A good portable travel toilet turns long drives, campouts and backcountry trips into far more comfortable experiences. The right choice depends on how you travel: hikers need something weighing ounces, car campers can carry a folding seat, and families often prefer a flushing toilet. We compared 7 options available now for every style of camping and hiking.
Home Throne is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This guide is based on researching and comparing manufacturer specifications, product listings and general owner feedback — we did not physically test these products.
Quick picks
- Best for Hiking & Backpacking: Cleanwaste WAG Bag Kit
- Best Folding Toilet + Bags: Cleanwaste Go Anywhere
- Most Compact Folding Toilet: Reliance Fold-to-Go
- Most Comfortable Folding Seat: BLIKA Stainless Folding
- Best Value Folding Toilet: VEVOR Folding
- Best Bucket-Style: Reliance Luggable Loo
- Best Flushing Option: Thetford Porta Potti 135
Table of Contents
Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Weight class | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanwaste WAG Bag Kit | Bag kit | Ounces | Pack-out trips | View on Amazon |
| Cleanwaste Go Anywhere | Folding seat + bags | Light | Car camping | View on Amazon |
| Reliance Fold-to-Go | Folding (3-leg) | About 4.5 lb | Tent camping | View on Amazon |
| BLIKA Stainless Folding | Folding (steel) | Moderate | Car camping, festivals | View on Amazon |
| VEVOR Folding | Folding (square) | Light | Road trips | View on Amazon |
| Reliance Luggable Loo | Bucket | About 3 lb | Base camp, emergencies | View on Amazon |
| Thetford Porta Potti 135 | Flushing cassette | Heaviest | Car camping, vans | View on Amazon |
The Best Portable Travel Toilets for Camping and Hiking
1. Cleanwaste WAG Bag Portable Toilet Kit (12-Pack)
For hiking and backpacking, a hard toilet is too bulky. WAG Bags are the lightweight answer, and many permit areas, canyons and high-use trails require packing out human waste. Each kit includes a waste bag with gelling powder, toilet paper, a hand wipe and a puncture-resistant zip-close disposal bag.
Cleanwaste says its gelling powder encapsulates liquid and solid waste and traps odors. Each bag holds up to 32 oz, roughly 3–4 uses.
Key features:
- Complete single kit: bag, gelling powder, TP, wipe, disposal bag
- Gelling powder traps waste and odor
- Holds up to 32 oz (about 3–4 uses)
- Made in USA (per listing)
Pros
- Ultralight and packable
- Meets pack-out requirements in many areas
- Doubles as emergency kit supply
Cons
- Single-use consumable
- You still need privacy and a place to sit
Best for: Backpackers, river trips and anywhere you must pack out waste.
2. Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Portable Toilet Kit
The Go Anywhere toilet pairs Cleanwaste’s folding toilet frame with its WAG Bag system, so you get a real seat plus sanitary bags. It folds flat for the car and sets up in seconds.
It is a natural upgrade from bags alone for car camping, overlanding and base camps where weight is less of a concern.
Key features:
- Folding plastic toilet frame
- Designed for Cleanwaste WAG bags
- Folds flat for storage
- Includes Go Anywhere kit (per listing)
Pros
- Comfortable seat with bag sanitation
- Packs flat
- Simple, nothing to empty
Cons
- Bags are an ongoing cost
- Bulkier than bags alone for hiking
Best for: Car camping, overlanding and base camps.
3. Reliance Fold-to-Go Folding Portable Toilet
The Fold-to-Go folds down to just 5 inches high and weighs about 4.5 lb, making it one of the easiest camp toilets to stash in a trunk or tent vestibule. Three locking legs provide stability on uneven ground.
Reliance recommends its Double Doodie bags (sold separately) for no-mess cleanup. The listing bullets cite a 250-lb weight capacity.
Key features:
- Folds to 5″ high
- About 4.5 lb
- 3-leg locking design
- Use with Double Doodie bags (sold separately)
Pros
- Very compact when folded
- Stable three-leg stance
- Light enough to carry far from the car
Cons
- Bags sold separately
- Lower weight capacity than some rivals
Best for: Tent camping and hunting where space is tight.
4. BLIKA Stainless Steel Folding Camping Toilet
BLIKA uses a stainless steel frame with a padded seat made of PVC leather over a molded wood core, so it feels closer to a real toilet than hard-plastic frames. At 16.5 inches high it is a comfortable sitting height for most adults.
