As an outdoor enthusiast, I've found that comfort and cleanliness can make or break a camping trip. That's why I always have my trusty portable camping loo, a compact and practical solution for when nature calls in the great outdoors.
When choosing my camping loo, I look at its portability, weight, waste storage capacity, and how easy it is to clean. For short trips, I opt for a lightweight, basic model. For longer adventures, I prefer a robust loo with a larger waste capacity.
In a nutshell, my portable camping loo is an essential piece of my camping kit. It offers a hassle-free solution to use in the wilderness, but also for keeping the campervan or caravan toilet free and clean.
Bivvy Loo Camping Toilet from CarpLife
After many camping trips and countless outdoor adventures, I've found a game changer in the Bivvy Loo Camping Toilet from CarpLife. This is not your ordinary camping loo - it's a lightweight, convenient solution for all my sanitary needs when I'm out embracing the wilderness.
What I love about the Bivvy Loo is its compact design and practicality. It folds down to the size of a briefcase, making it incredibly easy to carry and store in my camping gear. Despite its size, it's robust and strong, capable of supporting up to 150 kg.
Pros
Sturdy and Compact: The Bivvy Loo is compact, folding down to about 2 inches thick, and robust, capable of supporting substantial weight.
Durable Construction: The material used for the bag is strong and appears to be waterproof. The strength of the inner bucket and the metal hinges, provide assurance of the toilet's durability.
Ease of Use: The Bivvy Loo is straightforward to use with its fold-out design, and its height makes it suitable for both adults and children.
Cons
Flat Base Design: The flat base of the toilet might be an issue on uneven ground, despite having a few shallow feet.
Weight: Despite its compact size, I noticed that the Bivvy Loo is not the lightest option available, potentially making it less ideal for hiking trips.
What are the different types of camping toilets?
When camping, dealing with nature's call needs a bit of planning. I've learnt from experience that the right portable loo can be a game-changer!
The humble bucket-style toilet is simple, lightweight, and budget-friendly, but needs frequent emptying. Portable flushing toilets offer a more home-like experience with a flush system and a waste tank but are heavier and more expensive. Toilet tents are put up around your portable toilet to give you some privacy.
For minimalistic campers or those caught short in the night, a compact urine bottle can be a lifesaver. Choosing the right toilet is about balancing your comfort, convenience, and camping style.
Portable Flush Toilet: Porta Potti 365
What is a portable flushing toilet? These resemble a home toilet and have a freshwater reservoir and a waste tank. After use, you can flush the waste into the tank. These tanks are sealed to control odours and are removable for emptying at a proper disposal site.
I've recently had the pleasure of using the Thetford Porta Potti 345 on my latest camping adventure, and I must say, I'm quite impressed. Firstly, this toilet is as portable as they come. I found it incredibly easy to transport, thanks to its compact size. It fits snugly in my car boot, leaving plenty of room for my other camping gear.
Pros
Practical Use: The Porta Potti 345 shines when it comes to ease of use. Simple operations and efficient design make it a pleasure to use, even when dealing with an unexpected home renovation situation!
Odour Control: When used with the recommended chemicals, there's no unpleasant odour, which is a massive relief, particularly for indoor use or confined spaces like vans.
Ease of Cleaning: It's wonderfully easy to clean and empty, which saves me a lot of fuss. A definite plus point!
Cons
Size: The Porta Potti 345's compactness, although great for transport, does lead to it filling up quicker than I'd like, especially for family use. You might need to empty it more often, which can be a bit inconvenient.
No Integrated TP Holder: I've noticed a small inconvenience in the lack of an integrated toilet paper holder. This isn't a deal breaker, but it's something Thetford could improve on.
So, despite a couple of minor drawbacks, I believe the pros far outweigh the cons, making the Thetford Porta Potti 345 a brilliant and effective solution for temporary or portable toilet needs.
Bucket Style: Portable 19L Mobile Toilet
What is a bucket-style toilet? These are the simplest form of camping toilets. They're basically sturdy buckets equipped with a toilet seat. Some versions have a lid to keep odours in, and many use double-layered waste bags for easy disposal.
This portable toilet shines in its simplicity - easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to transport. And its variety of colours means it won't stick out like a sore thumb in your camping setup or even in the garden!
The seat is conveniently detachable, making emptying the bucket a breeze. However, be warned, the seat is not the most luxurious - it serves its purpose, but if you're after a plush experience, this may not be the one for you.
Pros
Simple Design: Easy to use, clean, and transport. Its straightforward bucket-with-seat design means there's nothing overly complicated about it.
Variety of Colours: Available in a range of colours, allowing for personal preference and better blending in with different settings.
Perfect Height: The bucket toilet is taller than most, which makes it easier on the knees and more comfortable to use.
