Coleman Solar Shower Review

Testing a Coleman Solar Shower

[@TheOriginalCopyDog]

I have used these showers for many years and they are great. Experience has taught me a few of things with them. 1. Get 1 with a screw cap on it. 2. Use a rope with a pulley to lift it into the tree. 3. Remove ALL the air from the shower before laying it in the sun. 4. The clear side MUST go up. Yes I know what the instructions say but the clear must face up. The heat of the sun is drawn to black side THROUGH the water to heat it up. The black side up you are relying on the heating the plastic then the plastic heating the water. Plastic is not a good conductor of heat. Please try 2 showers side by side, one clear side up and the other black side up and see for yourselves. Stay Safe.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Coleman has never fixed this problem! That's crazy!

[@kennyc388]

It is a cheap crappy shower bag, save your money.....buy something good.

[@stephnicaise]

Gee Santavee wtf are you talking about!?

[@DvLnDsGyZ]

@@geesantavee1294 What does political preference have to do with it? I'm a liberal that loves camping, hunting, fishing and shooting at targets...Stop being so ignorant dude. That being said, Thank you MrBackpacker48 , your video was very informative.

[@FoggedTears]

A pulley? No one got time for that.

[@jacknicholais7216]

I used it with the black side up and since black absorbs the sun better I was able to heat the bag up in two hours to a comfortable temp.

[@nadanalia3000]

Is it reusable? Thank you.

[@jeremytucker1680]

@@nadanalia3000 yes

[@keekwai2]

Bullshit. Just the black plastic would heat and transfer a little heat to the water. There is a REASON the instructions say black side down, dummy.

[@margiearens1908]

Thanks for reviewing this! I'm going to get one for camping showers and dishes.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hi, It does heat the water up! I hope it works good for you! Thanks for watching! ... :-)

[@simplymy2sense]

I have always wondered about these. Thanks for the testing and review. My wife would love one of these

[@Gordon_L]

I just bought one to use while I do some work on my bathroom , ( now Oct. 2021 ) Coleman brand the same as in the vid , instructions on both the bag and the box it came in say to lay on a flat surface with black side up . It won't matter to me as I'll be filling it from the hot and cold taps , I just found it curious to see the instructions have changed .

[@j.goebbels2134]

Thanks for the real review! I have one, different company, but similar design. It is for my boat. I don't have a problem with the issues you mentioned. But what gets me, which it didn't seem like you address (maybe I missed it) is the length of the hose and how you have to get WAY too low to get under the nozzle and keep the water flow running. A friend bought it for me and I don't want to be ungrateful, but having to kneel in the mud to get showered is not really great. I have tried to hang it different in the tree, no luck. What am I missing?

[@timinbisbee]

That seems super cool to me. The point of a shower is to get clean with nice hot water. It works. I'm going to get one for my bugout van luggage roof rack. Strap it up there while I'm driving. When I stop for the day, it'll be perfect.

[@keekwai2]

Super cool? You clown.

[@otto3967]

It is called commonsense. Take a plastic funnel with you and a plastic gallon of jug. That solves the problem in filling it up with water in the lake. You don't have to dip yourself in the lake.

[@jhemnes1]

Thanks for the review.

[@BeeeHonest]

Black side up to absorb heat buddy! ^_^

[@tarahardy26]

I have one similar and it instructs to put the black side up🤷🏽‍♀️ great review.

[@nativerobin]

Nice review...i have been wondering about those for quite awhile :)

[@diane48000]

Mine is from Ozark Trail and it says lay flat with black side up.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hey thanks Jim. Honesty is always the best policy!.. :)

[@simplymy2sense]

I agree with ya on the " wouldn't want to take it backpacking, but maybe truck camping or emergency preparedness use. Good thoughts on the cap flaws

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@steedsful]

hey i just bought this product! do you enjoy it still ? or have you used it often while camping ? how did you end up pitching it up to have a shower ? just curious as this would be all new to me.

[@jasonschlencker8108]

The solar shower bags were on sale at 2 for $9.95 in our local Anaconda, so I bought 10. I have seen them on sale as low as $4.00 each in Anaconda. We can solar heat up to 200L for the ensuite 12v shower system powered from our solar charged 1987 Cub Camp-O-Matic Offroad 380 camper trailer. Any empty bags are filled with the same 12v shower pump from a creek in the morning. I had a thought of joining 3 bags together with hose T pieces connected to just 1 nozzle for increased capacity and pressure without using any 12v power. Regards, Jas. VK4FJGS

[@stevenkitchensphotography9319]

Your anaconda don’t want none

[@camphopper9468]

nice review i agree with the cap. i believe its for car camping ..Not all sites have showers. but will it work in the fall and early winter

[@kcaviatrix]

I wish there was a video available that shows what to do if the spiggot does not stop when you push or pull it in. I am not sure which way it is supposed to stop water flow.

