I’m not a big fan of camping. I know, it sounds downright un-American to speak such blasphemy, but it’s true, I don’t like it. On the surface it doesn’t seem so bad, but then you get down to the whole sleeping on the ground, peeing outside, and cooking with sticks over the fire thing. I could maybe get past all that hunting and foraging mumbo jumbo, but no shower facilities? No. Sorry, I have an odd fixation on personal hygiene that sort of compels me to cleanse myself on a daily basis. And no offense to camping, but it seems as though personal hygiene is a camper’s arch enemy. So just how are you, an immaculate example of good hygiene, supposed to be one with nature?
If you had the Super Solar Shower (Firebox, $9.95), then you wouldn’t have to ask such ridiculous questions. This eco-friendly product is a shower in a bag. I know, you aren’t that impressed. But what if I told you that it was a portable hot shower? That’s right, you can have your usual long hot shower, even in the woods. How does it work? All you have to do is fill the bag with water, lay it flat with the black side up, and let it sit out in the sun for a few hours. That’s it. Then you pick it up, hang it from a tree, and turn the nozzle on the built-in shower head to start the cleansing ritual. With a 20L capacity, you could either take a really long shower and leave your friends to fend for their crusty selves, or you could share the cascade of outdoor freshness. Just be careful that you don’t leave your portable shower out in the sun too long because the temperature can get up to 150°F!
Ok, so this is all fine and dandy to use green energy, while at the same time not disrupting your normal routine, but I have just one little issue. Just where are you stripping off all your clothes and taking this shower? Should you pack a shower curtain and just deem an area for a scrub down? And how do you keep the bugs and critters away from you long enough to actually get clean?
I guess it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be spending quality time in the woods anytime in the near future.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: Approx 16 1/4″ x 22 3/4″ (unfolded)
-20L capacity
-Includes shower head, flow control, and hanging cord
-Temperature can rise as high as 150°F