A removable plastic ring holds the bag in place so you are not sitting on it directly. It folds to about 23.6 x 3.1 inches and comes with a carry bag and toilet paper holder; bags are sold separately.
Key features:
- Stainless steel frame, 350 lb rating (per listing)
- Padded seat with molded wood core
- 16.5″ seat height
- Folds flat; carry bag and TP holder included
Pros
- Comfortable padded seat
- Rust-resistant frame
- Standard seat height
Cons
- Bags not included
- Heavier than plastic folding toilets
Best for: Campers who want comfort and a sturdy frame.
5. VEVOR Folding Portable Camping Toilet
VEVOR’s square folding toilet opens quickly, uses a standard trash bag and supports up to 330 lb with secure latches. Its 16.7-inch seat height is comfortable for adults.
It folds to about 6.9 inches thick and is made from PP plastic that rinses clean. The listing notes it can double as a campsite trash bin.
Key features:
- 330 lb load capacity
- 16.7″ seat height
- Folds to about 6.9″ thick
- PP plastic, easy to rinse
- Carry bag and trash bags included
Pros
- Good capacity for the price
- Uses common trash bags
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Bulkier folded than the Fold-to-Go
- Plastic seat
Best for: Budget car camping and road-trip emergencies.
6. Reliance Luggable Loo 5-Gallon Bucket Toilet
The Luggable Loo is a classic: a seat and snap-on lid that fit a standard 5-gallon bucket, turning it into a sturdy camp toilet. The snap-on lid seals to minimize odors when closed.
It weighs about 3 lb, has a metal carry handle and comes with a 5-year manufacturer guarantee according to the listing.
Key features:
- Fits a standard 5-gallon bucket
- Snap-on lid seals odors
- Metal carry handle
- 5-year manufacturer guarantee (per listing)
Pros
- Very sturdy
- Simple and inexpensive
- Great for emergency kits
Cons
- Bucket is bulky to pack
- Needs bags or a liner
Best for: Campgrounds, cabins and emergency preparedness.
7. Thetford Porta Potti 135 Flushing Portable Toilet
If you want a toilet that feels closer to home, the Porta Potti 135 has a 2.6-gallon fresh water tank, a bellows flush and a 2.6-gallon sealed waste tank. The sealed valve keeps odors inside.
It is heavier than folding toilets, so it suits car camping, vans and RVs rather than hiking.
Key features:
- 2.6-gal fresh and waste tanks
- Bellows pump flush
- Sealed valve odor control
- Rotating pour-out spout
Pros
- Flushing comfort
- Excellent odor control
- Proven brand
Cons
- Heavier when full
- Needs a dump station or toilet to empty
Best for: Family car camping, vans and tent trailers.
Buying Guide
Match the toilet to your trip
- Hiking and backpacking: WAG bags or a trowel for catholes where permitted.
- Tent and car camping: folding toilets with bags balance comfort and space.
- Base camp and emergencies: a bucket toilet like the Luggable Loo is tough and cheap.
- Vans, RVs and families: a flushing cassette toilet offers the best odor control.
Leave No Trace
Follow local rules. In many parks, canyons, deserts and high-use areas you must pack out human waste. Where catholes are allowed, dig 6–8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, trails and camp.
Weight capacity and seat height
Check the stated weight rating and seat height. A seat around 16–17 inches is closest to a household toilet and easier on knees.
Bags and odor control
Gelling bags turn waste into a solid and trap odors, making disposal cleaner. Keep spare bags in a sealed container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I dispose of WAG bags?
Most WAG bags can go in regular trash where local rules permit. Some parks provide dedicated disposal bins.
What is the lightest camping toilet?
Bag kits are lightest. Among folding seats, compact designs like the Fold-to-Go weigh around 4–5 lb.
Can I use a regular trash bag in a folding toilet?
Yes, many folding toilets accept standard bags, but gelling bags are more hygienic and control odor better.
How do I control odor in a portable toilet?
Use gelling powder or bags, seal them after use, and for cassette toilets use a holding-tank treatment and empty regularly.
Final Thoughts
For hikers, the Cleanwaste WAG Bag Kit is the essential choice. For car camping, the Cleanwaste Go Anywhere or BLIKA folding toilet adds real comfort, while the Thetford Porta Potti 135 suits families who want flushing. Check the current details on Amazon before you buy.
