Overlanding is a demanding activity that requires a high degree of adaptability and resourcefulness. Because overlanding is all about self-reliance, it is a must to have a portable shower system.
Overlanding’s top three portable shower systems include Nemo Helio Shower, Sea To Summit Pocket Shower, and RisePRO Solar Shower Bag. These shower systems are perfect for your Overlanding and camping trips since they are practical and lightweight.
If you overland for lengthy trips it is a good idea to have a portable shower system. Let’s learn more about these systems and which one is best for you.
Top Three Portable Shower Systems for Overlanding
Overlanding is an exciting activity, especially when doing it with people you value. Having all the supplies and equipment you need for camping makes the trip successful and worthwhile. All of the systems that we reviewed are easy to set up, small, portable, lightweight, and efficient.
- The Nemo Helio Shower System is one of the best portable showers that will help make your trip successful and enjoyable. It’s lightweight and collapsible, meaning that it will not take up a lot of space when not in use. The system also has super-hot water.
- The RisePRO Solar Shower Bag can be used for two hours of hot showers on sunny days or two hours with little sun exposure. This shower system is a must for larger groups.
- The Sea To Summit Pocket Shower is made from a bag material and a solar shower head. It can last up to 200 washes under the sun. The system will also allow you to freshen up between your trips or charge it up with your Jackery and it is great for your long trip.
Let’s Compare The Choices
Here are the top portable shower systems you can consider for your Overlanding expedition.
Nemo Helio Shower System
www.nemoequipment.com/products/helio
It is a compact but powerful portable shower system suitable for travel across different places. Nemo shower system is also an excellent option for maximum flexibility, featuring an adjustable flow nozzle and molded rubber scrubber for cleaner performance in diverse conditions.
It features special gel packs that help to save your clothing from mildew. The system incorporates an all-in-one hand pump, making it easy to refill the tank with freshwater.
Nemo Helio Pressure Power System is an eco-friendly shower with a long-lasting plastic shower body for efficient and powerful showers. The system features four flow settings: 1.2/1.7, 1.8/2.2, 3/4, and total power output. It has an adaptable and removable shower hose made of high-quality plastic to avoid potential leakage.
It also is flexible enough to maneuver through tight spaces in your RV while carrying the system with ease and convenience. This shower system can accommodate showers between 5’5″ – 6’8″, with the extended version able to accommodate those up to 7’3″.
Nemo Helio is equipped with a 4×6 cm sponge filter that effectively cleans your hair and body after your shower. Wash all your clothes at once without having to refill the tank for as many cycles as you want.
Features:
- Meets most government regulations.
- Extra small in size and weighs only 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
- Water output can be controlled between 5 and 7 liters per minute of hot water.
- Made of reinforced polyethylene material which is tear-resistant and waterproof with a non-toxic formula. That makes it safe to wash your hair using the showerhead or sponge.
Pros of the Nemo Helio Shower System
This shower system is portable, so you can carry it easily to your Overlanding trip.
- This shower system is very easy to use. Anyone can use it without struggle as it is very straightforward.
- Its showerhead has a gentle, soothing spray pattern that can help you relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. The shower has a pressure of up to 3 bars. Enjoy being environmentally friendly with this shower system which saves water and reduces the amount of water used whenever you take baths.
- The Nemo Helio shower system is smooth for anyone with joint or mobility issues. Older people can use this system by themselves. It is also much safer to use than an old toilet, making your bathroom floor slippery in the winter if wet.
- The filter is easy to change. No tools are needed, and it takes just 2 minutes. It is also easy to remove and clean if it gets clogged up over time. That will prevent any leaks in your RV. It will also provide the necessary filtration that protects the environment from harmful toxins when you shower while on vacation.
- Nemo Helio is lightweight and relatively easy to install. It only weighs 2 lbs meaning it is easy to carry along. The system comes with a mounting bracket that you can use as a table for an arms-length showerhead. It will allow your shower head to hang over the bowl and be strategically placed for a shower.
