My wonderful bride has expressed interest in joining me on a BW trip next week. I am trying to keep things as simple as possible; I want her to have a good time. My background is a Marine grunt, a foul creature who goes on trips with men into the BW. We don't bring much extra clothing to include skivvies. When we stink, we rinse in the lake. I am guessing this is not the majority of what folks do. Should I have her bring a bunch of extra undies and such? I feel weird asking but I know Ill get a solid and honest answer with you all.

Thanks,
Filthy

If you are going in the warmer months, having a camp shower is one of the best pieces of equipment you can take for the more delicate of individuals. They don't add a lot of weight and are worth every ounce.

Sometimes jumping in the lake is not enough for me to rid myself of my manstench. When this point is reached I take a little Dr. Bronners and squirt it into a pot with water. I'll walk up in the woods and scrub off with the bandana and soapy water and then rinse with water from a Nalgene. My understanding is biodegradable soap will breakdown in soil, but not in the lake.

I consider myself a fairly fastidious person, and I take a dip in the lake every couple of days unless the water is too cold, which hasn't happened often. Even if it takes your breath away at first your body acclimates pretty quick. I don't use soap and avoid areas near camp where people might collect water (yes I know the water in the lake gets mixed together, but it just feels right).

As far as clothes go, I bring 3 pairs of underwear. One to wear, one to switch into when I wash the first one, and one spare. Change as often as you feel you need to, and you can wash the dirty pair with biodegradable soap back in the woods and then hang to dry. Undies dry quick, usually in a couple hours unless it's really cool and/or humid. Bottom line - it's easier to wash undergarments as needed than bring a bunch of different pairs.

Hygiene expectations for anyone!

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, right?

I will absolutely not get into my sleeping bag in filth.
The answer, large wipies. Amazon has like 29 pages of towelettes. They make all sorts of them now from washcloth to small towel size. I use plenty of them on my trips.

Stay clean, stay happy, smell good. That’s my motto. Err or was it….

Tom

Thanks,
Something like this? Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

tumblehome: "Hygiene expectations for anyone!


Cleanliness is next to Godliness, right?


Tom"

On the way home from a recent trip we stopped at a rest area to use the bathroom and one of my companions mentioned it was the first time in the last week that he'd washed his hands. Some people, man. I am having serious misgivings about inviting him to come with me again, lol.

I bring one pair of undies for day and one for night. If a pair gets intolerable, I wash them. I always bring super quick dry undies. I usually take a swim in the afternoon, weather permitting.

filthykeel: "Thanks,
Something like this?


https://www.amazon.com/Sea-to-Summit-Pocket-Shower/dp/B001PR06WO/ref=asc_df_B001PR06WO?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883033960476&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=108720&hvtargid=pla-4584482508607613&psc=1&hvocijid=7947179836098532984-B001PR06WO-&hvexpln=0
"

Try this:
Body wipes on Amazon

Keep in mind a few things.
There are a whole lot of them on Amazon. I like the XL size and I like a light scent. I can’t find the exact ones I use but man I love them. Look through what is out there and try them out. I did a search using the words BODY WIPES.

Gone are the days of the little 3” x 5” alcohol wipes you get at KFC with your chicken.

I want to be clean and smell clean.
Tom

tumblehome: "Try this:
Body wipes on Amazon


Keep in mind a few things.
There are a whole lot of them on Amazon. I like the XL size and I like a light scent. I can’t find the exact ones I use but man I love them. Look through what is out there and try them out. I did a search using the words BODY WIPES.

Gone are the days of the little 3” x 5” alcohol wipes you get at KFC with your chicken.

I want to be clean and smell clean.
Tom"

Yes body wipes can be found in many places. I'd recommend not going too cheap as a little extra size and moisture make a difference. My favorite so far have been Dude Wipes.

Though it's not as cleansing as a soapy shower, I've found that a quick wipe down before bed, fresh underwear and dedicated sleeping clothes make life in the tent a lot more pleasant.

