If you’re ordering a shower tent online, you need to ensure that you’re getting a good one. Some companies will cut corners to keep down costs, so the material is so thin that you can see a silhouette through them.
That may not be a biggie if you’re just taking a camp shower, but it probably wouldn’t put you at ease if you’re using the tent as a toilet cubicle!
I sifted through tons of rubbishy shower tents to find the best ones on the market right now. Here are six options that I can confidently recommend!
In a Hurry? Here Are My Top 3 Picks
- My Choice: King Camp Oversize Privacy Shelter
- Best Value: Sportneer Pop Up Privacy Tent
- Best Overall: Vidalido Outdoor Changing Shelter
Best Shower Tents for Camping
Sportneer Pop Up Privacy Tent
If you’re looking for something cheap and functional, the Sportneer Pop Up Privacy Tent is a good choice.
The material isn’t as thick as some of the more expensive options on the market. But the silver lining inside the tents means that your silhouette isn’t visible to anyone outside the tent.
It is both waterproof and UV-protected, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. The tent pops up quickly, and it’s easy to fold down, making it great for use on the move.
I also love that it has a couple of mesh pockets to keep your mobile phone away from moisture. In addition, it has a rope where you can hang your towel and clothes.
The main drawback is that the zippers aren’t very durable, so you’ll have to use them with some care if you want this tent to last for the long run.
That’s to be expected at this price, though. If you think your kids are likely to give it a rough time, it’s a good idea to invest in something a bit stronger.
Pros:
- Silver-lined for privacy
- Waterproof and UV-protected
- Pop-up
Cons:
- Light-duty zippers
King Camp Oversize Privacy Shelter
I always used to search for a bargain on my camping gear. But I’ve had to replace the cheaper stuff several times before the higher-quality kit shows any signs of giving up.
So if it were down to me, I’d invest a bit more in something that will last.
The King Camp Oversize Privacy Shelter is a great example of decent quality that isn’t eye-wateringly expensive.
This tent isn’t a pop-up, but I prefer that. That’s because the more solid structure will handle the wind a lot better. (Essential in my climate!)
The King Camp is a spacious shower tent, so it would be suitable for parents who need to supervise kids (or for larger people who want space to spread out).
It has a hang-rope for your clothes and towels, and inside pockets for your toiletries. I love that this also has outside pockets, which you can reach from the blacked-out ventilation window.
This pocket is a great place to put your clothes, so you can keep them nice and dry before you’re ready for them.
You can also open the windows after a shower to help dry out your tent properly before you pack it away.
As with the budget pick, some users found the zippers in this shelter to be a little weak. That’s something to be aware of, for sure.
Pros:
- Good in wind
- Spacious
- Ventilation windows
- Inside and outside pockets
Cons:
- Not pop-up
- Zippers are not the strongest
Vidalido Outdoor Changing Shelter
Your best overall choice has to be the Vidalido Outdoor Changing Shelter. This tent is a little pricier than the other suggestions I’ve made so far, but the quality is also a lot better.
The Vidalido Shelter isn’t a pop-up tent, but it’s straightforward to put up and take down.
Tall people can stand comfortably in it, and users love the quality of the build. The strong clip on the ceiling is perfect for a five-gallon camping shower bag, and there is mesh ventilation to let fresh air through the tent when you’re done.
This shower tent holds up well in wind and rainy conditions, and users consistently agree that the quality is excellent.
Because this is so nice and roomy, some users may need a step stool to hook up their shower bag. You’ve been warned!
Pros:
- Great quality
- Easy to set up
- Tall-person-friendly
- Handles wind and rain
Cons:
- Not pop-up
King Camp Double Shower Tent
The King Camp Double Shower Tent gives you quite a bit of flexibility.
You could use one section for showering and the other section for changing into your clothes once you’ve dried off. But you could equally leave the camping potty set up on one side, so you have a separate shower room and toilet.
The mesh windows are great for letting the shower dry out without allowing creepy crawlies to enter your shower compartment. When you’ve finished, it packs down into a surprisingly small carry case for such an enormous shower tent.
This double shower tent is seriously roomy, so tall and larger-built people can use it comfortably. (In fact, it’s so big that one user put a blow-up bathtub in there!)
Despite the size, this shower tent handles bad weather pretty well.
Honestly, this would be overkill for me, but I’m a die-hard wild camper. If you like your home comforts when you’re camping, this is the one you will want to go for.
Pros:
- Spacious
- Weather-resistant
- Mesh ventilation windows
Cons:
- Not pop-up
Alavantor Shower Tent
This shower tent would be the best option for camping in hot climates. It has lots of breathable mesh around the roof, which will stop your tent from acting like a heat trap.
It’s also coated in UV protection, and the white material will reflect heat away. Of course, the downside of that white material is that it will show grass stains pretty quickly. But if you went for darker fabric, you would start cooking in a hot climate.
I love that this tent pops up quickly, but at the same time, it’s easy to fold back away.
You’ll find that many pop-up tents are a nightmare to get back inside their bags, so that makes for a nice change. (No more long hours spent packing down your campsite when you’re exhausted and just want to get home.)
