As a woman who spends over half the year working and recreating in the backcountry, I've experienced many times when a women's pee funnel would be a saving grace. While popping a squat is easy, if I'm in the middle of a rock climb, roped up on a glacier, or traversing an alpine ridge with a group of male clients, it's not always possible or comfortable to just drop trou and go.
It may sound comical, but in reality, when you're uncomfortable or incapable of urinating when needed, you run the risk of developing urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or damaged pelvic floor muscles. Not to mention the fact that holding your bladder is just plain uncomfortable and could keep you from staying properly hydrated, even when you've got plenty of safe water to drink. Thankfully, for myself and anyone who doesn't normally pee standing up, pee funnels exist.
Called a variety of different names—female urination devices (FUD), stand-up urination devices, female urinals, urine funnels—women's pee funnels all function similarly, made of hard plastic or medical-grade silicone that you hold up against your body while urinating to direct the stream away, allowing you to pee while standing up. They can be must-have gear for everyone from women hikers who don't relish pulling their pants down in the great outdoors to women sitting in a tree stand all day, to anyone who doesn't want to sit on a gross toilet seat in a public pit toilet.
My reliable funnel (the Sani-Fem Freshette) is a vital part of my gear list, whether I'm heading out on a backpacking trip or a road trip. Here are six options for different needs, all worth your money.
The Best Pee Funnels for Women of 2024
- Best Pee Funnel Overall: Sani-Fem Freshette
- Most Packable Pee Funnel: GoGirl
- Best Budget Pee Funnel: SheWee Original
- Most Discreet Pee Funnel: pStyle
- Most Compact Pee Funnel: Tinkle Belle
- Best Disposable Pee Funnel: SaniGirl
Best Pee Funnel Overall
Freshette
Top Pick: Sani-Fem Freshette
My go-to pee funnel is the Sani-Fem Sports & Travel Freshette. While it's not the cutest or the smallest female urinary device (FUD), I think it's the easiest to use and is the only pee funnel I'll pack on any backcountry trip. Take that with a grain of salt, however, as that only means that it is the best pee funnel for me and my body.
The Sani-Fem Freshette is made of hard plastic and has a large cup and an extension tube, making it one of the easiest pee funnels to use for both beginners and advanced users. If you're looking for a pee funnel that you can go anywhere with, with minimal stress, this is it. I've tested it out in a variety of conditions, the most difficult being while guiding a three-week expedition on Denali, the highest mountain in North America. My Sani-Fem Freshette saw me through the toughest conditions, and I was able to use it standing up, wearing a harness, and roped up to my clients in a whiteout at 18,000 feet, while wearing three layers of pants. Not only did I maintain my privacy, but I also didn't pee on myself once. With its extension tube, it combines easily with a pee bottle to use in a tent or car, too.
Excelling at its actual function comes with a few tradeoffs, however. Because it's one of the larger pee funnels, the Sani-Fem Freshette is also one of the bulkiest and least discreet to carry around. It only comes in a less-than-desirable army green color and stores in an ugly (but leakproof) plastic bag. For these reasons, I only use my Sani-Fem Freshette on backcountry or road trips, where I'm not trying to disguise the fact that I'm using a pee funnel. At $24, it's also one of the most expensive pee funnels.
Most Packable Pee Funnel
GoGirl
Top Pick: GoGirl
GoGirl is one of the most popular pee funnels and, at first glance, it's easy to see why. Coming in khaki and pink colors and costing just $15, this pee funnel is made of medical-grade silicone and folds down into a travel pouch about the size of a golf ball.
I lost my Sani-Fem Freshette right before a backcountry trip and was looking for last-minute alternatives. I was drawn to GoGirl's packability and how much more discreet it was than the Sani-Fem. However, I made the mistake of not test-running the GoGirl in a bathroom before using it in the field. The first time I used it, I was tied into a harness in the rain and wearing long johns and soft-shell hiking pants. Because I couldn't get my pants very far down, I wasn't able to get a good seal with the soft silicone mouth of the GoGirl—it kept bending and moving as I tried to adjust it, and I had no confidence that I was going to get any of my urine in the funnel (rightly so, it turned out). After using it, I couldn't tell if my legs felt extra wet because of the rain, or if I had just peed all over myself. With two-and-a-half weeks left on the expedition, I frankly didn't want to know.
