consistently the quickest solar shower to heat across our tests, reaching 110 degrees on a warm Montana afternoon after six hours in the sun, a buckle-and-hook handle that makes hanging on tree branches, shower tents, and vehicle handles easier than any other bag we tested, a leakproof twist showerhead that locks when not in use, and an accurate on-bag temperature gauge that removes the guesswork.
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Comparison Table
| CAMPING SHOWER | TREELINE AWARD | TYPE | CAPACITIES AVAILABLE | TEMPERATURE GAUGE | HANDLE | SHOWER TIME | WEIGHT | PRICE* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Elements Sun Shower | Best overall Read why |
Solar gravity bag | 2.5, 4, 5, 10 gallons | Yes | buckle and hook | 4 minute 14 seconds | 13 oz | $27 |
| Sea to Summit Pocket Shower | Best backpacking Read why |
Solar gravity bag | 3L | No | buckle and hook | 3 minutes | 5.25 oz | $45 |
| Nemo Helio LX Pressurized Shower | Best pressurized Read why |
Foot powered | 5.8 gallons (22 L) | No | strap | 7-10 minutes | 2 lbs | $200 |
| Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes | Best shower-alternative Read why |
Wipe | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 3.7 oz | $11 |
| Kipida Solar Shower Bag | Solar gravity bag | 5 gallons | Yes | buckle and hook | 4 minutes 15 seconds | 15.8 oz | $20 |
The winners
Best Solar Camping Shower:
Advanced Elements Summer Shower
Type: Solar gravity bag
Capacities available: 2.5, 4, 5, 10 gallons
Temperature gauge: Yes
Handle: Buckle and hook
Shower time: 4 minute 14 seconds
Weight: 13 oz
What we liked: Leakproof, buckle handle is the easiest to hang on hooks and rope, accurate temperature gauge
What we didn’t like: Dry time, handle is too thick for some shower tent hooks
The Advanced Elements Summer Shower is our overall best solar camping shower because it’s quick to heat, easy to hang, leakproof, and inexpensive. We think solar camp bags offer the best value and the Summer Shower is the best solar shower camping bag we tested. In nearly a dozen showers, it provided among the warmest showers of the solar camping showers we tested. It had our favorite handle of any of the solar bags because it allowed us to hang it on hooks and buckle the bag onto rope strung up between trees or vehicles.The Advanced Elements Summer shower is the best camp shower for the price, water temperature, ease of use, and speed of heating water.
Compare Prices Of The Advanced Elements Summer Shower
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While seemingly minor, hanging a shower bag can be a challenge (it weighs at least 30 pounds), so anything that makes the process easier is a plus. The buckle makes it easier to attach to different hooks, tree branches, shower tents, vehicle handles, and other surfaces.
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Although not unique, the Advanced Elements has an on-bag temperature gauge that is accurate.
The Advanced Elements was consistently the quickest solar shower to heat, but that may have to do more with the size we tested (4 gallons vs. other brands’ 5 gallons). The Advanced Elements is also available in 2.5-gallon and 5-gallon options.
On a 5-day fly fishing trip in Montana, the ambient temperature was 80 degrees but after 6 hours of lying in a sunny field by the campsite, the water got up to 110 degrees. On a 100 F-degree day in Southern California, it took merely three hours to get up to 110 degrees–which was convenient when the water heater went out on my house for a week and I had to rely on my camp shower. We also used it when the water heater went out for a month while we were working at an educational summer camp in the Sierra.
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With the Advanced Elements shower bag, we never had to worry about dribbles or faulty valves. Its filling spout is sized for convenient filling from a garden hose. The built-in spigot is secure when using it as a gravity shower. The twist shower head locks when not in use so it doesn’t leak on the rest of your camp gear, which wasn't always the case with showers we tested.
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As a 4-gallon portable shower bag, the Advanced Elements has a shorter shower time than the 5-gallon showers we tested. Advanced Elements make a 10-gallon version, but we had a hard time lifting this shower bag above our heads. Unless you have a pulley system, I recommend getting two bags if you need a longer shower.
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The fill spout opening fits a garden hose or campground faucet, which is how most people will fill it up. However, we found the small opening to be annoying when filling up from a stream at a remote Forest Service campground that didn’t have faucets or running water.
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The fill spout is the only opening on this shower bag, so it took two days of hanging upside down in the sun until it dried out completely after the camping trip. Dry time was the one drawback on this shower, but none of the solar shower bags we tested did well on any of our dry tests. It’s a small quibble to take considering this otherwise easy-to-use, affordable, and quick heating solar shower.
