Best Human Waste Bags and WAG Bags of 2024
Odor-proof, leak-proof, portable waste bags to Leave No Trace and Manage Human Waste
April 1st, 2023
The joy Treeline editor Liz Thomas feels after throwing away a used human waste bag that she has carried for 60 miles.
Human waste bags, including WAG Bags (Waste Alleviation and Gelling bags), are a crucial part of responsible outdoor recreation for backpackers, climbers, campers, rafters, and winter backcountry and glacier travel. Double-bag wag bags allow you to properly dispose of human waste in a way that minimizes your impact on heavily impacted and sensitive ecosystems. We review human waste bags based on their ease of use for pack-it in, pack-it-out, odor-proofness, leakproofness, capacity, and accessories to find the best human waste bags and best wag bags for different outdoor activities.
Popular areas that require human waste bags include the Mt Whitney Trail, overnight trips in slot canyons such as Zion National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, including the Texas high point, and most glacier routes on Mt. Shasta, Lassen, and Rainier. Climbers use human waste bags at popular desert crags and big wall climbs. Additionally, waste bags are popular – especially in conjunction with portable toilets – for campers and overlanders.
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Comparison Table
| HUMAN WASTE BAG | TREELINE AWARD | PRICE PER KIT | WEIGHT | SOLID & LIQUID | TP? | SANITIZER? | USE WITH COMMODE? | INCLUDES GEL? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restop2 | Best overall | $4.40 (in 12-pack) | 85-90 g (63.7g) | Both | Y | Y, small wipe | Y | Y |
| Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet Kit | Best lightweight | $3.00 (in 12-pack) | 71 g | Both | Y | Y, small wipe | Y | Y |
| Nice Climbs El Crap Waste Bag | Best for climbers | $3.00 (in 10-pack) | 68 g (70 g) | Both | Y | Y, small wipe | Y | Y |
| Biffy Bag | Most discreet | $3.05 (in a 10-pack) | 72 g | Both | Y | Y, large wipe | N | Y |
| Reliance Double Dootie | Best for camping | 2.99 | 340 g | Both | N | N | Y | Y |
| Green Elephant | Best Basic | $1.00 (in 15-pack) | 340 g | Both | N | N | Y | N |
| Trelino S Portable Toilet | Best portable toilet | n/a | 3.9 kg | Both, it auto-separates | N | N | It is a commode | N, auto-separates solid and waste |
We note any discounts we see on our Deals page, which is updated daily.
The Best Human waste bags and wag bags
Best human waste bag: Restop 2
Dimensions: 12x20" (6.5”x1.5”x2.5” unused)
Weight: 85 to 90 g on our scale (73 g claimed)
Solid and liquid: both
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer? Yes
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes
EPA approval for landfill disposal: Yes, but check with local agencies to make sure this is allowed
Includes gel? Yes
What we liked: odor proof, ability to handle multiple bathroom breaks (if need be)
What we didn't like: heavier, bigger dimensions
The Restop 2: Disposable Liquid and Solid Waste Bags is our winner for Best Overall Human Waste Bag for most people. It has a gas-impervious mylar outer pouch with a zip-lock closure to keep everything in the liner bag contained. The Restop 2 is designed for urine and feces (be sure to avoid the Restop 1, which is only designed for urine). Each pouch contains ample toilet paper and a moist antiseptic towelette.
Our favorite aspect of the Restop 2 is the design. Unlike most of the other waste bags we tested, the Restop 2 has a drawstring to pull the inner bag closed. This means you don't have to rely on your ability to create a knot with enough force to keep the contents from leaking from the inner bag to the outer bag. It also means in the event you need to re-use the bag for a second dump, then it's not so bad. We also like that the Restop 2 liner bag is connected to the outer bag, so the outer bag won't get left behind in the campsite or fly away in the wind.
View the Restop 2
The Restop 2 waste bag system folds down to pocket-size…before use. Here it is in Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon, a route that requires packing it in, packing it out. Photo by Kate Hoch.
