(Part 3) Best camping personal care products according to redditors

I have experience with this. See, the best technique is to put the tip of your wang up against the opening of the bottle so that the pee goes inside the bottle. However as you start to pee, the pressure will build up because you need to displace some of the air in the bottle. So gently push down on your tip to create a slight air gap (bonus points to do this from the beginning). This likely requires two hands though and It'd be hard while driving.

If you don't wanna do that, while we're talking amazon, they've got these things which you could pee in while driving. If they're too expensive, you could make your own; all that's in those things is the magic ingredient which you can buy in bulk on ebay for cheap: Sodium polyacrylate. Used in magic tricks and has all types of uses.

Dude that's fucking disgusting.

You can pick up a LIGHTLY used camp toilet on Amazon for $20-30, and use a standard garbage bag. Then, you just toss the bag away, no rinsing or waffle stomping required!

You'll need a pack (obviously): Check your local gear shops and try them on in store. Understand how they're supposed to fit.

After that, if you follow the 10 essentials you should be covered for the basics.

1. Insulation: Layers are key. Even if it's 60s during the day, nights can drop into the 30s. Be able to bundle up, understand the area you're going. Will you want natural or synthetic materials?
   
2. Hydration: For me, means filtration systems as well as storage. Filtration such as a gravity bag or hand pump. I always have iodine tablets as a last resort. For carrying, a you can't go wrong with a Nalgene or two for sure, but then I highly suggest getting an MSR Dromedary and then attach one of their hydration hoses to it. They have the capacity of CamelBak but aren't as susceptible to springing a leak.
   
3. Illumination: Headlamps or flashlights. Just be able to navigate in the dark.
   
4. Navigation: Map and compass (with the knowledge of how to use them!) are vital. If you feel like spending the extra money and getting a GPS unit, that's up to you.
   
5. Nutrition: High protein, high carb (get that energy!) Trail mix, Cliff bars, bread and peanut butter are my go-tos.
   
6. Shelter: Tents are great, bivys are lighter, I swear by my ENO Hammock. Always check to see if you need to waterproof what you have, understand its setup and make sure it's adequate for the weather you'll be facing.
   
7. Fire: Lighters or matches, just make sure they're in a watertight container. Kindling is good but most places I go I can find stuff laying around. That being said, cotton balls and Vaseline are great and cheap.
   
8. Repair kit and tools: Things break, it's important that you have the equipment to repair them. Patches, duct tape, and a knife are always in my pack.
   
9. First Aid: Have a way to patch yourself up. Rolled ankles and blisters are not uncommon when you're backpacking. If you're able, I highly recommend taking a wilderness medicine course. A Wilderness First Aid is fine, but if you can commit the time and money, a Wilderness First Responder will take you far and make you an asset to anybody and everybody in the backcountry.
   
10. Sun protection: Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. A brimmed hat is highly advisable. I also try to have chapstick with some kind of sun protection on me as well.
    
    These are the biggies. Obviously you'll want other things depending on where you're backpacking. When you get anything new, make sure you take it out and use it at home. Understand how it works and how you might need to improvise if something on it were to break.
    
    It might seem intimidating at first, but backpacking an absolute blast.
    
    Edit: Pooping! Understand the regulations of your area. If catholes suffice, then a trowel will be useful. If you have to pack it out, there are commercially available Wag Bags, or you can make your own with grocery bags, kitty litter, and ziplock bags.
    
    Also, everywhere you go, understand that it is for everybody. Abide by the Leave No Trace principles to ensure future visitors can enjoy their visit as well!

I use:

• Bidet bottle
  
• Bidet
  
• Wipes (usually half a wipe each time)
  
  The 0.5 liter collapsible bottle was great for me, the right amount of water for cleanup and hand washing. I personally wouldn't be comfortable using a drinking bottle for bidet-ing, but it's obviously been done.

> Also, get a water mister fan combo!

I have one of these and love it. It's a little bigger than a deck of cards so easily fits in my bag. Way cheaper and smaller than the ones they sell at the parks.