Cheap but good shower

We use this one, it gets the water surprisingly warm, is easy to use, and doesn't weigh very much. Plus if it gets damaged, its cheap so easily replaced

filthykeel: "My wonderful bride has expressed interest in joining me on a BW trip next week. I am trying to keep things as simple as possible; I want her to have a good time. My background is a Marine grunt, a foul creature who goes on trips with men into the BW. We don't bring much extra clothing to include skivvies. When we stink, we rinse in the lake. I am guessing this is not the majority of what folks do. Should I have her bring a bunch of extra undies and such? I feel weird asking but I know Ill get a solid and honest answer with you all.

Thanks,
Filthy "

don't know about bringing my wife but our guys wouldn't even bring you with that hygiene approach!

A couple extra pairs of good quick drying undies and wool socks don't add much weight to the pack, but may significantly add to your wife's enjoyment of backcountry camping.

My hygiene standards don't really change when I go camping. I take a bath at the end of each day, weather permitting. A quick swim to cool off and get wet, lather up with biodegradable soap, and rinse using my 4L gravity filter bag (over soil on shore, not in or next to the lake). Fresh deodorant, brush the teeth, etc.. I feel so much better lounging at camp and getting into my sleeping bag with all the day's sweat and sunscreen washed off.

I found the wipes I use. I’m not saying they are the best, but they smell good and I like them.
Large wipes

I plan for five wipes a day. And I got to thinking: Going camping doesn’t not mean giving up your hygiene routine. As was mentioned and Sunburn hit home, have a pair of nighttime sleepwear, brush your teeth, get cleaned up and hit the sack. Maybe heat up some water and rinse off before you hit the tent.

I have a pair of Smartwool long John’s and long sleeve shirt, and socks that I change into at night. I change out of them in the AM.
Tom

I take a shower at the end of every day, regardless of weather, just before getting in the tent. I use a simple Sea-to-Summit sun shower. It usually doesn't get too warm, even if I leave it in the sun all day, but it might take the edge off the cold lake water. I fill it every morning. I can easily get a full shower with the amount it holds, and usually have some water left over. I wash with Bronner's. It rinses well and has that minty scent. I do this back in the woods away from the lake.

I go commando. No undies for me. My wife brings a pair for every day. Just a matter of comfort. Sounds like she'd be more comfortable bringing them.

Mike

MikeinMpls: " It rinses well and has that minty scent.

Mike
"

Interesting. I thought that scents were a no-no for bears. I bet you smell like an Andes Candy to a bear. Bonners has a no-scent formula I think.

We bring a sea to summit pocket shower. Lot easier then the sun ones. Heat the water, pour in, hang it and you are good to go. Everyone gets a hot shower!

That Sea to Summit looks perfect. Going of everybody's replies I may have over emphasized my poor hygiene while in the woods. I appreciate a good ribbing.

“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Michwall2: "

MikeinMpls: " It rinses well and has that minty scent.

Mike "

Interesting. I thought that scents were a no-no for bears. I bet you smell like an Andes Candy to a bear. Bonners has a no-scent formula I think."

Likely. I'm all minty fresh. Hasn't been a problem yet.

Mike

Having spent many years on Paris Island, my favorite quote was “ if the Marine Corps wanted your opinion, they would have issued it to you in your ruck sack”

ockycamper: "Having spent many years on Paris Island, my favorite quote was “ if the Marine Corps wanted your opinion, they would have issued it to you in your ruck sack”"

Why so long on the island?

Have her join the women's forum here and get opinions from other women.

My dad was stationed there. Chaplain attached to guard company

If you don’t want to bring a shower, just bring a quick-dry towel. Warm up some water and use the wet towel to clean up once a day. Feels great. That, deodorant, and as many undies as you’re comfortable with, and you’ll be in good shape.

Shower kit doesn’t get smaller then rhis Sea to summit pocket shower

we call baby wipes a "poor man's whore's bath." does the trick.
Also: Gold Bond medicated triple action powder. Oh yeah.

