Pro Tips for Peeing Outside
Three Strategies for Peeing Outside for People with Vulvas
For beginner outdoor adventurers, peeing outside can be intimidating! For people with penises, the method is usually pretty simple. But if you have a vulva, you might be looking for a little more guidance. Everybody pees, and we want to help break down any anxiety you might have about answering nature’s call. The good news is hygienic and comfortable peeing outside is easy with just a few pro tips and some experimentation!
We came up for the idea for this blog after having a couple different casual conversations with friends last summer who had wildly different approaches to peeing outside! Different preferences are part of the game, so we asked three folks to share their preferred method for taking care of business. Each person has a different strategy, including simple and low-budget solutions. Below are some tips for success as well as pointers for when and why one option might work better than the others.
If one or more of these methods doesn’t work for you, that’s totally OK. The point is there’s more than one way to accomplish a go outside and we’re here to help demystify the process!
Drop trou and let it flow!
Expert: Me! (Sarah Histand)
Who is this best for:
- Those who want a no hassle approach.
- People who are more confident in their peeing practice (require less privacy)
- The consumer conscious - no purchases needed!
At the beginning of my foray into outdoor adventure, I made a small promise to myself, that I’ve kept to this day: I will put as much effort into peeing outside as my adventure partners with penis’ generally do.
That is to say, not very much.
Think about it - when is the last time you were on a group hike/float/camping trip? How common was it for the penis havers in the group to barely make their way to the edge of the trail and then unabashedly let it rip…er…flow?
Now, consider the vulva havers in your group. Did they tend to get further off trail, seek out the cover of a bush, recruit a friend to keep watch for them? I feel safe to say that many of them probably did.
As a young person getting started outside, I was struck by this contrast and it didn’t seem fair at all.
Thus my promise to myself was born - peeing outside didn’t need to be a big deal for me, and thus my adventures in dropping trou began!
Now, let me go through my top couple of methods for dropping trou in the wild.
The squat. This is a good option for people with decent mobility and good knees. You can do it almost anywhere, and most commonly when I’m employing this method I walk to the edge of the trail, turn around, and squat down. This could be a tougher option for people with knee issues, bigger bellies (there’s just a lot of contraction there and it can be less comfy).
Next, we have what I suppose I’ll call the hinge. I like to employ this move when I’ve got a full pack that I don’t necessarily want to have to take off just to pee. This move involves hinging forward in a wide stance and going from a relatively upright position. You can also steady yourself with your trekking poles (or a rock or a tree or hands on your thighs).
What about wiping?
My first Wilderness First Responder teacher scared me with stats about how easy it is to get a UTI in the backcountry if you don’t wipe, so I take this seriously.
The most approachable answer - I like to carry a few squares of TP with me in my pocket. I use it repeatedly and eventually stash it back with my trash to pack out.
The most inspired answer - once in a while when the conditions are right, nature provides certain materials that can, shall I say, enhance this experience. I’m talking about clean sun warmed rocks or a babbling brook or stream. I feel like there is some toilet paper company who’s slogan is “enjoy the go” and this is definitely what they were actually talking about!
Now the flaws in this approach– last summer’s super buggy trip was definitely a time I wished I had a different strategy. And in the winter when I’m wearing Carhartt bibs or other overalls too; it’s not ideal to have to take all your clothes off to get to business. For those times, I’m excited to explore the other submissions!
Text below image: You may never look at a smooth stone the same way again!
pStyle Pee Funnel
Expert: Megan Danz is a naturopath and outdoor enthusiast. Originally hailing from Oregon, Megan began coming to spend summers in Denali National Park in the 1990’s and permanently moved to Alaska after finishing school. Her adventurous spirit and expertise on the pStlye makes her uniquely qualified to contribute to this blog, and we are truly thankful for her contribution!
Who is this best for:
- People who have a tough time squatting down,
- Those who participate in winter activities that would impede easy clothing removal
- Privacy seekers.
- Mosquito bite avoiders
- Those seeking products that provide gender affirming care
From Megan:
I was on a backpacking trip with a group of 48-65 year old women a few years ago when I was first introduced to the PStyle funnel.
My dear friend Patty taught me all about the tundra in my 20’s, and was the first to wax on about how glorious it is to squat to pee so you can see plants, tracks, rocks and nature up close while relieving yourself. I quite agree that squatting is lovely, but once you start to get knee issues, the deep squat can be a little tough!
It was Patty that also turned me into a PStyle funnel fan. Patty has worn out her knees with a life of avalanche patrol, backcountry skiing, backpacking, climbing, hiking and camping. After a few years of awkward knee pain squatting, she tried various funnels that allowed her to stand to pee.
I still like to squat, but the versatility of the PStyle allows me to pee with very little exposure. I have used it biking, hiking, backpacking, and skiing.
I like to use it when I am on popular trails where privacy is an issue, or when fat-biking or skiing when it is hard to get off trail without wallowing in the snow. It is also very discreet to use when at a trailhead without an outhouse, on a road trip, when boating in a more popular area, when avoiding a thousand mosquito bites on your bum, and even in an outhouse or port-a-potty that’s overdue for a cleaning!
I recommend beginning with using it in the shower to understand the mechanics, but overall, it has been an awesome addition to my toolkit for playing outside. I do recommend buying a case for it to keep everything discreet and clean.
Images taken from the pStyle Instagram
Gnara's Go There Pants + Shorts
Expert: Our whole team has a pair of these pants that we all enjoy for various reasons! Raine took the liberty of writing up some information about why Gnara's Go There Pants are a strategy that work well for her!
Who is Gnara best for:
- Outdoor folks who would like to prioritize privacy without having to search high and low for a bush.
- Those who would like to save their rear bits from hungry mosquitos.
As someone who loves the outdoors, finding a comfortable and dignified way to answer nature’s call has at times been...interesting. That’s why discovering Gnara Go There Pants and Shorts has been a game-changer for me. These hiking bottoms, perfect for all seasons, feature the innovative GoFly™ zipper technology, making outdoor relief manageable and comfy.
There are two zippers—one standard fly for putting on and taking off the pants, and a second, more innovative zipper that starts below the first and extends around to the back. This setup allows me to unzip just as much as needed, offering maximum privacy and comfort when nature calls, whether you're on the trail, in the woods, or anywhere else outdoors.
The versatility of these pants is impressive, accommodating various pee positions depending on the terrain and personal preference. One of my favorite things about Gnara (aside from these amazing pants!) is that they've even written a full blog about pee positions that you can utilize with their incredible bottoms! Having access to a variety of suggested positions means that everyone can find the pee pose that works best for themselves and their body - you've got to love that inclusivity.
This strategy also shines in situations where removing clothing would be inconvenient or risky. Think while wearing a climbing harness, while hiking on scree slopes, or in the heart of mosquito madness.
I recommend these to everyone, whether they are casual day-hikers, seasoned backpackers, or anything in between + they come with plenty of pockets!
Images taken from the Gnara Website
Finding What Works for You
Whether you want to use specialized accessories or just drop your drawers and go, these tips will get you started for clean and comfortable outdoor pee breaks.
Ultimately, the best test is getting out there and seeing what works for you. And remember, it’s okay if you end up having some awkward moments or mishaps–that’s just a sign you’re learning.
Whatever method you choose to go, peeing while out adventuring will make for some of the most beautiful bathroom breaks you’ll ever have. It can take some time to get used to, but my hope is that eventually you’ll find a method that works well for you. It’s worth experimenting to keep your adventures outside rolling and comfortable!