Last Updated on September 8, 2020 by mountainswithmegan
I was hesitant to give the pee rag a try at first because I thought the concept was kind of gross. After hearing about what a game-changer it is from other outdoor women, I finally gave it ago. That was years ago, and nowadays I swear by it.
Pee rags are pretty simple: just use a bandana to dry yourself after you pee, then hang it off your pack to dry in the sun.
I’ve read that the sun sterilizes the pee, but I haven’t actually found any scientific sources backing that up, so who knows?
Why Use a Pee Rag
- Less smells. After a few days in the backcountry and only drip drying after peeing, let’s face it, you’re gonna start to smell like pee. Using a rag to dry yourself will greatly reduce the smell.
- It reduces chafing. I find that I chafe more when there’s extra moisture going on down there. I don’t get chafing nearly as frequently when I use a pee rag.
- Comfort. Because feeling damp after peeing is uncomfortable.
- Easy to clean. Just throw the pee rag in with the rest of your laundry.
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Tips for Pee Rag Life
- If you’re going to be in the backcountry for more than a few days, do a quick ziplock bag wash. Just add some water and a few drops of soap to a ziplock bag, squish it around a bit, rinse, and dry in the sun. I recommend carrying a small bottle of Dr. Bronner’s for this purpose, among many others.
- You have to be extra cautious not to brush up against anybody when your pee rag is dangling off of your pack. I’ve hiked with men who were particularly horrified of the pee rag concept.
- Be careful of prickly plants. I was hiking the the high desert region of Colorado, and I had cactus prickers all over my clothing. I became pretty paranoid of getting cactus prickers in my pee rag.
Kula Cloth
After years of being a dedicated pee rag user, a new product was made specifically for this purpose. Kula Cloth are pee rags made for the outdoors. I like them because they are small, and they clip shut. The outer layer is waterproof, so I never accidentally get my hand wet. All the Kula Clothes come with cool artwork on the outside.
Give it a try and your hiking life will be slightly easier.
My pee rag has skulls & cross bones as a warning to others: don’t touch!!
I’ve used a pee rag for quite some time, but have never hung it on the back of my pack before. The sun has amazing powers, but it cannot sterilize the urine on the pee rag, since urine is already sterile when it leaves your body. It isn’t bacteria that makes the urine smell, it is metabolic byproducts filtered out by the kidneys that have the odor. I will definitely try the solar method!
TicTac
FYI It is a misconception that urine is sterile. It is not. It contains bacteria and it also picks up bacteria from your skin on its way out… We are germy little creatures.
I’ve read that pee is sterile when it leaves your body, but then it quickly gathers bacteria? I’ve found a lot of contradictory sources on the subject of pee rags and sterilization, which is why I wanted to make it clear that I haven’t found any scientific data backing up any of the claims. Thanks for the additional info!
I used to work in the medical field. Pee is most indeed not sterile. Otherwise we would not need to use gloves (other than the gross factor). It contains bacteria before it even leaves your body, as it should for healthy individuals. I didn’t know what a pee rag was until I came across this blog – I’ll be trying this!!
I have to disagree, to a certain degree. Unless there is an infection lurking, your urine IS sterile inside your body. Upon microscopic observation, there may be bacteria present, that is picked up on the outside, upon voiding.
I had a camp counselor swear by the pee rag, and had a specific place on her pack for it, since her sweat rag had to share space. I always wondered if she mixed it up.
The sun does have the power to sterilize things, but to a point. I usually give it a wash every morning with treated water to keep it cleaner.
A definite must have when backpacking. You can wash it pretty easily when you get to camp. Boil water, wash out out with a bit of camp soap, then wash the rest of your stinky self. 🙂
I love it! The pee rag…lol…I was wondering how I was gonna carry enough TP and how many bags of used TP I would be carrying around just to go pee…The answer is obvious and I am laughing my butt off! I am going on my first distance hike next spring, and it will be the AT…Thanks for the info and the chuckle…
I have maybe a silly question. Does the pee rag not smell? I’m starting to (maybe) plan a thru hike and this seems like an awesome solution!
Mine never smelled. You just have to wash it regularly and drink lots of water.
Nice, I’ll have to try this. I think drip drying is super uncomfortable. Thanks!
I usually take a pack of baby wipes with me. I can use them to wipe both pee and poo, put away in zip lock bag and throw away when I get to trail head. They are usually easy to obtain when going into trail towns. I also use them to do a little bathing after a long day. You feel a little more refreshed wiping everything down before climbing into your sleeping back. Worth the little extra weight.
My buddies laugh at me, but I would never go on a long hike or bike ride – especially overnight – without the baby wipes!
I tried the pee rag once and gave up on it pretty quickly because the concept was too gross. On the other hand, I was able to do that because there was still snow on the ground. No cleaner toiler paper than a snowball. I might give it another try.
not that it solves the wiping issues, but have you ever used a sheewee or similar product
I haven’t tried it myself. I have heard good things from other ladies though.
I use a Freshette urinary device. I found that by using it, I just have to dab with a small bit of TP to get any extra moisture. It cuts down on the amount of TP I use. I can then put the TP in a bag and pack it out. It is such a minimal amount, really about one square is all you will need.
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I use a urination device called the pstyle, and after you void, you slide it forward to “squeegie” yourself off. It works surprisingly well, and I don’t feel much moisture at all after the whole process. Best invention ever!
Hey. Just so you know, urine is sterile. There are people who (imo it’s gross) urinate on their wounds, to sterilize them. Again, I don’t do this, because in my opinion it’s weird.
[…] 3. Squat – I’m sure we all know the jist of this one. Squatting is all fine and dandy, until you are hiking up some huge inclines and there are no flat areas. When you have no time to wait, just find a small/medium tree to hold on to and make sure you are facing up hill, oh and make sure you are not near any poison ivy/oak/sumac :). I mentioned the “pee rag” earlier and I would highly recommend if you are going to be in the woods for long periods. This is the best option if you do not want to try out the Pstyle. Pretty much you just have a bandana to clean yourself up after you go and you hang it from your pack. The air dries it out and the UV rays help keep it sanitary. At the end of the day wash it and let it hang dry. Here is an article by another girl discussing the pros and cons of a pee rag: https://mountainswithmegan.com […]
Hey! I love your posts, but have a question I didn’t see answered in this or other blogs relating to the bathroom… I’m wondering if you have any tips or advice for high altitude trekking and peeing? For instance, I’ll be in Nepal doing a small peak summit and there are no trees at that altitude. Meaning there’s nothing to hide behind to pee. I know summit day will be twelve hours straight with no toilets in sight. It’ll also be windy and cold with snow. I’m fairly new to trekking so I’d love advice from a seasoned trekker! Where do you go and any tips to not freeze? I have a diva cup and biodegradable wipes, but do I need anything else?
Hey! During times like that, I try to look for a boulder to hide behind. Or worse case scenario, just ask your group to turn away from you. Which peak are you doing? Also, I’d bring a ziplock bag for used wipes.