- The hose has its built-in ferrule to keep it from disconnecting from the hose end. The ferrule allows you to position your hose at any needed angle while maneuvering in tight spaces inside your vehicle. You can adjust it as you wish, ensuring that you get enough pressure at all angles while using it on yourself or someone sitting in a wheelchair.
- The stainless-steel clamps are very rugged as they are made of solid steel and can withstand heavy use and outdoor temperature changes. These clamps are made from top-quality stainless steel making this product resistant to corrosion. It will last longer than many similar products on the market today.
Cons of the Nemo Helio Shower System
- The hose that connects to the tank can get kinked easily if it gets twisted or damaged sometimes due to the ruggedness of the hose clamps. You would need to purchase a replacement hose to fix this as it can be too expensive to get a new shower head attachment from Nemo.
- Its lever system that controls water flow can break over time, causing water to squirt uncontrollably when pressurized. That can also cause you to waste pooling water in your shower head.
Check pricing on Amazon for the Nemo Helio Shower System here.
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
www.seatosummit.com
The Sea to Summit pocket shower is a basic but effective shower system. It comes in a few different sizes. The smallest is perfect for one person, and the largest is ideal for a family of three or four.
The showerhead and hose are entirely replaceable. You will not have to spend any time messing with your shower head trying to fix it when it breaks.
The hose can be easily twisted into smaller sections when you do not need such a large amount of pressure. The pressure won’t be as intense as other brands, but this product will always give you more than enough water flow and pressure for your needs.
This shower system is made of durable plastic that is completely waterproof. There is one hole that you can control the water pressure through. That means there are no complications adapting to different pressures required for various purposes.
Sea to Summit Pocket Shower is excellent for Overlanding since it holds a lot of water and is easy to transport. You can store it in your glove box without worrying about how much water you have left. It also fits easily into your toiletries case or your backpack for hiking or climbing adventures.
The Sea to Summit pocket shower is excellent for camping, but it may not be the best shower for extended paddling trips since you do not want to run out of hot water on such trips.
This product is beneficial when Overlanding or taking a road trip in an RV. Since the water stays hot longer than most other brands, it saves time during Overlanding. The only downside is that this portable shower does not provide much pressure, which is unnecessary for one person.
Pros of the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
- The shower system is portable. This system weighs just 2.2 pounds and is easy to store in your RV or car or pack in your backpack.
- You can use other shower gels with this system and different types of shampoo products.
- The spray head has five different settings, making it great for multiple purposes and uses while maintaining optimal performance.
- Sea to summit pocket shower allows you to have a shower anywhere you may be. This product is excellent for camping trips, Overlanding adventures, and even car camping when on the road. The water stays warm longer than most portable showers and therefore saves time getting clean all day long.
Cons of the Sea to Summit Pocket Shower
- It is excellent for 1-4 people, but if you are traveling alone, it is a little oversized.
- The Sea to summit pocket shower comes in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. The small size weighs 2.2 pounds and is the smallest shower that can be used with this product. The medium size weighs 4 pounds, and the largest weighs 6 pounds. That also determines how many people can take a shower and its overall ease of storage and packability.
Check pricing on Amazon for the Sea To Summit Pocket Shower here.
RisePRO Solar Shower Bag
RisePRO Camp Shower
RisePRO shower system is ideal for family Overlanding itineraries. It is compact and easy to use even when it is on the go. The solar blanket absorbs UV rays from the sun, warming the water up to hot enough for a shower. Not only that but it can also be recharged with just sunlight.
The power bank can then be used over and over again. RisePRO Solar Shower Bag is perfect for Overlanding because it is compact, durable, stylish, and efficient.
It also weighs only 8.5 oz making it portable. This shower bag is made of waterproof, rip-stop fabric, heavily reinforced with mesh and tightly woven materials. The bottom of the bag has a drainable membrane, so it will not get soggy or wet.