Best Pressurized Solar Shower:
Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
Type: Foot powered
Capacities available: 11 L (2.9 gallons), 22 L
Temperature gauge: No
Handle: buckle and hook
Shower time: 3 minutes
Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
What we liked: Leakproof, buckle handle is the easiest to hang on hooks and rope, accurate temperature gauge, great for washing hair
What we didn’t like: Dry time, handle is too thick for some shower tent hooks
The Nemo Helio Pressure shower is our winner for best portable shower that is pressurized. The main advantage of the Nemo Helio over solar shower bags is that you use your foot, rather than gravity, to create the water pressure. This means you don’t have to lift gallons of hot water above your head. It comes with an extra large nozzle that strings into the top of a camp shower tent and can run in continuous or on-demand mode.
This foot pump shower is a game changer for anyone who camps with kids or pets, or anyone who actually wants to wash their hair while on a camping trip.
The Nemo Helio shower packs down to a small size for storage and travel.
Compare Prices Of The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower
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Updated for 2025, the new NEMO Helio Pressure improves on the previous model by adding sturdier handles and a different nozzle. With the previous model, it took about 45 seconds to fully pressurize and this time around, it seems a lot faster. It also appears to have a harder plastic around the base to prevent hose kinking, which some people had an issue with in the first model. The gasket around the lid appears different to better pressurize.
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The NEMO Helio LX has a wide opening to fill up. Unlike other showers we tested, the NEMO is explicitly designed with materials that can handle adding hot water, so you don't only have to rely on the sun to warm your water. We did this when wanting to take showers in the morning when we didn't want to wait for the sun.
When you add water, you fill the LX vertically from the top. We noticed when filling with bottles or from a kettle, the walls don't stay totally straight (after all, it is a soft plastic like all the other camp showers). But we never had any spills and it's still better than other showers we tested, which totally collapsed unless you put a hose directly in the hole.
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The newest model has some of the sturdiest handles of any shower we tested, improving on the older model. 22 L of water weighs about 48 pounds, so as with car camping showers, it could be difficult for some users to move once filled with water. We recommend filling up close to where you plan to use it.
However, with these handles, we were a lot less concerned about moving that water around. Additionally, it was great knowing we'd never have to lift this water above our head.
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The NEMO Helio never got as warm as the other solar showers we tested. It's designed so you can add hot water from your stove to the system. If you're overlanding, it can be handy to have more control over your water temperature than the sun allows and faster, more "on demand" water. If you're on more minimalist camp set-up with limited access to fuel, such as when working backcountry trail crew, you may want to stick to a traditional water bag. It also lacks a thermometer.
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We tested the 5 gallon (22L) and previously we tested the 11 liters (less than 4 gallons). If you are dry camping, it is less efficient than the Geyser but more efficient than the gravity shower bags we tested. It's also available in a bigger 22 liter size for bigger groups or people who like longer showers.
If you're a solo camper or a couple, the 11 L is likely all you need. We tested the 22 L and found one person washing their hair still used less than half the shower.
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The pump action to prime the shower is fun and easy to use. It only took us a few pumps to get a great water pressure that lasts about half the shower. We gave it a few more pumps half way that provided solid pressure to the end of the tank.
The trick to pressurize the Nemo Helio (that we had trouble finding on the Internet) is to undo the valve on the bottom. Not the valve that says "Undo after use to drain." The one on the opposite side. Then, you should be able to use the foot pump. We were impressed how quickly it pressurized.
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As with other car camping showers, hanging it to dry after use is complicated. There is no large opening to air dry. A lot of reviewers are also concerned about mold or mildew growth in the bag, although this is a common problem with camping showers in general. Only the Geyser had an easy-to-dry system.
Best Backpacking Shower:
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
Type: Solar gravity bag
Capacities available: 3L
Temperature gauge: No
Handle: buckle and hook
Shower time: 3 minutes
Weight: 5.25 oz
What we liked: Leakproof, buckle handle is the easiest to hang on hooks and rope, accurate temperature gauge
What we didn’t like: Dry time, handle is too thick for some shower tent hooks
Backpackers have different criteria in camp showers than campers, valuing weight and packability more than features like a temperature gauge. The best portable camping shower for backpackers is the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower, which comes in a pocket-sized container yet can deliver a 3-minute shower.
The Sea to Summit solar shower bag is a lightweight black roll-top dry bag with a strategically-placed built-in shower head on the bottom. It even comes with a weight-bearing guyline to string it up on a tree in your backcountry campsite.
Compare Prices Of The Sea To Summit Pocket Shower
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We were fans of the roll-top opening, which was the easiest to fill of any of the camp showers we tested. With the wide opening, we could fill it with a hose, faucet, and from a stream at a campsite with no running water. The rolltop is great for filling up from streams, ponds, lakes—and gives it a leg-up over camping showers for filling up from natural sources. The instructions are printed on the inside and it has a clear fill line to prevent overfilling.
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The capacity of this backpacking shower is a lot smaller than car camping showers–just 3 liters vs. the 5 gallons in some camping showers (that’s 3/20th the capacity for those doing the math). Still, we found it to be enough for a quick rinse off and made us feel ten times better after a long day of backpacking.