Needless to say, I personally don't use GoGirl in the backcountry anymore, but I see its merits as a great pee funnel for public restroom use or in places where you can take your pants all the way down. It's packable and discreet, and the soft silicone feels a lot nicer on your skin than hard plastic.
While the GoGirl on its own doesn't come with an extension tube, the $21 GoGirl Combo Pack includes a 6-inch tube for pee-bag compatibility. The $27 GoGirl Adventure pack also comes with a tube, as well as hand sanitizer, and a soft, zippered travel case to hold it all.
Best Budget Pee Funnel
SheWee
Top Pick: SheWee Original
As a hard plastic funnel with an extension tube, the SheWee is very similar to the Sani-Fem Freshette. It comes in eight different colors though and is not nearly as large as the Freshette, making it much more packable (though perhaps less user-friendly). It comes with a durable plastic case, rather than a plastic bag like the Freshette, and at $17 is slightly more affordable.
The SheWee's packability comes with a few compromises. First, the cup of the funnel is far narrower than the Sani-Fem Freshette, allowing less volume to pass through. This is easy to work around—you just have to be a little more confident in your pee funnel use and be able to modulate your urination to prevent an overflow of the cup. For that reason, I recommend practicing with the SheWee in an actual bathroom before taking it out into the backcountry.
The SheWee Original can also be combined with another SheWee product called the Peebol, which is marketed as a pocket-sized toilet. The Peebol is essentially a disposable pee bottle in the form of a small, flat pouch that is easy to store in the car for road trips. The pouch is full of absorbent granules that turn urine into a solid gel in under a minute and control odors. The one-liter pouch can also be resealed and reused until it's full.
Most Discreet Pee Funnel
pStyle
Top Pick: pStyle
Outside of the Sani-Fem Freshette, the pStyle is the go-to pee funnel of my friends who are professional mountaineering guides. Marketed for nonbinary people and trans-men as well as cisgender women, the pStyle is made of hard plastic and has an open design, so it looks less like a funnel and more like a children's slide. This design lets you slip the pStyle through the fly of your jeans or under a harness, making it one of the more discreet pee funnels, in particular if privacy is your main concern. Because there are no enclosed tubes or funnels, it's also the easiest pee funnel to clean.
However, because it's narrower and doesn't have a cup to seal against your body like the Sani-Fem Freshette or GoGirl, you won't be able to fully unleash on the pStyle—you'll have to modulate your urination so you don't overflow the slide. With an open design, there's also the possibility of getting splashed while using it if you're not careful, and there's no extension tube to aim further beyond your body or into a pee bag. You'll have to bend at the waist to aim this pee funnel and direct the stream.
The pStyle is one of the more affordable pee funnels at just $12, and comes in a variety of colors including skin tones, as well as handmade carrying cases. There's also an option that's made from recycled plastic from the ocean.
Most Compact Pee Funnel
Tinkle Bell
Top Pick: Tinkle Belle
The Tinkle Belle has great perks other than just a genius name: The open design is similar to the pStyle, but unlike its competitor, the Tinkle Belle is made of both flexible and rigid materials. While the main collection cup is rigid plastic, the spout is flexible, allowing you to fold the pee funnel down to a smaller size. There's also a soft "squeegee" ridge on the back edge of the funnel, so you can use the device to wipe as well, though I haven't personally used that feature, so I can't comment on how well it works.
The Tinkle Belle's materials have antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Like the pStyle, it's easier to clean and dry because of the open design.
It's one of the more expensive options, however, running at $21 without a carrying case. You'll have to pay a few extra dollars for the soft, zippered pouch. The company also sells glow-in-the-dark cases, which could be helpful when stashing your pee funnel in your tent at night.