Cons
Seat Comfort: Some found the seat to be uncomfortable or small, especially larger individuals. The design of the seat could be improved for better comfort.
Lid Design: The lid doesn't clip down securely, meaning it can be easily knocked off the bucket. A more secure lid design could improve the product.
Additionally, if you're a larger individual, you might find the seat a bit snug - it seems this toilet was designed with smaller to medium builds in mind. And while it may not be as stable as some other models, a little improvisation with some weighting or securing can fix that.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the 19L Mobile Bucket Camping Toilet remains a sturdy, practical, and cost-effective solution for camping sanitation needs. So, if you're planning a camping trip soon and want to stay comfortable, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go!
Folding Toilet: Collapsing Travel Toilet
Why consider a folding toilet? These toilets are designed for portability and space-saving. They're typically a frame with a seat that can be folded down to a compact size for easy transport. Waste bags are attached underneath the seat for waste collection.
The TRIPTIPS Portable Folding Toilet is a game-changer for campers. It's an absolute lifesaver on camping trips, easily saving you from late-night dashes to communal loos, especially during rain-soaked nights! It's also super easy to clean and empty, which is always a plus.
One particular high point of this portable toilet is how brilliantly it folds away for storage - perfect for a campervan emergency or when you're short on car space on your camping trip.
Pros
Space-Saving Design: Folds away for easy storage, ideal for small spaces in campervans or cars.
Ease of Use: Simple to set up, empty, and clean, which adds to its overall convenience.
Sturdy: Despite its compact size, it can support a considerable amount of weight.
Cons
Slightly Unstable: Some users reported a bit of wobble, which could make some people feel uncertain when using it.
Not Ideal for All Adults: The round opening of the toilet seat and its low height were not comfortable for all adults, making it more suitable for children.
If it's space-saving and ease of use you're after, the TRIPTIPS Portable Folding Toilet provides a simple solution for when nature calls in the great outdoors. Making this loo an excellent little addition to your camping equipment.
Toilet Tent: Pop-up Privacy Shelter by WolfWise
What is a toilet tent? This is more of a set-up than a type of toilet. A toilet tent provides privacy, and you can use any type of camping toilet inside. This is a good option if you're camping in an area without a lot of natural privacy.
The WolfWise tent is extremely user-friendly and quick to set up. There's no denying its practicality - it's been handy for everything from fishing trips to campervan and caravan sites. Its high ceiling provides ample space, even for a tall person like me, which is a real plus. I found the tent's size and shape ideal for a variety of uses, including as a changing room and sheltered shower space.
Pros
Versatile: The toilet tent serves multiple purposes - changing room, shower space, and more.
Spacious: The high ceiling offers ample room, even for tall individuals.
Ventilation and Privacy: Two windows with zip-up covers provide a balance between airflow and privacy.
Cons
Tricky to Dismantle: Folding the tent back into its compact form can be difficult and requires practice.
Waterproofing Issues: The tent is not entirely waterproof, making it unsuitable for use as a toilet tent in rainy weather.
One particularly clever feature is the tent's two windows, each with a zip-up cover. This flexibility allows for a good balance between ventilation and privacy, depending on your needs. Additionally, the top of the tent can be either mesh or covered with a waterproof sheet, adding to its versatility.
While setting up the tent is a breeze, dismantling it can be quite the task. It takes practice to get the hang of folding it back into its compact shape, so don't be disheartened if you fumble a few times. Luckily, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials to help.
What to do with your camping toilet waste
When camping, the process of disposing of toilet waste responsibly is crucial, both to minimise environmental impact and to ensure that the camping spot remains pleasant for future users. Here's a general guide on how to do it:
Carry a Portable Toilet
Portable camping toilets are designed to make waste disposal easy and hygienic. These toilets often use bags or cartridges to collect waste, which you can seal and dispose of properly in designated waste disposal facilities.
Use Biodegradable Bags
If you're using a camping toilet, use biodegradable bags for waste collection. Once used, these bags should be packed out with your rubbish and disposed of in designated waste disposal facilities.
Use Designated Facilities
If you're camping at a site that provides toilet facilities, it's best to use them. Some sites even offer specific disposal points for portable toilet waste. Make sure you're familiar with the facilities available at your camping location before you go. For more information, the Camping and Caravan Club has detailed information on campsite toilets and waste disposal.
Combine your portable camping toilet with one of these camping bins which are an essential addition for any camper. These bins be used to dispose of waste as well as store food and cooking equipment The bins come in a huge range of sizes to suit all types of camping.
Abby Humphreys
Editor & owner @ www.smallcampsites.co.uk
Abby loves to travel and hike in nature. She promotes wellness, and shares her adventures on her blog. Abby is an open water swimmer, snowboarder, kayaker, hiker, and a meditator who loves the outdoors.