Like other bags we tested, Restop 2 has a triple barrier bag design with an outer bag made of odor-proof mylar. The Restop 2 Wilderness Waste Containment pouch uses a polymer/enzyme blend to gel liquid and waste to prevent spillage. The enzyme also helps with odor.
As far as odor goes, we didn’t notice any—even after packing out a double turd in the hot desert sun while backpacking Buckskin Gulch from Wire Pass to Lees Ferry for several days.
Restop 2 is sold as a singles, in a 5-pack as the wilderness kit, 12-packs, or 24-packs. It was designed with rafting brand NRS for going on multi-day trips like the Grand Canyon or Salmon River, who will go through a fair amount of these bags on a trip. The Wilderness Kit includes a mesh bag to carry out used wag bags.
The laid out Restop 2 waste bag in Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon, a route that requires packing it in, packing it out. Photo by Kate Hoch.
The Restop 2 can hold 32 ounces of liquid or solid human waste. The inner waste collection bag has a 48" circumference and a 22" depth. This is a relatively large system. If you're using a portable toilet like the Trelino or Luggable Loo, that means you can get in multiple uses. To use with a commode system, open the whole Restop 2 commode bucket and pull out and fold the inner bag over the foam toilet seat, tucking it in under the seat.
The pull string system makes it easier to take multiple poops in this bag than some of the other designs, as well. A boating website says it can take 3-4 people's waste (though doesn't say the duration of time).
While the dimensions are larger than other bags, it's folded down when you buy it, so the dimensions are really more like 6.5”x2.5”x1/.5” (until you use it). Although I've seen websites claim it weighs 63 g, on my scale, an unused bag weighs 85 to 90 g depending on the bag and scale (we asked several testers to check it out on their home scales). It isn't the lightest, but it's one we feel confident works in a variety of situations.
Best Lightweight wag bag: Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Toilet Kit
Dimensions: 11.5"x11.5" (folds to 4.5"x6"x1" unused)
Weight: 71 g
Solid and liquid: both
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer: Yes
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes
EPA approval for landfill disposal: Yes, but check with local agencies to make sure this is allowed
Includes gel? Yes
What we liked: lightweight, small packaged size, affordable
What we didn't like: must tie your own knot, outer packaging can be less sturdy (but the bag itself is fine!), aim can be difficult
The Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Toilet Kit is the original WAG bag and the best lightweight poop bag for humans. This WAG bag comes with a puncture-resistant bag, a waste bag holder, and a toilet paper holder. The Cleanwaste GO has a triple barrier system that prevents leaks and odors. This kit is easy to use, and it can be used with a portable toilet or as a stand-alone waste disposal system for backpackers, climbers, or emergency situations. At 71 g on my scale, it is the second most lightweight and folds down to the smallest dimensions for backpackers or climbers who are weight or space conscious. It's also a great bag to carry for "just in case" situations because of its minimal size.
Each WAG bag contains a waste liner bag that contains Poo Powder, which is a gelling/deodorizing agent. It is a NASA-developed super-absorbent crystal that gels and encapsulates liquid and solid waste. The wag bag comes with a puncture-resistant plastic zip-close storage bag. For accessories, it comes with a small toilet paper "roll" and a small hand wipe.
The wag bag can be used on the ground by backpackers and campers. By taking the waste bag and positioning it under a toilet seat, it can also be used in portable camp toilets and commode buckets. Cleanwaste developed the GO Anywhere Toilet to work in conjunction with the GO bag for campers, van lifers, rafters, and overlanders who want to use the wag bag with the convenience of a bucket or seat.
Compare Prices On The Cleanwaste Go
Contents of the Cleanwaste GO Anywhere toilet kit. Grey bag is the odor-proof outer bag. The light grey bag is the inner liner bag. It includes hand sanitizer wipde pad (American flag) and toilet paper mini roll (wrapped in brown). Note how the carry bag that holds the contents shows some wear.
