What are the group's thoughts on performance and pros/cons for portable water / shower solutions?

I'll primarily be using it for spraying off mud / dirt on camping or mountain biking trips, but I'm interested in any first hand feedback or unique uses.

Functionality (spray options and pressure), ease of use, ease of getting it on/off the Runner, durability, and price are my top of mind considerations.

Finally, while there are some great write ups on build-your-own showers, I will likely go with an off-the-shelf version. There a few threads about group buys and some feedback - but not much, and I haven't found any comparisons between the three major players.

I don't have any of them, but if I did I would buy the Waterport.

I have the Waterport. No real issues or complaints. I was able to get it on sale from Costco. We mainly use it to rinse crap or for a quick shower. I have it mounted on the 4runner and its withstood the elements so far.

I've had 2 of the 3. Waterport and Rinsekit. The Rinsekit is the worst one in my opinion. Smaller water volume, realistic spray time is not more than 30 seconds. No easy way to re-pressurize other than getting one of their pumps. The waterport is a little better given that it has a schrader valve that you use an air compressor or bike bump to re-pressurize it. That being said I've used it once in the last year. I think they're a nice idea but I've found the uses to be minimal.

I have Nemo Helio that is more compact, easy to store and pressurizes via a foot pump. I'm also looking at doing a DIY 12V powered jerry can water faucet/shower for longer trips. A few good tutorials here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqcuIS7nvT0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNHp5F-d2c4
12-volt water system - Scepter installation
Overland Water System for Reliance Jumbo Jug – CONFIDENT TO DIY

Thanks for the real life data on the Rinsekit spray time - that's very helpful. I also hadn't heard about the Nemo Helio which is interesting because it can be compacted down and the ability to pump / increase pressure while in use.

The build your own videos are cool - probably a step above what I need right now.

Thanks for sharing.

I have run this 12v Scepter can setup for a couple years now. It's nice as a water faucet, much easier and reduces spillage. However, as a shower/dish washing aide I think it's lacking for the following reasons: low water pressure, can't easily hook a hose/shower head attachment to the faucet, your stuck with whatever water temperature the Scepter can is at (In spring/fall this can be a bit chilly!), it's a pretty expensive setup once you get everything ($120-$140 with the Scepter can), and I have heard recently that the whale pumps don't last long.

I recently added a 12v handheld shower pump to my setup for showering and washing dishes. I heat water on my stove and put it in a collapsible bucket and you get the idea. I also have a 20' cigarette lighter extension cord so I don't have to have my privacy tent close to my rig.
Here is the 12v pump I got. It's currently unavailable, however I got it for $28. (There are also battery powered versions)
Amazon.com : Winning Outdoor Camping Shower Handheld Showers with Water Pump Plug and Folding Bucket into 12v Cigarette Adapter for Travel Camping Hiking Garden Pet : Sports & Outdoors

A guy I wheel with sometimes had an interesting setup he showed me recently. (He's the one who had the whale pumps fail.) He took the Scepter can lid he used for the 12v setup and changed the electric faucet to a regular brass hose bib style faucet. He then attached a 1/2" PVC pipe to the inside of the lid extending to very close to the bottom of the can. He also added a Schrader valve to the lid so he could pressurize it and voila running water. The brass valve is threaded so a hose or shower hose can be added. It's completely portable once pressurized and much more reliable, however you're still stuck with whatever temperature the water in the can is at.

I have the Waterport and ive used it twice. Once at the beach where it was a god send and again when i went camping where it was not used at all.

We don't live near a beach and we have never had an extended camping excursion that would require showers.

I think i wanted something to mount to my roof rack more than i needed a shower solution. The Waterport is a great product, it has great water pressure and i was getting 10-13 minutes of a light spray. I was also able to mount it to my Rhino rack as well as my trailer hitch, which was very convenient. However, its just sitting in my garage now.

I think it would be super handy to someone that works/plays near the water, sand, or mud on a regular basis.

On that note, i will never go to the beach without it.

I also don't have either but I do carry a 12v shower head pump for when I need to rinse anything off.

This is the one I have

Amazon.com : Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower, Battery Powered - Compact Handheld Rechargeable Camping Showerhead - Pumps Water from Bucket Into Steady, Gentle Shower Stream : Sports & Outdoors

The head fits into a blue aquatainer, also have an extension that allows me to move it where ever we need to without having to move the truck or any other power sources. For $40 it has done everything we need it to.

I have a Road Shower, the 7 gallon one, and it's excellent. The tube is made of welded aluminum, and should last me five lifetimes. It can be pressurized safely to 65 PSI, and it holds a lot of water. It also takes advantage of the sun to heat up the water during the day, which is very nice. It's a lot heavier and larger than the others, but for a weekend family camping trip it's perfect - great for showers and for the camp kitchen. It uses regular hose fittings on all the connectors, so the options are endless.

