Article updated: April 26, 2023
The great outdoors are great. That is until body odor, sweat, dirt, grime and bacteria set in.
Then things start to get messy… and a little smelly.
Whether you’re camping, hiking, backpacking or hunting, staying fresh in the wild isn’t as easy as hopping in the shower and washing your hygiene problems down the drain.
Sometimes you gotta get a little bit creative.
One of the best options for getting clean when showering isn’t possible, is using a full body cleansing wipe.
Body wipes are a convenient method of eliminating odor, sweat, dirt, grime, and bacteria, all without the need for a shower or water. Simply remove the pre-moistened wipe from the pack and scrub dirt and grime into oblivion, all while deodorizing and disinfecting the skin. Easy peasy.
Below is a list of the 7 best body wipes for camping, hiking, backpacking, and hunting. Each one is fully capable of providing a full body cleanse, while leaving the skin smelling clean, deodorized and hydrated. They are even fully biodegradable and completely safe for the environment. Perfect.
The Lineup:
- Surviveware Wet Wipes
- Alcala Body Wipes
- Venture Wipes
- Epic Wipes XL
- HyperGo Wipes
- Combat Wipes
- Bar-D Wipes
7 Best Body Wipes for Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking Reviewed
Surviveware – Biodegradable Wet Wipes
Developed by backpackers, Surviveware wipes are a tried and true full body wipe that you should consider making part of your next outdoor excursion. These do-it-all wet wipes are designed to cleanse your hands, face, body, and are even safe for bathroom use whenever nature calls. Measuring in at a respectable 8″ x 12″ and featuring a thick, durable construction, one Surviveware wipe is more than capable of handling a full body cleansing and will leave your skin feeling clean, smooth, and hydrated.
What I like about Surviveware Wet Wipes:
• They are really wet
If you ever used a body wipe that is lacking in moisture, you know how ineffective it can be at doing its intended job. One of the first things I noticed about Surviveware wet wipes is how wet they are. I’m talking really wet. One wipe contains enough moisture for an effective full body cleansing with plenty of moisture to spare.
• They are moisturizing
Unlike many cheap body wipes that have a tendency to dry out the skin as they cleanse, Surviveware wipes are infused with aloe and vitamin E that leave the skin feeling clean and hydrated instead of stripped of moisture.
• They are multi-functional
Don’t limit these Surviveware wet wipes to just your body. Designed to serve a myriad of functions, these wipes are safe for hands, feet, face, body, cooking equipment, pets, gear, clothes, and are especially great as a bathroom wipe. You can even bury them in the ground afterwards to dispose of them thanks to their fully biodegradable construction.
• Sensitive skin safe
Formulated with safe, natural ingredients and completely scent free, these wipes are a great option for outdoor enthusiasts with sensitive skin.
• Reasonably priced
Another great thing about Surviveware Wet Wipes is that they are very reasonably priced. And although the price is pretty cheap, the quality of these wipes is absolutely top notch.
How Do Surviveware Wipes Compare to Other Body Wipes on the Market?
Surviveware wipes are my personal favorite body wipes for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and backpacking but you may be wondering how they compare to similar wipes on the market.
In regards to price, Surviveware wipes cost similar to many body wipes available on the market. They aren’t the cheapest body wipe around, but they aren’t the most expensive either. In my opinion you really get what you pay for with these wipes due to their effectiveness and performance. If cost is more important to you than performance, you can certainly find cheaper body wipes out there.
Size is also a big factor to consider when choosing a body wipe. Surviveware wipes measure in at a respectable 8″x12″ which is about average when compared to similar body wipes. There are larger body wipes available and even some MUCH larger wipes available, but those wipes aren’t suitable for all occasions and can actually go to waste if you’re just looking for a quick wipe down. My personal opinion is that one Surviveware wipe is large enough and wet enough for a full body wipe down as long as your not covered in dirt and mud. In which case you might need to use a couple to get the job done.
In my opinion the thing that really sets Surviveware wipes apart is how they leave the skin feeling soft and smooth with no residue left behind. I’ve used camping wipes in the past that left my skin feeling sticky, greasy, and even oily. Thankfully Surviveware wipes do none of that, and in my opinion have the best skin feel of any camping wipe currently available on the market.
