A Shower-Bags is just what you need if you want to wash up where there's no normal shower. People love them for camping, hikes, if you're getting ready for an emergency, and when traveling.
What to Look For
If you're shopping for or using one of these, here are some important things:
a. What it's Made of
Strong plastic or PVC: Won't break or leak easily.
Material that can take heat: So the sun can warm the water.
Stuff that folds up, like nylon: Easy to carry around.
b. How Much it Holds
They usually hold 1 to 10 gallons.
For camping, 5–6 gallons is normal – enough for a fast shower.
c. Warming Up the Water
Lots of bags use the sun to heat the water, usually they're black to soak up the sunlight.
Some can be filled with hot tap water, but careful not to make it too hot or the bag could melt.
d. Can you Carry it Easy
Folds up small so you can pack it.
Doesn't weigh much when it's empty (under a kilo).
Has handles to hang it from trees or hooks.
e. Shower Part
Some have shower heads built in.
Others just have a spout to get the water out.
You need a way to turn the water off and on.
How to Work a Shower-Bags
Fill it with water. Warm water feels better, mostly when it's cold outside.
close it up good so it doesn't leak
Hang it from a tree or something, maybe 5–7 feet up so the water comes out okay.
try the water to see how it's coming out.
Wash yourself with a cup or the shower head. Adjust the water so you're comfortable.
Dump the water and fold the bag when you are done. Be sure it's dry before you put it away so it doesn't get that mold smell.
Some good Ideas
Warm the water first: Fill the bag and let the sun hit it for 1–3 hours.
Keep the shower piece clean: So dirt doesn't build up and block the water
Don't take too long: These bags only give you a few gallons, enough for a quick wash.
Keep it away from sharp things: Like rocks that could break the bag.
What's Good About Them
Easy to carry: Simple to pack and take with you.
Easy to use: Can be used anywhere you find water.
Good for the earth: You don't need electricity.
Cheap: Less expensive than normal camping showers.
What's Not So Good
Not much water: Only a few gallons at a time.
Water doesn't come out fast: The water comes out using gravity, so it's not very powerful.
You have to heat it yourself: Solar bags need the sun to make warm water.
Might not last long: The cheap ones can leak or rip.
Who Should Use These
Campers and hikers who need to clean up away from normal places
People driving or traveling in the back roads.
People who want to be prepared for natural problems
People who work or do hard sports outside and need to clean up quick.
Taking Care of it
Dump it out after you use it so things don't grow inside
Let it dry before you fold it up.
Keep it out of the sun when you aren't using it so the material doesn't get ruined.
Check it for leaks before you use it each time.
What to buy.
When picking a Shower-Bags, remember:
How much water, How easy to carry: Find the right size.
How long it will last: Don't get cheap plastic.
How to heat it: The sun, or something else?
How to hang it: Hanging handles or hooks.
How to turn the water on and off: what type is it.
Shower-Bags Types
a. Gravity Shower Bags
These are the most used.
Water goes down because, well, gravity. Hang it higher for stronger water flow.
Good: Simple, no power needed, and they're light.
Bad: Not much water pressure. You need to find something strong to hang it from.
b. Solar Shower Bags
Made of black stuff to soak up the sun.
Can heat water to about 86–122°F, depending on how sunny it is.
Good: Eco-friendly, and you get a warm shower outside.
Bad: Depends on the weather. Takes an hour or three to heat the water.
c. Hand-Pump Shower Bags
These have a pump you squeeze to get more water pressure.
Good: Better water flow than gravity bags. You can use them even if you can’t hang them super high.
Bad: A bit heavier, and there are more parts that can break.
d. Electric/12V Showers
They run off car batteries or power banks.
A little electric pump pushes the water through the sprayer.
Good: Stronger water pressure and easy to use.
Bad: Need a power source. They can be heavy and cost more.
Other Ways to Use Shower Bags
Besides showers, these bags can do a lot:
Hand washing: Great for camping or festivals.
Washing pets: Good for cleaning dogs outside.
Washing dishes: Gives you a stream of water for outdoor cooking areas.
Cooling off: A quick spray on a hot day.
Emergency water: Use as a container if the power goes out or during floods.
Safety Tips
Don't get burned: Don’t fill it with boiling water. Test the water before you use it.
Hang it safely: Be sure the branch or hook can hold the weight when it’s full. A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds.
Keep away from kids when it's hot: Bags heating in the sun can get really hot.
No standing water: Empty the bag after you use it so mold doesn’t grow.
Make it More Comfortable
Shower tents: For privacy outdoors.
Different sprayers: Change the spray for a soft or strong shower.
