I’m a woman who likes to hike and climb, which presents a few challenges.

For example, when peeing outside on the trail, I used to have two options: use toilet paper or drip dry. The first option made it hard to follow Leave No Trace ethics, and the second was downright uncomfortable. Thanks to the Kula Cloth, I now have a third option. This reusable, anti-microbial pee cloth is an easy, environmentally friendly way to practice good bathroom hygiene outdoors.

A Kula Cloth isn’t very big (5.75 inches by 5.5 inches), but it sure is effective. On one side, there’s an absorbent, silver-infused, antimicrobial cloth that you can wipe yourself with. On the other side, there’s a clean, waterproof material that you hold the cloth with. The brand employs artists to design the backsides of the cloths, so they come in a variety of patterns, colors, and prints. Each cloth has a snap fastener that makes it easy to attach to a backpack.

I’ve had my Kula Cloth for around a year and bring it on all my climbing and backpacking trips. It makes peeing while squatting a much easier, cleaner experience. If I’m on a long trip, I’ll wash my Kula with a bit of soap at camp. Then when I get home, I’ll throw it in the washing machine, and it’s as good as new. Despite being used for an extended period of time, my Kula Cloth has no staining, odor, or noticeable wear and tear. The cloths cost about $20 on the brand’s website, which might seem a bit steep for a glorified pee cloth. But I can assure you that these cloths’ convenience, durability, and comfort are well worth the price.

Author: Mary Andino is a contributor to Terrain.

Image: Courtesy of Kula Cloth.