I have 3 sets of clothes and one extra pair of underwear. Proper rotation keeps me feeling clean and smelling presentable.

Tripping/ paddling gear: Mostly athletic wear + rain gear over top as needed. All this is quick drying if I go into the water either intentionally or unintentionally. I also include a swimsuit and try to squeeze in a cleansing and refreshing dip at the end of my paddling day.

Camp clothes: Typically retired work clothes. Light weight Dockers and long sleeved shirts all treated with permethrin. Shoes with supportive soles and dry socks help my feet recover from rough portage days and prevent carrying foot funk into my sleep hours.

Sleep gear: Also most likely lightweight athletic gear, but used exclusively for sleep. Could be employed for my paddling gear on the last day if necessary.

It doesn't take much to clean of a day's sweat and funk if you change out of the smelly gear once done paddling for the day. While camp gear will collect a campfire aroma, I have not tripped with anyone who found this particularly offensive.

I'm a girl.
I bring sport type undies that wash & dry easily-Duluth trading has good ones. Ask your girl if she wants 1 pair for every day, if that is what she wants to do, have at it. Same with bras, my bras don't dry quickly & are a pain, but I can reuse them if they aren't gross.

Socks, I use 1 pair at night & rotate my day pairs until they don't pass the smell test.

Make sure she is prepared if she still has her period & the trip lines up with her having it. On long trips I switched to a menstrual cup & brought it along if there was ever a surprise that aunt flo showed up. Learning curve on this, but it was the best option for me.

Wipes are great for your body, but as a woman they don't address my long hair. On my head. Dry shampoo spray works for a day or 2 or 3, but after that, you really need something that cleans it up. This is where your sea to summit shower comes in. There is no better feeling than getting a warm shower in the woods to get properly clean. Especially for long hair & I have cut my hair really short for trips & still felt I needed a quick shower/shampoo. Floating in the lake doesn't clean my hair properly after a week plus. I even bring a tiny sample amount of conditioner to smooth my hair out so its not a wild mess. The sea to summit is great for washing hands or feet or rinsing just about anything, even that pair of undies. Half a bandana is my washcloth, camp towel for drying. Make up a little kit with your camp suds. I find the citronella scent camp suds has a nice smell, maybe it keeps the bugs off, maybe not.

I can’t comment on women hygiene that is out of my league. Do like being clean, what I do very simply is fill up my 2 qt pot with lake water, warm it up on the stove, don’t make it hot takes a minute or two. Go into a private type spot in the woods a bit with a bar of soap and it takes like 5 minutes. Soap up rinse dry off with a camp towel.

Sea to Summit pocket shower is great - can pour some boiling water into an already mostly full shower to warm it up. Bring a system to clip/unclip it from the tree you hang in from - makes life much easier stringing it into the tree.

Be careful - the nozzle if fragile. If you set it down on the nozzle it will break/tear/rip.

The downside - showering up and getting back into the same stinky clothes. So bring some extra clothes for her.

On longer trips I also do a little laundry - a little Gain detergent and a two-gallon ziplock does the trick.

Do all of the above 200ft from shore.

filthykeel: "Thanks,
Something like this? Sea to Summit Pocket Shower "

This kula cloth has been a game changer in our camp.

Kula cloth

As a female, a few things come to mind.

What kind of trip is this? Push hard, get sweaty, portage, portage, paddle, paddle... or more of a paddle the first day - basecamp and dilly-dally...

If I'm paddling and basecamping, I bring a fresh pair of undies + sox plus amazing full-body wipes from a brand from that big online store called Klean Freak. They're great, and great on winter trips as well.

If I'm backpacking and every gram counts. - then less undies, but still a wipe for every day and then undies only at night and comando during the day.