Alcala – Deodorizing Body Wipes
Enjoying the great outdoors is always a little bit easier when you’re feeling fresh and clean. Alcala deodorizing body wipes are designed to eliminate odor, sweat, dirt, grime and bacteria, while leaving the skin feeling smooth, clean, nourished, and hydrated. They’re constructed using 100% natural bamboo fibers and infused with a crap ton of skin beneficial ingredients including: aloe, chamomile, green tea, cucumber, tea tree extract, and oat extract. Featuring a thick and durable construction and measuring in at a respectable 10″ x 10″, I find that one Alcala wipe is more than capable of handling a full body wipe down.
What’s great about Alcala Deodorizing body wipes:
• Individually wrapped
The great thing about body wipes is that they offer convenience in situations where showering is simply not an option. Alcala kind of takes that convenience a step further by individually wrapping their wipes, making them simple and convenient to always have on hand. So whether you’re camping, hiking, traveling, or backpacking, you can always have an Alcala body wipe near at hand when things start getting messy.
• Bamboo
Alcala body wipes are constructed using safe, all-natural bamboo fibers. Not only is bamboo soft and supple on the skin, it’s known for it’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, such as sweat. Aside from it’s effectiveness as a body wipe, bamboo is a highly sustainable resource which means less impact on the environment.
• Biodegradable
Another benefit of the all-natural bamboo construction is that these wipes are fully biodegradable within 27 days. Safe for us and the environment.
• Skin beneficial ingredients
These wipes just don’t get you clean, they are infused with beneficial ingredients that leave skin feeling clean, smooth, nourished and hydrated, including:
- Aloe – Contains antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and is a natural anti-inflammatory. It also moisturizes and hydrates skin.
- Chamomile – A anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant that protects the skin.
- Green tea – Contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that destroy microorganisms on the skin and prevents their growth.
- Cucumber – Naturally reduces inflamed and irritated skin and improves hydration.
- Tea tree – Reduces skin redness, swelling, and inflammation.
- Oat extract – A natural cleanser that exfoliates and removes dirt and oil on the skin. It also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Thick, durable, tough
One of the first things you’ll notice about Alcala body wipes is the thick, durable construction. I’ve used body wipes in the past that have a tendency to rip and tear due to cheap build quality, and I’m glad to say that Alcala wipes are completely different. Their cloth like construction is capable of tackling pretty much any mess you can throw at it, without ripping, tearing, or shredding.
Venture Wipes
Next time you go on an adventure don’t leave home without a few of these individually wrapped Venture Wipes. These large full body wipes are designed to cleanse, nourish, soothe, and moisturize the skin, while the lightly textured surface gently exfoliates dead skin cells, dirt, and grime. Infused with aloe, tea tree oil, and vitamin E, Venture Wipes leave skin feeling clean, smooth, and hydrated with no sticky or greasy residue.
What’s great about Venture Wipes:
• Thick and durable
Forget those wimpy little baby wipes, and up your game to a real body wipe. Venture wipes are thick, strong, and durable enough to tackle a full body cleanse, without ripping or tearing. Perfect for rugged outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and backpacking.
• Large size
Don’t settle on a undersized “full body wipe”. Venture Wipes put most other body wipes to shame with their generous 12″ x 12″ size. Not only do they provide a full body cleanse; they are large enough for room to spare. I’d say you can even share one with a friend, but that’s kind of gross.
• Textured surface
The great outdoors aren’t always so forgiving on the skin. One of the things I really like about these Venture Wipes is that they have a textured surface that scrubs away all that crap that nature deposits on the skin. The exfoliating texture is strong enough to blast through dirt and grime, but gentle enough for sensitive skin. It’s kind of the perfect balance.
• Biodegradable
We want to enjoy nature, not destroy it. That’s why Venture Wipes are constructed using 100% natural, sustainable, and biodegradable fibers that minimize our impact on the environment. Kind of the perfect body wipe for enjoying the great outdoors.