The only big 'con' is that it's not cheap. I think Yakima took them over and their prices went up by about $50. (But when you see how solid it is, it still seems worth it.) It's also large, and harder to handle than the other smaller units b/c of it's size..

I have no problem mounting it to the roof by myself, but I just use Quick Fists and ratchet straps on my aftermarket rails. I have the hardware for a more streamlined, permanent install, but this is much easier for weekend trips. It's not hard to store. I just hang it on the wall vertically in my garage when I'm not using it.

I saw a lot of Rinse Kits at the beach - a few years ago the State Park Service had a special offer for permit holders - but they look small and cheap, and I read they weren't as durable as people thought they would be. I don't see many anymore. A bug sprayer from Home Depot looks about as effective and a lot less expensive. I have no experience with the Water Port, but it looks much more appealing with lots of mounting options. It seems like the Water Port guys looked at the Rinse kits and tried to fix all the things that were wrong with it.

I think when you see the Roadshower, you'll realize that you'd buy many plastic showers before this one would even break a sweat. That's why the price is relatively reasonable, all things considered. It's in a league of its own. You'll just need to decide if you'd use it enough to justify the extra cost and effort.

I have a Rinse Kit that I used for my surfboard. As previously mentioned the run time is very short. I can basically rinse my surfboard and my feet before I run out of water/pressure. It is nice that it is smaller and can be carried but due to the short amount of shower time I am looking at other options. Waterport was on top of my list but haven't seen these other options guys are mentioning.

Are you looking mostly to spray off sand at the beach or more to take showers? For sandy feet at the beach - the small volume options like you're looking at should work fine.

If showers are in the mix or longer trips with multiple showers and/or hand washing - I'd want at least 2 gallons per shower for a basic shower. Not sure how many people you have along usually. I'd also look at one of the various options with a 12v pump rather than compressed air. Something like this - 8 gallons, $70:
Amazon.com : Ironton ATV Spot Sprayer - 8-Gallon Capacity, 1 GPM, 12 Volt : Garden & Outdoor



It's cheaper, a lot more volume of water, and a 12v pump. Plus they're actually pretty easy to strap down. But they're not meant for potable water. You can very easily adapt to a regular hose and add a coil hose and spray nozzle from any hardware store.

Good luck. Just throwing out another option that exists that most people don't think of initially as a great cheap option for mobile shower duty.

This looks interesting. It's a Sun Joe Portable Spray Washer. Holds 2.5gal and is powered by a 24v Li-on battery. Doesn't hold a ton of water but looks good for a quick rinse and at least functional around the house as well. Sun Joe is more known for their home and garden products with pressure washers and snow blowers but this looks like a good product for outdoors stuff.

Sun Joe 24V iON+ Cordless Go-Anywhere Portable Sink/Shower Spray Washer Kit | 2.5 Gal | w/ 2.0Ah Battery + Charger | 24V-PSW25

I purchased a WaterPort from CostCo's website last year ($160ish???).
It comes with a hitch mount that I use for the beach and washing off.
I made an angled mount for my roof rack (4'x6' piece of plywood) that I use for camping/fishing. The angle bracket is a 6" aluminum 90 deg angle cross section about 8" long (found at a used metal supply house). I bolted a plate with spacers to mimic the hitch mount so it connects to either one. Note - The plywood (5/8" thick) is not pretty and I only use it for camping but it works great. I've slept on top on desert trips, great for star watchers.
Anyway - the waterport is mounted on the back edge, drivers side. I have an old milk crate to stand on (hate standing in a puddle) for showers. The sun warms it up enough. There is enough pressure that I can top off with my compressor or the included pump (takes a lot of strokes). I've learned to position the 4runner so the shower corner is protected from wind. It works and am happy with the purchase. Usually I do 3 or 4 day trips and take quick showers with it.
I've also used it for washing dishes and putting our the embers from fires.

Thanks for all the specifics and ideas - all have been helpful. I'm leaning WaterPort right now as my primary goal is cleaning off after mountain biking which can be muddy and require some duration - yet, it's short of a full on shower. Additionally, I like the ability to mount it to my Rago rack. I'll probably think about it a bit more and pull the trigger this next week. Thanks again!

The Waterport is the way to go with a quick pressurized boost from your portable air compressor just don't unscrew the cap pressurized or it will shoot up your face like a rocket. It's also easier to refill with the included adapter from any water hose. The fact that it's portable expands its uses beyond the 4Runner, carry it anywhere, fish cleaning station, hunts, or when water at a campsite where no vehicles are allowed nearby. The Costco kit does includes many extra parts and does go on sale quite often, check online from time to time. The included hitch adapter is also a nice bump stop, I always keep mine attached pinned locked. The one thing I upgraded was the nozzle gun, the included one in the kit has a plastic pull tab that was accidentally snapped when I closed my drawer too quick without checking the clearance. Good luck with your choice!