I've heard people recommend Frogg Toggs too but I've never tried them.

or a folding camp toilet (something like this) and a roll of 13 gallon garbage bags.

It doesn't take up any space when put away, and you always have an emergency toilet when you need it.

Everything is a trade off. You'll just need to decide what you're willing to put up with and what you're not. Time for money. Convenience for money. Etc..

1. A must have? Naa, but you need to be willing to find a bathroom. I'd suggest something like the following to make the task a bit more manageable in the van. And for the other business
   
2. If I had the money, I'd buy one already setup. Doing it yourself will always end up with more than you expected. Time, money, blood, anger, grief. However, if you just love to build then by all means, build, don't let me stop you.
   
3. I'm sticking with Gas, however, here is what one place on the internet says.
   
4. I'd buy something like it and be done.
   
   Good luck!

That's awesome. I bought my kayak for extended trips. I carry a 2 person tent and an ENO Onelink (this wasnt a kayak trip, obviously). I prefer the hammock, but trees aren't always available.

My biggest issue is water. I have a 6 liter Dromedary that I use for water as well as the 3 liter Camelbak Cortez that goes on my deck. That give me maybe 3 days of water. The next piece of gear will be a decent filtration system.

The best part about kayak camping, or backpacking for that matter is that if you set yourself up for a 3 or 6 day trip with dried food, and a water system and keep it all mostly packed, it can double as a bug out bag.

That MSR drom bag isn't like a normal water bladder. They're made to withstand Armageddon. Total overkill and unnecessarily expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/MSR-Dromedary-Bag/dp/B000FISRUC

I'll offer a different perspective: one from your BF's. I recently took my GF out on her first hike, and like you, she was nervous. I made sure she had wipes, and she took a little bottle of body spray with her. I also went through the bathroom procedures with her: If #1, just get away from camp by about 50 paces (we weren't near a water supply). If #2, cathole it far away from camp (or put it in a doggie bag), wet wipe and then TP to dry and put all of that in the bag.

You may have to go pee in the night. So before you go to bed, make sure you put your headlamp and your poo bag (as I call it, but it's just a bag with your shovel, wipes, TP, and doggie bag) somewhere easy to find when you wake up at two AM. Make sure you flip your bag closed when you leave so it retains a bit of warmth. Flip the rain fly all the way open and make sure it stays there as you get out, or it will smack you in the butt, and with the condensation on the rain fly, you'll get a wet butt.

Everyone has to go poop. Don't be embarrassed asking for how to do it properly. If you're self conscious about carrying used wipes in a clear ziplock bag, get a few black doggie bags too, and then put the used wipes / TP in the doggie bag, and the doggie bag in the ziplock.

She told me the wipes were a huge boost to helping her feel clean. You can use them for going to the (non-existent) bathroom, under the armpits, in the groin, on the hands, etc., to help you feel clean.

If you chafe, chafing cream is your friend. Your BF should be packing a small bottle anyway; don't be afraid to ask for it and use it as needed.

Keep a clean set of sleeping clothes, and only use those clothes to sleep in. It's nice to get into something clean for bed. Everything else is going to get dirty.

Hair - she kept it in a hat with a ponytail. She had a very small brush that she used briefly in the morning (shoulder-length hair).

Overall, remember that everyone kinda stinks and is dirty during a hike, especially one of any significant duration. No one thinks anything of it.

You've already got the most important thing - a good attitude and a willingness to learn. Go have fun!

Hanging solar showers and drugs will make your musical festival much more festive.

https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Elements-SS761-Summer-Shower/dp/B000J2Q0SU

https://goo.gl/images/njNUv6

okay that's really cute.

but seriously, i bring a towel and washcloth with me everywhere; specifically, these:

• Towel: https://www.amazon.com/Rainleaf-Microfiber-Towel-Inches-Blue/dp/B01A4ZXXR2/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=quick+dry+towel+rainleaf&qid=1570065310&sr=8-4
  
  
• Washcloth: https://www.amazon.com/Lunatec-Self-Cleaning-Exfoliation-Backpacking-Compliments/dp/B004KSL96C/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=quick+dry+washcloth&qid=1570065335&sr=8-5
  
  these guys easily fit in my onebag. Between this and making my own bed in the mornings, I don't need housekeeping during my stays.

