How to Use Trail Cloth - The Ultimate Backcountry Essential

If you spend enough time in the New Zealand backcountry, you know there’s no such thing as too much comfort — especially when it comes to toilet breaks on the trail. Enter Trail Cloth: a small, reusable square of genius that replaces toilet paper for pee, reduces waste, and keeps you feeling fresh on multi-day hikes.

Here’s everything you need to know about how (and why) to use one.

💧 Step One: Pee Like a Pro

After you’ve finished peeing outdoors, simply use the soft faux suede side of your Trail Cloth to gently pat dry. It’s super absorbent, gentle on skin, and helps prevent irritation and moisture build-up — especially useful on longer trips or hot days when synthetic underwear are part of the deal.

The outer layer (nylon or PUL) is water-resistant, so any residual moisture won’t soak through to your hand or pack.

🌿 Step Two: Clip It to Dry

Once you’re done, clip it to your pack using the carabiner.

This is where the magic happens — the airflow and sunlight naturally dry and refresh the cloth as you walk. Think of it like line-drying on the move.

If you’re hiking in the rain, even better, it's like your Trail Cloth is getting a fresh rinse after each use.

🧼 Step Three: Clean It

At the end of the day, give your Trail Cloth a quick wash or rinse out.

You can:

• Rinse it with a small amount of water at camp or at the hut.

• Wring it out and hang to dry overnight.

• When you get home, toss it in the washing machine — easy as.

The faux suede dries quickly, and the outer layer prevents lingering dampness or odour.

🎒 Step Four: Reuse, Repack, Repeat

Once dry, clip it back onto your pack for the next leg of the journey. Trail Cloths are made to last — wash after wash, hike after hike. They’ll handle river crossings, hut hangs, and multi-day pack trips without a problem.

🌸 Optional: Other Ways to Use It

While originally designed as a pee cloth, your Trail Cloth is a multi-tasking bit of kit. You can also use it as:

• A washcloth for freshening up at the hut.

• A mini towel for wiping hands, face, or dishes.

• A gear cloth for drying wet items or cleaning mud off your boots.

Many hikers even carry two — one for personal use, and one as an all-purpose trail rag.

Why It’s Worth It

Using Trail Cloth is all about comfort, sustainability, and respect for the land. It means:

• No more packing out used toilet paper (or carrying it to the next long drop).

• Less waste left behind in our fragile backcountry environments.

• A cleaner, drier, and happier you — wherever the trail leads.

It’s one of those tiny bits of gear that changes the backcountry game. Once you try it, you won’t go back.

🏕️ A Final Tip

Like any piece of tramping gear, make it yours. Choose a colour that makes you smile — maybe the fiery Wild Rātā, the earthy Basic Bush Green, or the bold Bushline Blaze — and clip it proudly to your pack.

Because caring for yourself (and the places you hike) doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a square of cloth that makes a big difference.

Purchase your Trail Cloth from https://trailcloth.felt.co.nz/