The Cleanwaste GO is designed to hold up to 2L of waste–either liquid or solid. The included Poo Powder solidifies liquid waste and prevents spillage or splash bag. It also controls odor, and we never had an issue with it — even after 60 miles of backpacking the High Sierra Trail with a used bag.
Cleanwaste's website says, "There is enough gelling powder to gel 32 ounces (946.35 ml) or 3 –4 uses. This is a personal choice/decision; the gel keeps on working until fully saturated, and must be activated by a liquid to properly encapsulate the solid waste." If you're using your wag bag inside of GO Anywhere Toilet, that makes sense (just don't tie the knot until you're done). But if you're camping, backpacking, climbing, or rafting, this is, in practice, a one-use bag.
Cleanwaste’s wag bags have received EPA approval for disposal in landfills. However, some municipalities, such as those in Moab, ask that Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet kits be disposed of only at approved facilities to prevent sanitation workers from coming into contact with exploding poop bags. Always check your local dump station before disposing of these bags.
Cleanwaste is the original inventor of the wag bag and holds the patent to the name. The new packaging for 2024 prominently displays that it is the original WAG-BAG. It was marketed for many years as the Wag Bag PETT compact dry toilet system. This brand is commonly given out when you receive a permit to climb Mt. Whitney and is colloquially called "The Forest Service wag bag."
In our experience, the external bag (which admittedly, was never designed to hold human waste) opens too easily, such as when stored with gear. Still, we've never had an issue with the internal bag or the outer bag–the ones that actually hold waste.
On a recent trip to Mt. Whitney while backpacking the John Muir Trail, our testers found the Cleanwaste bag to require more aim than we wanted. Some climbers recommend pooping on the ground and then using the liner bag to pick up the waste, similar to what one would do with dog waste.
Still, the plastic zip bag stayed secure when stored in the mesh of a backpacking backpack for multiple days and nights. There was no leaking or splashing, even when carried through multiple days of rain. I will admit there is more perceived comfort in using a Mylar lined bag to hold it all in. Cleanwaste states that the external bag (that holds all the contents) and the liner bag are made with biodegradable plastic when disposed of in an approved for human-waste industrial composter. From the comfort of my desk, that seems worth it.
One thing we didn't like about the Cleanwaste wag bag is the requirement to tie your own knot instead of pull on a string to tighten. It puts a lot of pressure on the user to create a knot good enough to keep the contents in. Not to mention that once you've tied your knot, it's near impossible to undo should you have to use the bag again.
Best Human Waste bag for climbers: Nice Climbs El Crap
Weight: 70 g
Solid and liquid: both
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer: Yes
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes
EPA approval for landfill disposal: yes, but check local muncipalities
Includes gel? Yes
What we liked: large, can handle a lot of waste, less expensive than personal use options
What we didn't like: not enough toilet paper included
The Nice Climbs El Crap waste bag toilet is our winner for Best for Climbers. This is a large capacity waste bag–5 gallons. It is marketed as being able to take multiple solid waste deposits. We've verified that it can in fact handle it–all without being too gross. One customer review said “when you have to crap in a bag for a week of your life, you’ll definitely want to crap in this bag.” It’s the best portable waste bag we found for handling multiple days of use.
COMPARE PRICES ON THE NICE CLIMBS EL CRAP
The contents of the El Crap human waste bag before use including the powder that you add before doing the deed. The pink inner bag opens up wide. Photo by Kate Hoch.
The El Crap has a pink inner bag that is tear resistant. The outer bag is silver and odor-proof. Like the Restop 2, it comes folded so it is compact (until used). It doesn't require a folding toilet or bucket, though it can work with one.
Each bag weighs 70 g–the lightest of the bags we tested (but only by 1 gram). Still, it's the lightest weight human waste bag that has a mylar double-lock odor proof zip-lock outer bag. The others have odor proof plastic bags. We liked its design and packaging, which was easy to use and kept everything clean. The bag gets really wide. Each bag contains toilet paper and a hand sanitizer wipe (though our own testers and customer reviews agree that there could be more toilet paper in there).
A close up on the El Crap Waste bag in Buckskin Gulch before use. Photo by Kate Hoch.