Went looking for vans yesterday. Think we want a crew style Sprinter (Dodge 2003 - 2009, or Mercedes 2013 - 2015) with 144" wheel base and high top. Is the 144" wheel base ok as a practical car? A friend with the 170" says they get hard to maneuver. I don't have to drive to my job every day, so was debating just getting rid of my current car and using it around town when I need it.

Do people use memory foam mattresses? How are the outdoor showers?

Shower I was looking at:
https://www.amazon.com/ZODI-Outback-Gear-Extreme-Shower/dp/B000RYWQP6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473087120&sr=8-3&keywords=zodi+hot+shower

Seems like a lot of people put cabinets in, was thinking of trying to go more like the Cricket Trailer and use carabiners and rails for storage?

This might seem a little weird but I keep a couple of these Disposable Urinals in my cycling bag and when there are not "facilities" available and you have to piss before a ride you can use one while in your car and it's very discreet and convenient.

https://www.amazon.com/TravelJohn-Disposable-Urinal-18-pack/dp/B000NVBYD8

Amazon has a solution to that problem.

Congrats on the camper! I camp with kids and the wife in a little Coleman Columbia, and I have experience with a couple toilet options.

If you have younger kids, the cheap little toddler training toilets are easy to use, and then the adults can take care of the cleanup.

We have a seat that uses bags, which is also short like the one you mentioned. Don't worry about the height, short is easier for the kids, as well as being "easier" for the adults (squatting position is the natural poop stance). Get some additive to throw in the bags to gel/solidify the liquids. Some come in tide-pod like packets.

We currently switched to a cassette toilet for solid waste. It's a bit of home comfort for the wife. Really no easier or harder to use than the bagged ones. But it nicely self contained. As for the cleanup... the one we have is actually really easy to empty, no real splashing or spillage, but man it reeks. You can empty these at home in the toilet if necessary. Don't do if you can help it. I've found the best is to hit a rest stop on the way home and empty it there. Here's what I use: Palm Springs Cassette Toilet

Hope this helps. Either way, have fun!

Better yet... https://www.amazon.com/Green-Elephant-Folding-Commode-Portable/dp/B01MSOWG7U

Hey! I read your first sentence and did a double-take to make sure I hadn't written it... I'm also a 26 year old female graduate student planning on traveling around for a while (one of the beautiful things about the technological age in which we live is that so much education is online, and we're free to go where we please).
I did a bunch of searching online... looked at a class B camper in person, felt like there was too much there (fridge, heater, AC, shower... felt bulky and unnecessary). I found a great deal on a gutted 1993 Dodge van and I'm starting work on it now. I got it three days ago, and I'm diving into flooring and insulation now. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, but you never really know until you start getting your hands dirty. It's truly a lot of work. And, depending on how you want it to look in the end, a big investment and a lot of trips to Home Depot. If you're strapped for time, I'd recommend paying a bit extra for a van that's already set up.


Peeing might turn out to be an issue. Actually, maybe far more than that other order of business (see: http://www.amazon.com/Cleanwaste-GO-anywhere-Portable-Toilet/dp/B001TKGAKO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1426742586&sr=8-13&keywords=portable+toilet). I was just talking to my father about this very thing, and there was no conclusion reached. When I'm camping, peeing in the trees is no big deal. Very different story at 10 pm downtown Denver, Seattle, Chicago... I have no idea, but I'm hoping to glean some wisdom from your question :)


Regarding the coffee... Before I bought anything else, actually, I bought a french press designed for camping. I'm dedicated to coffee. I also got a Coleman single burner propane camp stove which I plan on maybe bolting to a counter. I'll heat up some water in the morning and always have pre-ground coffee on hand. This will also be my method for oatmeal, Ramen (if things get desperate), etc. I plan on eating a lot of fruit and granola.


