The topic of female urinary directors (FUD) is something that's often discussed with amusement and comments about how much women must want to be like men to create a device to enable them to stand and pee like their opposite gender counterparts. Laugh all you want, but hell yeah I want to be able to stand and pee with minimal exposure when we're backpacking in zero degree weather, or when we're traveling and I go into a disgusting bathroom with overflowing toilets. Incase you're completely unfamiliar with these devices, they're all basically the same: some sort of funnel with a spout that allows you to remain standing without having to drop your pants if you don't wish to. I can't tell you how many times I've been traveling and had a bus stop for a bathroom break in the middle of nowhere without any good vegetation to hide behind. All the guys get out and all they have to do is face away to discretely relieve themselves, while all the women are stuck holding it and praying for better luck at the next stop. Get an FUD and problem solved. Fortunately, Justin wasn't a laugher and gave me my first, and so far only FUD. He did a lot of research and concluded that the Freshette was the best way to go, and it's been pretty darn awesome. Even if it hadn't worked well I think I would still have to be fond of mine since Justin used it as part of his proposal... it's a long story. Because of that I feel that I should be entitled to Freshettes for life - like the company should use the story for advertising purposes and give me Freshettes in payment. I can't imagine that there's anyone else out there who got proposed to with a Freshette. If there is, they probably said no! But obviously I'm a special kind of crazy. After receiving it I got a little nervous that I'd have issues using it and end up in a very uncomfortable situation. As such, I decided that giving it a few trial runs at home before taking it backpacking was a must. Fortunately I've had nothing but success and find it pretty easy to use, but I have read some reviews where the reviewer complained that they got splashed. I can see that being a possibility if you don't get it flush up against your skin, or if you pee on a really solid surface like a rock which would cause a lot of splattering instead of letting the pee soak in right away. Sorry if this is getting a bit gross - I'm an ER nurse so just about any topic is table conversation for me! Probably time to wrap this up before you're screaming TMI. In my opinion the ability to use an FUD in a myriad of situations from outdoor sports to travel and beyond makes these handy little devices something that every woman should at least consider adding to their gear stash. There are a number of different ones out there, so go do some research to find out which one is right for you. You can thank me later.

Gear Reviews