The fabric is nice and thick, so nobody can see you through it even though it’s white. There are some guy lines to keep the tent secure in windier weather, and it packs down really small, so you can take it anywhere.
The stakes are pretty rubbishy, though. I would exchange them for some better ones so that you can set up the tent more securely.
Pros:
- Reflects heat
- UV protection
- Mesh ventilation
- Thick fabric
- Pop-up
- Easy to take down
Cons:
- Rubbishy pegs
- White tents get dirty quickly
Wolf Wise Pop Up Shower Tent
Wolf Wise Pop Up Shower Tents are generally very popular.
Users particularly like using them for camping potties because the tents offer plenty of ventilation to freshen up the air.
The tent pops up quickly, but it does take some practice to fold it back down. One user suggested folding it down several times as soon as you get it because the frame becomes more supple once you’ve “broken it in” a bit.
This tent is UV-protected and will reflect up to 98% of the sun’s rays. It is lightweight and affordable and has taped seams, so it’ll be fine in a passing shower as well as on hot summer days.
Overall, I think this is a good option for warm climates. But it doesn’t come with guy ropes, and the pegs are pretty flimsy, so I would choose one of the sturdier tents for wet and windy climates.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Pop-up
- UV-protected
- Well-ventilated
Cons:
- Not the best for windy weather
- Weak pegs
Camping Shower Tents Buying Guide
Honestly, I don’t think you’ll find a better shower tent than the ones I listed in this article. But if you want to shop further afield, this buying guide will help you make a good choice.
Color
Darker colors are typically less see-through. They also show less dirt, so you don’t have to waste time trying to scrub off grass stains after every camping trip.
But they absorb more heat, which can be a pain in warmer climates.
Lighter colors will reflect more heat, though they will be harder to keep clean. Also, they can sometimes be see-through.
However, that won’t be the case with silver-lined shower tents or models with thicker, better-quality tent walls.
Functionality
Look for useful features like mesh pockets for your toiletries and a rope to hang up your towel.
It’s great if your shower tent has mesh windows, so it will dry out quicker. You don’t want to pack away your tent while it’s still damp, as you’ll probably find that it’s full of mold the next time you go to use it.
Outside these mesh windows, you might have extra pockets to keep your towel safely dry outside. A strong hook to rig up your camping shower is a big plus.
Durability
Some tents are more durable than others; this is typically reflected in the price.
The zippers that people have problems with tend to be in cheaper tents, so be extra careful with them if you go for a budget option.
If the zipper does snap off, you might be able to fix it simply by looping a piece of thread through the remaining part of the zip and attaching it to something like a safety pin.
Otherwise, you might want to send the tent back. But sometimes, fixing it yourself is the cheapest and easiest option.
Pop-Up?
The great thing about pop-up tents is that you can get them up in seconds. But some of them are quite annoying to pack down, so check the user reviews to see how other people got on.
They also tend to be a bit less stable because their frames are designed to fold away neatly rather than withstand wind.
Some regular tents can go up in 10 minutes or less, but others are quite frustrating and time-consuming to deal with. If you’ve already set up your main tent and blown up your air mattress, you may not be in the mood for anything but a pop-up.
Floor
Most shower tents do not have a floor, so the water can run straight into the ground. With this in mind, you should use a natural soap that won’t pollute the environment.
Some camping tents do come with floors, but you might just want to set a small rubber mat on the ground. This way, you can keep your feet relatively clean, and loads of moisture won’t build up in your tent, causing the associated mold problems.
FAQs
How does a shower tent work?
A shower tent is a tall and slim shelter that you can comfortably stand in. It doesn’t usually have a bottom, so the water from your shower will run into the ground.
You can hook up a solar camping shower bag to the roof, but these don’t come with the tent.
How do you shower while tent camping?
If you’re going on a weekend trip, you might want to just use a flannel or biodegradable wipes to freshen up.
Alternatively, you could invest in a shower tent and camping shower or use public bathrooms at your campground.
How do you fold a shower tent?
If you go for a pop-up shower tent, it might take some practice to get it folded away. Make sure you read any instructions and see if your tent company provides an instructional video because these can be really helpful.
Once you’ve worked out how to fold your shower tent, do it several times in a row. This repetition will help the frame (and your brain!) become more supple, so you’ll save a lot of time on your camping trips.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on a budget, the Sportneer Pop Up Privacy Tent would be a great choice. Personally, I would invest a little bit more in something like the King Camp Oversize Privacy Shelter.
But the best overall choice is, without a doubt, the Vidalido Outdoor Changing Shelter. The quality stands out with this one, so you’ll save money in the long run because you won’t have to keep replacing it!
Please make sure your tent is completely dry before you fold it away. If you can’t do that, you’ll have to get it back out at home until it’s dry. It takes only one lazy pack down to wreck your tent with stinky mold!
I hope you found this article on the best shower tents helpful, and I wish you many happy camping adventures!
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Rachel Horne
Rachel is a freelance adventure writer and founder of Highly Sensitive Nomad. When she isn’t writing, she can be found wild camping in the mountains and swimming in the lakes of Europe.