[@pibbaustin]

I loved the dogs!

[@joydavis9264]

Have this exact shower. Item #2 under "DIRECTIONS FOR USE:" typing looking right at box: "2. Fill the container with water and place on a flat surface so that the black side is exposed to direct sunlight."

[@PatrickMatthew86]

Yours may say that, and I'm sure that is the better way to do it, but I paused the video at one point to read his, and his does say "....clear side is exposed to direct sunlight." His was obviously a misprint somehow. Maybe his was an earlier model before they corrected the mistake or something.

[@karaniewells2999]

I have 2 of them and they both say to expose clear side to sunlight. Going to try them both out with one clear side up and other black side up

[@joydavis9264]

Carlos Albert Hahahaha! I'm quite sure you're mistaken on that one. Nobody wants to see this big 225-pound bare ___.

[@hopelyn1953]

So,MrBackpacker48, what did you think about washing your dogs with it. Were you able to wash both dogs with the 5 gallons and how'd it do?

[@anewman1]

I think the cap is supped to leak a little bit so it doesn't over pressurise as it heats up while the water expands.

[@chelseab5467]

Or it can be a dog bath lol. Thank you for the thorough review!

[@MrBackpacker48]

It works great for the dogs, they like warm water. lol. Thanks for watching.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hi. I am looking at my box, and this is what it said,( Fill the container with water and place on a flat surface so that clear side is exposed to direct sunlight) word by word! Do you have a coleman? Thanks!

great review

[@gamartin100]

So how did the dogs like it and how long will it stay warm?

[@MrScottcrf450r]

Hey how long does it take to empty if it's just left to run

[@mindtap7283]

It says on the directions "BLACK SIDE UP"!!!!!!! Black absorbs sunlight. The cap is on the right side. Try reading the directions.

[@sethnicholls7861]

The water is 90° in you're going to check it again in an hour? How hot do you expect a water to be, or need it to be? Wouldn't hanging it from a tree branch, something above, aid gravity assisted pressure to spray better? I'm sure the directions that come w it recommend at least some of these things?

[@esskayswildlife6142]

Awesome this motivated me to go buy one ! I also reviewed it on my channel ! Thank you

[@canusakommando9692]

Proper use and in a pinch this system is a life saver. Not a permanent solution .

[@2009reezen]

i would like to test that on a colder sunny day and see what it does. if it cant get over a hundred on an 83 degree day...... you can pretty much guess the rest. good review guys!

[@AWESOMEANIMATION4U]

Was helpful, thanks

[@reneebarrett1161]

I bought one I have not used it yet but I bought it for my dog because I cannot get him in the bathtub I am in a wheelchair hopefully it works good thank you so much for your video

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hopefully it works really well for you. My dogs don't mind it, they like the warm water. Good luck you can do it. Thanks for watching.

[@Unibot47]

Okay but how is the water pressure when you actually use it?

[@MasterToothPick]

Heyyyy your in flagstaff eh i notice those woods anywhere lol im out at the base of the peaks

[@coldsmoker9387]

When you use these throw a rope over a tree ,put in a long hose and valve on the end. Hoist it up high,higher you go more pressure=hydrostatic

[@davekuebler8782]

Works well for overland truck camping

[@laurabenevelli6783]

No matter what they say I would face the black side up. Black attracts the sun / heat. It probably would have gotten hotter in that 3 hours if it was faced the other way.

[@MissArbie]

Black plastic doesn't conduct heat. Sun needs to shine through the water so the black side maintains heat.

[@h8troodoh]

I think you're both correct, if I remember grade 3 science correctly...lol... I'm 58 yo...😂😅

[@Bloem777]

I just bought it (netherlands). I will use it for doing dishes or cleaning. Here in the netherlands our energy bills will be véry high (never so high as this year). So everything will help a bit. Sometimes i think: every basic thing in life is only available for the rich ones. Still we can find creative things which will help us. For me this sack is also a 4 (1-10). The red button does not fit well either. Sorry for me bad english by the way.

[@dynomike1964]

looks like the best beer bong ever . lol

[@Urgo38]

I used the Coleman Solar Shower. After trying it, I would only use it at home. The bag leaks around the cap and sometimes out of the shower head in the off position. The bag is only good for about 8 - 10 use, before the bag starts to tear around the handle. The next generation of the Coleman Solar Shower isn't any better. You can get about 6 - 8 use before it starts to tear around the handle and the bag stretches. Instead of pulling the shower head to start the water flow, you move a little handle to start the water flow, which doesn't work like it should. If anyone knows any portable shower that's better then Coleman, please let me know.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hey I looked at the directions ten times! and it says put the clear side exposed to direct sunlight. At thought the blackside up to at first....