Similar to the Biffy Bag (see review below), you'll first want to sprinkle your powder packet to eliminate odor.
They claim 750 ml of liquid waste, although instructions recommend you pee before use if you are in a place where that is allowed. Nice Climbs recommends putting used coffee grounds into the pink bag (inner bag) to keep down odor. We use a similar method in our Trelino composting toilet and it keeps away odor for almost a week until we can get to town to dispose of it.
This Nice Climbs model is popular with climbers on big walls, multi-pitch climbs, alpine accents and for winter backcountry use.
We haven't had this issue with our bags, but some customers report small holes in the outer bag at the folding line.
Most discreet: Biffy Bag: personal disposable toilet
Dimensions: 5"x5"
Weight: 72 g (65 g claimed)
Solid and liquid: both
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer: Yes
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes
EPA approval for landfill disposal: Yes, but check with local agencies to make sure this is allowed
Includes gel? Yes
What we liked: unique design makes aiming easier and more pooping more discreet
What we didn't like: must tie your own knot, waist straps not big enough for all bodies
If you need to be discreet in your toilet time but don't have a privacy tent, we were impressed by the Biffy bag system, which wins our Most Discreet waste bag award. The Biffy bag is unlike other bags in that you tie bag’s straps around your waist and pull it forward, kind of like putting a diaper on yourself. You don't even fully squat into it, just bend your knees a bit. This avoids the misses and aim failures that can be a problem with other bag systems. And it keeps everything covered for when you need to go on a boat, on a crowded trail or crag, or any other time when you'd rather not do the do in front of others.
We like that the Biffy bag itself is a funnel and it is attached to the outer mylar bag so the outer bag won't get lost in the wind (that has never happened to the author). The bottom of the funnel of the bag leads to where it is held by the outer mylar bag. This keeps things tidy and neat and all the waste aimed in the right direction. At 72 g, it is also almost tied for the lightest weight waste bag available.
View the Biffy Bag
When you open the Biffy Bag, you'll find this is the only portable bag that has add the separate powder by pouring it into the liner bag. This is a similar system to what you'd find on a Do-It-Yourself system like the Green Elephant Portable bag (see review below) other bags designed for portable toilets. This activated powder keeps things fresh and makes sure the gel and deodorizes goes to the right place within your bag.
The powder is an odor neutralizer, puts a sealing layer around the waste to seal in odor, and turns liquid into a solid. That is why you add the Biffy powder into the bag before you do the deed. The Biffy bag itself doesn't have corners to ensure equal distribution of Biffy powder.
Like other double-bag systems we considered, the Biffy bag uses 3 layers of leak protection (the Biffy Bag, the odor free double-zip Transport bag, and the gel). The manufacturer claims it has 4000 times the odor resistance of a standard garbage bag. The transport bag itself has a "burst strength rating greater than 50 psi and a puncture resistant rating greater than 13 psi," which it claims makes it "virtually leak proof." We couldn't get similar numbers from other manufacturers, so take those numbers as you will.
One thing we didn't like about the Biffy Bag is the requirement to tie your own knot instead of a pull on a string to tighten as found in the Restop 2 (review above). It puts a lot of pressure on the user to feel like that knot is good enough to keep the contents in. Not to mention that once you've tied your knot, it's near impossible to undo should you have to use the bag again. This is a one-use bag.
The Mylar transport bag and the handy wipe foil pouch are made of barrier film material (multiple layers of different types of material) and are not recyclable. All other materials are recyclable or biodegradable (I've seen claims of 83% biodegradable or recyclable but couldn’t verify).
One thing we really like about the Biffy Bag is it has the biggest antibacterial wipe of any of the bags we tested and ample toilet paper.
Lastly, a thing to consider is some customer reviews state the waist straps aren't long enough to accommodate bigger body types, so keep that in mind.