Epic Wipes XL
Calling these things a “wipe” has got to be the understatement of the year. These huge, full body “towels” are perfect for eliminating odor, dirt, grime, sweat, mud, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Constructed with 100% bamboo fibers, these wipes are sustainable, biodegradable, and completely safe for the environment. Lightly scented with eucalyptus oil that provides a light, fresh scent, while offering the added benefit of antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
What’s great about Epic Wipes XL:
• They’re massive
Measuring in at roughly 20″ x 31″ these full body shower wipes are perfect for camping, hiking, backpacking, or whenever getting to a shower is simply not an option. The bamboo derived fibers are soft and absorbent, which makes cleanup quick and easy.
• Individually wrapped
Body wipes are supposed to convenient, right? That’s why these Epic Wipes are individually wrapped, making them perfect for travel and the outdoors. Throw a few in your backpack, car, gym bag, or even keep one in your pocket. The point is, these wipes are always on hand when you need one.
• Natural
I’m not a fan of using synthetic chemicals and ingredients on my skin and I’m sure you aren’t either. That’s one of the great things about these Epic Wipes. They are constructed using only safe, natural ingredients, including: bamboo, eucalyptus oil, chamomile, and calendula.
HyperGo Wipes
Anytime, anywhere. That’s the motto of HyperGo full body wipes and I’d say it’s a pretty accurate statement. These large wipes are intended for life on the go (HyperGo) and are designed to eliminate odor, sweat, dirt, grime, and bacteria while nourishing and hydrating the skin. Perfect for outdoor activities like sports, camping, hiking, hunting, and backpacking. Formulated with unique, all-natural ingredients such as: aloe, oatmeal, and honey, these unscented wipes leave skin feeling clean, stink free, and moisturized. Available in individually wrapped packs or single packs of 20.
What’s great about HyperGo body wipes:
• Large
Leave the baby wipes at home and give yourself a full body wipe down with an actually full body wipe. HyperGo wipes measure an impressive 12″ x 12″ and are thick, strong, and durable. One wipe is fully capable of cleansing dirt, sweat, odor and grime, while leaving your skin feeling nourished and hydrated.
• Premium ingredients
HyperGo wipes are more than just great full body wipes. They are full of skin beneficial ingredients that you won’t find in other wipes, including:
- Aloe – Nourishes and hydrates the skin. It’s also a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and contains vitamins A and C which help protect and heal the skin.
- Honey – Added to help cleanse, any moisturize the skin. It’s also a natural antibacterial and antioxidant.
- Oatmeal – A natural cleanser that exfoliates, and eliminates dirt and oil from the skin.
• All-natural
HyperGo wipes are constructed using safe, biodegradable vegetable fibers, and all-natural ingredients. They contain no fragrances, and are great for anyone with sensitive skin.
• Fresh and clean cleaning
HyperGo wipes provide an out-of-the-shower clean feeling, without the actual shower. They leave no nasty greasy residue like you sometimes find on cheap body wipes. Just a fresh, clean, and hydrated feeling.
Combat Wipes
Whether you’re camping, hiking, or backpacking – fight sweat, odor, and bacteria with Combat cleansing wipes. Developed by elite military soldiers, Combat Wipes are designed to cleanse the skin while eliminating odor, dirt, bacteria, and grime. While they aren’t the largest wipes on this list (7.1″ x 8.3″), they are however constructed using thick, durable fibers that won’t rip or tear during use. Infused with aloe and vitamin E, Combat Wipes not only cleanse, but help protect the skin and even moisturize.
What’s great about Combat Wipes:
• Textured
Forget about baby wipes or cheap wet wipes that do a half assed job of cleansing the skin. Combat wipes feature a textured surface that grabs a hold of dirt, sweat, and grime for a thorough clean that you can see and feel.
• Full body
Yeah Combat Wipes are a body wipe, but did you know they are full body wipe? While I don’t want to get too graphic here, Combat Wipes are completely safe to use as a bathroom wipe, and thanks to the textured surface they leave you feeling fresh and clean down below.
• Safe for sensitive skin
Nature presents it’s own set of hazards for the skin. You don’t want there to be any in your cleansing wipes too, right? Thankfully Combat Wipes are constructed using only safe, natural ingredients that won’t harm or irritate the skin.
• Biodegradable
Forget about hauling around dirty, sweaty body wipes. Combat Wipes are safe for the environment and completely biodegradable. That means you can bury them or trash them without a negative impact on the environment.
