when we camp we stay out for 2-4 days and where we stay the weather is cooler so no showers for us, but I would like to hear any input from those of you that have used the solar type shower bags. I would assume that the solar bag type showers are not all that great if a lot of you here are looking for different shower options. I am a big fan of the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple Stupid)
Well the water definetly can get hot. It is really a flow and convenience issue. They are hard to hang when full and do not put out much pressure. They definetly work though especially of your on a budget.
Atavuss
The solar showers are great. We used one for years on our boat even though we had a big water tank and a hot water heater. We would especially use it when re-watering opportunities were far and few between. We could hold an extra 6 gallons of water in the bag and dedicate it to shower use. It was perfect for rinsing off after a swim.
For off-road expeditions you will need to strap it to your roof rack if you have one and let it heat up during the day and shower in the evening instead of in the morining.
I recently tried a new solar shower product made by Pacific Outdoors that is essentialy a dry-bag that you can use as a dry-bag or a solar shower. It leaked so much during my at home test that I did not even take it on the trip with us.
A few weeks ago after our "Table Mtn. Trip" I headed down to Blair Valley Anza~Borrego with my friend. I felt terrible after two nights out and starting my 3rd night. I needed a shower. All I had was my Purex container that I use as my kitchen sink washing water.
I found a nice sheltered corner in the huge sun warmed boulders......and began to take a shower with my Purex bottle.....holding it over my head.
I thought I was all safe back in that corner and no one for miles around!
I'm about half way done....and all of a sudden I hear this incredible noise!!!!!!!!!
All of a sudden.....two FA-18's come ripping into the valley just a few hundred feet above the surrounding hills...........that's REALLY low folks! Well......they were close enough to wave to....so I did!
Now who woulda thought>?!!!!! ......... LOL
.......Oh!......anyway......a Purex bottle works in a pinch!
My wife and I used one (Stearns Safari Shower 6 gal. model blue/silver) in Baja for 4 months and it worked great. Definitely has the KISS advantage. No moving parts (except the shower rosette slides open and shut) no batteries, no filters, etc. The water can get so hot you'll have to pour some out and replace with a little cold to mix in (that's HOT!) The flow is definitely sufficient to make rinsing happen, and the nice thing about a moderate flow is that your bag will last easily for two people to take a nice shower. When water was scarce, we would fill it with saltwater from the sea, and just towel-dry before the salt could dry on our skin (though it makes the hair a little crunchy at first ). We hung it from the roofrack or a tree (not often). It is a bit cumbersome to hoist at times. And as mentioned, the only good way to heat it on a sedan/camper type vehicle is to leave it on the roof, which is bad for COG. So not the best for highly tech. trails, but for general expedition cruising and creeping it's okay. The fill cap can be difficult to open once it is sealed (which is probably a good thing). Don't try to pry it, because then it will leak. Use a pair of pliers on the pull tab if u must. I still use this to heat water for my pump-shower and just used it on the recent Camino Del Diablo trip. Bottom line - you need SUN for it to work well
I have a 2 gallon sun shower that I take on trips, and really like it...and it can get hot!
When we go on mountaineering trips, we throw a 5 gallon SS on the top of the car before we leave...nice hot water back at the trailhead when we get back...
I plan on using one of these solar bags but have it "tee'd" into my pump line and be able to pump it through my on board water shower/sink setup. I will use an external garden hose quick disconnect, and then a ball valve to either run from the tank or the bladder.
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......... LOL
