Camping is one of the world’s most popular pastimes—but also one of the messiest, which is why we are delighted to present you with this essential camping 12V shower pump guide!
When we camp, we rummage through the woods. We hike up mountains. We handle slimy fish and swim in murky lakes. Let’s face it. We all tend to get dirty when we’re camping, and cleaning up can be a real challenge. You don’t want to crawl into your sleeping bag smelling like a fish, right?! Plus, turning in when you smell like dinner can be a dangerous lure for wild animals like bears. But the problem is that we often don’t have a shower available to us as we do at home.
The solution, my friends, is to bring a camping shower pump with you!
A portable shower pump is a great way to attend to your hygiene needs when you’re camping. A camping shower pump can be a real godsend if you are a cowboy camper or a tent camper. But even when you have an RV that includes a shower, it can still be a handy accessory. RV showers have a limited water supply and can only accommodate a few people. A camping shower pump will extend those capabilities very nicely.
In this article, we’ll review what a camping shower pump is, how it works, and what options are available to make your next camping experience an even better one:
What is a Camp Shower Pump?
A camping shower pump is basically a portable system that you use to take a shower. It could be in the wild, at your favorite campground, or even at an outdoor event. Its main components generally include a hose and a shower head, and other components will vary.
Some come with containers to hold the water. Some have power pumps or manual foot pumps, while others are merely gravity-driven. There are unheated models where you are responsible for heating up your own water, and models that will warm your water up, too. Solar models are great because they can perform that heating function for free, but there are propane-heated versions as well, and those might be more reliable because you won’t have to rely on the sun. Meanwhile, 12V shower pumps are amongst the most popular types because they have rechargeable batteries. We are featuring 12V shower options here, but solar and propane heated versions are worthy of your consideration and have been included too.
Many people use a shower pump in combination with a shower tent. Shower tents are nice because they give you a dedicated space with shelter and privacy to wash up. You’ll find some great options for shower tents option here that you may want to consider. But portable shower pumps can be used without a tent, too. All you need is a convenient place to hang the equipment, and that could simply be a tree. Privacy could come from a curtain, a secluded area, or you could just wear a bathing suit
7 Great Shower Pump Choices
Finding the right camping shower pump to suit your needs can be a chore. But no worries—we’ve done the research for you to make your search easy! Following is a list of 7 terrific choices, all carefully selected for overall performance, quality, and the features they provide. From the convenience of 12V portable shower pump options to innovative solar and propane versions, you’ll find them all represented here, and you are bound to find the one that’s just right for you. Are you ready to dive in?
The Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower
We begin our list with a brand name we recognize and trust: Coleman. This solar-heated shower system is simple but rugged, durable, easy to transport, and economically priced. Its 5-gallon capacity is generous enough to provide for multiple showers. Plus, it’s made from a heat-locking, black material that absorbs sunlight and holds heat well. It will give you warm water even on cooler days; all it needs is the water itself and some sun. If you want simplicity, ease, warmth, and convenience, you just cannot go wrong with this classic choice.
The Yeto Portable Solar Camping Shower with Foot Pump
This nice solar-heated shower system by Yeto kicks it up a notch! It features a foot pump to provide steady, reliable water pressure that you control yourself. Unlike the Coleman, which is gravity-powered, you can achieve a bit more washing power with the Yeto. It holds 3.17 gallons and has a very easy-to-pack design as well.
The Innhom Portable Shower
This nice 12V shower from Innhom is another fine choice. The pump’s power is supplied by a rechargeable battery, and a USB/12V car plug is included. It has a nice-sized shower head, hanging accessories, two batteries, and water filtration, too. It should be noted that, unlike solar models, it doesn’t hold or heat water. (We would recommend a 5-gallon bucket.) However, you might view that as a plus. If you heat your water yourself, you’ll have better temperature control as well as hotter water than you would get from a solar model.
The Kedsum Portable Camping Shower
This sleek, rechargeable model from Kedsum has similar features to the above Innhom option, but with an upgraded pump shower head that provides excellent water pressure adjustment and control features. It’s great for hikers looking to soothe aching muscles after a busy day spent climbing.
Colapz 12V Shower for Camping
This great 12V shower is the perfect choice when you want a pump system with power as well as a generous water storage capacity. It comes with a sturdy water storage bag that holds an impressive 9 gallons, and it includes a great assortment of accessories, too.
ZOOOBELIVES High-Pressure 12V Shower with Multi-use Sprayer
This fantastic 12V shower delivers true high pressure and is one of our top favorites on the list. It also has a well-designed, versatile sprayer. And perhaps best of all, it has a built-in light! If you like to shower in the evening or at night, this one’s for you!
Hike Crew Portable Propane Water Heater & Shower Pump
This luxury-level camping shower is a 12v shower as well. Yes, you’ll still have to provide the bucket, but this one has a big advantage. It is propane-heated and provides a truly hot shower experience without your having to heat the water yourself. It’s compact, comes with all the adapters you need, and has digital controls for easy operation. It features a wonderful shower head with 3 adjustable spray patterns, too.
The Dirt…
So, now that we’ve given you all the dirt in this handy camping shower guide, it’s time to wash it off! When all is said and done, the best camping shower choice is simply the one that suits you best. But no matter if you go with a 12V shower, a solar bag, or a deluxe propane version, you’ll be camping and cleaning up in style with one of these amazing, portable camp showers.
