The Freshette Interview
Vanessa Ivie, President and Owner of Freshette, was kind enough to give me some of her time to talk about the Freshette female urinary director (or as I would call it, a stand-to-pee device). We were able to discuss the company’s history, the device itself, and the impact it has had on its users’ lives.
What is your own personal story, and how did you come to be involved with Freshette?
It’s an interesting story! The Freshette has been a family business for decades. My husband started working for the company back when he was thirteen, alongside the original inventors, a husband and wife team. Just a few years later, my father-in-law purchased the business. He was a military veteran who saw the great need for female service members, and worked diligently to form relationships with the military. Knowing that female service members have access to the Freshette to make their experience a bit easier is just incredible! During this time, I’d always been on the sidelines—involved, but in a more peripheral role.
I’ve always had careers focused in community health, most recently with a local healthcare system. Working to improve community health through collaborations and grassroots mobilizing has always been such a passion of mine. However, during the pandemic, I was unfortunately laid off. The field of healthcare was hit very hard by the pandemic and community health is not an immediate revenue-generating branch of healthcare work.
But the silver lining was that I had the perfect opportunity to finally dive into the family business and help take it to the next level! And, believe it or not, to finally be the first woman to enter the picture and be at the helm. [Laughs] There’s a silver lining to everything right? It worked out perfectly.
It’s been really fun for the past six years to guide the business, forge the relationships, and to get to better know our customers—some decades-long Freshette loyal customers! One thing I found a little bit challenging, because I’m so used to community health, where you’re working with face-to-face partnerships, was transitioning to where I am more often interacting with people who are buying from us online—I don’t have as many face-to-face interactions. That was a big transition for me. So anytime I have a meaningful exchange with customers, it’s such a lift! I love it. When they tell me their stories, or I have conversations with them on the phone, it just means the world to me.
Who is Freshette for, and what populations do you serve?
There are so many different types of people that I hear stories from! But often it’s those who are doing outdoor activities: kayakers, ice climbers, ice fishers, backpackers, hikers, snowmobilers—I hear the most fascinating stories. And then there’s anyone traveling, if they feel the restrooms where they are traveling to might be unsanitary, or not as easily available if they’re doing long treks.
Most importantly, pee funnels are allowing women to stay hydrated. I’ve heard stories from people who would say, “Before I discovered a pee funnel, I would try to hold back on drinking water so I wouldn’t have to pee as often.” And they’re doing the type of activities where they are exerting themselves in oftentimes extreme ways, so if they’re not hydrating, there can be severe health impacts. It can be devastating.
And then the other thing I love hearing is when our product has helped people with health challenges and who struggle with being able to urinate in a safe and accessible way. That’s something you take for granted when you have your health! I have so many people wanting to order the accessories—like the long tube, if they’re in a wheelchair. And they have found this allows them to have freedom and mobility. Those stories sometimes bring me to tears. Just to know something so simple like our pee funnel can make that kind of difference to someone is very gratifying.
So on that topic, Freshette does offer a 36-inch and 48-inch tube. Most pee funnels do not have one. You’re also unique in offering collection bags. Can you talk about those products?
Those are legacy items we’ve had for decades and they’re great sellers. Our customers who utilize wheelchairs often love having the collection bags so they can easily use the longer tube with the collection bag, and then dispose of it later whenever it’s convenient. The bags are also useful for tent camping so you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to use the funnel outside (brrrr!). The collector bag works great as a receptacle. And it ties off at the top, so you can tie it and dispose of it later, or empty it and reuse the bag.
And we wanted to have a step-by-step guide because we would get questions like “Can I use it sitting down?” It may not be the easiest thing to do, but it’s definitely possible, and those who use wheelchairs tell me, “Oh, I’ve got it mastered—it works!” So we do have the step-by-step guide on our site, including how to use it from a seated position.
We’ve also had people explain to us how they’re modifying for van life! They’ve come up with their own creative ways that make urinating easy. For example, a dedicated area in the van with the funnel, our long tube, and then a collecting receptacle. It becomes a permanent fixture, rather than something they have to store. Love the ingenuity!
I review 15 brands of stand-to-pee device on this website. What makes Freshette stand out?
The fact that Freshette is made of a more rigid plastic makes it stand out, because when you hold it up to yourself, you can hold it firmly and get a good, leakproof seal. There are quite a few others that are on the market that are made of a more flexible material. Everyone will find a pee funnel design that works best for them, but I think what really sets ours apart is that fact that it IS rigid, and it does hold a seal really well, which is of course what you want.
Another benefit is that the rigidity of the funnel allows you to gently swipe it forward when you’re done peeing to gather any residual drops. Saving toilet paper, especially when in the outdoors, is a big plus! Reducing waste is really important to us; we try to always have a Leave No Trace mindset.
