A portable shower is an easy luxury to bring to the great outdoors. With several designs for use in conjunction with a local water supply, or a simple version which is heated by the sun, there is no reason a person can not bathe comfortably in the outdoors.
Various Types of Showers
For hot bathing at any campground with a faucet, a gas powered portable camping shower is the right choice. Weighing between thirteen and eighteen pounds, the additional weight of the heater and propane tank make it ideal for extended stays in a single spot. The propane bottle attaches to the heater and has a switch to shut it on and off quickly.
In order to hook up to the water supply, a garden hose thread adapter screws onto the tap, and will provide hot water for hours. The user primes the tank with a hand pump for water pressure. This category of the portable outdoor shower is compact and uses batteries for the ignition switch.
A simpler version is the outdoor shower bag. The thick, multi-ply bladders range in size from 2.5 to 5 gallon sizes. The water is heated by filling the bladder and leaving it in the sun. On the higher end models a temperature gauge lets the bather know when the water is ready. Water flows from a hose turned on and off by a simple valve, and gravity creates the pressure for washing.
When shopping in this category, look for a model with a sturdy carrying handle, impact resistant shower head, and reinforced bag construction.
For the ultimate in portable showers for camping, consider spending a little extra for a two burner fast heating model. Water temperature will rise to 100 degrees in about a minute, and attach to any standard water supply. The fast acting ignition switch for this unit runs on four D batteries, and is protected in a waterproof case. The hose stretches out eight feet and is attached to a flow-restricted head.
In the absence of a hose bib or faucet, this high end unit has a tough plastic storage case with the capacity to supply a ten minute shower. The additional equipment and weight makes it an ideal choice for base camp use.
Showering Privacy
Once the style of camping shower has been chosen, campers can select from a wide variety of shelters for bathing in privacy. Easy to erect, these structures are taller and tend to be square to accommodate bathers; or for use as an outhouse. There is generally ventilation through a mesh roof panel, visibility obscuring mesh windows, and a door allowing easy entry and exit. Showering shelters are equipped with toiletry holders and towel racks, and are designed with mesh ‘drain’ holes positioned at all four corners.
A portable shower will be welcome on any camping trip, no matter how simple its design. To ensure it lasts, look for rugged construction and a size appropriate to the number of people on the trip. With an additional investment in a privacy shelter, even an overnight stay can be luxurious.
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