Gear of the Week | Urinella

What is a urinella?

I first came into contact with a urinella at festivals - handy for avoiding the long queues at the porta-potties. However, I have to admit: I rarely really used them there. It was probably more due to the paper version and the fact that I didn't really dare to go to the public urinal.

Shortly before winter, I was lucky enough to be given a higher-quality version at a paragliding event for women on the Kandel: the Urinella from Liberpee.

According to the manufacturers webpage, Liberpee is, and I think this is applicable to most Urinellas:

"Liberpee is an urinella and helps us women urinate standing up. Very convenient when there is no (clean) toilet nearby! Take the Liberpee Urinella with you on vacation, on a walk, at festivals or in the car for on the go. With Liberpee as a companion in your pocket in every situation, you will never need a "Room of Requirement" again.(https://liberpee.com/de/)"

Wipe and go

For me, the best thing about this variant (apart from the festival cardboard version - the only one I've ever tested) is that, just like the Boys, you don't need toilet paper. The Urinella is specially coated so that the rest is wiped right out with it (which is much less unpleasant than it sounds). You can then simply shake it off and it is actually dry. It can then be put back in its bag and used again next time without any risk.

150 g self-determination

What I also like about the Urinella is that it subtly changes the way you deal with your own body in nature. Instead of constantly worrying about where you can sit down as unobserved as possible, the topic of "peeing on the go" suddenly becomes pragmatic and relaxed. Especially on longer tours, in bad weather or in exposed terrain, this is a real gain in comfort - and ultimately also a question of dignity and self-determination. Of course, it takes a bit of practice and effort, especially at the beginning. But as with so many outdoor gadgets, once you get the hang of it, you won't want to do without it.

My conclusion:

A urinella is certainly not a must-have for every tour - but it is a surprisingly useful tool for many situations. Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors and is annoyed by cold thighs, balancing acts in the undergrowth or unhygienic toilets should definitely give it a chance.