Best camping toilet: the overlooked piece of an emergency kit
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Quick answer
A camping toilet doubles as an emergency toilet when water or sewer service stops. The simplest is a 5 gallon bucket style like Reliance's Luggable Loo with a snap-on seat; a folding frame like the Fold-to-Go packs smaller; both use bagged waste. Reliance says its Double Doodie bags with Bio-Gel turn liquid waste to gel within minutes and hold up to 5 lb each. Ready.gov's kit list adds moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Three Reliance toilets compared
| Spec | Luggable Loo | Hassock 2.0 | Fold-to-Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | 5 gallon bucket | Round seat with removable 4 gallon inner bucket | Folding frame with locking legs |
| Weight capacity | 220 lb | 300 lb | 300 lb |
| Size | 15.75 x 14.5 x 15 in | 15 in across, 14 in high | 14.5 x 14.5 x 14.5 in assembled |
| Toilet weight | 2.96 lb | 4.2 lb | 5.1 lb |
| Bags | Any Double Doodie | Any Double Doodie | Any Double Doodie |
Specs are from Reliance Outdoors' product pages, checked October 2026.
Which style fits
- Bucket (Luggable Loo): the lightest here at 2.96 lb, with a seat and cover that snap off for cleaning.
- Seat with inner bucket (Hassock 2.0): a wider, more stable seat with a 300 lb rating and a removable inner bucket for emptying.
- Folding (Fold-to-Go): Reliance says it is designed for field use and emergencies; unfold and lock the legs, add a bag and it is ready.
- Flush style: Reliance's Flush-N-Go 4822e has a 3 gallon fresh water tank and 5.8 gallon waste tank with a 17 inch seat; it needs water and AA batteries for its flush, and we did not find it on Amazon in October 2026.
Waste bags and gel
- Gel powder: Reliance says Double Doodie with Bio-Gel bags are pre-charged with a powder that turns liquid waste into a gel within minutes and masks odors.
- Containment: a puncture-resistant inner bag and a double zip-lock outer bag, Reliance lists.
- Capacity: each bag holds up to 5 lb, and a pack of 6 handles up to 30 lb in total.
- Fit: Reliance says the bags fit its Fold-to-Go, Luggable Loo, Hunter's Loo and Hassock, and most portable toilets.
- How many: if each person fills one bag a day, a family of four empties a 6-pack in under two days.
Sizing a two-week supply
- Bags: at one bag per person per day, two people need 28 bags for 14 days, which is 5 packs of 6 (30 bags).
- Weight check: at Reliance's 5 lb per bag limit, 28 bags could hold up to 140 lb in total, so plan a sealed, lidded container for storage until disposal.
- Water: Ready.gov's one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation means two people need 28 gallons for 14 days.
- Extras: toilet paper, towelettes, hand sanitizer, gloves and heavy garbage bags.
An emergency sanitation plan
- Store the basics: Ready.gov lists moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
- Water for hygiene: Ready.gov's one gallon per person per day covers drinking and sanitation; see our emergency water storage guide.
- Set up in a private, ventilated spot away from food and water.
- Bag, seal, store: zip each used bag closed and keep sealed bags in a lidded container until disposal.
- Disposal: follow local rules for bagged human waste once services return.
- Hand hygiene: keep sanitizer and towelettes next to the toilet.
Camping use
- Weight limits: check the rating before buying: 220 lb for the Luggable Loo, 300 lb for the Hassock and Fold-to-Go.
- Packing: the Fold-to-Go collapses and has a carrying handle; the Luggable Loo has a metal bucket handle.
- Privacy: pair with a privacy shelter or set up away from camp.
- Leave no trace: pack bags out and follow campground and land-manager rules.
What to look for when you buy
Simplest: Reliance Luggable Loo
Best for: Home emergency kits and car camping
Reliance lists a 5 gallon bucket toilet with a metal handle, a snap-on seat and cover, a 220 lb rating and a 2.96 lb weight, compatible with any Double Doodie bag.
Watch out: Lowest weight rating here; seat height is bucket height.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Sturdier seat: Reliance Hassock 2.0
Best for: Larger adults and longer use
Reliance lists a 300 lb rating, built-in handles and a removable 4 gallon inner bucket for mess-free emptying, at 4.2 lb.
Watch out: Bulkier than a folding frame.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Packs flat: Reliance Fold-to-Go
Best for: Go-kits and tight storage
Reliance lists collapsible locking legs, a carrying handle, a lid, a 300 lb rating and a 5.1 lb weight, and says it is designed for field use and emergencies.
Watch out: Needs bags every use; no bucket to catch spills.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bags: Reliance Double Doodie with Bio-Gel
Best for: Any bucket or folding toilet
Reliance lists 6 bags per pack, each holding up to 5 lb, with gel powder that solidifies liquid waste within minutes and a double zip-lock outer bag.
Watch out: Stock plenty; one pack goes quickly for a family.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What is the best emergency toilet?
- A bucket or folding toilet with gel waste bags; Reliance's Luggable Loo and Fold-to-Go both take Double Doodie bags.
- How much waste does a toilet bag hold?
- Reliance lists up to 5 lb per Double Doodie bag.
- What sanitation supplies should be in an emergency kit?
- Ready.gov lists moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, plus water for drinking and sanitation.
- How much weight can a camping toilet hold?
- Reliance lists 220 lb for the Luggable Loo and 300 lb for the Hassock 2.0 and Fold-to-Go.
Sources
- Luggable Loo Portable Toilet, Reliance Outdoors
- Hassock 2.0 Portable Toilet, Reliance Outdoors
- Fold-to-Go Portable Toilet, Reliance Outdoors
- Double Doodie with Bio Gel Waste Bags, Reliance Outdoors
- Flush-N-Go 4822e Portable Toilet, Reliance Outdoors
- Build A Kit, Ready.gov