By Camp Gear Atlas Editorial · September 14, 2026 · Research-based guidance
The useful answer
Check the destination’s toilet and waste rules before buying a trowel. Pack the supplies for that exact method, plus a workable hand-cleaning routine and a separate waste container. Keep hygiene tools away from food and clean equipment. Choose compact accessories by usability, including grip, coverage, and personal care needs, rather than by weight alone.
The shortlist
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For permitted catholes
TheTentLab DirtSaw Deuce #3
Larger DirtSaw model suits users who prefer a more substantial trowel; irrelevant where digging is prohibited.
Check on Amazon — TheTentLab DirtSaw Deuce #3Specifications & tradeoffsFor a compact personal wash cloth
PackTowl Personal Towel Hand
Useful coverage for basic washing; keep it separate from dish and gear cleaning.
Check on Amazon — PackTowl Personal Towel HandSpecifications & tradeoffsFor a compact bar-soap carrier
Matador FlatPak Travel Soap Bar Case
Flexible containment suits bar users; toiletries still need required wildlife storage.
Check on Amazon — Matador FlatPak Travel Soap Bar CaseSpecifications & tradeoffs
The toilet method determines the kit
A route with maintained toilets requires a different kit from one where catholes are permitted or human waste must be carried out. Confirm the current method with the responsible land manager. Do not assume a campsite symbol includes a toilet, or that a trowel is acceptable everywhere. Thin soil, sensitive environments, high use, and local management requirements can change the answer.
Where a pack-out system is required, obtain the appropriate system and read its use and disposal instructions before departure. Work out how it will be carried after use. A generic rubbish bag is not automatically a substitute for the system specified by the destination. For a first overnight, choosing a route with facilities can simplify the trip without making the experience less worthwhile.
Use a trowel only where digging is allowed
TheTentLab DirtSaw Deuce #3 is a candidate when the route allows catholes and a larger trowel suits the user. Its dimensions and thicker construction distinguish it from the brand’s smallest model. The useful question is whether the person can operate it effectively in the expected ground, not whether it wins a comparison of fractions of an ounce.
Leave No Trace’s general guidance describes catholes six to eight inches deep and at least two hundred feet from water, camp, and trails, but destination-specific rules can require a different approach or pack-out. Practice the manufacturer’s technique in a suitable location and avoid damaging vegetation. Do not use the sanitation tool to reshape a tent site, cut a drainage trench, or prepare a cooking area.
Separate clean hands from used equipment
Arrange the kit so clean supplies can be retrieved without digging through used tools and waste. Keep a clearly identified container for items that must be packed out. Include enough capacity for the full trip, with a practical closure. Consider how the system will be used in rain and where it can be placed without scattering small pieces or contaminating other equipment.
Build hand cleaning into the sequence before food preparation and eating. Use appropriate washing facilities when provided, and carry the water and supplies needed for the routine where they are absent. Follow public-health and product guidance for any cleaning product used. A compact kit is successful only if it supports the whole task; omitting water or a waste bag while carrying a tiny soap bottle is not a complete system.
Choose the towel by personal use
The PackTowl Personal Hand can serve someone who wants a compact cloth for personal washing and is comfortable with its coverage. Assign it to that person rather than using it interchangeably for dishes, tent condensation, and bathroom tasks. A smaller face cloth may be enough for one routine, while a larger towel may be appropriate for another. Test the size against the intended task at home.
Give the damp towel a drying plan. If it goes directly into a sealed pouch, the limited airflow remains the same regardless of what the label promises about drying speed. Keep it away from clean sleeping insulation and food. Wash and dry it according to its care instructions after the trip, and make sure the next departure does not begin with a damp towel left from the previous outing.
Bar soap needs its own containment and storage decision
Matador’s FlatPak case is useful for a camper who already prefers bar soap and wants a flexible carrier. Its job is managing the bar during transport. Check that the actual bar fits and that opening and closing the case is manageable with wet hands. A small familiar rigid case can be a better choice if it works more comfortably or makes the wash routine easier to organize.
Use washing facilities and greywater arrangements required by the location. Biodegradable soap should not be used directly in natural water. Keep scented toiletries in the required food-storage system when applicable, even when they are neatly enclosed in a hygiene pouch. This is one reason to include the whole pouch in the canister-volume test instead of measuring the food alone.
Personal care needs are part of the baseline kit
Pack menstrual products, continence supplies, skin-care necessities, or other personal items according to the user’s established needs, including the return waste. Do not cut an essential item because it looks optional on a generic lightweight list. Preserve privacy when assigning shared tasks or storage. The person using the kit should understand and agree with the arrangement.
Pack the finished kit and rehearse retrieving clean supplies without touching the used-tool or waste compartment. Include the return waste volume when checking pack space and the required scented-item storage. On return, clean reusable tools as directed, dry the containers, and replace used supplies. Keep a note inside the pouch for anything still awaiting replacement so an apparently complete kit does not leave home empty.
Revisit the shortlist
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Sources & further reading
Manufacturer: TheTentLab DirtSaw Deuce #3 ↗Manufacturer: PackTowl Personal Towel Hand ↗Manufacturer: Matador FlatPak Travel Soap Bar Case ↗Leave No Trace: Waste disposal ↗NPS: Before the trip ↗Manufacturer specifications and guidance checked September 2026. Model generations and included accessories can change; confirm the exact version before ordering.
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