Your wife will need to figure out what she is most comfortable with and comfortable carrying. If you guys don't mind carrying all the things, then by all means, undies for every day, a portable shower, fresh wipes, and clean clothes for every day... and if every gram counts, then you have to decide if you care more about being a little funky or carrying too much weight each day... ;)

If it is summer, wear lined swim trunks with no underwear and use the lakes as needed. Save underwear for nighttime or skip them altogether.

I've never felt a need for a shampoo, but dunking my head in feels great. Shoulder seasons do not need as much rinsing.

Wipes are a must and I really like to use them on my face - just remember most do not really break down, even if they say flushable, put them in trash not latrine. MAYBE there are bamboo ones that break down, but nojobro did a test of some and they do not really biodegrade as expected.

Exo: "Sea to Summit pocket shower is great - can pour some boiling water into an already mostly full shower to warm it up. Bring a system to clip/unclip it from the tree you hang in from - makes life much easier stringing it into the tree.


Be careful - the nozzle if fragile. If you set it down on the nozzle it will break/tear/rip.


The downside - showering up and getting back into the same stinky clothes. So bring some extra clothes for her.


On longer trips I also do a little laundry - a little Gain detergent and a two-gallon ziplock does the trick.


Do all of the above 200ft from shore.

filthykeel: "Thanks,
Something like this? Sea to Summit Pocket Shower "

"

I bring the Sea to Summit shower, along with the attached to wash clothes with. Both pack down very small. You stay clean, and you don't have to bring as many clothes as you can wash come up mid way. Scrubba Wash

Swim often. Soap up and rinse in the woods once a day. Never go to bed without a wash with soap and water, even in October.

This from someone who usually travels solo.

BEARnMOOSE: "This kula cloth has been a game changer in our camp.


Kula cloth "

I just bought this for myself & it is amazing. Saving a lot on t.p. One of those "why did I wait so long to buy this" type of product. They have a limited edition "waffle" print I just had to have. ;)

Thank you! The trip will be moderate (for her experience). No further than Disappointment (ideally) from Snowbank.

Ive got to get her hooked first. Thank you for the advice, I didn't even know about this!

boonie: "Have her join the women's forum here and get opinions from other women. "

Ive got to get her hooked first. Thank you for the advice, I didn't even know about this!

MN_Lindsey: "As a female, a few things come to mind.


What kind of trip is this? Push hard, get sweaty, portage, portage, paddle, paddle... or more of a paddle the first day - basecamp and dilly-dally...


If I'm paddling and basecamping, I bring a fresh pair of undies + sox plus amazing full-body wipes from a brand from that big online store called Klean Freak. They're great, and great on winter trips as well.


If I'm backpacking and every gram counts. - then less undies, but still a wipe for every day and then undies only at night and comando during the day.


Your wife will need to figure out what she is most comfortable with and comfortable carrying. If you guys don't mind carrying all the things, then by all means, undies for every day, a portable shower, fresh wipes, and clean clothes for every day... and if every gram counts, then you have to decide if you care more about being a little funky or carrying too much weight each day... ;) "

Thank you! The trip will be moderate (for her experience). No further than Disappointment (ideally) from Snowbank.

Having been married 47 years the best advice I would offer is "honey what would you like to do?" then make it happen! As to your personal hygiene operate as if you were still dating!

ockycamper: "Having been married 47 years the best advice I would offer is "honey what would you like to do?" then make it happen! As to your personal hygiene operate as if you were still dating!"

Great advice

ockycamper: "Having been married 47 years the best advice I would offer is "honey what would you like to do?" then make it happen! As to your personal hygiene operate as if you were still dating!"

Based on that sage advise, I don't think it's an accident that you're still married after 47 years!

ockycamper: "Having been married 47 years the best advice I would offer is "honey what would you like to do?" then make it happen! As to your personal hygiene operate as if you were still dating!"

Same with kids. Give them options out there and let them choose which ones to do. When things go wrong as they inevitably do it will be much easier to maintain good attitudes and keep the overall experience positive.

"Today is the day we change our underwear.....Bob, you change with Steve, Steve, you change with Gary, Gary, you change with me, and I'll change with Bob."