Best for Camping: Reliance Double Doodie waste bags with bio-gel
Dimensions: Black interior bag is 22.75”L x 23.5”W. Zip lock exterior bag is 11.9”L x 13.75”W
Weight: 340 g
Solid and liquid: both
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer: Yes
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes
EPA approval for landfill disposal: Yes, but check with local agencies to make sure this is allowed
Includes gel? Yes
What we liked: large, can handle a lot of waste, less expensive than personal use options
What we didn't like: may require more liquid loo depending on conditions
The Reliance Double Doodie bags win our award for Best for Camping because they are designed to work with a portable toilet yet contain the odorproofing gels of a handheld toilet kit. The Double Doodie bags have a zip seal that keeps the contents inside and use biogel to keep contents from expanding or stinking. Reliance makes their own camp commode system, the Luggable Loo specifically-designed to hold the Double Doodie bags. They claim one bag can last a family of 4 for one-day. Each box contains 6 bags.
We chose Double Doodie for best for camping because it can handle many more loads than more portable systems, so you don't need to constantly replace bags on your Luggable Loo. It also is less expensive than the lighter-weight personal size bags we tested, which is ideal for campers.
Compare Prices On The Double Doodie
Double Doodie can hold quite the load–2L (remember that includes liquid and solid). Each bag weighs 340 g, which is many times the weight of other bags we considered. Considering that 340 g holds the gel and includes the weight of a gallon plastic bag, that's fairly lightweight (for reference, the Green Elephant bag, also designed for toilets, does not include gel).
Depending on how sensitive your nose is, you may want to add additional Liquid Gel. The powder inside is bulkier on this bag than the others we tested. One thing we like is the waste bag is connected to the outer bag, so you won't lose or misplace the outer bag. The black liner bag goes around the toilet seat. When you’re done, the leak-proof and puncture-resistant outer bag has a double zip seal so you can properly dispose of it without making a mess.
Double Doodie does not include toilet paper or hand sanitizer, so be sure to put a bottle of hand sanitizer and a roll of toilet paper in your camp kit.
Best Human Waste Bag For Extended Use: Green Elephant Bag Portable Toilet Bags
Dimensions: 25.6” x 23.6”
Weight: 340 g
Solid and liquid: both
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer: No
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes
EPA approval for landfill disposal: Not without adding an gel agent. However, it is EU approved for composting. Check with local agencies to make sure this is allowed
Includes gel? No
What we liked: large, can handle a lot of waste, less expensive than personal use options
What we didn’t like: requires you to add a gel agent to dispose in a landfill, weight
Green Elephant Portable Toilet bags are our winner for best human waste bag for Do-It-Yourself portable commode toilet use. The Green Elephant bags are essentially large heavy-duty garbage bags designed for holding human waste. They're 8-gallon bags designed to specifically fit and line a 5-gallon bucket or a portable toilet. They work best in a portable commode like the Luggable Loo or the Green Elephant Folding Commode or a Do-It-Yourself system made of a 5-gallon bucket and a toilet seat. But unlike just any old garbage bag, the Green Elephant Portable bags really fit a 5-gallon bucket/portable commode.
View THE GREEN ELEPHANT TOILET BAG
The big plus on Green Elephant bags is that they are more compostable than most bags out there. They are also made with US ASTM D6400 and European OK Compost Home certified plastic. It's made of plant-derived resin, vegetable oils, and compostable starches and polymers without polyethylene. The website even says you can bury the bag – poop and all – in the ground, and it will biodegrade. While technically true, this is definitely not Leave No Trace. Do not bury waste bags or wipes on public land.
Each bag weighs 340 g, so it's much heavier than the portable human waste bags we tested for backpacking, climbing, slot canyoneering, and alpine endeavors. Instead, it's a multi-use leakproof bag.
Green Elephant says the bags will decompose in 3 months in an industrial composter or 1 year in a home compost.
To keep odor down and reduce the mess of bringing the contents to a waste facility, you're going to need to add your own gel. You can buy Reliance's Liquid Gel in bulk (this is the same that comes with each bag of Reliance Double Doodie bags). You can even buy the Poo Powder found in the Clean Waste Go Wag Bags. Some campers even add kitty litter to their portable toilets.
