Hello dearest Kula Cloth friends!
This is Anastasia Allison, founder of Kula Cloth — and I'm here today on a very special pee-related mission.
In the words that follow, I'm going to attempt what has never been done before: the most comprehensive guide to peeing outside that has ever been written.
Everything here comes from what I've learned as a backpacking instructor, a mountaineer, and the owner of a gear company that teaches multiple hygiene classes a month.
There are no affiliate links in this post and nobody is paying me for clicks or views. Two of the products I recommend below — the pStyle and the Freshette — are sold on my own website, so you should know I have a commercial interest in those. I recommend them because I use them, but you deserve to know that either way.
If I squat when I pee… how do I pee in the woods?
There are five reasonable options. None of them is the objectively correct answer, and I'll tell you honestly what's good and bad about each — including mine.
The Drip Dry Method
Find a spot 200 ft or more from water sources and on a durable surface — don't trample that meadow or bust the crust. Pull down your pants and pee. Stand up. Begin to aggressively shake your nether regions in an attempt to dislodge any stubborn drops. Once you feel like you've air dried that monkey properly, pull your underwear back up and continue with your day.
- Free — no gear, no products
- Fast and efficient, which matters if you're trail running or peeing somewhere semi-public
- Nothing to carry and nothing to pack out
- The vulva has a lot of places for drops to hide, and they will hide there
- I've never once twerked hard enough to actually feel dry. "Drip dry" is more like "drip moist"
- Your underwear becomes a de facto pee cloth, which gets funky — and not the good kind of funky
- Staying damp in the crotch area for long stretches may contribute to chafing and other discomfort, which is no fun to deal with on a backpacking trip
Toilet Paper — Ye Ole Standard
Squat to pee following Leave No Trace principles, pull a few squares out of a bag, wipe like normal, then place the used squares in a small trash bag to pack out.
- Lightweight, cheap, and familiar
- A clean square every time, which appeals to people squeamish about a pee cloth
- You genuinely will feel drier than drip drying
- On a multi-day trip — peeing and pooping — that's a lot of paper hauled in and out
- Some people aren't comfortable carrying used toilet paper around
- Slow: retrieve the bag, select squares, wipe, return to trash bag, repeat
- The "biodegradable" label makes it tempting to leave it behind
Do not leave toilet paper in the backcountry. It can take one to three years to break down, and the papers sold in outdoor stores labeled "biodegradable" will not magically disappear either.
Almost everything on this planet is technically biodegradable. The useful questions are: how long will it take, and what happens in the meantime if you leave it behind?
A pee rag or pee-dana
Find a microfiber rag or an old bandana and attach it to your pack. Squat to pee, then pat dry. Tie or clip it back to your backpack. On a day hike, wash it when you get home. On a backpacking trip, use a water bottle and a tiny amount of soap at least 200 ft from natural water sources. Washing once a day works well — in the evening before bed — but use your own judgement.
- Replaces single-use paper with something you wash and reuse
- Quick — off the pack, pee, pat dry, done
- Cheap or free. You probably already own something that would work
- Cuts the amount of toilet paper you haul in dramatically
- Not appealing if you're squeamish
- Hard to tell which side has been used — you risk grabbing it, or a friend does
- Can get dirty depending on where it hangs when you set your pack down
- Cotton rags and bandanas aren't particularly absorbent, and most weren't designed for this at all
A Kula Cloth (or another pee cloth)
Unsnap the Kula from your pack and find a Leave No Trace compatible spot. Pop a squat and pee on a durable surface. Use the soft absorbent side to pat dry. Snap it back to your pack — double snap it if you don't want the used side touching anything. At home, wash it in a standard washer with the snap fastened so it doesn't get snagged, or just hand wash in the sink. On trail, rinse with a water bottle and a little soap at least 200 ft from water. Hang to dry.
- Two bonded layers: a waterproof side and an absorbent side, so urine doesn't reach your hand
- An antimicrobial finish inhibits odor-causing bacteria on the cloth, so it stays fresher between washes
- Snaps in half so the used side never touches your pack — and stays clean if you set your pack down
- Snapping it closed also keeps things private. Some people have discharge when they pee, and that can be visible on an open cloth
- Reflective thread so you can find it at night with a headlamp
- Most designs benefit artists or non-profits
- A stealth all-black option, if a brightly-coloured pee cloth isn't for you
- The most expensive option on this list. If you're on a tight budget, it may not be the right one
- Some people are simply put off by the idea of a pee cloth
- Some people would rather their hygiene gear not be visible at all
Kula Cloth doesn't sell on Amazon. If you see one listed there, it didn't come from us, and we can't speak to how it was made or how it will hold up. The only places to get a genuine Kula are kulacloth.com and our authorized retailers.
Make your own
Find fabric you love, get out a serger, and sew your own. Companies like Contrado or Spoonflower make this genuinely enjoyable — you can upload your own art, order the fabric, and end up with something you're excited to use. You can also upcycle fabric from old clothing or gear. Once it's finished, use it exactly as described in Option Three.
