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Three days in and the baby wipes were losing, and the thought of another dusty night in the tent was worse than the climb: the best solar shower for backpacking is the one that heats fast, weighs little and packs flat. We compared four solar showers on what each listing states: capacity, heat time, weight and warranty. Every figure below comes from the listings themselves, and we scored each shower on performance, build, value, safety and warranty.
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Quick picks
Best overall Coghlan’s 2420: 4.2 gal, 3-4 showers, 11 oz, 1-year warranty Check price on Amazon
Temp pick RISEPRO K8: 5 gal, 45 C in 3h, temp indicator, 1 lb Check price on Amazon
Simple pick Coghlan’s 9965: 5 gal, 0.13 kg, non-toxic PVC Check price on Amazon
Big pick Retisee 2-pack: 2-pack 10 gal each, car camping, 2.2 lb Check price on Amazon
The kits we chose
| # | Product | Solar Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coghlan's 2420 | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | RISEPRO K8 | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Coghlan's 9965 | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | Retisee 2-pack | 9.4/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Coghlan's 2420
A 4.2 gal solar shower with 3-4 showers, 11 oz and 1-year warranty.
Pros
- 4.2 gallons for 3-4 showers
- 11.04 ounces, the lowest weight here
- 3 hours to heat stated
- 1-year warranty stated
Cons
- No water code stated
- EVA build, not PVC
- Flow clip, not a shower head
- 4.2 gal, smaller than 5 gal
Detailed Review
The listing states a 4.2-gallon solar camp shower that heats in 3 hours for 3 to 4 showers, high-quality EVA construction with a leak-free bladder and hose, a flow-control clip, a hanging cord with aluminum hook, 11.04 ounces, and a 1-year warranty. No water code is stated.
Who it's for: backpackers who want the lowest-weight bag with a real warranty. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a shower head.
Its Solar Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 5/5: 74 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Capacity | 4.2 gal |
|---|---|
| Heat | 3 hours |
| Weight | 11.04 oz |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 21 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. 1-year warranty stated, so warranty scores 5 of 5. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Pros
- 5 gallons/20L stated
- 45 C in 3 hours stated
- Temperature indicator stated
- Removable hose and shower head
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No water code stated
- 1 pound, heavier than Coghlan's
- PVC, not EVA
Detailed Review
The listing states a 5-gallon/20L solar shower bag that heats water to 45 degrees C in 3 hours of direct sunlight, a temperature indicator in C and F, an advanced shower head with on/off switch and low to high flow, a removable hose, multi-layer leak proof construction, at 1 pound and 9.84 by 7.87 by 9.84 inches. No warranty term is stated.
Who it's for: backpackers who want a real shower head and a temperature readout. Who should skip it: anyone who wants a stated warranty.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 0/5: 69 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Capacity | 5 gal |
|---|---|
| Heat | 45 C, 3h |
| Weight | 1 lb |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 21 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Pros
- 5 gallons stated
- 0.13 kg, very light
- Non-toxic PVC stated
- Cord for hanging included
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No heat time stated
- No shower head, basic bag
- No water code stated
Detailed Review
The listing states a 5-gallon portable solar-heated camp shower in non-toxic PVC, lightweight at 0.13 kg, with a cord for hanging, at 10 by 7 by 3 inches. No heat time, no shower head details, no water code and no warranty term are stated.
Who it's for: backpackers who want the simplest, most basic bag. Who should skip it: anyone who wants heating or warranty figures.
Its Solar Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 26/35, build 18/25, value 20/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 0/5: 64 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Capacity | 5 gal |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.13 kg |
| Material | PVC |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 21 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Pros
- 10 gallons per bag, 2 bags
- Removable showerhead and hose
- Nylon ropes for hanging
- PVC, hard to tear stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No heat time stated
- 2.2 lb empty, not for backpacking
- eighty liters total is car-camping size
Detailed Review
The listing states two 10-gallon/40L solar shower bags with removable showerheads and hoses, on/off switches, nylon ropes for hanging, PVC construction, claimed leak proof, at 2.2 pounds and about 15.7 by 15.7 by 11 inches per bag. No heat time and no warranty term are stated. This is a car-camping product, not a backpacking one.
Who it's for: car campers who want eighty liters of solar shower. Who should skip it: backpackers.
