We asked our customers to tell us how you would use or have used our products. Here is what you told us.

Sam Wainer, Operations Manager of Canyonlands Natural History Association, writes:
I had been selling the Restop 2 Solid Waste bags for over a year and had not thought much about the system.   That all changed last summer when some hiking buddies and I spent five in the Uncompahgre Wilderness Area of Colorado.  We were there to climb some peaks and were base camped near the trail head.  It is a busy area, over 11,000 feet in elevation and no toilets of any kind.   We knew it was a high impact area and did not want to dig cat holes for the five days we would be in the area.

I brought along the Restop “Commode” and a 5-pack of the solid waste bags for our base camp “latrine”.  We could not have asked for a better system.  The commode is a five gallon bucket with a rubber seat and a screw down lid.   We found the right spot, with a nice view and placed the bucket under a spruce tree.   The system worked great.  An elastic band holds the solid waste bag in place around the lip of the bucket. We would place a new solid waste bag in the commode each morning and use that one bag all day long.

One nice thing about this system is how clean it is and easy to dispose of.  When a bag has reached its capacity, you compress it down and it fits nicely into the foil pouch attached to the bottom of the bag.  Then you just “zip” it closed and it is sealed.  We would leave the full pouches in the bottom of the bucket and place a new bag right on top. The special chemicals used to break down the waste are environmentally friendly, and when the trip is done, the waste bags are land fill approved for easy disposal. It couldn’t be easier.   All four of us were very impressed and would use this system again in a similar situation.

Due to the screw down lid on the “commode”, the Restop system is also good for river trips and is approved by the National Park Service and the BLM for such use.   This past summer I had the opportunity to raft down the San Juan River in Utah. There were three families, so there were six adults and five kids ranging in age from 4 to 9.  Because of the large number of people in our group we used a “groover” system for camping each night,  however the restop system was perfect for easy access, day time use on the boats.  The handle of the commode would clip right on top of the gear pile for those “kid emergencies”.  Once it was used, the pouch would stay in the bucket until camp, and then be tossed in with the other trash.  Again, a very hand and clean system for boating.

Susan from Oregon writes:
There I was, high atop a stunning red rock cliff, out in the middle of nowhere.  Was I hiking?  No.  Rock climbing?  No.  Repelling?  No.  I was listening to a demonstration on how to go to the restroom in the outdoors.  The thoughts going through my mind were those anyone would think:  why am I listening to this?  I KNOW how to go to the bathroom in the woods!  Doesn’t everyone?  But to be honest with you, that particular demonstration completely changed my way of thinking concerning ‘getting back to nature.’ 

I had no idea that day at the demonstration I was going to be the first one needing to test drive Restop. But after a while, there I was, one of about 20, who was entirely focused on the need to go.  I shyly approached the representative of the company.  I picked up a bag and there I went, over and around a few rocks to ‘do my business.’ 

Restop provided all the tools for a successful test run.  It provided a clean, biodegradable way for me to ‘get back to nature.’  By following the Restop technique and tools, I was able to conceal the evidence without leaving a trace – lemon fresh scent and all!  I am thrilled to have been introduced to such a modus operandi of environmental consciousness.  Thank you, Restop! 

Ms. Rosie writes:
WONDERFUL! Wish I had em on trip-MO. to FL.Stopped every hour! Sure hope Doc can fix me up? If not I know your product"s will be a lifesaver & we all can breath a sigh of Heavenly scent (relief).

Alice writes:
Thankful someone has an answer to this problem.

Terri writes:
I think this is a wonderful idea!! I am thinking especially of my mom who has irritable bowel syndrome. Every time she takes a trip, even 10 minutes away, she needs to know where there is a restroom close by. Several family events have been hampered, not to mention trips that have been not so pleasant or even cancelled because of not knowing where she can find "accommodations". I am hoping to get this for her to take along in her car and know it would help her cope with this disabling problem by just giving her some peace of mind. Thanks, Terri

C.M. Beard writes:
I think this would be a fabulous product for kids in the car who are potty training and have to go NOW and can't wait until you find a place that has a bathroom!

Melinda writes:
Sailing and other water-sports when bathrooms/heads are not available! Living in Florida - day trips to destinations where facilities are not available!

Mike writes:
This will be going in my tornado/disaster shelter. I had a shovel and sand on hand before this, but your product looks to be much less work, and more portable if I need to take the family off-site. I love it when someone addresses small problems in ingenious ways!

Andy writes:
Having been in the Army and Army Reserves for 27+ years and involved in Scouting for about 10 years, this product would be great for use in the field. Its portability, and environmental friendliness is a big factor in wanting to have this kit. An added bonus is for those situations where the only available facility in the field is something I would not even want to hold a pig in.

Major Newton writes:
As a military officer there are times when I am out in the field with my troops and feel that there is an urgent need to relieve myself but as an officer I feel that it is unprofessional in appearance to worry about bushes and holes. I hope that this would help me with time management in this area and also help with the sanitary needs out in the wilderness.

Mary Ann writes:
Although I just found your site and have not yet purchased. I feel that I've found the answer I've been searching for since I was a teenager. I suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and so have VERY urgent needs for restroom facilities. Anyone with IBS knows what it's like to be on the highway even two miles from the next restroom; it might as well be 200 miles...because with IBS, when you've got to go...you've got to go NOW!!! I plan on purchasing the portable toilet. It will be kept in my van for use when I least expect it!! Thanks so much for coming up with products to help those of us who just can't "HOLD IT!".....

J. Kelleher writes:
Your products sound great for lots of occasions. Our family will definitely pack some the next time we travel to Central America, Russia, or any other destination where sanitary facilities are likely to be either unsavory or hard to find. We'll definitely enjoy ourselves more and worry less.