Scrubba Wash Bag or Stealth Pack: Which Portable Laundry Solution is Best for Your Adventure

Hey there, fellow adventurers! Today, I want to dive into a topic that, although not fancy, certainly is useful for any globetrotter: portable laundry solutions. If you are into backpacking and road trips, chances are you have already heard about Australian Brand Scrubba, which has the lightest travel wash bags on the market. What you may not be aware of is that they have a couple of variations to fit your specific washing needs. In this post, I will specifically compare the Scrubba Wash Bag and the Stealth Pack, two interesting options when you are running low on clean clothes during your trip.

Thanks to my sponsor, Scrubba, for supplying a free Stealth Pack to help me write this post today! (I was already a proud owner of the Scrubba Wash Bag.)

If you are anything like me, you have also endured the pain of having to wash clothes at some point during your travels, either by going to a laundromat or washing small pieces of clothing in a hotel bathroom sink. Even in an emergency, I have also had to use the most opulent option: hotel laundry services.

The most obvious setback of all the above choices is the waste of time, especially when you have to stay at the laundromat until your clothes are done. But it must also be noted that it is kind of gross to clean dirty clothes in a sink where you wash your face and your teeth.

Why should I get a wash bag?

I know laundry isn’t the most exciting part of travel, but a must-do when you travel light or for long periods. And trust me, having the right gear can make all the difference. A travel wash bag is a great addition to your sustainable travel kit. It will give you the freedom to do a quick laundry of a few items virtually anywhere, and it is water-efficient.

Anyway, if you are reading this, I am assuming you already kind of want a wash bag; maybe for yourself, or maybe as an awesome, sustainable gift for your favourite traveller in your life. Either way, I am here to provide you with clarity, so I will not be exhaustive.

A portable wash bag would be beneficial for you if any of these apply to you:

• You pack light and want to reuse your clothes.
• You go on very long trips and you will run out of clean clothes eventually; for example, a month exploring hidden gems in Mexico.
• You go on road trips and will not always have access to a laundromat – I wish I had had it during my travels in Mongolia.
• You go camping and will not have access to a laundromat.
• You have some delicate clothes at home that need to be hand-washed but using a bucket is too messy and wastes more water than necessary.
• You are on a beach holiday and will rinse off your bathing suit daily.

Both the Scrubba Wash Bag and the Stealth Pack are great options for outdoor lovers. Photo courtesy of Scrubba.

Why should I purchase a wash bag from Scrubba and not other brands?

I am sure there are a lot of options out there, but let me tell you why the Scrubba products should be your go-to choice.

• First off, let’s state the obvious by saying it saves water and electricity in comparison to other washing devices. (I am thinking of that portable washing machine that used to show in my ads for the longest time until I blocked Temu). This alone makes it a very interesting, eco-friendly item for sustainable travellers.
• Their customer service is committed to delivering satisfaction, as seen on their page reviews.
• But that’s not all – Scrubba is also committed to sustainability and social responsibility in a big way. They’re carbon-neutral certified, which means they’re doing their part to reduce their environmental impact. Plus, they’re a proud member of 1% for the Planet, so you can feel good knowing that a portion of your purchase is going towards important environmental and social causes.

These guys are walking the walk when it comes to being eco-friendly and ethical. So you can feel good about supporting a brand that’s truly making a difference. If you want to dig in a bit deeper, I recommend you read further on their website.

If you get a Scrubba Wash Bag, you will be investing in a very useful product that is not only super practical but also aligns with your values.

I’ve had the chance to test out both the Scrubba and the Stealth Pack, and I’m excited to share my thoughts. This comparison is sure to help you decide which portable washing machine is the perfect companion for your travels. So, let’s dive in and uncover the pros and cons of each, shall we?

Cleaning Power: Can the Scrubba Wash Bag or Stealth Pack Get Your Clothes Clean?

I have found that both wash bags are equally effective at getting your clothes clean, thanks to their unique internal washboard-like structure.