Insulated bags: Keep the water warm longer.
Long hoses: Easier to reach when you hang the bag high.
DIY Tips
Make a solar shower bag with a black trash bag, tape, and a shower sprayer if you have to.
Use shiny blankets or foil to point sunlight at the bag to heat the water faster.
Use a rope to lift and lower the bag easier.
Common Mistakes
Filling too full: It can break or be hard to hang.
Hanging too low: Not enough water pressure for a good shower.
Leaving it in the sun empty: The sun can ruin the material quicker.
Not drying it: Mold and bad smells can start if you put it away wet.
Using sharp things nearby: Holes are the most common problem.
How to Keep it Working
Look for leaks before each use.
Wash with gentle soap and rinse well.
Keep it in a cool, dry place out of the sun.
Change the parts if the water doesn’t flow right.
If you have more than one, use them at different times so they last longer.
Things to Think About When Buying
Size: 5–6 gallons for one person. Get a bigger one if you're sharing.
Heating: Solar or hand-heated? Think about the weather.
Material: Strong, heat-proof, and hard to poke holes in.
Easy to carry: Can it fold up? Is it light?
Water flow: Does it have a sprayer you can change or turn off?
Other stuff: Does it have insulation, hoses, hooks, or handles?
Quick Tips
Add warm water first, then cold, to get the right temperature.
Use it to rinse dishes or hands before washing completely.
Hang it in the sun to get the water as warm as possible.
Use a shower mat to keep your feet clean.
a. Gravity Shower Bags
These are the most used.
Water goes down because, well, gravity. Hang it higher for stronger water flow.
Good: Simple, no power needed, and they're light.
Bad: Not much water pressure. You need to find something strong to hang it from.
b. Solar Shower Bags
Made of black stuff to soak up the sun.
Can heat water to about 86–122°F, depending on how sunny it is.
Good: Eco-friendly, and you get a warm shower outside.
Bad: Depends on the weather. Takes an hour or three to heat the water.
c. Hand-Pump Shower Bags
These have a pump you squeeze to get more water pressure.
Good: Better water flow than gravity bags. You can use them even if you can’t hang them super high.
Bad: A bit heavier, and there are more parts that can break.
d. Electric/12V Showers
They run off car batteries or power banks.
A little electric pump pushes the water through the sprayer.
Good: Stronger water pressure and easy to use.
Bad: Need a power source. They can be heavy and cost more.
Other Ways to Use Shower Bags
Besides showers, these bags can do a lot:
Hand washing: Great for camping or festivals.
Washing pets: Good for cleaning dogs outside.
Washing dishes: Gives you a stream of water for outdoor cooking areas.
Cooling off: A quick spray on a hot day.
Emergency water: Use as a container if the power goes out or during floods.
Safety Tips
Don't get burned: Don’t fill it with boiling water. Test the water before you use it.
Hang it safely: Be sure the branch or hook can hold the weight when it’s full. A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds.
Keep away from kids when it's hot: Bags heating in the sun can get really hot.
No standing water: Empty the bag after you use it so mold doesn’t grow.
Make it More Comfortable
Shower tents: For privacy outdoors.
Different sprayers: Change the spray for a soft or strong shower.
Insulated bags: Keep the water warm longer.
Long hoses: Easier to reach when you hang the bag high.
DIY Tips
Make a solar shower bag with a black trash bag, tape, and a shower sprayer if you have to.
Use shiny blankets or foil to point sunlight at the bag to heat the water faster.
Use a rope to lift and lower the bag easier.
Common Mistakes
Filling too full: It can break or be hard to hang.
Hanging too low: Not enough water pressure for a good shower.
Leaving it in the sun empty: The sun can ruin the material quicker.
Not drying it: Mold and bad smells can start if you put it away wet.
Using sharp things nearby: Holes are the most common problem.
How to Keep it Working
Look for leaks before each use.
Wash with gentle soap and rinse well.
Keep it in a cool, dry place out of the sun.
Change the parts if the water doesn’t flow right.
If you have more than one, use them at different times so they last longer.
Things to Think About When Buying
Size: 5–6 gallons for one person. Get a bigger one if you're sharing.
Heating: Solar or hand-heated? Think about the weather.
Material: Strong, heat-proof, and hard to poke holes in.
Easy to carry: Can it fold up? Is it light?
Water flow: Does it have a sprayer you can change or turn off?
Other stuff: Does it have insulation, hoses, hooks, or handles?
Quick Tips
Add warm water first, then cold, to get the right temperature.
Use it to rinse dishes or hands before washing completely.
Hang it in the sun to get the water as warm as possible.
Use a shower mat to keep your feet clean.