Best Disposable Pee Funnel
SaniGirl
Top Pick: SaniGirl
The SaniGirl is a one-time-use pee funnel that you throw out afterward. It's tiny and folds flat, so it can easily be carried in your purse or pocket for emergency use. Having a SaniGirl on hand is a great option for dirty public restrooms, day hikes, or long runs where you may not want to tote along a reusable pee funnel.
However, the SaniGirl funnel's petite size can also make it difficult to use. The cup portion isn't very large, so you could overflow it if you're not careful. There's also no extension tube, so you won't be able to aim your urine very well.
Some users claim that by carefully wiping off a SaniGirl, they're able to reuse it. But at just $10 for a 10-pack of pee funnels, it may be best to keep these to a one-time use, or buy a pee funnel that's meant to be reused.
Other Helpful Bathroom Accessories
Pee funnels are great, but what about wiping? If you're in the backcountry and practicing Leave No Trace (which you always should be), that means packing out your toilet paper—a perfectly viable option, though even just bringing toilet paper can be a hassle in the backcountry. It's in limited supply, can be difficult to access, and disintegrates if it gets wet.
A better option is a pee rag, like the kula cloth. This small, square antimicrobial piece of fabric can be used as toilet paper after urinating. It's packable, discrete, easy to throw in the washing machine, and comes in a variety of fun colors. I clip mine to the outside of my backpack, with the antimicrobial side folded in, for easy access when in the backcountry.
As a mountaineering guide in Alaska, I spend a lot of time stuck in tents in bad weather. Think: -20 degrees, 30 mph winds, high altitude. The last thing I want to do in the middle of the night is put on all of my layers and trudge to the bathroom to relieve myself. That's when I reach for a pee bottle.
Used with a pee funnel, the pee bottle lets you pee in tents, trucks, or other places where you can't simply urinate on the ground. It takes a little mental gymnastics to get used to, but a pee bottle can be life-changing and give you full "free to pee'' privileges.
There's no special brand or product needed; just look for a wide-mouthed bottle that can hold at least a liter. I like to use a collapsible Nalgene canteen, so that when I'm not using it I can stuff it away in my bag. With a little practice, you may be able to use a pee bottle without using a pee funnel too; make sure to practice at home first!
A word of warning: Sometimes the flexible plastic on the collapsible Nalgene can wear out, so make sure you're replacing your pee bottle every once in a while. You don't want to end up like my friend, whose collapsible pee bottle ended up seeping into their sleeping bag when they were sleeping.
While pee funnels let you pee without fully taking your pants off, it's somewhat of an advanced skill. Thankfully, some clothing brands make pee pants, such as Chickfly, Zip Hers, and Gnara. Generally, these have zippers that have been modified to unzip fully front to back, so that you can pull the crotch to each side to pee without having to fully drop your pants. These are great for privacy and work with or without a pee funnel.
If you spend a lot of time in a climbing harness, modified zippers or drop-seat pants—where the top of the pants detaches at the hips, "dropping the seat" without you having to pull down your pants—are vital for peeing in comfort. Having to pull your pants up and down while in a harness is a nightmare, and these modified pants make life a lot easier on long climbs or mountaineering routes.
What to Look for When Buying a Pee Funnel
Despite not being much more than a silicone or plastic funnel, pee funnels come in an almost overwhelming number of varieties and styles.
When you're looking for your perfect pee funnel, the number one priority should be your comfort with using it. The only thing worse than not having a pee funnel is having one you're afraid to use. The best way to find the best pee funnel for you is to try different models until one clicks.
Understandably, it may be impossible to return a used pee funnel you don't like. To help narrow your search and avoid the possibility of winding up with an arsenal of products that don't work for you, I've identified a few things that you'll want to look for on your hunt for the perfect funnel.
Pee funnels come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are typically made of either hard plastic or medical-grade silicone. Some pee funnels have extension tubes that attach to the funnel, giving you more distance and aim when urinating.
You can also find disposable, one-use-only pee funnels, typically made of waterproof cardboard or paper. These are great options for day trips, music festivals, road trips, or other situations where you may not want to sit on a public restroom or porta potty toilet seat.