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Because the Sea to Summit Camp shower has no clear window, the bag doesn’t heat as quickly as the other solar camping showers we tested. Despite the smaller volume, whether it spent 3 hours or 8 hours in the sun, the Sea to Summit shower 's water temperature was typically 10F lower than the car camping solar camp bags we tested.
While most solar camping bags were able to get close to 30F above the ambient temperature, the Sea to Summit Camp shower was typically 15-20F warmer than ambient temperature. If you're willing to accept this will be a warm shower and not a hot shower, the Pocket shower is a treat on a backpacking trip.
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While the rolltop is great for saving weight, it was trickier to make sure it was leakproof. We had much better luck securing the opening with failsafe screw tops found on the heavier camping showers. Still, we understand the advantages of the roll-top (it’s lightweight and easy to fill). And hey, roll tops are good enough for dry bags designed to keep your personal items safe on rafting trips, so maybe this was user error on our part.
To have a better experience in the field, we recommend practicing at home before going out.
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It’s hard to beat the 6 oz weight of this backpacking shower, which comes with its own cell phone-sized pocket stuff sack. While it wouldn’t be my preferred shower on a car camping trip or for emergency use at home, a shower from the Sea to Summit delivers feels like a real treat on backpacking trips without much of a weight penalty.
Best camp shower alternative: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
It's cheeky to suggest using wipes when you're looking for a camp shower, but hear me out. Wipes can really refresh after a sweaty and dirty day outdoors. And unlike camp showers, they don't require heating up water or lifting heavy bags above your head.
We tested half a dozen brands of wipes and loved the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes for their packability, complete lack of scent, and lack of residue. While they’re more expensive than drugstore baby wipes, they are highly packable, highly compostable (in home composts and municipal composts!), and do not dry out the skin (even when tested in the desert!).
The whole package of Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes weighs 3.7 oz (less than any shower we tested) and is super packable, so can be a better option than a camp shower for camping road trips with limited space or for dry camping in the desert. So while the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes aren't quite a camping shower, we think they are an excellent alternative.
View the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
While the Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes do contain moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, glycerin, and aloe vera, they do not leave skin feeling either slippery or sticky afterward, and they did not cause our skin to dry or eyes to burn when used on the face. These were by far our favorite of the wipes we tested—others left more of a residue, were heavier, had more fragrance, and/or had fewer sustainability factors to recommend them.
Best Camping Shower Tents
There aren’t enough camp shower tents to warrant its own standalone story, but we wanted to shout out two that we found to be helpful for providing some privacy while showering in camp. Our testers loved the fun and peacefulness of taking an outdoor shower.
NEMO Heliopolis Shower Tent
Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz
Dimensions: 87 x 47 x 47 inches
Packed dimensions: 27 x 7 x 7 inches
Toilet paper dispenser: yes
What we liked: ease of set up, so many pockets, including one high up that keeps your clothes from getting wet
What we didn't like: hook that the top will not hold gravity-fed solar bags
The NEMO Heliopolis shower tent is by far the easiest shower tent to set up. It is (relatively) lightweight and intuitive with color-coded clips and poles that actually stay in place.
The other stand-out features are the abundance of pockets, including high-up pockets to stash clothes (or toilet paper) so they won't get during your shower. It has a mesh pocket that can hold a Dr. Bronner's pocket or a beverage can.
In addition to being used as a shower tent, the Heliopolis has a toilet paper roll holder and can be used as a potential porta potty with a bucket for group camping or gatherings. See our Best Human Waste Bags and WAG bags for more on the Luggable Loo potty system.
Compare Prices Of The Nemo Heliopolis Shower Tent
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We liked that the Nemo Heliopolis has well designed features, like a mesh pocket in the ceiling to hold dry clothes or a camping towel while using the shower. There’s a hook and loop (what most people know as Velcro) for the zipper on the inside to prevent accidental interruptions while using the tent. The tent is spacious inside. We found it is easy to shower and move around without bumping into the walls.
For those using it as a potty tent and a shower tent, one thoughtful feature we really liked is that the TP holder has waterproof covering so when in shower mode, the TP stays dry.
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It is made of a super private opaque tent material. When you close the window and door, no one can see you even with the sun shining on the tent (believe me: we tried).
It even has a glow in the dark logo so you can find the tent in the dark (though that is probably appreciated more when using it as a toilet tent).
We never had to use it, but there is a door lock mechanism that lets you secure the door zipper for additional privacy.
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We liked that the mesh window can be cracked open for a view and more ventilation or completely closed for full privacy.
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The floor is made of a waterproof tarp material so your feet don’t get muddy while showering. It has mesh around the edge to allow for water drainage. When set up on a full flat surface, the water pools inside the tent, but a slight angle allows the water to drain away easily.