The Green Elephant system works best with a portable commode. The brand makes its own Green Elephant Folding Commode, which is a folding portable toilet. Unlike a 5-gallon bucket system like the Luggable Loo, it's also at a higher height, which makes doing it a little easier. A more luxurious system is the Trelino S Portable Composting toilet (review below) or the Dometic SaniPottie, which looks and feels almost like a toilet at home (well, your own personal port-o-john).
The Green Elephant bags are the #1 bestseller on Amazon for toilet bags and the winner for best toilet bag at Wirecutter.
Best Portable Composting Toilet: Trelino Evo S Portable Toilet
Dimensions: 25.6” x 23.6”
Weight: 3.9 kg
Solid and liquid: both, automatically separates them
Includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer: No
Includes gel? No, auto-separates solid and waste
Can be used with a portable commode? Yes, it is a portable commode
EPA approval for landfill disposal: Not without adding a gel agent. Check with local agencies to make sure this is allowed.
What we liked: separates solid and liquid, odor-free, stable, secure and leakproof
What we didn’t like: price
If you need a portable toilet for car camping or other base camp setups, the Trelino Evo S is our top choice. Unlike the other models we tested for this story, this one won’t fit in a backpack. This model works like a composting toilet, where you sprinkle litter material on #2 after each use. But unlike a wag bag, which is only used once, this toilet works for about 5-8 sessions.
This portable composting toilet weighs 8.6 pounds, has a pee and poo separator, and comes with 10 biodegradable bags for collecting human waste. This self-contained toilet box has a secure-fitting lid with a soft close hinge. It has separate containers for #1 and #2. Both containers have tight-fitting lids that won’t leak when you need to transport or empty the containers.
Compare prices of the Trelino Evo S Portable Toilet
The portable toilet body is made of durable and waterproof ABS plastic, so you can carry it around in your trunk (or a very large backpack) without worrying about it breaking or leaking. It’s also very good at keeping odors to a minimum. While it doesn’t smell like flowers inside the waste containers, the individual container lids keep the smell inside. The durable toilet box body serves as a secondary barrier for containing any spills.
If you don’t need the packability of a wag bag but still want a portable toilet for high-use areas or fragile ecosystems, the Trelino Evo S is worth checking out. For more info, long-term, in depth review of the Trelino S Composting Toilet.
Close up of the chemical crystal gel material that comes with a human waste bag. This material deodorizes and may even contain enzymes that break down the contents.
How human waste bags and Wag Bags work
More advanced WAG bags include material that will deodorize and cause liquid to gel. The goal is to absorb fluids to prevent leaking and can even help biodegrade materials. Most importantly, it can manage odor. Human waste bags Reliance's Liquid Gel and Cleanwaste’s Poo Powder are included in every toilet kit, but are not included in the Green Elephant or Trelino bags we recommend. Each bag includes a puncture-resistant (and hopefully odorproof) outer bag for carrying the waste out. For Do-It-Yourselfers, chemical crystals can be added to a puncture-resistant bag designed to hold feces like the Green Elephant toilet bag.
Contents of a wag bag including inner bag (light grey), outer bag (dark grey), a small roll of toilet paper, and a hand sanitizer wipe. Nalgene water bottle for scale.
What's inside a human waste bag
A typical portable human waste bag includes:
A puncture resistant bag for storage
A liner bag to hold the human waste
Chemical crystals that cause gelling similar to cat litter or baby diapers.
Some models: Toilet paper (most systems include)
Some models: hand sanitizer wipe (most systems include)
We took apart a WAG bag so you can see what it looks like inside.
Note that bags that are designed to work inside portable commodes like the Reliance Double Doodie and Green Elephant Portable do not come with toilet paper or hand sanitizer wipe.
Mountaineer “Schwagg” on Mt. Rainier holding up a used Forest Service “blue bag” human waste toilet system. Blue bags often use twist ties, which are less reliable than the double-bag systems we tested. As a result, some blue bags can leak.