The new Freshette also has the tube that attaches securely right to the funnel. With the previous model, the loose tube would get lost so often – and it’s almost impossible to find if it’s dropped in the water or snow. So the model where the tube attaches was a really important improvement. The new tube is flexible silicone and is a bit longer at seven inches, so it can be folded back and clipped to the funnel for storage.
And the longevity! The Freshette was first patented and sold in 1977 so we’re proud to be the first one on the market. The very first. Which is so cool! Now there are so many out there but I think that just speaks to the need. We understand that everyone will find what works best for them, whether it’s functionality or price point, but I love that we have customers who say they still have the original pink version from 20+ years ago! So—we have great, loyal customers and a very long-lasting product.
How was Freshette designed and tested?
The most recent Freshette model – we call it our 3rd generation Freshette - was launched just a few years ago. When we were working on a new design patent, we carefully reviewed the feedback we’d received over the years—emails, phone calls, and even hand-written letters –regarding features women liked and what that they would want to see changed or enhanced. We also worked with a researcher who is affiliated with the military, so she was able to provide vital input from field-testing.
Overall, there was a loud-and-clear call for the funnel to be a tad bit wider. The change is ever so slight but we implemented that enhancement. And then addressing the tube situation, like I said, with the tube getting lost so easily. So we really just try to listen hard and respond very thoughtfully.
The design process involved quite a few trial runs. We worked with a CAD designer, and with every iteration, we studied 3D models to make sure we got it exactly right. We had the final prototype extensively field tested by a broad cross-section of women, including our military-affiliated researcher. We made sure we had people out there using it in differing environments. It was a really interesting process. We wanted it to be the best product it could be. The exciting culmination was being awarded our 3rd design patent for this 3rd generation Freshette.
What is a common misconception people have about your product?
Sometimes people say that they feel it’s hard to use, or that pee funnels leak, or overflow. If they’ve never tried using a pee funnel, I totally get that concern. I always encourage people to keep an open mind, give it a try, practice in the shower, and don’t take it out for the first time when they’re camping! For first time pee funnel users, it can also be a mind over matter practice – it can be hard to give yourself the mental “okay” to start peeing while standing up if you’ve never done it! My advice always is to practice, practice, practice…until it becomes second nature, and the shower is the perfect place to do that. Eventually, to use a pee funnel is to love it! [Want detailed instructions? See How to Pee Standing Up or, if you’re having trouble, Help! It Won’t Work]
There’s one story that always makes me shake my head and laugh. I had been talking to a woman who was clearly not our target consumer. She asked what I do, and as I was explaining the Freshette (always a fun conversation to have with people who have no idea what a pee funnel is or why it even exists haha), she incredulously asked, “What? So women use this to pee standing up, like a man? HOW is that empowering to women?”
I was speechless for just a second – I’d actually never encountered that perspective before. Because we’re providing something that IS empowering, that gives freedom. For example, being the reason someone in a wheelchair or with a chronic health condition tells you they can now leave the house confidently (because before the Freshette, they were anxious about how to handle it when they had to pee). And for women in the military, or anyone in the outdoors who need an easy, safe way to pee – the Freshette means they have a convenient option that allows a sense of normalcy with something so basic as being able to easily urinate where they aren’t completely exposed. There are just SO many endless examples of pee funnels being empowering and embraced passionately.
What challenges has Freshette faced as a company?
Well, we’re a small business, so we have all the typical challenges that come with that. I’d say that especially over the past couple of years, we’ve experienced increasing costs coming our way from all sides….vendors, shipping, materials and supply costs, etc. But we are committed to not raising our prices; we’ve made the decision not to pass that on. Instead, we’ve taken really hard looks at where we can cut our own operating expenses, instead of passing on increases to our customers.
What’s next for Freshette? Whom do you want to reach out to, and how do you want to expand?
I would love to see the Freshette in more gear stores. We are so incredibly grateful to have our product carried by REI, as well as an outdoor retailer in Iceland. But there are so many other retailers that are popular and important, including international stores. We receive many inquiries from those looking to purchase in Canada, the UK, and Norway, so we really hope to explore those opportunities.
And then our social media presence too is something I personally want to continue working on. For a small business that often does require a dedicated person – it’s a big role with huge potential for creativity and growth. We’ll get there!
Bonus Question: Why did the color change from pink to army green?
Some people LOVE pink, some people HATE pink – those who would share their opinions had really strong ones! So we felt that the army green was 1) more of a neutral choice for outdoor gear; 2) not a stereotypical feminine color that could be off putting; and 3) a good fit with use by the military. At some point down the road we may introduce a second color – definitely a possibility!
Is there anything I haven’t asked that you would like to share?
Just that any opportunity to normalize conversations around personal hygiene in the outdoors and the need for pee funnels is so important. Real, honest conversations without embarrassment. We’re getting there, and it’s resources like this site that you are creating that help moving that forward. Thank you.