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We found that the Heliopolis shower tent can be set up in about 5 minutes. One of our shorter testers (5'2") thought the center hook was difficult for a shorter person to set up alone, but can be done by tilting the tent on the side. Our 5'7" and 6" tall testers had no issues at all.
The take down time was also about 5 minutes. One challenge we often find with most car camping equipment is fitting it into its tote bag. With the Nemo Heliopolis shower, this isn’t an issue. It easily fits into the zipper storage bag. It’s a minor perk, but one we’ve found often in gear by Nemo Equipment and really appreciate.
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The only downside of this tent is that it is specifically designed for use with the NEMO Heliopolis shower. It has a hose pass-through and nozzle attachment for the Helio shower. But the hook on the top of the shower cannot hold a gravity solar shower. It's designed to place a camping lantern for light while using it as a privy tent.
It's also more expensive than other shower tents out there. What you get is an easier set-up, aluminum frame that is lighter weight, and better pockets.
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We would highly recommend this as a toilet tent for anyone or a shower tent if you use the Heliopolis. But if you use a solar gravity-fed shower, you'll need something that can handle more weight.
Weight: 13 lbs 7 oz
Dimensions: 86 x 46 x 46 inches
Packed dimensions: 27 x 7 x 7 inches
Toilet paper dispenser: yes
What we liked: ease of set up, so many pockets, including one high up that keeps your clothes from getting wet
What we didn't like: hook that the top will not hold gravity-fed solar bags
The Kelty Privacy Tent is a sturdy and quick to set-up camping shower tent ideal for van lifers or campers at campgrounds without facilities. They’re also good for those who avoid public showers.
This camp shower also doubles as a potty privacy tent for people using a system like the Reliance Luggable Loo that we review in our Best Human Waste Bags and WAG bags guide.
We liked that the Kelty H2Go Privacy Tent has a shower caddy built in and an unbreakable mirror. It has a built-in hook for placing sun shower bags, but the hook isn’t wide enough for every bag, so check for compatibility before buying your solar bag.
Compare Prices Of The Kelty H2Go Privacy Tent
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The directions are printed on the bag, so though it wasn’t the easiest to set up, two people got it up in about 15 minutes the first time. It took us about 10 minutes to set up solo after that. We recommend reading the directions and following the order precisely.
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It includes mesh half doors for drying out.
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Taller people found they had to squat to wash their hair in this tent. A shower bag is typically 18 inches tall, so while the shower tent itself is tall enough for folks 6'3' to stand in, the bag can reduce that.
We've noticed this issue with solar bags in shower tents across many models. Many campers use a workaround where they kneel on knee padding to wash their hair. It isn't convenient, but it gets the job done.
Other camping showers we tested
Stearns suN shower
Type: Solar gravity bag
Capacities available: 2.5, 4, 6 gallons
Shower time: 4 minutes 23 seconds
Handle: Strap only
Temperature gauge: Yes
Weight: 1.3 lbs (5 gallon version)
The Stearns SuN Shower is a durable portable shower bag that nearly won our overall solar winner. It’s durable, leakproof, heats quickly, and has a reliable temperature gauge.
Ultimately, we prefer the buckle handle on the Advanced Elements over the Stearns solid handle. If you want to hang the shower on a pre-strung rope or a tree branch, you need to bring a carabiner that can hold the weight. We found the buckle handle on the Advanced Elements to be more versatile.
Compare Prices Of The Stearns Sun Shower
Type: Solar gravity bag
Capacities available: 5 gallons
Shower time: 4 minutes 15 seconds
Temperature gauge: Yes
Handle: Buckle and hook
Weight: 15.8 oz
The Kipida Solar Shower bag is a bestseller at Amazon in the “portable camp shower” category, so we had to test it side-by-side against other highly-rated solar showers. When it arrived, the shower nozzle and hose were separate from the bag so it could ship in a minimalist package. It comes with a metal O-ring to secure the nozzle in place. However, the attach-it-yourself nozzle fell off and leaked while we were filling, while it sat in the sun, and while we were showering. Additionally, when we heat water by laying it on the ground (the same process we used for all the bags), it leaked from the fill-entry point.
View Price Of The Kipida Solar Shower Bag
The Kipada solar bag came with features we liked such as a temperature gauge and hook and buckle handle.
If you’re willing to put up with some flaws and baby it, the Amazon shower delivered some of the hottest showers. It occasionally reached 110 F faster than our overall winner. Still, we don’t think it’s worth the hassle of the leak. Plus, one camper in Montana complained that the water from this shower was too hot.
Capacity: 4, 7, 10 gallons
Weight: 20 lbs
Temperature gauge: Yes
Shower time: ~4 minutes
The Yakima RoadShower is the undeniable winner for best rooftop shower system for van life, RV road tripping, and mounting to a truck. For the scope of this story, we focused on portable showers. While the term "portable shower" is literally in the name (Yakima RoadShower Portable Shower), since it mounts on a car, it's in a different category than the systems we tested.
