TravelJohn versus CleanWaste (WAG)

The major comparison is the disposable solid waste collection bag. TravelJohn wins. The bag and the external enclosing pouch is attached to the bag. Once you close the bag, you can roll it into the pouch blind folded. The John bag feels thicker to the hand, and is also biodegradable. I think the John bag has double Ziploc while the WAG is single.

The John powder is enclosed in a paper pouch inside the plastic bag. The WAG powder is just inside the plastic bag. It is more convenient to install the John bag onto the toilet, blind folded. There's no risk of getting powder into your hand.

The WAG capacity is 32 oz. The John capacity wasn't specified, but probably at least 28 oz as in it's urinal product. I tried in two mornings. The urinal risked overflowing, but didn't. So if each one person of three deliver 12 oz, both bags are not sufficient anyway. I had more experience with the WAG. My rule of thumb is three times of liquid disposal, hopefully not all adults. If you use it too much, apart from the solidification, the pouch isn't large enough for that much liquid.

The John powder may not be completely biodegradable. It's non-toxic though.

So the poo powder for extra solidification is pretty useless. The limiting factor is the size of the pouch.

Portable urinal - all not suitable for camping. The classic John comes without any Ziploc. You can just throw away the jelly when you are done. The newer reusable ones comes with a seal like a Ziploc. They are quite usable though for traveling and the long drive to camp. The plastic "mouth" is good for both boys and girls. If you are careful and with tissue in your hand, you can keep your hands all dry.

The big bags has similar liquid capacity. Any toilet system will be more convenient than holding a small plastic ring. Though these urinals, single use or double use, are really personal and private, and you don't need any toilets and bathrooms. But solid waste is the main issue.

Toilets - I will use the WAG system for solid and the John system for boys' urinal. The WAG toilet is much better than a bucket, but still boxy and bulky. The whole toilet is sturdy when you sit on it. It has a good solid toilet seat and easy to clean if necessary. The cover lid can seal the toilet pretty good. It's totally good when everybody seats down. For boys generating liquid, they can lift up the toilet seat as at home. But when the seat is lifted, there is nothing to secure the bag.

The net in the WAG toilet for holding the bag in place is pretty useless. The size of bags are designed to go all the way to the ground. If you restrict the bag it cannot be spread evenly around the seat. I remove it.

The John toilet is like a portable chair. From the picture I wouldn't seat on it, sharing it with others. But I would carry one, good for a boy loo that nobody need to sit on. A simple frame like the ring holding a basket ball net will be good.

I won't buy any simpler toilet to sit on with good possibility of toppling - kids can't sit still.

For the bathroom tent, both looked big enough. I have a cheap shower tent that is designed for one people standing. You can put two toilets but they are not far apart. If you have just one toilet, you still have some space for changing, but too close to the toilet. I would get a tent big enough for two loos with some space in between, plus extra spacing for changing. You will need changing space with open bottom if you only have a tent for sleeping.

Tips: I will dispose of the bag once someone use it for solid. I think any bag will smell, but cleaning up after yourself is the more important feel good factor for others. For liquids, share at most three times, or more with kids.

A family can use around 2 bags per person per day, which is comparable to a daily camping fee for a big family. But if the campsite bathrooms are reasonably clean, adults and boys should use it in the day time. After dark, in a big campsite, in a non-environmental sensitive campsite, dumping biodegradable liquid waste anywhere shouldn't be an issue. It's priceless when you wake up in the middle of the winter night and need to go, without having to walk a long way to the camp bathroom. Also, some overcrowded campsites' toilets are only clean in the early morning, after cleaning crews do their job. Often someone block one of the toilet, or make a big mess in one of them, forming a line in the rest.