The ideal pee funnel for you is one that you find easy to use. While all pee funnels work in the same general way, there are varying levels of difficulty. If you're new to the pee-funnel game, look for one that has a wide, large cup to seal against your body, thereby limiting the possibility of leaks. While more spout-like funnels are smaller and more packable, their narrow shape can make using them more challenging—these should be left to the seasoned pee funnel users and will likely require a lot of practice. Even after six years of funnel use, some of the small funnels still scare me.
I also like a funnel that has an extension tube that attaches to the bottom of the funnel, or at the very least a long spout. Not only does this allow you to aim (and maybe even draw your name in the snow!), it also just helps funnel urine a little farther from you. If you're not used to peeing standing up, this helps keep pee off of your feet.
Pee funnels for women are typically made of hard plastic, medical-grade silicone, or single-use waterproof cardboard.
If you're a first-time user looking for a reusable pee funnel, I suggest you go with hard plastic, rather than silicone. While silicone is generally more comfortable against the body and packs down smaller, the flexible material can make it hard to get a good seal during use, especially if you're trying to pee without taking your pants off. Save the silicone for front-country bathroom use where you can fully drop trou, or for more advanced users.
Pee funnels are, by nature, relatively small and packable. Even when using one of the larger models, I've never not packed my pee funnel because it took up too much room.
That being said, certain pee funnels are more packable and discreet than others. For a more inconspicuous style, or one that you plan on taking into public restrooms, look for a pee funnel that comes with a drawstring bag or that rolls up into a small package. While silicone funnels are harder to use, they're also very flexible and able to be rolled up into a small tube, which may be preferable if discretion is your main goal.
Disposable pee funnels, while not the most sustainable choice, are also a great option for maximum packability and discreteness. As they're generally made of waterproof paper or cardboard, they are able to lie flat and easily fit in a purse or small bag.
Your Questions, Answered
A pee funnel, also called female funnel or a female urination device (FUD), is a tool that allows women to urinate standing up or when cold weather or certain activities (like climbing) prevent being able to fully take down pants. The basic gist is they have a wider mouth that is pressed against the body, with a tube or spout that directs urine away.
Most female urination devices come with either a discrete drawstring or a plastic bag in which you can store the device while on trips. To quick-clean the funnel, simply shake it several times and run some water through the funnel before storing it.
Once you're home or at a proper sink, you'll want to clean the funnel more thoroughly. Use hot, soapy water to wash the funnel thoroughly, then let it dry before storing it.
Many women and trans-men have experienced the discomfort of having to hold in their pee until they find a private place to urinate. Unfortunately, holding your bladder can cause urinary tract infections, damage your pelvic floor muscles, and kidney stones, and is also just straight-up uncomfortable.
Pee funnels make it easier to urinate in less-than-ideal situations. Because you're able to stand up and pee while using them, it's easier to find a place and privacy to relieve yourself.
If you haven't already caught on, my answer is simple: the one that works best for your body! Female urinary devices are a very personal item, and just as with finding a menstrual cup, it may take some trial and error to find a funnel that works best for your body and your needs. Don't give up if you don't like the first funnel you try; it took me a few different models before I found one that worked best for me.
Absolutely. Once I started using pee funnels (and pee rags and pee bottles), it was hard to go back. Pee funnels give you the freedom to pee wherever you need (within reason, of course), and let you do so while maintaining some privacy. No more hiding behind a tree or pulling your pants down in front of your friends to pee! Pee funnels let you pee standing up and, with some practice, you can use them without doing much more than unzipping your fly or pulling the front of your pants down.
Who We Are
An experienced outdoorswoman and professional mountain guide of six years, Chelsey Cook spends a lot of time roped up on glaciers and rock walls with no convenient places to pee. To make matters worse, she's usually the one in charge in these situations, and "dropping trou" in front of the typically all-male group she's leading is not an option if she wants to maintain my dignity.
To combat the problem, Chelsey has tried just about every pee funnel on the market and am an expert at peeing in unconventional places and in unconventional ways. From pee funnels to pee rags to pee bottles, she's dialed in her favorite methods and feels passionately about helping other women and trans-men find their best way to be "free to pee."
