I’m mostly a day-hiker. I’d rather hike farther than carry more.

I’m slowly Passage-hiking the Arizona Trail, and there are stretches where overnights will be unavoidable.

I’m not going to cut down my toothbrush, but I do want to carry as little as possible.

I hear positive things about backpacking bidets, but the concept seems (to put it delicately) “optimistic” to me.

I may attempt the “try it afterwards in your shower at home” advice I’ve seen elsewhere, but that seems…gross.

Am I missing something, or is my risk tolerance misaligned with the reality of roughing it?

  • theunfounded@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

    A bidet is a game changer. On trail or off it makes everything better. Like others have said never try out new fear on the trail.

    The best explanation I’ve heard is if you get shit on your hands are you satisfied with cleaning them off with just a paper towel?

  • bane_killgrind
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    1 year ago

    You don’t want the first time you use any peice of gear to be when you are out on a trail and need it.

    • fomo_erotic
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      1 year ago

      This is why I practice by shitting in my neighbors yard.

    • Gamera8ID@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      True, and backpacking bidets are inexpensive enough that I bought one before being convinced that I’m going to bring it along. I just haven’t been to bring myself to try it.

      I suppose what I’m looking for is the adoption ratio of people who have tried them, if that makes sense.

      Like, there are some people who will throw out any food that touches the floor. Then there are the majority of folks who believe in the “5-second rule.” And there are some who would eat an M&M they discovered off the floor of a dive bar bathroom. I’m personally a “5-second rule.”

      I figure bidet adoption probably has a similar spectrum, and I’m asking for input from folks at neither extreme who have tried them.

  • fomo_erotic
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    1 year ago

    Solves both itchy ass syndrome and reduces the risk of running out of shit tickets when you don’t have a resupply. I’m not for the branded stuff but a typical lab grade gooseneck squirter can do the job just fine.

    If its only a 48 or 72 hour trip, very little chance of running out.

  • CherenkovBlue@iusearchlinux.fyi
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    1 year ago

    I’m like … Halfway there. I got a Culo Clean but have yet to obtain the correct bottle to attach it to. In the meantime, I use TP to wipe and then a wetted cloth to clean. I wash the cloth with biodegradable soap every evening on the trail. I prefer it to wet wipes because those tend to screw up my bio balance down there (I’m female).

    Hopefully I’ll get a Smart Water bottle soon to try out the Culo.

  • mcpheeandme@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Never used it, but I could see it being nice. I’ll never really get used to carrying out used toilet paper in a Ziploc bag. Just feels kinda gross and weird. But the time in the wilderness is always worth the price of admission.