I use coffee shops and libraries a lot for school/work as it is, so those will be my charging areas for my laptop and phone. I like your McDonald's idea for wifi! I'll keep that in mind.

http://www.amazon.com/Urinelle-7-Pack/dp/B000ZZ790Y/

My solar shower is seriously the best investment I've ever made for festivals. It paid for itself in 2 days ($25 total vs $10/person/day) and honestly, I prefer it to the shower trucks (although I haven't tried the permanent ones). One of my very favorite parts of the day is standing on the grass in the warm Bonnaroo sunshine with a beer in one hand taking a cool shower and thinking of all the awesome stuff I'm gonna see and do that night.

It's big enough for 2 people to use back-to-back but small enough that I can easily carry it back from the water station. Plus it's great for brushing your teeth or washing your hands during the day. 10/10 totally recommend.

Our experience:

We bought a collapsible toilet for emergencies. Like this one. Easier to fit.

We didn't use it one single time for the first 6 months of travel, so we ditched it a long time ago. Not a second glance. Toilets for #2 are easy to come by. A caveat is that we're on public lands and campsites most of the time. I think a collapsible toilet would be more helpful for stealth city dwellers... But even then I've seen plenty of people go without.

Unless you have medical issues, then adjust as you see fit!

They'll just start sneaking TravelJohn's in instead of booze.

The thing that has made me the happiest this week besides here on RAoA was being able to go out and throw discs again, I love playing disc golf and I messed up my arm and shoulder over a month ago and haven't been able to play.

To celebrate, a new disc golf towel is in order. :-)

Edit: favorite food would be bacon. or just about anything with bacon in it. :-)

sushi

1. Gym showers
   
2. gatorade pee bottles. emergency toilet (http://amzn.com/B0024OAQ3Q) otherwise prefer to use public facilities.
   
3. My favorite: My van is decked out with a 4 burner propane cooktop with oven. Have a small sink. A 12V engel fridge. 700W microwave. Inverter for appliances like food processor and blender. This was a main point of my build since I love cooking. You can easily get by with a water jug and basin for dishes, and a butane or propane small cooktop. And a cooler for food. I just went all out :)

Yup, safest (but kind of gross) method is to just pack the shit out in an odor proof bag.

Popular product for packing shit out : http://www.amazon.com/Phillips-358005-12-pack-WAG%C2%99-Bag/dp/B001P6ZFG2?tag=r601000000-20

Solution: bring these

Im not really sure I could do that. lol. I think I'd have to practice for a while.


Or grab a bunch of these

There's lots of products that are made for this (Uri-Mate, Urinelle, P-Mate, Freshette, etc).

What about a towel? I think you can get microfiber towels off Amazon for under $10. Here are two types I've found for cheap. Better to order from the manufacturer as quantities are limited on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Innova-Fly-Disc-Golf-Towel/dp/B003NMHTD8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344262945&sr=8-2&keywords=disc+golf+towel
http://www.amazon.com/Dga-Disc-Golf-Towel-Blue/dp/B003TM4KZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344262945&sr=8-1&keywords=disc+golf+towel

https://www.amazon.com/Carebag-Medical-Grade-Urinal-Absorbent/dp/B004XMI6ZC/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518038428&sr=8-2&keywords=cleanis+carebag

I got this DGA towel at the last tourney I went to, it's pretty nice.

1. Bring toilet paper (80,000 people go through a lot of toilet paper; sometimes it's hard to find, especially at night).
   
2. Baby wipes (cleaning off sweat and dirt between showers and/or going to the bathroom with).
   
3. EZ-Ups are great. As many have said, buying some cots and sleeping under one is often much more comfortable than a tent. Manchester, Tennessee is a hot and muggy place.
   
4. Bring a tarp or two. You can use them for a lot of things. Wrap it around your EZ-Up to give you a shaded area. Stake it to the ground under your EZ-Up so you have a "floor". Use it over your tent for extra protection in case of rain.
   
