Somewhat begrudgingly, I opened up use of the InstaPrivy portable toilet kit to our crew. And while sharing a toilet seat with others isn’t tops on my list, it did result in the best description of why this is the best outdoor camp toilet we’ve tried:
“Once you’re under the shroud, you suddenly feel completely at ease and able to do your business.”
Indeed, InstaPrivy’s ingenious privacy shroud works like a magic force field. Rest it on your head like a giant novelty sombrero and it’s more siesta than fiesta. You can see out, but no one can see in.
Let’s start at the beginning
I first heard about the InstaPrivy after publishing our Portable Toilet Buyer’s Guide (which will be updated to include this one shortly after this review goes live). Their founder reached out, suggesting the others were crap (pun intended) and we had to try InstaPrivy.
Sure, why not?
And so it arrived, with a comically long, multi-page Xerox’d instruction manual that was written with passion. And then we headed out west for a trip through central California before hitting the Owyhees.
Turns out, he was rightfully proud of this odd, wearable hunting blind toilet tent. Here’s why you should get one…
InstaPrivy Portable Toilet Review
There are a lot of reasons why we like the InstaPrivy. First, it comes in its own backpack case, which holds everything you need – trowel, toilet paper, seat, and shroud.
And the case is compact with backpack straps that tuck until a panel if you don’t want them dangling about. The front has accessory loops, and the sides have compression straps to keep it all tight and tidy.
It’s also incredibly lightweight, so it’s really easy to stow in your vehicle and bring with you to any offsite campground. It’s literally 1/5 the size of a composting or cartridge toilet and a fraction of the weight.
To use it, just flip and fold the toilet seat open, place it over a little hole (or bag, as conditions warrant)…
…then flop the shroud open, place it on your head, and let the sides drop. Then sit down and do your business.
The top of the shroud has a padded ring to keep it centered on your head, so you can look around, up, and down without it sliding out of place. Honestly, it’s incredibly well thought out.
Inside are instructions, which are great built-in reading materials. There’s also a pocket for toilet paper…or your phone, a magazine, whatever, which is great because it keeps those things off the ground and gives you somewhere to put them when it’s time to wipe.
But the best part is the 360º ring of mesh, giving you unfettered ability to surveil your surroundings without letting anyone see in.
I mean, unless they’re right up on you and actually wanted to look in. But from a few feet away, they can’t see in. And if they get closer to that, or wildlife starts approaching, you could just get up and run away. Wipe later.
The only caveat on the toilet seat is you really shouldn’t lean too much to the side or backward. Rider weight limit is 250 pounds, seat dimensions are 14″ x 14″ x 14″ when open. MSRP is $149 for the complete kit, which includes a trowel, sealable waste bags, and biodegradable toilet paper…everything you need to get started.
It even works great inside your vehicle. We still use a larger composting toilet in our camper van, mainly because those have lids and stuff to keep odors contained for multi-day use, and are more stable during transit. But if you use sealable waste bags, especially the ones with thickening gel inside, the InstaPrivy also makes a perfect in-vehicle toilet, too. You can still wear the tent inside if you want, too. It’s fun!
Honestly, we were all surprised by how much we liked this. For the great outdoors, the InstaPrivy is our #1 way to #2 in the woods.
Be the first to comment