[@boscoitalics]

Im going to buy one today for my rv since plumbing need s to be fixed

[@hadassah6085]

Lol - the dog with zoomies as the other is being bathed :)

[@kieferhudson6588]

It says on the fro t of the bag, to place black side in direct sunlight(up)

[@danielmorris9803]

Stand it up ... not lay it down ... hope I helped ... God bless

[@12vLife]

Ha, I was going to heat on my dash.. glad I saw this! cheap enough at $12, but I don't like that it's a plastic bag that can break has a little input port. For #vanlife I think I'll just go with a black $3 home depot bucket and a brass nozzle and just leave the bucket on the top of my van in directly sunlight while doing the day. Get back around Sunset to nice hot shower. BTW, anybody shower with melted ice water from your cooler? not proud to say I have and recall smelling like raw chicken (which is an improvement) all day.

[@SpeedyDD50]

I had to use this exact bag in an emergency situation and it was great for that.... but it was very heavy for me to try and hang high enough to use the shower head on it or you have to sit in a seat under it. its very much a pain in the butt but good for emergency if nothing else is available. two of us used one fill up 4 times. but used very sparingly of course. The cost was 10 bucks here in NW AR walmart not worth it but only in emergency if nothing else :)

[@MrBackpacker48]

You are 100% right. If you didn't have to carry it on your back it might be worth taking along. LOL it did work pretty good on the dog. Not great water pressure though.

[@paulneri835]

scale of 1-10 I give it 10 because of the adjustable nozzle that many solar shower bages don't have

[@reneebarrett1161]

I think what happened because I seen one word was misspelled I can’t remember exactly what it was but mine says flat but when I had went to the store to check it out it said black side up. So seems to be a misprint or something on some of them but I would say black side up

[@MrBackpacker48]

I think my bag has a misprint. it says clear up. Most of them say black side up. just go with your directions. Thanks.

[@manydiamonds9225]

This is the best thing I ever seen on internet

[@MrBackpacker48]

Thanks for watching.

[@norasteel5353]

Black side up...get's hotter, faster. Black attracts heat. no worries. thanks, good vid.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hey your welcome! Thanks for watching!...

[@EagleNeb]

I think it has to leak a bit so that it doesn't burst with the hot air pressure

[@houseoffire72]

I thought the blackside was to be facing up on those???

[@skylardugger41]

it's says black side up!

[@Pawoodsman]

Good honest review agree with your flaws

[@SoulSurvivorX2]

Great review! Camping yes maybe. Hiking I agree with you. No Way! M&C

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hey thanks B, I bet if it was 30 degrees outside, and I put 40 deg. water in it, It would get to 30 degrees! lol.... :)

[@briancisneros1450]

Srew cap for would of been dope

[@3lullabies]

wouldnt black side up make more heat? black absorbs all wavelengths of light and converts into heat.

[@TheBigmongrel]

Get plastic drink bottle and fill from stream, lake river, tap etc. pour water into solar shower bag. Alternatively heat pot on camp fire and mix with cool water to get right temp. Fill bag and hang from tree or whatever to give you some height. The rest is easy.

[@keekwai2]

Lol.

[@tyeburnham8146]

what about bpa?

[@MrBackpacker48]

LOL Yes it would! A 40lb hydration bladder! And 5gallons of water sould last all weekend, :)

[@MrBackpacker48]

Thanks, It does work ok, Its not the greatest! And it is heavy to get up on the tree!..:o)

[@justinward7331]

I bought mine to wash my hands and dishes while camping and car living

[@cz5032]

I know it's been mentioned already but it is black side up. I got 2 cheap ones on eBay no name generic ones and they say lay with black side up. I believe instructions stated otherwise but still of I did review I would have tried both ways to see if it warmed quicker black side up. Instructions aren't always correct. I mean just cause a grill tells me step a if I flip through I may start with step d. Cause it does make sense that black side will absorb heat faster. Also to everyone that may buy 1 go on eBay and I can get 2 generic 1s for the same as 1 Colman. 1 fell off what I had it on it didn't bust and was clear side up no leaking. Only issue was 1 leaked a tiny bit from where u attach the hose. A cheap gasket fixed that. Overall I will bring 1 camping. Oh also to fill just use a funnel and a gallon jug. That way u don't need to wade in the pond to fill it. I bring gallons of water camping anyway. So when 1 is empty use that. In a pinch I used a gallon Ziploc bag. To a few trips but worked out.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hey I thought the black side should go up too! And I looked at the directions on my box and on the bag 10 times, and it said to put clear up! oh well! Thanks for watching and your comments!...