Using a hand pump, electric pump, or Schrader valve, the RoadShower can pressurize your shower for power washing off mud, cleaning pets, or washing long hair. Also, it is almost double the price of the most expensive shower we tested and nearly 15 times the cost of our budget showers.
Still, if you're van-living, the Yakima RoadShower is a lot less expensive than a few nights in a hotel. We recommend it only if you are on an extended road trip or living in your van and can appreciate the extra storage room you get from keeping your camp shower on the outside of your vehicle. Otherwise, we think the other camping showers we recommend will be a better value.
Compare Price Of The Yakima Road Shower
Capacity: N/a (use your own bucket)
Weight: 1.9 lbs
Temperature gauge: Yes
Shower time: up to 10 minutes (with 5 gallon bucket)
The Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower is an electric portable shower that shows up on many best camping shower lists. To use the Ivation portable outdoor shower, you put cold water in a bucket. Then you place one end of the shower in the bucket.
The Ivation shower is battery-operated and heats water from the bucket as it comes through the shower head. The battery is USB-charged, so you can run it off your vehicle or plug it in at home.
It's pretty clear this is designed to wash off your pets or your boots, not to use as a human shower. The 0.66 gallons per minute pressure wasn't as high as the other showers we tested. It's popular with pet owners as a way to give dogs a warm shower outside of the house.
One major drawback of the Ivation battery-powered system is that it is not available in every state due to local laws about proximity of water to electric units. For example, our main tester lives in California and was unable to purchase this unit.
Compare Prices Of The Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower
Type: Battery powered, not heated
Capacities available: N/A
Shower time: 70-110 min
Handle: N/A
Temperature gauge: No
Weight: 10.7 oz
We're currently testing the Flextail Max Shower. This battery-powered pump draws water up from a bucket and gives you pressurized water to shower. The benefit is you don't have to rely on gravity and lifting a heavy water bag above your head to warm up the water.
Flextail sells a bucket that you can fill with water heated over your camp stove or backpacking pot. If you've a got a bear can, we've heard of people emptying out all their food, filling their bear can with hot water, and letting the Flextail Max Shower pump from that source.
The electric battery will last around an hour between recharges, but we usually work our way through a 5 gallon bucket within 10 minutes or so. Even at max pressure, this is on par with the gravity filters.
Flextail Max Shower with Case
Type: Battery powered, not heated
Capacities available: N/A
Shower time: 35-70 min
Handle: N/A
Temperature gauge: No
Weight: 7 oz
We're currently testing the Flextail Tiny Shower. If you like the idea behind the battery-powered Flextail Max Shower but want something lighter weight, this is a good option. We've heard of backpackers using this because it is only 7 oz, only 1.25 oz more than our best backpacking camp shower winner.
As with the Flextail Max, with the Tiny Shower, the battery-powered pump draws water up from a bucket and gives you pressurized water to shower.
It doesn't come with a battery-powered water heater, so you'll need to heat water up on your backpacking pot with a stove. If you're carrying a bear can, we've heard of people emptying out all their food, filling their bear can with hot water, and letting the Flextail Max Shower pump from that source.
The electric battery will last around an hour between recharges, but we usually work our way through a bear can's worth of water in less than 5 minutes.
Flextail Tiny Shower
What to look for in a camping shower
We tested solar shower bags side-by-side. Here, several bags are heating up water in solar bags at a campground in Montana.
These are essential things to look for in a camping shower.
Leakproof
This should be a no-brainer, but shower bags that leak water mean it’ll be a pain to fill and will lose water during the heating period. In our testing, we found camp showers can leak where the hose attaches to the bag, anywhere there is a hole in the bag, and from the cap where you load water.
We measured the water temperature of every bag at different intervals of time to see which bags heated up the most quickly and which bags got the hottest.
Heats water to a good temperature
Solar camping showers are designed to heat water to a temperature that is 30 F degrees warmer than the ambient air temperature. For example, on 80F days, after 8 hours in the sun, we had several water bags that heated water to 110 F–too hot for multiple testers to actually use in the shower. Most doctors recommend showering below 110 degrees with dermatologists recommending showering in warm water between 98F and 105F.
Heats water quickly
We put all the solar heated showers side-by-side in direct sunlight in camping areas in Montana, California, and Oregon. No matter the location or time of year, some bags got 10F hotter than others. Due to a smaller surface area to volume ratio, a 2.5-gallon bag will generally heat faster than a 5 gallon bag. That’s why we recommend you get the smallest bag you need for your group. Bags with clear plastic on one side and dark or reflective material on the backside heat faster than bags that are 100% clear or 100% black. For folks ok with a cold shower or fine with a warm shower, that just means you don't have to wait as long for the water to get to your preferred temperature.
