A Shewee is a portable funnel that lets you pee standing up without removing clothing. It’s simple in concept, but getting a leak-free experience takes a bit of practice. The manufacturer recommends trying it in the shower first, and that advice is worth following. Here’s everything you need to know to use one confidently.
How the Device Works
The Shewee is a curved funnel with an outlet pipe at the front. You place the wide end against your body to catch urine, and the narrow end directs it away from you. There are two main versions: the Flexi, made from flexible plastic that molds to your body more easily, and the Extreme, made from hard solid plastic that holds its shape rigidly. Both work the same way. The Extreme version comes with a 15cm extension pipe and a waterproof storage case, which is useful if you’re wearing bulky layers like ski gear or a climbing harness.
Step-by-Step Positioning
Start by undoing or pulling aside your clothing just enough to access the area. You don’t need to pull pants down. Unzip or shift underwear to one side. The wide, cupped end of the funnel goes directly against your body, pressed firmly over the urethra (where urine exits). Getting a good seal here is the single most important step. If the funnel isn’t snug against your skin, urine will escape around the edges.
Once the funnel is in place, make sure the outlet pipe points downward and away from your body. Angle it so urine flows into a toilet, onto the ground, or into a portable toilet bag. If you’re outdoors, aim away from your feet and shoes. Stand with your legs slightly apart for stability, and lean your hips forward just a little. This helps gravity do the work.
Controlling the Flow
This is where most beginners run into trouble. The funnel has a limited capacity, and if you release a full-force stream, urine can back up and overflow the edges. The key is to start slowly. Let out a gentle, controlled flow and increase gradually as you get a feel for how fast the device drains. If it starts pooling inside the funnel, pause briefly and let it catch up. With practice, you’ll learn exactly how fast you can go without issues, but for your first several uses, slower is always safer.
Practice in the Shower First
This isn’t optional advice for perfectionists. It’s genuinely the best way to avoid a messy first experience outdoors. In the shower, there are no consequences if something goes wrong. You can experiment with how tightly to press the funnel, which angle works best for your body, and how fast you can comfortably flow. Most people need two or three practice runs before they feel confident enough to use it in the field. Try it fully clothed (in the shower, with water running) to simulate real conditions once you’ve nailed the basics.
Using the Extension Pipe
The 15cm extension pipe snaps onto the outlet of the funnel, giving you extra reach. You’ll want this if you’re wearing thick winter layers, waterproof trousers, or anything bulky around the hips that makes it hard to direct the standard outlet pipe clear of your clothing. It’s also helpful if you’re using the Shewee while sitting in a vehicle or tent, since it lets you aim into a bottle or bag without needing as much clearance. If you’re hiking in warm weather with lightweight clothing, you likely won’t need it.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
Leaking around the edges is the number one complaint from new users, and it almost always comes down to seal and speed. If urine is escaping where the funnel meets your body, you need to press more firmly and reposition slightly. Every body is different, so the exact placement that works for you might take a few tries to find. A good seal should feel snug but not uncomfortable.
Peeing too fast is the other major culprit. The funnel simply can’t drain as fast as your body can produce urine at full flow. Slow, steady output prevents overflow. If you’re still having trouble, check that the outlet pipe is angled steeply enough downward. Even a slight upward tilt can cause pooling inside the funnel.
Some users also make the mistake of holding the device too far forward or too far back. The opening needs to sit directly over the urethra, not the vaginal opening. If you’re catching urine but it’s running down the outside of the funnel, shift the position forward slightly.
Cleaning and Storage
After each use, shake off excess urine and rinse the Shewee with water if you have access to it. When you’re back home, wash it thoroughly with hot soapy water. For deeper sanitization, you can soak it in a diluted bleach solution (about one tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water) for at least two minutes, then rinse well and let it air dry completely.
If you’re on a multi-day trip without access to running water, carry a small zip-lock bag or the dedicated Shewee carry case to store it between uses. Giving it a quick wipe with an antiseptic wipe after each use will keep bacteria from building up. The most important thing is to let it dry out when possible, since a damp funnel sealed in a case is a breeding ground for bacteria and odor. At camp, leave it open to air when you can.
Where It Works Best
The Shewee was designed for situations where squatting is inconvenient, unsanitary, or impossible. Festivals with filthy portable toilets are a classic use case, since you can stand and avoid touching anything. Long hikes where ducking behind a bush means removing a backpack and multiple layers are another. Road trips where you’d rather use a bottle than find the next rest stop. Cold weather camping where exposing skin to freezing air is miserable. Boat trips, cycling events, and wheelchair use are all common scenarios too.
For car camping or travel, pairing the Shewee with a wide-mouth bottle or a dedicated portable toilet bag gives you a fully self-contained setup. Make sure any bottle you use has a wide enough opening that you can aim into it without spillage, and empty it as soon as practical.