Do you want a solar-heated sun shower that you can use for camping? This Summer solar shower bag is ultra-portable, durable and easy to use.
Why Get a Sun Shower Bag?
I personally love these sun showers for outdoor excursions because you can heat up the water quickly. Then, you simply hang them from a tree branch or a tall post. (We’ve even hung them from the roof rack on our car.)
In addition, you can use the spray nozzle to rinse off your feet or camping dishes. Plus, don’t forget rinsing off your toothbrush, washing your hands, etc..
Furthermore, these portable shower bags come in handy if the power even goes out at your home. Not to mention, they provide a cheap and easy way to rinse off in the backyard or by the pool.
Note: Surprisingly, a 5-gallon shower bag can last several showers. The spray nozzle has enough water pressure to actually give you a worthwhile rinse-off, yet it doesn’t waste water.
In fact, you can adjust the water output or even turn it off temporarily while you shower. Therefore, you can conserve even more water, allowing the bag to last longer.
How Does a Camping Shower Bag Heat Water?
This summer shower has a very efficient heating design design that includes four-ply construction. The bag consists of an outer reflector panel, an insulator panel, a solar panel and the interior water reservoir.
Therefore, the material can warm the water faster while simultaneously retaining the heat. In other words, this “mini hot water heater” runs very efficiently.
As you can see, the front side has a reflective silver color, while the back side looks black.
In actuality, the back of the bag features a transparent PVC that allows the sunlight to shine through.
The heat reflects off of the black material on the inside of the sun shower, hence heating the water. (Therefore, you want to lay the shower bag flat with the silver side down.)
As the water warms up, the built-in temperature gauge on the bag will display the rising water temperature.
Instructions for How to Use a Sun Shower:
First of all, unscrew the top valve and fill the bag with water. (Make sure the spray nozzle is closed before you do this.)
Second, screw the valve back in place and lay the bag flat, clear side up. Then, simply wait for your shower to heat up. (This even works on cloudy days, by the way.)
Third, hang your sun shower using the top handle. Use a tall structure such as a tree, pole or side of your RV.
Note: The trick here is to hang the bag high enough so that you get adequate water flow. In other words, the water in the pouch provides the pressure when you open the nozzle.
How to Clean and Dry a Shower Bag:
In my experience, these solar showers can last many years as long as you take care of them. Mainly, this means drying them out between uses. You can also wash them out with a little soap and hot water too.
To dry out your “shower”, I suggest using something like a hydration bladder cleaning kit. These $9 kits come with a collapsible hanger that allows you to hang and expand the shower bag to promote air flow.
In addition, the kits come with long-handled cleaning brushes that enable you to reach edges and corners within the pouch.
You may never need the brushes, but they work really well for cleaning Camelbak hoses, straws and reaching small crevices.
The following video explains how the shower bag works…
By the way, that mini side pocket really comes in handy when you’re camping. It keeps your toiletries within arms reach, not to mention, out of the dirt. Inexpensive slip-on shoes, like the Adidas Adissage Sandals, can also prevent your feet from getting muddy if you shower while standing on the ground.
Specs for the Summer Solar Shower Bag:
- Water Capacity: 5 Gallons
- Weight: Approximately 1.5 lbs (empty)
- Solar Powered
- Includes Water Temperature Gauge
- Model #: SS762
- Brand: Advanced Elements
- Phone: 866-262-9076
- Where to Buy a Summer Shower Bag
Best DIY Outdoor Shower? I think that these super simple portable showers are the best way to build a DIY/homemade outdoor shower. For one, you can take a hot shower. Second, you can easily move them and carry them around. And third, they are really easy to use and require virtually no assembly.
More Solar-Heated Shower Bags:
Coleman also makes their own solar shower bag, plus a sun shower under the Stearns brand.
They have almost the identical design and features. However, the Coleman has a 5-gallon capacity, while the Stearns only has 4.
Besides the pouch capacity, the toiletry pocket and the temperature gauge, these sun showers are virtually identical. Plus, their basic, uncomplicated design keeps the prices low.
Coleman Solar Shower:
- Water Capacity: 5 Gallons
- Weight: Approximately 1 lb (empty)
- Solar Powered
- Model #: 2000014865
- Brand: Coleman
- Phone: 1-800-835-3278
- Get the Coleman Shower Bag Here
Stearns Sun Shower:
- Water Capacity: 4 Gallons
- Weight: Approximately 1 lb (empty)
- Solar Powered
- Built-in Thermometer to Measure Water Temp
- Model #: 2000005826
- Brand: Stearns (Coleman)
- Phone: 1-800-835-3278
- Stearns Sun Shower for Sale Here
Do you want a higher-capacity 10-gallon solar shower? RisePro makes a 10 gallon/40 liter size. However, the water lakes longer to heat and the bag gets very heavy. In fact, most customer complaints come from popped or broken seams.
Therefore, you may be better off buying 2 5-gallon showers vs 1 large bag.