[@abab6777]

Well, I think that the blanco side should be towards sun, because black get the radiation and reflects a negligible amount of energy. The clear side will reflect the most part of the incident radiation

[@MrWhitmen1981]

Cap is bad but you could face it north against a rock. I’m in the southern hemisphere.

[@tsalta01]

The shower bag that I have is not the Coleman Brand and my instructions printed on the bag clearly states black side up. interesting.

[@dancallan5964]

Couple things to take away, the psychological aspect of having a possible shower, and if you are close to a creek you could fill with water as much as possible and have 5 gallons of water to boil and filter to drink and cook with in a bob situation or have it in an inch bag just my opinion

[@keekwai2]

Translation?

[@mongoliannatureandfishing3003]

Hi all, I am looking for shower head(red one). Is there anyone who can tell me where can I buy it?

[@dubprocesslbc]

Nemo Helio Shower..ALLLLLLL DAY :)

[@mitchlewis598]

The directions on mine CLEARLY say to put the black side up, towards the sun.

[@kendrasinclair4117]

My super solar shower says black side up 🤔

[@U.S.SlaveOfficial]

if it was maybe hung up more of it would be getting sun. also if coleman didn't insist on big red corporate logo on the thing and made it 100% black that would likely make some sort of difference

[@kellylarsen3839]

HOW DOES THE WATER COME OUT I HAVE USED PLIARS AND I CANNOT GET THE STUPID THING OPEN

[@MrBackpacker48]

+Kelly Larsen With this one you slide the shower head apart, its a little hard but it does open up! Its real hard when you have soap on your hands! Hope this helped a little.. :-)

[@kellylarsen3839]

mine wont budge :(

[@MrBackpacker48]

+Kelly Larsen Well that's just great. :-( I would take it back and get another one! Maybe what one will work! ( I HOPE ) I'm so sorry its not working for you..

[@swollz1]

I've owned several of these and the instructions always say the black side up, common sense should tell you that. Water fill hole location should be up and black absorbs heat.

[@MrBackpacker48]

Hey Thanks, It does work, But the cap does leak! And it was tested at 80 Degrees outside at the time, And did get to 95 Degrees! So thats good!

[@hotwings2k23]

But it rates a 10 for doggy baths.

[@MrBackpacker48]

LOL... Hey your right! The dogs love a little bit of warm water! It works great for them!..lol.. Thanks for watching!

[@lindyixchelsedona270]

Don't use this 4 UR dog or any animals - highly toxic ..... b responsible pet owners!! 🐶💖

[@lindabarrett6471]

It shows to be $9 on amazon. I would say it's good emergency gear. If your hot water heater went out and you had a dirty kid , dog or self, it could come in handy. Heating water on the stove is no fun.

[@MrDickhead47]

Coleman is dumb, black side should be up (attracting the sun) also the water comes out wayyyyy faster if you open the fill hole. I have left relationships where I live with the girl and have stayed at a campground with a shower tent and one of these bags in it for almost a month before finding an apartment. I do online retail so I just need a tent, shower, inverter to charge my laptop in my car and can live anywhere temporarily if needed. Great feeling to have. I’m a lower leg amputee and ever since becoming an amputee I have feared homelessness like crazy. Being able to make it at a campground for however long is like a necessity as a man IMO. A lot of camp sites are free too. If I had to, I could spend the rest of my life at a campsite (though ide eventually probably get a camper)

[@kirkhupp8886]

Need Max 🌞 exposure.

[@houseoffire72]

Make one heck of a hydration bladder:)

[@lindyixchelsedona270]

houseoffire72 don't use this - toxic ......

[@fishingandcampingchannel8682]

cool. At the. Camp

[@johnathanrivera7815]

why not just heat up water. I'm almost positive you will have something to heat up food water what ever if your already back packing. save time throw hot water in the bag

[@makaismith2071]

Omg hot boiled water would probably burst it. So im boiling kettle, letting it cool a bit n then tipping it in.

[@makaismith2071]

N it's not being very successful atm. I need to workout if the screw cap is made correctly to fit the cap or if it's me bein useless n unable to screw it on right..N the tap thing, I'm trying to figure out what way locks the water in n what way releases the water,mmm

[@darrelpinkston7339]

Instructions right in his face

[@matttoad8056]

your subpost to have it up in the tree so it can get hot

[@briancisneros1450]

Way better

[@robr4607]

like

[@amywalker704]

Flip over black side up

[@kirkhupp8886]

Put in box.

[@CreativeRedundancy]

Tip :D Put a clear bag over it and blow the clear bag up.The CO2 from the your breath will increase the heat retention by blocking wind and increasing the green house effect...

[@kirkhupp8886]

Fill to cap.

[@spaceballz5133]

Most Coleman products suck. Someone should make one that can heat with a chemical heat source . That would be nice.

[@kinlee664]

It should be black side up.