Types of Human Waste bags
Double-Bag Wag Bags:
Wag bags and human waste toilet kits are often sold in packs and may come with toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Double-bag wag bags have a two-layer design that helps to prevent leaks and odors. The inner bag is designed to hold the waste, while the outer bag provides an extra layer of protection. Some brands call themselves a “triple layer” waste bag because they count the gel that deodorizes and solidifies liquid as a third layer. Double-bag wag bags and triple-bag wag bags are often used in areas where there is a high risk of contamination, such as on mountaineering expeditions or in areas with fragile ecosystems.
Portable Toilet Kits:
Portable toilet kits come with everything you need to set up a portable toilet in the wilderness. These kits usually include a seat and lid, a waste container, and chemical treatments to help break down the waste. Common brands of portable toilet kits include Luggable Loo, Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Portable Toilet Seat (just add a 5-gallon bucket!), or more self-contained systems like the Dometic SaniPottie Toilet 966.
Portable toilet kits are just the bag that you put inside the toilet—they don’t include the thing you sit on. Paired with a portable toilet, they provide a more comfortable and convenient option for longer camping, vanlife, overlanding, or RV trips. Sometimes, these kits come with urine diversion systems, which separate urine from solid waste to reduce odor.
Blue baG:
The blue bag system is a basic wag bag system that is sometimes handed out by the Forest Service of Park Service for mountaineering expeditions like on Mt. Rainier. These sometimes use a twist-tie closure to hold in the human waste. In our experience, a twist tie is not reliable enough for being leakproof with human waste, especially for urine. We do not recommend any of these systems for this article.
A used wag bag inner bag placed inside the odor-proof outer bag. A good outer bag will have a zip closure system.
How to use a wag bag properly
If you’re in the backcountry, it is essential that you carry your WAG bag with you until you get back to the trailhead. Don't be like the dog owner who leaves their used poop bag by the side of the trail expecting someone else to pack it out.
Open up the outer bag. Remove toilet paper, hand sanitizer.
Open the liner bag was wide as possible making sure the chemical crystals are at the bottom of the bag.
Squat over the liner bag, aiming for the inside of the liner bag. Let it loose.
Wipe yourself with the toilet paper included. Put used toilet paper in the liner bag
Carefully lift the sides of the liner bag so contents can get to the bottom. Use the straps to cinch the bag closed.
Carry a used wag bag on the outside of your backpack-preferably in a mesh pocket far from food.
When camping at night, be sure that you store your wag bag in a place where wildlife cannot get to it. Some people recommend storing it in a hardsided container. However, it's best to keep it away from your food for sanitary reasons.
The joyful disposing of a human waste bag after miles of “packing it out.”
How to dispose of Wag Bags
Do not bury waste bags or wipes (even those that are labeled biodegradable or compostable).
Some wag bags that have EPA-approved commercial uses can go in a normal trash can at the trailhead. Check with your local municipality as not all areas allow landfill disposal of wag bags.
These contain chemicals that make the human waste inside inert, so they are safe in normal dumpsters. Home made WAG bags or bags without the EPA commercial rating can only go in designated human waste dumpsters, which are located at the trailhead.
Note that the Moab-area Solid Waste Special Service District # 1, newly renamed the Canyonlands Solid Waste Authority, has requested that wag bags not go in the normal trash–even EPA approved ones. Though landfill safe, Moab's trash system uses compaction and sanitation workers have been covered in human waste after bags ruptured. There are many approved human waste bag disposal sites in Moab.
Regardless of the EPA-approval rating, wag bags should not be disposed of in a pit toilet when you get back to the trailhead. They also should not be disposed of in a composter.
Examples of EPA-approved commercial wag bags are GO Anywhere, Biffy Bags, and ReStop.
Guadalupe Mountains National park is a desert area that has been deemed sensitive habitat where users are instructed to pack out human waste.
