How a Solar Shower will make your camping trip better

After a long day setting up camp, hiking or backpacking in the backwoods, taking a hot shower could be a welcome activity. We all know the value of good hygiene when you are at home or the workplace. But when you are outdoors, hygiene can take a back seat, although it shouldn’t.

The good news is that most campgrounds provide campers with amenity blocks that contain showers and toilets. However, if you are camping or backpacking away from such facilities, cleaning yourself may be easier said than done, which is why you should seriously consider carrying a solar shower bag the next time you head out camping.

What exactly is a solar shower bag?

Effectively, solar showers are heavy duty plastic bags that are designed to carry and heat up water thanks to solar energy from the sun. Most solar showers also have a hose connected to them to allow the user to drain water from the bag to shower.

The materials used to construct the solar shower will vary from one manufacturer to the next. However, most are constructed using PVC as it absorbs hear at a rapid rate with ease and is extremely durable, which is exactly what you need for the outdoors. 

The hose is typically made from rubber and is flexible enough so that you can manipulate it with ease. The best solar showers also come with an attached shower head that sort of resembles the head of your normal garden pipe.

How do they heat up water?

Solar shower bags have a black surface which is what absorbs heat from the sun to warm or heat up your water. The dark surface is placed facing the sun so that it absorbs the sun’s rays and transfers the sun’s radiation to water in the form of heat.

If only one side of the shower bag is absorbent, that is the side that should be facing the sun’s direction. If possible, the solar bag should be placed on another surface instead of directly on the ground. This is because the ground will absorb most of the heat from the bag, which will slow down the water heating process. 

Gravity fed showers need to be hung up high, so that the force of gravity can pull the water down the hose and through the bag’s shower head. Battery powered or pressurized showers, on the other hand, rely on power and must be charged before use.

Under normal conditions, when the weather is sunny and the temperatures are above 50 degrees, the solar shower may only be able to heat up to about 113 degrees, which is just perfect to enjoy a comfortable hot shower. When shopping for one, it is recommended that you get one with a built-in temperature gauge, which will keep you safe.

How can a solar shower make your camping trip better?

You can use it even in cold weather.

As the name suggests, solar showers need the sun in order for them to work as designed. Obviously, the hotter the ambient temperature, the hotter they get. However, if you are camping during the colder months of the year, they can still heat up but not as hot as they would when the weather is hot and sunny. While the temperatures may not be steaming hot during cloudy or colder months, it still beats taking a cold shower or none at all.

They are affordable

Since they do not rely on gas or electricity to heat up, solar showers can save you money. As it stands, there are plenty of other alternatives that can allow you to enjoy the gift of a hot shower while outdoors, but nothing is as low cost and as easily accessible as a great solar shower.

They are lightweight

You never want to carry anything too heavy when camping as anything too heavy will just weight you down, especially if you plan on hiking or backpacking. While you should do your best to leave all those additional ‘what it’ items, it also helps to pack lightweight gadgets such as a portable solar shower. Solar showers roll up easily whenever you need to stow them away and even when you fill them up with water, they are still easy to handle.

 Solar showers come with many features

The features of one solar shower will vary depending on the brand and manufacturer; however, almost all of them are equipped with a handle for easy carrying and hanging, as well as an on/off valve. 

Some higher end varieties also come with pockets where you can keep your shampoo as well as Velcro straps to hold your washcloths. You should also be on the lookout for a temperature gauge which will help you avoid being scalded by the hot water.

Solar showers are great for the environment

Solar energy is not only eco-friendly, but it is also sustainable as the sun only needs to rise and set daily to use a solar shower. Additionally, solar showers utilize considerably less water compared to the average shower at the campground, which ensures that you save precious water.

The best solar showers have an on and off valve, so that you can conserve the water contained in the bag as you lather up. Best of all, solar showers can be used for a lot more than just showering; they also work well for washing dishes or anything that needs cleaning during your time in the outdoors.

Final Thoughts

When you are outdoors, taking a hot shower used to be nothing more than wishful thinking without access to running water. But not anymore-if you are heading out camping in a sunny location, a solar shower is all you need

Not only are solar showers super easy to use; simply fill them up with water, leave them out in the sun for a couple of hours and hand them (from a tree or anything high enough) to use whenever you are ready, but they also conserve water, which is great for the environment.