Comparison of the handles on solar shower bags seen side-by-side. We prefer solar bags that come with hooks and that are narrower so they can more easily be placed onto different lines or hooks.
Handle
A camping shower should have a handle that will be sturdy enough to carry the 20+ pounds of water to your outdoor shower destination. Ideally, it should come with a buckle that allows you to secure the water bag onto a rope, shower tent hook, or tree limb.
That being said, in our testing, we found some handles are too thick to fit over smaller shower tent hooks, like the one that came in our Kelty Privacy shower. The best handles are ones that are adjustable enough to fit on the varied ways you will hang your shower.
Long Shower Time
How long the shower lasts depends on the capacity of the shower. If the shower holds more water, it’ll run for longer. Depending on the pressure you set for your bag, most solar shower bags last around 5 minutes.
Pressure
High pressure showers are better to get dirt and grime off and for overall cleanliness. It also makes it easier to wash hair. For gravity-fed solar showers, pressure is related to the capacity and run time. The higher your pressure, the lower run time you’ll get from your shower (generally). Gravity showers will have less pressure than showers that allow you to pump pressurize or that come with their own electric shower pump. If you’ll be cleaning off gear, an animal, or washing thicker hair or fur, you’ll want a pressurized shower. If you just need a quick rinse off, a gravity fed shower should work.
Capacity
We think the ideal size for a camping shower is 4 to 5 gallons–unless it is one that has a pressurized system to more efficiently use water, like the Geyser or Nemo showers. A gallon of water weighs 8 pounds. That means a 5 gallon shower is going to be 40 pounds. Unless you rig up a pulley system, you’re going to need to lift those 40 lbs above your head to get a good gravity-fed shower.
If you’re a bigger group, you may be tempted to get a larger capacity shower. However, we think 5-gallons is the sweet spot. While Treeline Review usually recommends buying less stuff, we think two 5-gallon showers are going to work better for a larger party than a single 10-gallon. A 5-gallon bag is not only easier to carry around, but it warms quicker, too. That being said, in our testing, we found the 2.5-gallon doesn’t give enough shower time for more than one person.
The nozzle of the Kipida solar bag comes with a gauge to control pressure.
Nozzle ease of use
How to turn the water on and off should be straightforward. During testing, several of the campers asked me how to work certain showers. We don’t think taking a shower should require reading a paper manual. There are plenty of showers with nozzles that are intuitive to use (that being said, you should absolutely read instructions for any showers that have electricity, as those can be potentially dangerous if misused.)
Accurate Temperature gauge:
The best solar showers have a thermometer integrated on the side of the bag to make it easy to tell when the water has reached your desired temperature. We compared temperature gauge reports to what was reported on our Thermopen thermometer rated for hot water or cooking meat.
Pockets and accessories
It’s convenient when camping showers have pockets to hold soap. We also liked showers that come with built-in sponges and scrubbers. Some camping showers come with attached mirrors. If you’re using a privacy shelter, you’ll likely not need the bag itself to have pockets. But if you’re showering under a tree or off the side of an adventure van, the pockets will be handy.
Portability
We tested portable solar showers for this guide. This meant showers that don’t require mounting to an overlanding truck or vanlife setup. While the Road Shower is highly rated, we don’t consider it portable, so didn’t test it for this guide.
How to choose a camping shower
Testing solar bags at a campground on the Columbia River in Oregon.
How big is your group?
If you’re solo, you’ll be able to get away with a lower-volume camp shower. Due to a smaller surface area to volume ratio, a 2.5-gallon bag will generally heat faster than a 5-gallon bag. Smaller bags also weigh less and are easier to lift. That’s why we recommend you get the smallest bag you need for your group.
What’s your budget?
If cost is not a concern, the Geyser pressurized system provided continuous hot water and great pressure. If you’re on a tighter budget, we found even budget solar camp shower bags were still a good investment and made a big difference in feeling more comfortable on trips.
What’s your outdoor shower set up?
Will you be showering off the side of your van? Or will you set up a privacy tent somewhere in the campground? Will you rig up a solar shower on a rope between two trees? Decide where you plan to hang your bag depending on your campsite and other camping equipment. Then you can figure out which camp shower works best. For example, if you’re at a campground where the parking area is far from your campsite, then an electric system may not be the best for you (unless you’re cool with showering in a parking lot).
A solar camping bag set up in an outdoor shower at a rustic environmental education camp in the Sierra. The camp didn’t have electricity or heated water, so we turned to the sun for our hot showers.
Do you have access to electricity?
If you’re boondocking, van living, or car camping, you may have access to electricity from your vehicle. For those campers, we recommend electric-powered camping showers. If you’re at a more remote campsite, don’t have reliable electricity, need a way to shower during emergencies, or don’t have much space, go with a solar camping bag.
Can you lift 40 pounds above your head?
Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon. Many solar camp showers hold 5 gallons. Unless you’re cool with squatting for your shower, that means you’ll have to lift 40 pounds above your head and secure it with a hook or rope. If this doesn’t sound ideal, consider a camp shower like the Geyser or Helio, which use electricity to pressurize water so you can get a longer shower.
How hard is it to set it up?
Most solar camping shower bags aren’t too hard to set up–except for lifting the weight of a solar bag over your head. The exception is the electric pump ones like the Nemo Helio Pressure Shower or the Geyser Systems portable shower, which both require finding a good spot on your car and making sure that you are operating it safely.
How fast does the water heat up?
We tested heat times in temperatures from 70F to nearly 110 F ambient temperature from Montana to Oregon to California to Nevada. Ultimately, most of the solar camp showers took around the same amount of time to heat up. This is a slow process that requires patience, so we recommend setting up your solar showers in the morning, going for a hike, climb, or fishing, and planning to enjoy your shower mid-afternoon.
How do camp showers work? (foot pump, battery powered, gravity, etc.)
Gravity:
Most of the camping showers we tested work by gravity. Gravity-fed solar showers are the least expensive and the simplest systems. They’re not going to get a heavy pressure like a foot pump or battery-powered camp shower, but they’ll generally be good to rinse off some sweat and dirt.
Foot Pump:
Foot pump camp showers allow you to have more pressure than a battery-fed camp shower, which is great if you are washing off gear or animals that came with you into the backcountry.
Battery Powered:
Battery powered camp showers hook up to a hose or a bucket and heat the water. Unfortunately, they aren’t legal for sale everywhere due to the possibility of electric shock, something I learned when I tried to buy one and have it sent to my home in California, so we didn’t test this kind of shower.
Electric Powered:
Electric powered camp showers operate off a vehicle’s battery or your campground RV hookup. These tend to heat the fastest and have the best pressure. They also are the most expensive.
FAQ
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In full sun, we found a black-backed 5-gallon solar shower reaches a comfortable 100 °F – 105 °F (38 °C – 41 °C) in 3–4 hours at 80 °F ambient. To get there faster, shake the bag every 30 minutes, and top it off with ½ liter of boiling water.
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Hang the top of the bag at 6 feet (1.8 m) above shoulder height (or as high as you can), use the shortest hose length, and open the nozzle fully. For a true power rinse, switch to a foot-pump or battery-pressurized model like the NEMO Helio or Geyser System.
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Carry the runoff 200 ft / 70 m from streams or lakes, pour it into a cathole 6 in (15 cm) deep, and cover. Use biodegradable soap sparingly (1 tsp or less). On desert rock or fragile alpine soil, pack the water out in a collapsible bucket. If you're using the shower to wash dishes, strain food particles first.
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Yes—this is technically possible. Fill the bag with warm (not boiling) water and insulate it with a black garbage bag while it heats. Keep the nozzle and hose inside your heated car or jacket until use to prevent freeze-ups. Electric units need an extension cord rated for sub-freezing temps.
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Drain, rinse with a 1 Tbsp/gal (15 mL/L) bleach solution for 2 minutes, flush with clean water, and hang dry completely with the cap off. For pressurized tanks, remove the hose and pump so all parts can air out. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions.
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The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower (3 L, 5.25 oz) delivers a three-minute gravity-fed shower.
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Using the “wet–lather–rinse” method and a low-flow nozzle (0.4 gal/min), one gallon ≈ 2½ minutes—enough for one thorough rinse or two quick cool-offs.
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Charcoal-heated “bucket” showers are usually banned, but solar, battery, or vehicle-powered units are typically allowed because there’s no open flame. Always confirm with the local forest or Bureau of Land Management office before heading out.
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Yes—attach a gravity or squeeze filter to the fill hose, or scoop unfiltered water and drop in two chlorine-dioxide tablets; wait 30 minutes before heating. Avoid filters with hollow-fiber membranes if the bag will sit in the hot sun above 113 °F (45 °C).
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String a 6 × 8 ft silnylon tarp between two trees at chest height for a quick screen. In treeless areas, clamp a yoga mat or windshield reflector to your roof-rack crossbars, or wrap a lightweight emergency blanket around two trekking poles.
Camping Shower Tips
A solar bag set up in the Kelty privacy tent. We recommend setting up all your accessories like soap and shampoo before starting your shower.
Set your outdoor shower up far away from water
Leave No Trace outdoor ethics recommend being at least 200 feet away from water sources while using soap. Even if you are far from water, use biodegradable soap.
Turn the shower off while soaping up
When camping, we recommend getting wet, turning off, soaping up, and turning water back on for a rinse. Using this showering process, in our testing, three people could shower off one 4-gallon bag.
Get all your towels, toiletries, and clothes ready before your shower
Shower time is limited when you’re using a camp shower. Get your toiletries positioned and your camping towel and clean clothes within reach before you start your shower. Get naked and only then start your shower.