5. If you want/need a tent, then this one would be fine. It really just depends on your budget/how nice you want it to be. If you want a tent with an air mattress inside or just extra room, I'd suggest something like this. If you don't want an EZ-Up, you could go with a huge tent that has an attached screened-in area. Keep in mind, though, that the bigger the tent the harder it usually is to set up.
   
6. Bring some lanterns/flashlights/headlamps so you can see around your campsite at night. Or for late night bathroom runs.
   
7. If your girlfriend (or you) are at all shy of dirty portajohns then you might want to get this, this, and these. Depending on where you're camped, the nearest bathroom can be a 5-10 minute walk away, so this is a nice convenience.
   
8. If you want your phones/electronics to work for picture taking and such (your signal will probably suck most of the time), I'd recommend getting a portable charger such as this.
   
9. Sunscreen. Lots of it, if you're a pasty ginger like me.
   
10. Gold bond body powder (for your balls).
    
11. Comfortable shoes (you're going to be walking a LOT). My girlfriend and I walked over 30 miles last year, and we were nowhere near the farthest campsite away from Centeroo (the main concert grounds).
    
12. Water. Bring shit loads of it. A lot of people don't realize how much water a person needs when exerting themselves in that type of heat, but it's a lot. I typically bring 2 24 packs of bottles and a few 1 or 2 gallon containers (for filling my CamelBak).
    
13. A CamelBak. This should be number 1. I recommend at least 1-2 liter size. It's so much nicer than carrying around a backpack full of water bottles, or running out of water during every show and having to fill up in between.
    
    That's all I got. See you on the farm!

I really want to go again, maybe these will help?

https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Portable-Female-Camping-Urination/dp/B06X1GWDY1

Check out Outdoor Gear Lab for reviews of all kinds of gear. Including a "Best Buy" in each category. Even if you don't buy their recommendations it helps you know what to look for/avoid.

• Pack - Check out Walmart. Honestly their Ozark Trail stuff isn't the worst in the world for less than $30. Especially if you'll be upgrading later.
  
• Kettle/pot and utensils - Are you only boiling water for coffee? Try a Toaks 550 pot with lid. It's your mug. If you're doing boil in bag meals it's also your water boiler. Just bring a spoon and fork from home. Or if you're worried about ruining or losing it, go to Goodwill/Walmart/Dollar store. As for a stove I love the PocketRocket 2. $45 but you can find it for cheaper.
  
  
• Permethrin - Yes. Buy the concentrate on Amazon for much cheaper than premixed. Follow this guide to treat your clothes before you go. Bring deet as a backup or for exposed skin.
  
• Power bank - Anker is a pretty popular brand. I got the PowerCore 15600 mAh from Amazon and I love it.
  
• Dishwashing - No need! Lick it. Rinse it. Wipe it if you must.
  
• Shower - I got one of these scrubby washcloths from Amazon. It's really aggressive so you don't even really need soap. Find a water source or just your drinking bottle, get it wet and scrub all your danger zones. Plus it dries super quickly and rinses clean.
  
• Bears - Get a cheap 8L dry bag (or however big you need), line it with an OP Sak and hang it.
  
• Clothing - check out the sale rack at REI. Also Target/Walmart has good, light workout shirts and bottoms. Avoid cotton at all costs.

Hello, I have the same problem. I carry a Travel John with me in case I can't make it to the bathroom. It's a disposable urinal that's you can use and throw in the trash. Still working on finding a more sustainable solution but until then it works for me. Hope it'll help you too :)

Get a couple of these or something similar. Get two (or cut one in half) and keep one in the drink cooler (best to have a separate cooler for food that you open less often), keep the other over your head and/or neck and swap them out as needed.

Not cheap, but built like a tank. It should last a very long time. Amazon has 'em.