Reasons To Use Wag Bags
Reducing Environmental Impact in Sensitive and High Use Area: see our list below of just a fraction of the backcountry areas that require use of human waste bags
Public Health and Safety: reducing the spread of disease, especially those that are water-borne
Aesthetic Impacts: no one wants to see other people's turds, and in some areas with shallow soil, heavy use, and low natural decomposing rates, that is going to happen. Packing it out makes it that much less gross to hike in certain areas.
Convenience and comfort: Many people carry wag bags in their vehicle glove box as a "just in case" for when cars break down or toilets can't be found.
Weighing a human waste bag.
Buying advice
Depending on your needs, here are the categories we used to judge human waste bags.
leakproof
odorproof
closure system: zip-lock vs. self tie vs. twist tie
volume
ample toilet paper
hand sanitizer
weight
biodegradable
re-usable (for multi-day use)
Treeline Review editor Liz Thomas holds up the Mt. Whitney sign. The Whitney Zone is one of the most busy hiking and backpacking areas that requires human waste bags to pack-it-in-pack-it-out for human waste
Where to Use Wag Bags
Backpacking and Hiking
The Mt Whitney Zone around Mt Whitney is a major day hiking and backpacking destination that requires everyone to use a WAG bag. This impacts backpackers on the John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers taking side-trips down to Whitney Portal, and High Sierra Trail hikers.
Guadalupe National Park and the highest point in Texas, Guadelupe Mountain (8,751 feet), now requires wag bags for hikers. All areas in the wilderness and ¼ mile from trailheads require the use of WAg bags. See their park website for more info.
Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon require hikers to use wag bags. This is typical for many slot canyons, including many overnight routes in Zion National Park.
Climbing and Mountaineering
It's common in high desert climbing crags to use a human waste bag. Climbing groups in Red Rocks have installed human waste bag dispensers to pick up at the parking lot. Other climbing crags that see considerable traffic are also considering installing dispensers. Examples of places where climbers are encouraged to use wag bags include Red Rocks such as the remote Black Velvet Canyon.
Big wall climbers and climbers on multi-day multi-pitch climbs and alpine climbs also will need wag bags.
Mountaineering summits like Mt. Rainier, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, and many peaks in North Cascades National Park require the use of wag bags. It is common for routes that require glacier travel to require wag bag use as there is no way for human waste to decompose on a glacier.
Camping
Areas near Moab ask that overlanders and other campers use wag bags while primitive camping.
Similarly, Canyonlands National Park requires campers to use a washable or reusable toilet system at the Maze. Like river sports enthusiasts, campers can use washable toilet systems as an alternative to human waste bags because they are less concerned with weight.
Kayaking and Canoeing and White water
Wag bags can be a decent and inexpensive way to pack out human waste while kayaking and canoeing short overnight trips. Check to make sure your local water allows Wag bags–not every river allows it.
Water sports have their own toilet systems that are less focused on weight consciousness than what is covered in this guide, many which are washable. Many white water rafters will use groovers (an ammo can) or use a toilet like the NRS Ecosafe Rocket Box system.
Liz Thomas on a mountain in Colorado. She’s an experienced hiker, thru-hiker, and outdoor writer. Photo by Jorn Carr.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
I’ve backpacked over 20,000 miles and have at least 1000 nights sleeping outdoors. Many of those routes take me to sensitive areas where using a human waste bag and packing out human waste is essential. For this article, I’ve also interviewed mountaineers, canyoneers, rafters, vanlifers, and climbers to hear about their experiences properly disposing human waste in the backcountry.
I’ve written about outdoor gear for numerous publications, including as contributing editor at Backpacker Magazine and the New York Times’ product review site, Wirecutter. I’m the author of the National Outdoor Book Award winning Long Trails Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. My book has extensive gear and nutrition chapters--both of which address different kinds of backpacking stoves. I regularly book speaking gigs with outdoor clubs, non-profits, and colleges and universities to talk about backpacking and lead gear panels. I’m also Editor-in-Chief here at Treeline Review and oversee all of our outdoor gear stories.
You can read more about me at www.eathomas.com or at her author page.
