The Best Poop Bags for Camping: A Complete Comparison (2026)
If you've ever stood at a trailhead sign that reads "Pack out all human waste" and thought “wait, how exactly do I pack out my waste?”, this guide is for you.
Human waste bags, a.k.a. WAG bags, a.k.a. Pack Out Kits have gone from niche river-trip equipment to standard-issue gear for anyone hiking a 14er, desert canyon, or high-use trail. There are more brands making them than ever. But, they are not all the same.
Below is the honest comparison of the best poop bags for camping, how they stack up on smell, durability, weight, kit contents, and price, and how to pick the right one for where you're going.
Quick Answer
The best poop bag for most people is a purpose-built pack out kit that includes a durable outer bag, an inner bag that you poop in to, deodorizing powder, wipes, and a hand wipe. Our pick for the #1 poop bags for humans is the PACT Pack Out Kit ($38 for a 12-pack or $20 for a 6-pack) for its double-bag durability, plant-based PACT Wipes, antiseptic hand wipe, and (yes) genuinely helpful, occasionally funny instructions that make a taboo task feel normal. Alternatives include the Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Toilet Kit (the original WAG bag), the Biffy Bag (nice if you don't want to squat directly), and the Restop 2 (cheapest name-brand option).
In this guide you'll learn
What Is a Poop Bag for Humans?
A poop bag for humans (different from the small plastic bags used for dogs, which are not rated for human waste) is a sealable disposal system designed to let you do your business in the backcountry and carry it back to a trash can without any mess, smell, or ick in your pack.
The standard industry term for these is WAG bag, which stands for Waste Alleviation Gel, or Waste Aggregation and Gelling. That was originally a brand name from a company called Cleanwaste, but it's become the generic shorthand for the whole category, the way "Kleenex" became shorthand for tissue.
A good kit has five parts:
An inner bag you poop directly into
A gelling/deodorizing powder (sometimes called "poop powder") that neutralizes odor, absorbs moisture, and often kills pathogens
A durable outer bag that seals and contains smell, making transport safe and easy
Something to wipe with (wipes or TP)
(BONUS) Hand wipe to clean up after
If your kit is missing any of these items, we don’t recommend it.
When You Need a Pack Out Kit (and When Burying Is Fine)
This is the decision most people get wrong, so let's be clear. Burying poop in a properly dug 6 to 8 inch cat hole works in a lot of environments, but it does not work everywhere. If you're somewhere the soil can't actually break down what you leave behind, your waste sticks around and causes harm to the surrounding ecosystem.
You should pack out your poop in:
1: Alpine environments (above treeline).
Thin, cold, rocky soil means decomposition can take years. This is why Colorado's 14ers have become ground zero for the pack-out movement.
2: Arid deserts.
(Moab, Canyonlands, much of southern Utah, parts of Arizona and Nevada). No moisture means no microbial break down.
3: River corridors and canyons.
(Grand Canyon, slot canyons, most raft trips). You can't get 200 feet from water and waste goes straight into the watershed.
4: High-use areas.
Places where volume overwhelms the landscape; Mt. Whitney, The Enchantments, parts of the AT, Conundrum Hot Springs, Half Dome Cables, etc.
5: Anywhere local regulations require it.
Zion, for example, has required pack out on overnight routes since 2019. Many land managers are following suit.
If you're in a healthy forest with real soil, below treeline, and you can get 200 feet from water and trails, a proper cat hole is still a solid Leave No Trace approach. For a fuller breakdown, see our guides on when to bury vs pack out your poop and why burying doesn't always work.
The 5 Things That Separate a Great Pack Out Kit from a Bad One
Not all poop bags for humans are created equal. Here's what actually matters when the moment arrives and you're squatting behind a boulder in a hailstorm.
1: Double-bag durability
The outer bag is what stands between your poop and everything else in your pack. A single-layer bag is a leak waiting to happen. Look for a puncture-resistant outer bag with a reliable zip-top seal and bright color so you can find it fast.
2: Deodorizing powder that actually works
Cheap kits use basic desiccant. Good kits use a gelling and deodorizing powder that absorbs liquid, neutralizes smell, and in some cases starts breaking waste down. NASA originally developed this tech for space shuttles (not kidding), which is why you'll see "NASA-developed" in a lot of product copy.
3: Wipes, not just a scrap of TP
Most WAG bags ship with one sad little square of toilet paper. You deserve better. Dedicated wipes are bigger, more effective, and plant-based options (ours are FSC-certified and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 if you want to geek out on the certifications) don't introduce synthetic fibers or PFAS into the bag.
4: A hand wipe or sanitizer included
A shocking number of kits skip this. You just pooped in a bag. You need to clean your hands.
5: Instructions you can actually follow in a stressful moment
Read the fine print on a typical WAG bag sometime. It reads like an IKEA manual translated through three languages. Clear, big, step-by-step instructions on the outside of the bag are a small thing that matters a lot when your quads are burning and your digestive tract is on a countdown.
