It’s time to break out the sleeping bag and the mess tin – camping season is here. Reacquainting one’s self with the outdoors is among life’s finest pleasures, but who says a touch of civilization can’t come along this time, too?
You don’t have to pack the whole house, but a few amenities will brighten up your trip with added comfort and hygiene, and none more so than a solar shower.
What is a solar shower?
Solar showers harness the sun’s energy to heat a large bag of water. Once the water is suitably warm, the bag can be securely placed and the water consumed for personal washing purposes through an attachable tube and showerhead.
The technology isn’t space-age, so don’t expect anything close to the heat or water pressure of a real shower, but it works and certainly beats the icy chill of a lake or river.
Features to look out for
Temperature gauge – A temperature gauge will indicate the internal temperature of the bag, letting you know when the water is ready to use for showering. Some may also feature a clear window on the water bladder to indicate how much water volume is left.
Bag size – Solar showers come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of the larger bagged showers may include a foot pump if too heavy to hang in a secure place. Ultimately the size of the solar shower you choose should reflect the size of the party that will be using it. It’s also important to consider that the bigger the bag, the longer it will take to heat up.
Materials – Some manufacturers note the PVC material used is durable but also non-toxic, meaning the water content can be used for washing dishes or even for personal consumption.
Here are our picks of the best solar showers for your next trip.
Camperig Solar Shower
VIEW OFFER | Price: £12.99
This five-gallon solar shower from Camperig is a simple yet effective solution for outdoor washing. The water bag is manufactured using polyvinyl chloride fabric for strength and durability over extended use, while still being eco-friendly and nontoxic for dishwashing purposes, too.
The black finish of the bag helps the heating process as the material absorbs rather than reflects wavelengths of light, converting them into heat and warming up the contents of the bag quicker.
If left in direct sunlight, a full bag should take roughly three hours to warm up, though you can check the current temperature with measure bar found on the side of the bag, rather than dipping your fingers in. Once the water is suitably warm and the bag has been hung in a secure place, control the water flow using the water outlet valve located at the bottom of the bag.
Wadeo Solar Shower
VIEW OFFER | Price: £43.99
The 12-litre capacity of this solar shower is enough for two people to enjoy consecutive showers comfortably with ample water, but the pressure shower head extends its utility to washing cars, pets or rinsing dishes if needed. Unlike the Camperig, the water bladder of this solar shower sits upright on the ground when in use to accommodate the extra water, while the water pressure is facilitated using a foot pump for convenience.
We are impressed not only by the capacity of this bag but its collapsibility and portability when not in use – perfect for a camping or hiking trip. The water within the bag heats to an optimum temperature in two to three hours if left in direct summer sunlight, though the temperature display will provide a real-time temperature reading for you to check throughout.
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RISEPRO Solar Shower
VIEW OFFER | Price: £13.90
If your party doesn’t intend to travel but is still after the outdoor showering experience, this solar shower is perfect. The enormous 40-litre bag heats its water content to 45 degrees – enough for six people to enjoy consecutively and in total comfort. The advanced showerhead included with the bag features an ON/OFF switch with easy valve control for high or low water flow, allowing users to control their showers.
However, since this bag requires hanging in an elevated position to function properly, it’s crucial to consider the safety and security of its location before hanging. When full, this bag will be especially heavy, so check the strength and security of its placement before use to avoid accidents.
HI GEAR Solar Shower
VIEW OFFER | Price: £6.00
This Solar shower from HI-GEAR is available for just £6, making it another affordable option for outdoor washing. Although there is no water temperature indicator on this bag, it does feature a temperature/time chart, specifying how long the water will take to reach certain temperatures if left in the sun at 70F. This is a useful addition to the product without increasing the price.
Fill the bag through the plug at the top then leave it in the sun with the black surface facing up. After a short period indicated on the bag’s front, the water will then be ready to use through the showerhead and tube.
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