If water isn’t a problem, however, and you’ve got your pressure figured out, this solar-heated shower from Giantex is a durable, weather-resistant alternative. It will still require sunlight, of course, but its robust base and chrome-plated plastic body make it both hard-wearing and rust-resistant. And then, of course, there’s personal preference. Some people really need to feel clean and fresh no matter what, so a camping shower can only be an enhancement, whereas, for some others, that may not be as important – especially if they are out and about in the wild. Using just one gallon of water, the portable shower and heater solution from Geyser Systems heats water using a 12v power source, taking between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on how you want it.

It’s also worth looking at your budget and available storage space for camping gear. Portable showers come in various types, ranging from basic gravity showers to more advanced battery-powered units. Determine what features are right for you and find an option that fits your budget and storage limitations.As easy to install as it is to use and using “advanced combustion technology to decrease gas consumption and burning noise,” the tankless gas water heater is ideal for maintaining acceptable levels of cleanliness in the dirtiest of situations. The included nozzle works just like a standard hose head. This may be all you need for cleaning gear, rinsing feet, or de-muddying the dog, but it isn't great for an actual shower. For that, you'll probably want the Yakima RoadShower FlexHead, which we also tested, giving you an efficient (if messily close-to-the-car) shower. Also, if you fill at home and leave the pump behind, you'll find the pressure drops precipitously as the tank empties, and refilling that pressure with a short-hosed bike pump is a challenge. These things aside, this is a fabulous option for weekend warriors or anyone constantly on the go. If you need a larger capacity, the RoadShower also comes in 7 and 10-gallon versions. Whether you’re planning for the winter months when solar-heated water isn’t an option or preparing for the end of the world as we know it, an off-grid shower can help keep bacteria and infections at bay.

The Gasland tankless gas water heater is lightweight enough to use while camping but robust enough to survive daily use in a sustainable living scenario. It requires minimal pressure and will ignite as long as the pressure remains above 2.5 PSI. There’s no point investing in a top-to-the-range high-pressure showerhead as it’s unlikely you’ll get the pressure needed for it to operate. A cheaper model that will work effectively with low pressure is a better option.Just one word of warning – if heating water over a fire, be careful not to melt the pump, the hose, or set your shower tent on fire! #2 The Solar Shower To ignite the burner and push the water through when showering, you need a certain amount of water pressure. You can do this using a solar water pump kit like the one from Solariver. We began this study by considering the most important aspects of an outdoor shower. Each year, we carefully select the best we can find and use them for subsequent summers, paying close attention to how well they perform in key areas. To assess functionality, we measured the widths of the showerhead streams and the lengths of the hoses. If possible, we took them apart and cleaned them to examine ease of use, and we dropped them, full of water, from a height of over 6 feet to get a sense of their durability. We bathed ourselves, muddy dogs, and numerous filthy trail-building crews. In the end, the best models revealed themselves and are highlighted below. Unfortunately, for your tankless water heater to operate effectively as an off-grid shower, you will need the following additional components: Water pump

A more sophisticated and better quality version involves a battery-powered pump with a showerhead attached, like the Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower. With this ingenious contraption, you can pump water from virtually any receptacle – pop the pump into the water, turn it on, and away you go. Unfortunately, getting that warm water to wet anything is a challenge, especially with the cheaper models on which the valves are often poorly fitted, resulting in low water pressure and leaks. Because it requires such a secure mount, a giant propane tank, and a constant supply of fresh water via the hose, this isn't an off-grid camping shower. It's better suited to permanent or semi-permanent mounting outside by your pool or perhaps rigged up next to your RV in a campground with hookups. Some of its attachments aren't the most leakproof, and it's best used with certain extras that don't come standard — like on/off valves for the cold water input and hot water output lines. But if you've wanted an outdoor shower that won't cost thousands to install, the Camplux Pro is a great option for a truly luxurious outdoor bathing experience. Even a good quality solar shower is less versatile than the Ivation as the water is gravity fed so, the bag needs to be hung up in a tree or on a pole.

Conclusion

If you’re living off-grid, even a top-quality solar bag shower is unlikely to have the staying power you need for long-term, daily use. A better option for survivalists and those living off-grid, the tankless water heater isn’t exactly portable but, it makes up for that with its durability.

Need something a bit more forceful? Remove the scrub and open the valve – you won’t get an all-over spray, but you will get enough pressure to rinse long hair or get the sand out of your swimming shorts. The design that appeals to me the most is, unsurprisingly, also one of the simplest. A couple of planks are secured to some handily-situated tree trunks, forming a stand for the water tank. The water tank itself can be as simple as a 50-gallon barrel cut in half. Now, all you need is a hose and showerhead. drilling the hole, no problem for you:):) Most common sizes .453 in or .653 in valve stem hole you’ll have to do the fractions and find the right drill bit. with pressures in the 69-100psi or higher, Safety is a must with hydraulic pressure. air is considered a liquid in this area of tools or physics (what have ye) If you want an off-grid shower for your RV, an electric model like the Electric Mini-Tank from Bosch is ideal, although the Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump is also worth considering.Cheap solutions aren’t worth the investment and, although the top-end products have some nice features, if you’re looking for something long-term, your best bet is building your own. Hot water can be heated over a fire, using a heavy-duty steel drum, or in your tankless water system. If you want to keep it basic, you can simply pour the heated water into the drum as and when you need it. If you prefer not to clamber up a tree with a gallon of water on your head, however, a solar pump is a worthwhile investment. If you’re in the market for a solar shower, I recommend skipping the budget options and heading straight for something like the 5-gallon solar shower from Advanced Elements. It transforms almost any bottle, bladder, or collapsible bottle into an instant shower. Admittedly, it’s just one step up from pouring water over yourself, but it’s better than a dip in an ebola-infested lagoon! Simple to install, this shower comes with a 4.8-gallon tank and an extra cold-water tap for washing your hands. #3 The Tankless Water Heater