| As modern consumers, we're spoiled for choice in | | | | something with more power. Propane camping |
| most of the things we buy and today's portable | | | | showers have the ability to heat water in seconds |
| camping showers are no exception. Although for | | | | and many are equipped with battery-operated |
| some the term "camping shower" may conjure | | | | water pumps that provide great water pressure. |
| up an image of a perforated tin can slung over a | | | | With a limitless supply of hot water, you can |
| tree branch, the fact is that the products on the | | | | wash the dishes and then immediately turn the |
| market today are efficient, portable and provide | | | | hose on the kids or anything else in need of a |
| hot showers in seconds. In other words, there's | | | | good scrubbing. |
| no excuse to go camping without one. | | | | Or maybe your next camping trip will include not |
| In choosing from the wide range of models | | | | only the family but also the in-laws, the neighbors, |
| available, there's a number of factors to consider: | | | | and a few friends. With mountains of dishes and a |
| portability, output, durability and of course price. | | | | long lineup for the evening shower, the obvious |
| Leaving aside the question of price for a moment, | | | | choice is a camping shower that packs the |
| the best way to address the other three factors | | | | biggest punch, such as Zodi's 40,000 BTU |
| is to simply identify the kind of camping you'll be | | | | monster, the Hot Tap X-40. It comes equipped |
| doing. | | | | with a 12-volt water pump and 16 ft long hose. |
| So, let's figure out where you'll be going and what | | | | Zodi claims that it's in use in the extreme |
| you'll be doing. Does your trip involve hiking at all? | | | | conditions of Antarctica, so there's little doubt it |
| Then the last thing you want to do is drag around | | | | should perform admirably in the wilds of North |
| a propane tank on your back. In this case, a solar | | | | America. |
| shower is right for you. Solar showers are | | | | Camping showers have come a long way since |
| extremely light, easy to use, and pack up into a | | | | the days of perforated tin cans and although the |
| small tidy package that will take up very little | | | | wide range of choice may seem overwhelming at |
| space in your backpack. The major drawback of | | | | first, it is simply a matter of identifying the kind |
| solar showers, however, is that they're dependent | | | | of camping you'll be doing and then choosing |
| on the sun as a heat source, so on a cloudy day, | | | | accordingly. Once you've done that, all that's left |
| you're out of luck. But if portability and simplicity | | | | to consider is how much you'd like to spend and |
| are top priorities, a solar shower can't be beat. | | | | you're ready to go. In the end, whether you go |
| If hiking is not on the agenda and instead you'll be | | | | with a simple solar model or a high-powered |
| camping out with the family in one place for a | | | | propane heating unit, you next camping adventure |
| few days, cooking meals and cleaning the mud off | | | | will be all the better knowing you can look |
| the kids in the evenings, then it's time to consider | | | | forward to a hot shower in the outdoors. |
