If you’re a beginner, this guide will help you understand exactly what’s available on the market, without difficult technical terms, so you can choose the ideal shower for your needs.

1. The 5 Types of Camping Showers: Which One Suits You?

Camping showers are divided based on how they work and how they release the water. Let’s take a simple look at them:

A. Solar Showers (The classic & affordable ones)

These are essentially special, durable bags with a dark color. You fill them with water, leave them in the sun for 2-3 hours, and the water heats up completely for free.

• How they work: You hang them high up (e.g. on a tree) and the water flows downward by gravity.

• Who they’re for: Ideal for those who want something affordable, simple, without batteries and cables.

B. Rechargeable Showers (With USB-C battery)

These consist of a shower head, a hose, and a small pump (motor) that goes into the water.

• How they work: Fill a bucket with water, put the pump in, press the button, and you have a steady water flow like at home. They charge very easily with a USB-C cable (like your phone) from a power bank or the car.

• Who they’re for: For those who want comfort, good water pressure, and don’t want to lift heavy loads to hang bags.

Γ. Pressure Showers (With Pump)

These need neither electricity nor batteries, and they don’t need to be hung up either. They are sealed containers or bags that sit on the ground.

• How they work: They have a pump (usually a foot pump). You press it a few times, fill the container with air, and the pressure pushes the water out forcefully.

• Who they’re for: For those who go wild camping for days and want strong pressure without the worry of a battery running out.

Δ. Car Electric Showers (12V)

Similar to the rechargeable ones, but instead of a battery they have a long cable that connects to your car’s 12V socket or to a portable power station.

• Who they’re for: Ideal if you set up your tent near your vehicle or if you do road trips and stay inside the car (overlanding).

2. Capacity in Liters: Watch the Weight!

When choosing a shower, you’ll see that they are measured in liters (lt). 

Here, one unbreakable rule of physics applies, which many people forget: 1 liter of water = 1 kilogram of weight!

• 5 to 11 Liters: Ideal for a very quick individual shower or for rinsing sand and salt off your feet. They are lightweight and easy to carry.

• 12 to 20 Liters: The “sweet spot.” They provide a normal, comfortable shower for one person (or just about two if you’re saving water). A 15-liter bag weighs 15 kilos, a weight you can lift and hang from a sturdy branch.

• 30 to 45 Liters: Suitable for groups or families. Important: Do not buy a solar shower (bag) of 40 liters, because 40 kilos are not easy to lift overhead and they will break tree branches. For that many liters, choose a shower that stays on the ground (with a pump or foot pump).

3. Three Things You Should Pay Attention to Before Buying

1. On/Off switch on the shower head: When camping, water is precious. Make sure the shower you buy has a switch on the shower head, so you can easily stop the flow when soaping up and avoid wasting water unnecessarily.

2. The material it’s made of (TPU instead of PVC): Very cheap solar showers are made of PVC. When left in the sun, they give off a strong plastic smell and puncture easily. Choose showers made of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), which is durable, eco-friendly, and odor-free.

3. How to heat the water (if it’s not solar): If you get a shower with a battery/bucket setup, the water will be cold. The trick is simple: put regular water in the bucket, heat 1-2 cezves or a small pot of water on your camping stove, pour it into the bucket, stir, and you have the perfect lukewarm bath!

4. The Essential "Extras" for Your Shower

To make your experience perfect, along with the shower you will need:

1. A shower tent (Pop-up): These are tall, narrow tents that open in 2 seconds. They offer you complete privacy so you can shower naked, even among other people.

2. Biodegradable soap and shampoo: When we bathe in nature, the water ends up in the soil. It is our responsibility to use products that do not harm the environment and plants.