- DIY is fun, and choosing your own print is genuinely exciting
- You end up with something nobody else has
- You need to sew, and to have access to a machine or serger
- Buying fabric to test can cost more than just buying a finished cloth or using a bandana you own
Now let's talk about actually peeing outside
I've alluded to the proper way to do this, but a lot of people don't know there is a proper way. This article would be half-finished without it.
- Get at least 200 ft from natural water sources — streams, lakes, ponds.
- Aim for durable surfaces. Trails, rock, gravel. People often assume they need to get off the trail to pee, and sometimes that's feasible — but if you're walking through a delicate alpine meadow, the best place to pee may be the trail itself.
- Avoid peeing on plants. Your urine contains salt, which is enticing to deer, mountain goats and other critters. Peeing on local flora encourages nibbling of plants that would otherwise be left alone.
In the Grand Canyon, it's more impactful to pee on the fragile desert terrain along the riverbank than in the very high-flow Colorado River. Always check with the land management agency responsible for where you're recreating — many have a preferred method for handling human waste.
Getting to your pee cloth without taking your pack off
If you find it frustrating to remove your pack every time, a Kula Leash or any retractable badge holder solves it. If you're bushwhacking through thick terrain, skip the leash and use the strap or a carabiner — leashes are more likely to snag and get pulled off.
My favourite pee cloth tip
If you're hiking in the rain, or you've just washed your cloth at night, it's going to be damp. Wring it out as best you can, then before bed, tuck your clean cloth against your skin inside your long underwear. It's clammy for a second and then you stop noticing. By morning it's perfectly dry.
This works for damp gloves and socks too.
Privies and box toilets
Some places have a backcountry privy, and if it's a hole in the ground, it's a great spot for either job.
But in certain locations, box-shaped toilets are flown in by helicopter. They're extremely expensive to haul in and out and they have very limited capacity inside. The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one example. If a box toilet is your only option and you only need to pee, it's better to find a durable surface away from water so your urine isn't taking up real estate in the box. If you're pooping and you pee while you're at it, that's completely fine — but for pee only, look for a granite slab to squat over.
When privacy is the problem
Sometimes there's simply nowhere discreet, which makes an already awkward task worse. A pee funnel, or pants designed to unzip at the crotch, solves it. Both are also great if you're wearing a climbing harness.
Do not let the first time you ever use a pee funnel be at 13,000 ft on the side of Mt. Rainier in the middle of a windstorm.
I'm relaying that story from a friend. I heard that she got drenched in her own urine when the funnel backfired, because she had no idea how to aim it in 80 mph winds.
And yes — that was me. It wasn't pretty. Now I own a pee cloth company. The universe has a funny sense of humour.
The two funnels I use and recommend are the pStyle and the Freshette:
And if you'd like to look at the Gnara pants:
There is no wrong answer here
Now that I've laid out every option, here's the part I actually care about most.
In the entire history of Kula Cloth, I have never once told anybody they must have one. I'm not going to start now.
Drip drying. Toilet paper. A Kula. A bandana. Something you sewed yourself out of an old pair of leggings. It genuinely does not matter which one you choose. What matters is that you've thought about it before you're squatting behind a tree at 6am wondering what to do next.
Some of these options will suit your budget better. Some will suit your trip length, or your squeamishness, or how much you care about pack weight. All of those are real considerations and none of them make you better or worse at being outside.
What I do believe holds true for every single person who pees outdoors is this: follow Leave No Trace principles, and do what feels best for you.
Take care of yourself well enough that you can actually enjoy being out there. That's the entire goal. Everything else is just gear.
My greatest wish is that you can go on incredible adventures feeling confident and unbothered about how you handle your hygiene outside. The less you have to worry about toilet paper and peeing, the more you can fully embrace the presence and stillness of this awe-inspiring planet.
I'm sending you so much love and genuine wishes for beautiful, joyful, remarkable adventures. You all deserve to experience the beauty of the wilderness — which is also a reflection of the good that lives within you.
Be well, friends. You are loved.
Anastasia
Anastasia Allison · Founder, Kula Cloth®
P.S. If you have any questions, never hesitate to reach out — anastasia@kulacloth.com
5 comments
bahot achha
I have pee Syndrome. I have to Wiggle my nub to pee. What can I do.
Tailored boning or underwire for lift and support.
Adjustable straps & hook-and-eye closures for a customizable fit.
Seamless edges to prevent digging or discomfort.
Practical Tip: If you’re fuller-busted, look for bodysuits with built-in bras or reinforced cups. Petite frames may prefer stretch lace or soft-cup designs for a more natural drape.https://silvianashop.com
Anastasia;
Thank you for this. I’m relatively new to your product and company. And I’m impressed with your candour, your sense of humour and, of course, your products. Thank you for this blog/confessional/how-to-guide. I’m inspired to plan my next backcountry trip!
Be well,
Andrea+
How can this be used several times in a day without washing it after each use?