Watch where your shower drains
Set up your shower tent on a well drained permeable surface, ideally flat or sloping slightly downhill. Make sure clothes and dry towels are not in the path of where your shower drains. Additionally, make sure that you are far away from natural water sources like streams and lakes. Water can pool up easily, especially if you’re using a camp shower tent with a waterproof bottom. Drain the bottom of camp shower tents before the next person takes a shower.
Maintenance and cleaning tips
More than any other camping gear item, keeping your camping shower in peak condition requires consistent upkeep and cleaning. After each use, it's crucial to thoroughly rinse and clean the shower nozzle and hose to prevent the the growth of mildew and mold.
Additionally, if you're collecting water from rivers, creeks, ponds, or streams, you'll want to check and clean out your nozzle regularly to prevent the accumulation of debris like leaves, algae, and sand. These can lead to clogs and diminished water flow.
It is worth repeating: This is one camping gear item where it is imperative to allow the camping shower to dry completely before storing it away. Moisture trapped within the system can foster the growth of mold and mildew, compromising both hygiene and longevity.
For camping showers equipped with water filtration or purification systems, adhere closely to the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance and replacement intervals to maintain their optimal performance and water quality. These higher-end fancier showers can do amazing things, but require special care.
Before you head out, check your shower for any signs of wear or damage to components such as seals, connectors, or heating elements. Address any issues immediately to prevent them from escalating into a hole, an electrical issue, or mold that will never go away.
I'll say it again: when the camping shower is not in use, store it in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to safeguard against premature deterioration and ensure it's ready for your next outdoor adventure.
Safety precautions
You wouldn't think it, but camp showers are an item that requires making some smart decisions to stay safe.
Begin by thoroughly familiarizing yourself with the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines before operation.
Before stepping under the spray, always test the water temperature. Whether solar shower or using a heating element, camp showers can get painfully hot. You don't want to get scalded. Unlike your shower at home, controlling the temperature is very difficult with a camp shower.
Shower bags can get heavy (remember that 8 pounds per gallon equation from school?). Position the shower on a stable and level surface or sturdy hook to prevent tipping.
When it comes to children and pets, keep them at a distance from water bags or showers with heating elements. Although we didn't test any for this guide, if your camping shower relies on propane or gas for heating, prioritize proper ventilation to minimize the risk of carbon monoxide buildup, particularly in enclosed spaces.
Handle hot water with caution. Additionally, if camping in areas inhabited by wildlife, responsibly dispose of wastewater away from your campsite, following Leave No Trace guidelines, especially when it comes to soap. Use biodegradable soap and stay more than 200 feet away from any water sources.
How we researched and tested
Liz Thomas and 16 other campers tested camping showers side-by-side over four years across Montana, California, Nevada, and Oregon. Real-world testing included a five-day fly fishing trip in the Bitterroot Valley, three months at an off-grid Sierra Nevada summer camp, and campgrounds along the Columbia River. We also got some unplanned real-world testing when our water heater failed at home for a week, which turned out to be one of the more useful pressure tests we ran.
For solar bags, we placed all models in direct sunlight simultaneously and measured water temperature at regular intervals using a Thermapen thermometer, testing in ambient temperatures from 70°F to nearly 110°F. We evaluated leakproofness at the hose connection, fill cap, and fill-entry point, and assessed handle designs across shower tent hooks, ropes, and vehicle handles. We compared built-in temperature gauge readings against our Thermapen, timed actual shower duration against advertised capacity, and noted nozzle intuitiveness across testers.
We also tested half a dozen camping wipe brands side-by-side, evaluating scent, residue, packability, compostability, and skin feel in varied conditions including desert heat.
- Solar bags tested side-by-side in direct sunlight
- Fly fishing campout in Montana's Bitterroot Valley
- 3-month Sierra Nevada summer camp without electricity
- Campgrounds on Oregon's Columbia River
- Real-world home water heater failure pressure test
- Heat-up speed & max temperature reached
- Leakproofness at hose, cap & fill points
- Handle ease for hanging 30+ lb bags
- Shower time vs. advertised capacity
- Accuracy of built-in temperature gauges
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.
To test the best camping showers, she and 16 other campers tested showers side-by-side for three summers of use–from a fishing campout in Montana to an educational summer camp in the Sierra.
As an outdoors person always on the lookout for ways to reduce her environmental footprint, she's excited about solar camps showers as a way to stay clean without relying on the grid.
Liz represented the sport of hiking at President Obama’s Great American Outdoors Initiative in New York City. Liz’s keynote speaking engagements have included colleges and universities including Yale and MIT and on Capitol Hill, the Trust for Public Land, American Hiking Society, and BikeTexas.
You can read more about Liz at her wikipedia page here or on her website. See all her Treeline Review articles on her author page.