Best Poop Bags for Camping: 2026 Comparison
Here's how the major options stack up. We've used all of these in the field. Prices and specs are current as of April 2026.
1: PACT Pack Out Kit (Our Pick)
Price: $38 for a 12-pack ($3.16 per use)
Weight: About 1.4 oz
Bag design: Double-bag, bright teal outer bag, zip seal
Powder: Deodorizes, dehydrates, kills pathogens
Wipes: 2 large plant-based PACT Wipes (FSC-certified, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, 100% decomposition in 95 days)
Hand wipe: Yes, antiseptic
Instructions: Bold step-by-step with a "Daily Dump" comic on the back
Best for: Alpine environments, arid deserts, river corridors, high-use trails
Full disclosure, yes, we make it. We made it because we got sick of using the alternatives on our own trips and seeing what was missing.
The outer bag is bright and durable with a genuine seal, the "poop powder" dehydrates, deodorizes, and kills pathogens, and you get two full-size PACT Wipes (most competitors give you one sheet of TP) plus a dedicated antiseptic hand wipe. And the back of the packaging has a comic strip and a poop bingo game because, as we've written before, shifting the cultural conversation around pack out is half the battle. If a joke makes one more person actually pack out, we're doing our job.
2: Cleanwaste GO Anywhere Toilet Kit
Price: Around $4 to $5 per use
Weight: About 2.4 oz
Bag design: Double-bag, zip-close
Powder: NASA-developed Poo Powder
Wipes: 1 small TP square
Hand wipe: Yes
Instructions: Standard
Best for: Solo ultralight missions, people who want the original
The original WAG bag and still a solid option. Cleanwaste holds the "WAG Bag" trademark, and their Poo Powder was genuinely developed for NASA. EPA-approved for landfill disposal in most municipalities (Moab is an exception, check locally). The trade-offs: one small TP square, no real wipes, and a higher cost per use.
3: Biffy Bag
Price: Around $5 to $6 per use
Weight: About 3 oz
Bag design: Triple layer with tie straps that attach at the waist
Powder: Effervescent Biffy Powder
Wipes: Oversized wet wipe included
Hand wipe: No
Instructions: Clear and good
Best for: Mountaineering, snow, people who don't want to squat
The Biffy takes a different approach. Instead of squatting over a bag on the ground, you strap the Biffy around your waist and let gravity do the work. It's weirdly clever, especially in snow or on a steep slope. Pricier per use and no dedicated hand wipe.
4: Restop 2
Price: Around $4 to $6 per use
Weight: About 3.2 oz
Bag design: Patented bag-within-a-bag
Powder: Gelling polymer
Wipes: Small TP
Hand wipe: Yes
Instructions: Basic
Best for: Budget buyers, emergency kit stockpiling
No frills. Reliably contains up to 32 ounces, the bag-within-a-bag design is solid, and the price is fair if you buy in 12-packs. Less generous on the wipes and no standout features, but a fine option when budget is the main factor.
5: Reliance Double Doodie
Price: Around $3 to $4 per use
Weight: About 4 oz
Bag design: Double, cinch-close
Powder: Liquid gel (sold separately or in bulk)
Wipes: None
Hand wipe: No
Instructions: Minimal
Best for: River trips, camping toilets, emergency home kits
These are really designed to be used with a camping toilet or 5-gallon bucket, not squatted over directly. The liquid gel is sold separately. If you're doing river trips, group car camping with a portable toilet, or emergency prep at home, they're a great fit. For a solo backpacker, they're overkill and underdesigned.
How to Use a Pack Out Kit (Step by Step)
It's simpler than you think. Here's the process, using the PACT Pack Out Kit as the example. Other brands work similarly.
Find your spot. Same rules as cat hole: 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites when possible. Privacy is important.
Open the outer bag. Pull out the inner bag, wipes, hand wipe, and instructions. Set the outer bag aside, you'll seal everything inside it later.
Open the inner bag. Make sure the poop powder is opened and poured into the bottom of the bag. Discard the trash from the poop powder into the inner bag.
Squat over the open bag. Aim. This is the part people overthink. Gravity works. If you want extra stability, pop a squat near a rock or log for support.
Wipe with the PACT Wipes (or whatever your kit includes). Drop the used wipes directly into the inner bag. You’ll need a water bottle or bladder to activate the wipes. They expand into a 9” towel.
Use the hand wipe. Clean up. Discard the trash into the inner bag.
Seal the inner bag. Gently squeeze out extra air, twist, and tie an overhand knot. Then place the sealed inner bag inside the outer bag with all of the trash inside and zip it closed.
Secure the outer bag. We recommend bringing an extra trash bag to store pack out kits in especially if you’ll be out for numerous days prior to disposal. This provides extra peace of mind.
Dispose at the nearest trash can whether that’s at a trailhead or at home. More on this below.
How to Dispose of a Used Pack Out Kit
In most of the U.S., a sealed pack out kit can go in a regular trash can at the trailhead. EPA guidance allows for landfill disposal, and most municipalities accept them.