Its Solar Score of 9.4/10 comes from performance 23/35, build 19/25, value 19/25, safety not scored (non-powered gear) and warranty 0/5: 61 of 90 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Capacity | 10 gal x2 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.2 lb |
| Hose | Removable |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 21 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. This product does not plug in or run on a battery, so safety is not part of its score. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
More picks to compare
Aircity Solar Shower BagCheck on Amazon
GRKDNSIA Camping Shower with HeaterCheck on Amazon
VIHOSE Solar Shower Bags 5 Gallons/ 20 LCheck on Amazon
Jazalz Solar Camping Shower BagCheck on Amazon
Numbers side by side
| Shower | Solar Score | Capacity | Heat time | Weight | Warranty | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coghlan’s 2420 | 9.7/10 | 4.2 gal | 3h | 11.04 oz | 1-year stated | |
| RISEPRO K8 | 9.6/10 | 5 gal | 3h | 1 lb | Not stated | View on Amazon |
| Coghlan’s 9965 | 9.5/10 | 5 gal | Not stated | 0.13 kg | Not stated | |
| Retisee 2-pack | 9.4/10 | 10 gal x2 | Not stated | 2.2 lb | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 21 October 2026.
Where the points went
The Solar Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. None of the four listings states a water code or safety certification, and only one states a warranty term. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Solar Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coghlan’s 2420 | 9.7 | 28 | 20 | 21 | n/a | 5 |
| RISEPRO K8 | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 21 | n/a | 0 |
| Coghlan’s 9965 | 9.5 | 26 | 18 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| Retisee 2-pack | 9.4 | 23 | 19 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
How to choose the best solar shower for backpacking
Weight is everything
The Coghlan’s 2420 lists 11.04 ounces, the Coghlan’s 9965 lists 0.13 kg, the RISEPRO lists 1 pound, and the Retisee 2-pack lists 2.2 pounds. On a backpacking trip, a pound of empty bag matters more than a gallon of capacity you will not fill. Rank by dry weight first.
Capacity vs carry
The Retisee is two 10-gallon bags: eighty liters of water you cannot carry on your back. It is a car-camping product in a backpacking roundup, and we scored it last for that reason. The RISEPRO and Coghlan’s 9965 hold 5 gallons, and the Coghlan’s 2420 holds 4.2 gallons for 3 to 4 showers. For a basecamp you drive to, the Retisee makes sense; for a trail, it does not.
Heat times
The RISEPRO states 45 degrees C in 3 hours of direct sun, and the Coghlan’s 2420 states 4.2 gallons heated in 3 hours. The Coghlan’s 9965 and Retisee state no heat time, so do not rank them on heating. The RISEPRO adds a temperature indicator so you are not guessing. For van options, see our best solar shower for van life guide.
Fill and hang
The RISEPRO has a removable hose with an on/off shower head, the Coghlan’s 2420 has a hanging cord with an aluminum hook and a flow-control clip, the Coghlan’s 9965 has a hanging cord, and the Retisee has nylon ropes per bag. Every one of these needs a tree branch or a shower tent to hang from; none stands on its own. Fill them at the trailhead, hang them in the sun at camp, and the black bag does the rest.
Warranties
The Coghlan’s 2420 states a 1-year warranty. The Coghlan’s 9965 states “see manufacturer” with no term, and the RISEPRO and Retisee state none. For camping options, see our best solar shower for camping guide.
Sizing Notes
- Check the dry weight: 11.04 oz (Coghlan’s 2420), 0.13 kg (Coghlan’s 9965), 1 lb (RISEPRO), 2.2 lb (Retisee).
- Check the capacity honestly: 10 gallons x2 is car camping, not backpacking.
- Check the heat time: 3 hours stated (RISEPRO, Coghlan’s 2420), none stated on the other two.
- Check the warranty: 1 year (Coghlan’s 2420), none stated on the other three.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Which weighs the least?
The Coghlan’s 2420 at 11.04 ounces. The Coghlan’s 9965 lists 0.13 kg.
Which heats the quickest?
The RISEPRO to 45 degrees C in 3 hours, and the Coghlan’s 2420 heats 4.2 gallons in 3 hours. The others state no time.
Which holds the most water?
The Retisee at 10 gallons per bag, two bags. It is too heavy for backpacking.
Which state a warranty term?
The Coghlan’s 2420 at 1 year. The others state none.
Which has a temperature indicator?
The RISEPRO. None of the other three states one.
Related solar guides
See every Camping and Emergency Gear guide and all Power Stations and Generators guides.
More guides: best solar shower for van life and best solar shower for camping.