For tough stains, I usually leave the clothes soaking in the bag for a little bit, kind of what you do with your conventional bucket/sink/bidet hand wash process and it works pretty well.

The downside is that you cannot add any type of clothes, for example, very bulky clothes like jeans or winter clothes.

Durability: Which wash bag will last longer?

Both bags are made of the same material, so it depends on how much you use it and how well you take care of it. The website says these wash bags are “designed to tackle rough terrain” but should still use the “least abrasive surface available”, which I could not agree more with. The layer of plastic the Scrubba Wash Bags are made of feels very thin and flimsy to the touch so I would definitely not imitate the picture of the Scrubba Wash Bag on a rough rock that I posted above.

As a matter of fact, my Stealth Pack already got punctured after only 3 or 4 trips. Although I have been careful with the type of personal items I put inside the Stealth Pack when I have gone on daily trips, I have used it a lot on purpose to see how well it holds. Turns out it did not take too long to get damaged. However, I was able to quickly fix the puncture of the Scrubba Stealth Pack with flexible glue and by following the instructions on their website. So far it looks as good as new, so I hope it lasts.

Size, Weight and Capacity: How Do These Two Laundry Solutions Compare?

Both wash bags look almost identical except for their size and a couple of extra details on the Stealth Pack.

Specs on both wash bags:

• Transparent window. Useful to monitor your clothes. You can check if that ugly stain is gone without opening the bag.
• Grip backing on the outside to avoid the wash bag slide all over the place while you’re scrubbing away.
• Air release valve to remove any excess air while washing.

Secondary uses of Scrubba wash bag and stealth pack:

These wash bags are easy to use and they look very simple, but they still can be used for other purposes and that’s what I love about these items: simple yet versatile!

The straps of the stealth pack are a bonus if you want to take it with you. They are great for day trips, activities in which water may be involved, hikers and campers. It has 3 gear loops and adjustable straps. The straps are hooked to the bag with snap hooks, giving it an initial look of discomfort, but it is quite ok to carry.

Dimensions of wash bags

The Scrubba Wash Bag is a super compact option. It weighs around 150g and has dimensions of 54cm x 32cm when flat, and 16cm x 6cm x 6cm when rolled up. It’s got a capacity of 13L, which is perfect for washing a few essential items during your travels.

The Stealth Pack, on the other hand, is a bit heftier at 455g with the straps but offers a larger 18L capacity. When the straps are removed, it weighs a more modest 245g.

If you’re looking for a super lightweight and compact option, the Scrubba Wash Bag is the way to go. You can roll it, fold it and put it in your pocket if it’s not too tight. Great for those solo travellers maximising every millimetre and gram in their luggage. I took it on my 2-week holiday on the Oaxacan Coast, and all my clothes fit perfectly in both bags.

If you use large sizes or travel with a partner or family, you will definitely appreciate the extra room of the stealth pack. Since I own both wash bags, I always tend to use the larger option so that I can fit a couple of my husband’s clothes.

Finally, if you are very outdoorsy, you will find value in the extra purposes of the Stealth Pack as a backpack and a shower.

Price

The Scrubba Wash Bag costs USD 55. It is on the expensive side, but let’s remember you can use it for multiple needs. But then there’s the Stealth Pack, which clocks in at a cool USD 99.95. Yep, that’s almost double the price of the Scrubba. Sure, it has the added backpack functionality, but is that really worth everyone’s extra cash?

My personal take is that if you are not an outdoorsy or beach-type traveller, that extra cost might not be justified.

Where can you buy the Scrubba wash bags?
You can purchase both Scrubba Wash Bags directly from their official website.

Final verdict: Which wash bag is best for me?

After testing both the Scrubba Wash Bag and the Stealth Pack, I can confidently say that either one of these portable laundry solutions would be a game-changer for your next trip.

Ultimately, the best option comes down to your specific needs and travel style. I hope this comprehensive comparison has given you the insights you need to make the right choice! Happy clean travels.