The one consistent exception is Moab, Utah, where the city asks that waste bags only go to approved disposal stations to protect sanitation workers. Other specific areas (certain river corridors, some National Park backcountry programs) run dedicated collection programs, which is great because it means you don't have to drive with a bag of poop to a different zip code. Always check the specific regulations for where you're going.
A pack out kit is not compostable. Don't put it in your backyard compost. Don't bury it, ever. Definitely don’t leave it on the trail. The whole point of packing out is packing out.
Who Actually Uses These Things?
A few years ago, "pack out" meant alpinists on Denali. Today, the reality is a lot broader:
14er hikers in Colorado (roughly 1,500+ people poop on Mt. Elbert alone each summer, per our 2024 research study)
Desert bikepackers and hikers in Moab, Grand Staircase, and the Canyonlands region
River rafters on the Colorado, Green, Salmon, and basically any permitted river
Overnight Zion, Rainier, and Mt. Whitney hikers (all require pack out)
Urban emergency preppers (a sealed kit is genuinely useful when plumbing fails)
Trail runners and ultrarunners who don't want to be "the person who left a pile on the trail"
Backcountry skiers where ground is frozen and covered in snow
If you spend any real time outside, a pack out kit earns its place in your pack the way a rain shell does. You won't need it most days. But on that rare occasion, you’ll be very happy you have it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a WAG bag and a Pack Out Kit?
Functionally, nothing. "WAG Bag" is a trademarked brand name from Cleanwaste that became a generic term, like Kleenex or Band-Aid. "Pack Out Kit" is the broader category name. Our PACT Pack Out Kit, the Cleanwaste GO Anywhere kit, the Biffy Bag, and the Restop 2 are all, for practical purposes, WAG bags.
Can I use a regular trash bag?
No. A kitchen trash bag has no odor control, no gelling agent, no puncture resistance, and nothing to neutralize pathogens. It will leak, smell, and end up in a worse place than where you started. Even a DIY kit should use purpose-made materials.
How much do poop bags for humans cost?
Between $3.16 and $6 per use depending on the brand and whether you buy individually or in multi-packs. The PACT Pack Out Kit is $38 for a 12-pack, which works out to the lowest per-use cost of the name-brand kits.
How heavy is a pack out kit?
Most quality kits weigh 2.5 to 4 ounces unused. A used kit is maybe 10 to 12 ounces depending on, you know, the size of the deposit. That's less weight than a single apple.
Are pack out kits biodegradable?
The outer transport bag is not (and shouldn't be, you want it to survive the trip). Some inner bags are marketed as biodegradable, but even those should be disposed of in a trash can, not composted or buried. The PACT Wipes inside our kits are independently tested to reach 100% decomposition in 95 days.
Can you reuse a WAG bag?
Technically yes, the Cleanwaste instructions say you can reuse until the gel is saturated (roughly 3-4 uses if used with a camping toilet). For backpacking and solo trail use, consider each kit single-use. It's just cleaner.
Where can I buy poop bags for camping?
Purpose-built kits are sold online by the brands directly (pactoutdoors.com, cleanwaste.com, biffybag.com), at outdoor retailers (REI, Backcountry), and increasingly at trailheads in high-use areas via distribution kiosks like the ones we've piloted on Colorado 14ers. Amazon carries most major brands too.
Do I really need one if I'm just hiking for the day?
Honestly, yes. We did a survey with Moosejaw of 25,000 outdoor enthusiasts and 72% had been caught unprepared when they needed to go. Day hikers are the most common offenders on popular trails because they assume they won't need one. A pack out kit weighs nothing in your bag until the day you desperately need it.
The bigger picture
Here's the thing we keep coming back to at PACT: people don't leave poop on the trail because they're bad. They do it because they're naive and unprepared. That's a tool problem, not a character problem.
The growing poop problem on our public lands (and it is growing, fast enough that land managers are closing dispersed camping, reducing backcountry permits, and instituting timed entry systems partly because of it) won't get solved by more signs or more shaming. It gets solved by making the right tool cheap, easy, obvious, and a little bit fun to use.
If you give people better tools, they'll happily use them for the benefit of everyone. We've seen it in the Clean 14 study. We've seen it in the Doo Colorado Right program. We see it every time someone writes us to say they handed their extra kit to a stranger at a trailhead and the stranger's face lit up.
Pack out kits aren't complicated. Pick one that includes everything you need, that you'll actually bring with you, and that works the first time.
Featured in this post:
Pack Out Bathroom Kit
PACT Pack Out Kits make carrying out your poop in the backcountry easy. They’re durable, seal in odors, and include everything you need to feel clean.
Kit Includes
- Durable outer bag for safely carrying out your poop
- Large inner bag to poop into
- Poop Powder deodorizes, dehydrates, and kills pathogens
- (2) PACT Wipes to get you clean
- (1) Antiseptic hand wipe
- Bold, easy-to-follow instructions
- "Daily Dump" for some extra humor
Great For
All outdoor activities in fragile ecosystems such as arid deserts, alpine environments, near waterways, and high-use areas.