Bar-D Wipes
Specifically designed for use in the great outdoors, these Bar-D cleansing wipes are designed to cleanse and deodorize the skin, while tea tree oil and aloe vera soothe, nourish, and hydrate. Measuring in at approximately 8″ x 10″, Bar-D wipes are large enough for a full body cleanse, or can be easily torn into strips and used as a bathroom wipe. Constructed using 100% natural bamboo fiber, Bar-D wipes soak up sweat, dirt, and grime, while being fully biodegradable and completely safe for the environment.
What’s great about Bar-D wet wipes:
• Absorbent
Thanks to the natural bamboo construction, Bar-D wipes excel at absorbing sweat, dirt, and grime with ease, while still being soft and gentle on the skin. Bamboo fiber is known for it’s natural ability to absorb and wick away sweat and moisture at speeds up to 4x faster than cotton.
• Cooling effect
There’s no air conditioning out in nature, but these Bar-D wet wipes might offer the next best thing. Infused with tea tree oil and aloe vera, these wet wipes provide a light cooling sensation to the skin that feels refreshing and soothing, especially after a long hike.
• Fresh scent
Tea tree oil not only soothes and cools the skin, but it also provides a fresh, natural scent to these wipes that isn’t too strong or overbearing.
• No sticky residue
Body wipes that leave a sticky or greasy residue behind are kind of pointless. The idea is to cleanse the skin, not make matters worse. One of the things that I really like about Bar-D wipes is that they leave the skin with a fresh, “just out of the shower” clean feeling. If you’re looking for a legit shower in a pouch, you can’t go wrong with Bar-D wet wipes.
Thanks for reading my list of best body wipes for camping, hiking, and backpacking. If you found this article helpful, I recommend checking out my list of best face wipes for men. As always, if you have any comments or questions feel free to drop me a line in the comment section below.
Thanks for the recommendations. I really like the Alcala wipes and the fact that they are individually wrapped. Perfect and convenient for my families many camping trips during the summer. Thanks again!!!
I agree! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I’ve backpacked, hiked, and camped all around the world and body wipes are an absolute must! Thanks for this list, there are some nice options here that I didn’t know about. I really like the biodegradable option on some of these body wipes. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing, Ignacio.
I’ve been using body wipes while camping for years. I never really thought about taking them on my hikes but that would be super convenient to help reduce sweat and odor during the hike. In my opinion a biodegradable wipe is super important while camping because you can simply bury the wipe and not worry about having a negative impact on nature. I like to leave as little trace of myself while camping so I really like the biodegradable options.
I go camping a few times a year with family and I really enjoy it but I definitely don’t enjoy the feeling of being sticky and dirty due to lack of showering. Body wipes are a life saver when it comes to camping but I really don’t like body wipes that have a strong scent or added ingredients that leave me feeling like I have something on my skin. I prefer unscented body wipes that just leave me feeling clean without any residue on the skin. I’m glad to see that you mentioned that a few times in this article so I am going to give a few of these wipes a try to see which ones work best for me.
Hello! This is a splendid review of body wipes. I’ve used the Alcala – Deodorizing Body Wipes. I liked them because although they’re wet, they are not drippy. The skin-soothing ingredients of aloe and vitamin E helps my skin to stay soft and supple, they are durable even to wash my feet but gentle enough to clean sensitive or delicate areas too.
However, from your review, the other types sounds ok to me. I’ll try them as well.
But, can body wipes replace showering?
Thank you very much.
Alcala are the best body wipes for camping I have ever used. I’ve been using them for a few years now on multiple camping trips and I’m on my second bag of them. I really like them because they are perfectly moist and do a really good job of eliminating odor – better than other wipes I have used in the past. They aren’t the biggest body wipe out there but the size is more than adequate and I can get a full body cleanse with one, maybe two wipes if I’m really dirty.
Great article! Thank you for the suggestions. I particularly enjoy the Surviveware Wet Wipes and their moist properties, as well as their multi-functional properties as well. Very convenient for sure. Perfect and practical for the numerous summer camping trips taken by my family and that of with my friends as well. Thanks again.