You might consider carrying a dromedary bag, fill it with ice, put the meat inside (in plastic), and wrap the whole thing in a coat/sweater. Even on 100F degree days I am able to keep ice in a camelbak for a few hours, as long as it is wrapped in a coat/sweater.

I keep Combat Wipesat my desk, and they've been great. However, I have a short commute; they may not satisfy your need.

I'll just leave this here.... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X1GWDY1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_b3G0BbC3ZWEM1

TravelJohn Disposable Urinal for Men, Women & Children

I had to leave the burn early 2 years ago cause I was about to piss myself. Almsot had to start pissing on the open playa (I made it to the portos but barely). Started reasearching travel bladders and found these. Cheaper and there's some magic gel that turns your pee into a solid. I bought a 3 pack and keep one on my bike. I'll probably never have to use it now that I have it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QCN298/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_tZW.AbEN3A47N

And extra shoe laces. My laces gave out mid week a few years ago and was pretty annoying to deal with

You can also just get one of these. Its a solar shower bag.

https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Elements-Summer-Solar-Shower/dp/B000J2Q0SU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1496935682&sr=8-5&keywords=solar+shower+bag

I never used them myself but last year I went with friends who brought one, they said it worked pretty well in conjunction with dry shampoo.

While I wouldn't say firefly is specifically an LGBT friendly festival, its basically like all the others in the north east area. In my experience I've never seen any homophobia or transphobia at these festivals. Even times when I saw gay couples who were all over each other I never noticed anyone harassing them, even saw a rainbow/LGBT totem some group carried around last year. I think she should be okay standing in lines for the showers but a portable shower/shower bag would be a good way around running into potential assholes.

Need this ladies
https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Portable-Female-Camping-Urination/dp/B06X1GWDY1

The 110g canister fits if you put it in upside down. My MSR 110g canisters fit in my Stanley pot which is only about a year old. Doubt that the pot has changed since they've been selling that same design for years.

​

I have one of these scrubby, quick-rinse/dry washcloths that I use for cleanup. I shove that in the very bottom of the pot and then slide the canister in (upside down) on top of it. The washcloth helps protect the connection on the canister and also helps keep the pot from getting scratched.

Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Purple CP100-64 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00569I5V6/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_55FVub1PGPHFE

Cooling towels are amazing.

I'm still using this Zodi i got: http://www.amazon.ca/Zodi-Outback-Gear-Extreme-Shower/dp/B000RYWQP6

It's great, you can get two showers out of one fill, and they are hot and pressurized. I have 3 - 55 gallon rain barrels behind the cabin i plan to get hooked up this summer and have something more permanent. I've seen some interesting versions people have built with a 12 V RV water pump and a small on demand unit... that would be great !

Chemical toilet

or

DIY composting toilet

I probably wont be doing much until the weather warms up and I can afford to deck it out. My plans are to get a Fantastic fan, some solar panels, batteries and wire it all up. After that I am thinking of mounting a propane tank underneath where one of the fuel tanks was as well as a fresh water tank. It will have a very small kitchenette with a propane powered stove with oven. Not sure if I will go with a minifridge or just use a cooler. Also there will be a toilet. Sounds like a lot to cram in there once I write it all down, but I think it will be great. Keep an eye on the sub, Ill definitely post pictures when I do make progress.

Carry these or an equivalent for women, as appropriate.

Lots of people here have obviously never gone camping, hunting or working in the wilderness for long periods away from sanitary facilities in a leave-no-trace environment. Pooping/peeing in bags is easy, private, and not the slightest bit degrading. Check out these products (you might even want to pop them in your car or van for long road trips -- especially with kids):

https://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Products-Luggable-Portable-Gallon/dp/B000FIAPXO

https://www.amazon.com/Travel-John-66892-TravelJohn-Disposable-Urinal/dp/B000NVBYD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1472974399&sr=1-1&keywords=travel+john

https://www.amazon.com/GigaTent-Pop-Pod-Changing-Room/dp/B00CP8SJVW/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1472974194&sr=1-2&keywords=privacy+tent

If this is what the employer is supplying, it's all good.