The sides can hold up to 3 gallons or 60 liters of water, making the bag usable even while driving. When taking a bath, open up the front flap and drain off all the accumulated water.
To fill this RisePRO shower bag with water, simply flip open two latches, layer some water in front of them, and close them carefully.
The solar shower blanket can be used without charging, but it yields better results when charged with sunlight for at least 15 minutes every day. If you want to charge it while it is in use on the go, you can do so by hooking the solar cells on either side of your car’s sun visor.
You could also connect them to part of your backpack with more than a few inches of empty space. That could be an unused pocket or an empty paddle pocket. The solar panel should be able to reach the entire area underneath your backpack’s flap or window.
Pros of RisePRO solar shower bag
- It is lightweight and small in size. The water reservoir can hold up to 3 gallons or 60 liters of water. It is durable with a good warranty. The system also has two latches so you can open the bag and let out the accumulated water, then close it again to prevent leaks.
- The other advantage is that it can be used in inclement weather. You can use it when the weather is too hot or too cold. That makes it an excellent alternative to other shower systems.
- This shower system is portable, meaning you can carry it along with you as you head out for your Overlanding itineraries since it takes less space.
- Another pro is that short-term exposure to the water vapor of the shower blanket makes your skin softer and smoother.
Cons of RisePRO Solar Shower Bag
- The solar shower bag can be pretty loud if you use it for an extended period of time.
- Some people complain about having problems with continuous water leaks. The easiest way to prevent water leaks is to store some towels in the small bag and then place another towel at the bottom of the bag. That will prevent you from feeling wet while in transit.
- This system has a soft hose that can easily kink if you are not careful. It requires proper storage facility and handling to avoid damaging the hose.
Check pricing on Amazon for the RisePro here.
What Is A Portable Shower System for Overlanding?
A portable shower system is a kind of shower system that can only be used on the go. It is made to suit your needs, whether you are looking for a few minutes worth of showers under the sun or you need up to two hours’ worth. It is made of a bag with a shower head that sits inside it and comes with a water bottle holder.
This system is usually made from a material that doesn’t require much maintenance, such as a canvas or nylon material. The water bag will be able to hold a certain amount of water, from 100 to 200 liters.
Some portable shower systems are made from a material such as PVC, and they can provide up to two hours’ worth of showers in between your trips.
Portable showers are great if you are Overlanding in areas where water is not readily available or where access to it may not be possible. They’re also perfect for taking long-distance car trips or when camping overnight and want the option of washing off your body before bedtime.
When buying a portable shower system, purchase one that will work best for your needs and is suitable for the area where you are going overland. There are so many choices available on the market today that it can be hard to choose which one works best for you, but here are some tips on how to make the right choice:
When buying a portable shower system, try searching for one that has an extended range power source, such as a solar panel or an accumulator battery. That will allow you to use it at a distance from the power source without needing too much energy.
Make sure to get a shower with a high-water pressure, as this will make it easy to take a bath without moving around too much. It is also best that the shower has a heated hose to keep you warm in cold climates.
When looking for cheap portable showers, go for ones that use the least amount of water possible and one that is rated for the area you will be Overlanding.
Depending on your budget, try looking at different models and make sure they are suitable to use in cold temperatures. The cheaper it is, the less likely it is going to work well.
While there are many good portable showers available on the market today, one thing you should always be sure of when buying one is that it can handle being used in harsh weather conditions. If it does not have the right kind of insulation material, you may end up having problems with your unit breaking down when temperatures start rising or even melting down due to heavy rainfall or snowfall.
It is also essential when buying a portable shower system to come with a bundle of accessories. These may include toilet roll replacement rollers, hose liners, and cleaning solutions designed for long-term Overlanding.
Final Thoughts
What Do I This Is The Best Portable Shower for the Money?
It all depends on the length of your trip and the amount of money you are willing to spend. However, the Nemo Helio Shower is the overall best shower system for Overlanding and camping as it is durable, compact, easy to use and maintain, and economical. The shower system has various advantages over the other Overlanding shower systems.
