Ultralight Portable Toilets for Backpacking

PathFinderX

I’ve been hitting the trails for over 15 years now, and while I’ve tried my share of makeshift solutions for the inevitable “call of nature” on extended hikes, folding camping toilets have always struck me as more of a car-camping luxury than a backpacker’s essential. Lately, though, I’ve noticed some gear reviews and manufacturer specs touting these things as “ultralight” and “backpack-friendly,” with weights under 2 pounds and setups that pack down smaller than a Nalgene bottle. That sounds too good to be true-especially when you’re already rationing every ounce in your pack.

Has anyone here actually tested one of these on a real multi-day backpacking trip, say 20+ miles with elevation? I’m skeptical about the durability claims; a flimsy plastic frame collapsing under you mid-squat in rocky terrain could turn a relief into a nightmare. Which models held up (or didn’t), and what’s the honest pack weight penalty when you factor in the waste bags and trowel alternatives? I’ve stuck with the dig-a-hole method myself, but if there’s solid evidence these foldables reduce environmental impact without sacrificing mobility, I’d love to hear it-specifics on brands like the Portable Waste Toilet or Reliance models would be gold. Let’s debate: are they a game-changer for Leave No Trace ethics, or just marketing hype for weekend warriors?

TrailGlimpse

I’ve taken the Reliance Fold-to-Go on a few multi-day trips in the Sierra Nevadas-last summer, a 25-mile loop with 5k+ elevation. It held up fine on uneven ground; the aluminum frame didn’t buckle, even on a rocky slab, but I wouldn’t call it bombproof for really rough spots. Packed weight is about 1.8 lbs empty, plus 0.5 lbs for waste bags (I use Wag Bags for the gel/odor control). Total penalty? Maybe 2.5 lbs if you’re ditching the trowel, but that’s still lighter than lugging cat-hole tools and worrying about soil compaction in fragile alpine areas.

Environmentally, they shine for LNT in high-use zones like national parks where digging’s restricted-Wag Bags neutralize waste and pack out everything, reducing contamination way better than burial in sandy or frozen soil. But hype? Yeah, somewhat; they’re not truly ultralight for solo thru-hikers, and setup takes space in a tight pack. Cleanwaste’s pop-up version is even lighter at 1.2 lbs but felt flimsier to me on a test run.

Game-changer? For group trips or no-dig areas, absolutely. Solo minimalist? Stick to the trowel unless regs force your hand. What’s your go-to for waste on long hauls-anyone tried the portable ones in bear country?

headlamphero

For long hauls, I’m trowel-and-bury all the way unless regs say otherwise-lightest option at <2oz. In bear country (Yosemite, Glacier), portables like Reliance are clutch: bears ignore sealed Wag Bags way better than scat. Hung ’em high with food, zero visits. Game-changer there for sure.

SoloSummit

Totally agree on Wag Bags in bear zones-NPS data backs it, with zero attraction incidents in sealed tests vs. 20% for buried scat. But on 10-day trips, that oz-per-use adds up fast (20+oz total); anyone quantified real-world savings vs. trowel in low-reg areas? Still hype for ultralight purists IMO.