Lewis N. Clark EllaPee Feminine Urination System

Easy to use…practical
Mywife bought this to use when we take car trips or hike in the woods. She says it so easy to use. It does come with a waterproof case but that is a tad small in size if you also want to keep a pee cloth in with the FUD. So she made another case to use with it. Her advice is also that you should practice with this before venturing out!

Game changer for me
I’d looked at these type of units before but never quite hit the “buy” button. I freaking love this thing now and can’t believe I didn’t get one years ago. A recent trip to Hawaii led me to seriously look again, and I decided on this one for a few reasons:1. Hybrid construction: the combination of a rigid support structure with a soft silicone body was the reason I chose this one. All the other ones were either hard plastic or completely soft silicone. This is the key to why I love it; I can seat it securely with a good seal (soft edge), direct the flow (soft spout) and it’s comfortable to keep a firm grip (rigid), without it collapsing (rigid) like only silicone would. It’s the perfect combination.2. The carrying case was nice so I could “palm” it on the way to the bathroom without being obvious, and at one point my bag was too full so I just clipped it on the outside without a problem or concern.3. The silicone interior was easy to wipe out with toilet paper and wipes in the stall until I could properly clean it while still feeling sanitary and not gross.I’m approaching fifty and I’m over the only options being: squat over toilets or feel like I’m sitting on unsanitary surfaces at best or disgusting wetness at worst. Wearing a backpack causes a further issues because it’s hard to balance while squatting; I’m over it. I needed a Plan C. This one creates a nice firm seal and I could relieve myself even with a strong flow without spillage. Tipping the unit forward as you remove it pulls any lingering wetness off your body, and the slippery silicone sheds all the liquid except maybe a couple drops. I used it at the airport, on the plane (long flights = disgusting bathrooms), at national park hole-in-the-floor latrines, and on a hike. I was ecstatic I didn’t have to squat and it made relieving myself easy and quick.I know the size is an issue for some people, but it didn’t bother me. It’s not ‘small’ but I think it’s discreet enough in the carrying case. I could fit it easily in a small shoulder sling-style purse. I prefer the larger size for holding it because I never peed on my hand once. I did have one accident because I tried to rush and didn’t seal it correctly against my body. Totally user error. Learned my lesson and never had a problem again. This is a staple in my bag now and I’ll never leave home without it!

Goodbye, hiking anxiety
This is my third, and final I’m happy to say, female urination device (FUD). Much like the bed in Goldilocks’ fable, this one is just right.The first (obtained on Amazon long enough ago that I don’t recall the name) works adequately if you drop-trou. It’s a little better than just squatting because you can aim into the cat hole you dug. But really, anyone used to peeing it the woods can do that without an FUD. The spout on it is in no way adequate to use without a wardrobe malfunction of some sort. It still requires lots of privacy so you don’t moon innocent hikers.The second is a She-Pee which in my case should be called She-Peed all over herself. I never tried this on the trail because I could never not pee on myself during practice. The reservoir is not wide enough to catch all the pee, especially if you, like me, try to stay hydrated on a long trail with little cover and end up having to go like a racehorse. The basin isn’t wide enough and the detachable spout is a drip point as well.Third and final is the Ella Pee which I found while researching the Tinkle Bell (the creativity of the names of these things!) which comes highly recommended from NYT/Wirecutter. The EllaPee was slightly less expensive which was a deciding factor because I ordered more than one FUD to try. I’m so glad I did.For the next two days after I received it, I practiced with the hiking bottoms I wear most often: either shorts or pants with zipper. At first it was a squat work out because I was afraid of peeing on my feet. Women are just not used to this stance. Once I realized what I was doing, I developed a system, as follows.1) Unzip and open fly as wide as possible. I don’t know how to achieve results with tight clothing or draw-string pants. Others can, I was unsuccessful.2) Stand up straight with legs slightly apart, knees unlocked. No need to squat. Stand so there’s room to get the device and your dominant hand down your business.3) Move underwear aside with non-dominant hand.4) Put the device down your pants, fitting the back to sit comfortably but not tightly against the perineum. You will be tempted to wedge it in tight but don’t. The front, hose part, sticks out the fly like a dude’s factory equipment, in case that wasn’t clear.5) Pee.6) Wait for drips to stop, remove the device and clean yourself as you see fit.I purchased a pee cloth which snaps to my day pack. I also have spray sanitizer and a travel bidet. I obviously can’t use the bidet as designed with this endeavor but it does make a good rinse for the EllaPee.This may seem like a lot to carry just for peeing. For me it’s worth the weight. I get anxious about trying to hold it for as many hours as the hike is plus travel to and from. No more sublimating my pee!

Es de esas cosas que no sabías que necesitabas hasta que la tienes.Sí es más grande y rígida que otras, pero… es facilísima de usar.Si te sugiero que practiques antes en tu casa para que le agarres la onda, pero el diseño de las 2 partes (suave y rígido) lo hacen muy sencillo de acoplar donde se necesita para que no haya accidentes incómodos. Me gusta que tenga su funda de transporte y nadie sepa lo que llevas.Realmente puedes olvidarte de batallar (y no arriesgar tu salud) en cualquier baño público o lugar.Algunas personas que conozco sienten rechazo por guardarla usada si no hay manera de lavarla de inmediato. En ese sentido, pues las entiendo, pero no es tan malo como podría parecer. Por lo general, traigo una botella de agua para beber (a donde sea que vaya), así que lo que hago es enjuagarla con un poquito de agua de inmediato, la sacudo bien, la guardo en su estuche y listo. No huele, no nada. Eso sí, en cuanto puedo la lavo con jabón y la dejo secar al aire.La recomiendo tanto como las copas menstruales. Es una chulada!

Ich habe die EllaPee heute bekommen und auch gleich ausprobiert. Hatte vorher schon mal eine ähnliche aber komplett aus weichem Silikon, da ist einiges daneben gegangen. Bei dieser hier nicht, da sie an der großen Öffnung verstärkt ist. Endlich unterwegs pinkeln können, auch wenn keine Toilette in der Nähe ist, und das, ohne sich mit den H…..n im Dunkeln in die Brennesseln zu hocken.