Geyser Systems Hot Portable Shower is an excellent option when in the backcountry on a vehicle-supported adventure

Not so long ago, when all my gear fit in an 80-liter backpack and my trails were single track, a frigid splash in a mountain stream or a warmed half-liter of water from my JetBoil provided a bit of luxury at altitude. A furious scrub would cut the salty grime from my ears, neck and face. I slept dirty, smelled rank and wasn’t surprised when other adventurers gave me a wide berth.

It is commonly agreed that the only thing better than a stack of blueberry pancakes or a slice of pizza after returning from the backcountry, is a hot shower. And, I still profess that after a week of backpacking, a good shower is the equivalent of eight hours’ sleep in a proper bed.

But now that my ’81 Land Cruiser provides me access to the wilderness, I carry an ice chest, gallons of drinking water, a full-size pillow and an air mattress that can double as a pool accessory. I eat, drink and sleep like a king in comparison to those days when I camped on snowy ridges 20 miles from the trailhead. Leaning into this new life of relative luxury has taken some adjusting!

Recently, a few of us camped and wheeled around central Colorado’s high country. I decided to bring along the new Geyser System Portable Hot Shower to see how it tackled the dirt and dust that accompanies most off-road outings. And we were pleasantly surprised with its performance. Given my backpacking history, I felt a little spoiled at our primitive campsite after days of driving with the windows rolled down.

The Geyser Systems showers have been available since July 2020 and are relatively small, weighing eight pounds. The unit holds almost a gallon of water and, depending on the selected flow rate, will pump water through the attached sponge for between one and 15 minutes; sufficient time for a good cleaning.

The pump, powered by your vehicle’s battery, can provide a strong stream of water or a slow trickle. It’s more like a self-powered sponge bath than a bathroom shower. This means little wasted water, and the sponge offers both soft and scrubby sides for any caked-on, sweaty dirt.

Safety features prevent the water from becoming too hot and include a low water level shut-off as well as a grate preventing users from touching the heating element, presuming someone would want to do that.

The Geyser requires a 12-volt DC power source and is recommended for use only when your engine is running. Heating cold mountain water can require up to 45 minutes. There is a less expensive model that does not include the heating element. Both versions are available at REI and online at www.geysersystems.com

I introduced the shower unit to my group on day four of our trip and it took no time to plug in the shower unit and fill it with water. After about 10 minutes of heating, I found the water to be sufficiently warmed. We ran the engine, as suggested, while taking our “showers” but turned off the pump to thoroughly scrub with the soapy sponge. There was more than enough water available to rinse completely and I could have continued washing with the pump at its lowest flow rate. I was clean, and smelled good for the first time in a while.

If I could make any improvements I would include a standard electrical plug and/or clamps to connect directly to my vehicle battery. I would also like a roller knob for adjusting water flow by thumb with the hand managing the sponge. The flow control valve requires both hands and results in a small amount of wasted time and water.

The sponge connects to the flow control valve via a short tube and it can prove fragile, requiring some care in storage. Replacement scrubs are available for about $8 and I recommend carrying a back-up. Alternatively, the system can work as a spray without one.

Best use for the Geyser Shower is probably after a long day of climbing, mountain biking or hiking. However, if you are looking for a reliable shower system for your primitive camping or limited water adventures, I would recommend the Geyser. The combination of warm water and its being pumped through a sponge makes the cleaning process efficient and effective.

Feel better and sleep better after a good camp shower. It sure beats scrubbing up with glacier water.

Likes:

• Best use is after a climb, run or bike when you are miles from home
• Heats and provides continuous, strong water flow
• Uses less water than most alternative showers
• Sponge is more effective than a stream of water

Dislikes:

• Must run vehicle engine quite a while to heat up and use
• Sponge tube connection can be fragile, requiring special care

Pricing ranges from $245-325. Learn more by visiting www.geysersystems.com

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