The Freshette pee funnel is really a simple innovation that solves a very real, everyday challenge. This isn’t just a product—it’s a shift in convenience and independence. Pee funnels give people the ability to move through the world a little more freely, comfortably, and confidently. And once you try one and embrace it, it’s really hard to imagine going without it.
And, finally, I want to express the deep appreciation I have for our customers. That’s what any business is all about. We truly believe that our care for our customers comes through, and we thank each and every person who shares about the Freshette to family and friends. The power of word of mouth and grassroots support is truly incredible and means the world to us.
Thanks Vanessa! You can learn more and get your own Freshette at freshette.com. You can see how I evaluated the Freshette pee funnel on my page What’s the Best Pee Funnel? Want to hear from a loyal Freshette user? Check out my interview with Stefanie. And as always, if you want to share your story, hit me up at gostandingup@gmail.com.
Caves and Compression Tights: Sarah’s Stand-to-Pee Story
Sarah uses a pStyle pee funnel in no less than FIVE areas of her life! She’s a caver; she does field work for a conservation nonprofit; she does search-and-rescue; she takes road trips; and due to lipedema in her legs, she wears compression tights that are tricky to pull up and down. She shared some of her adventures and her thoughts on the pStyle with me.
What’s your story, and why the pStyle?
So, caving, especially in the west, the caves are a lot more sensitive and there’s not very much water in them. The ecosystem is delicate and you HAVE to remove your waste. You always have to have some way to pee into a bottle. Cavers have known about pee funnels for ages, we just hated them. People would carry kitchen funnels! But it’s a field that’s historically been dominated by people who can biologically stand to pee.
I did some dissertation research that was focused on caves, and I was going caving every weekend. I went through a whole bunch of different pee funnels at that time. I tried the GoGirl, because that was all the rage at the time, and the SheWee, and there was a third one I can’t remember. They were all the kinds that were enclosed with the tube instead of the open scoop style. They weren’t great.
In 2012, I was scoping some sites for a potential post-doc, and I was in the jungle, and I didn’t want to leave my tent at night. I brought the GoGirl. And I will tell you what: I peed all over myself and my sleeping pad multiple times on that trip because I could not get it to work properly! It was around then that I started looking for additional pee funnels.
Then by 2013 I found the pStyle.
So it was mostly through caving that I started using a pStyle, but then I was like, “I don’t want to leave my tent in the jungle at night, so I’m gonna use it here!” And progressively I realized it had a lot of benefits in a lot of different contexts.
I moved back to Arizona, rejoined the search-and-rescue team that I’d been on before, and I was like, “This is great, I don’t have to take my pack off!” I started doing rope rescue, cave rescue, and I was like, “Fantastic! I don’t have to take my harness off.” And even some people with the biological equipment to pee standing up have to take off their harnesses to pee. So big benefit for me there.
And I have to wear compression tights, full-length, waist-high compression tights for lipedema, a connective tissue disorder that causes swelling. If I’m at home it’s not a big deal, but pulling those tights up—if you have a hang nail, you can just rip the tights. If I’m at home I can use gloves. But if I’m out and about, a pee funnel is so much easier! You don’t have to pull them down and pull them all the way back up.
What was it like when you first learned to use the pStyle?
So I think I probably practiced first, because it’s always good to practice. But I think around 2013, for my mountain rescue team, we were recertifying snow and ice rescue. It was an all-day thing. I remember walking away from the group and being like, okay, let me think. I’m wearing long underwear, a fleece onesie, other fleece pants, and then my rain pants over that. So I’ve got four layers on and I really have to pee! And the fleece onesie was in the middle, it was custom made for me, it had a slot you could open. And if I wanted to take off that fleece suit, I would have to take off two layers on top, pull off the fleece suit--and I was like, I hope this pStyle works for this!
And it did! Because of the stiff plastic, it worked through all those layers of clothing. I went off, I peed, and I came right back. I didn’t get cold, and I didn’t have to open all my pants and shirts and everything. So that was one of my first pStyle-specific memories, where I was like, this thing is the best!
How did having a stand-to-pee device impact your life?
Privacy. That was the big thing. Being able to pee anywhere. Like a lot of time I do field work in caves, and you might be just around the corner from your caving group. And I live in the desert. There’s not a lot of cover! So I’m just able to turn my back and pee, instead of hiking over the hill and down into the next drainage so I’m private from people.
Was there ever a time when you were SUPER glad to have your pStyle?
I’m still mostly a sit-to-pee person at home, but if I’m having trouble with my compression tights—like they’re a tighter weave—I’ll just use a pStyle. But honestly I’m not very good at peeing into a toilet. I need to get some pointers. I try to pee off to the side so it splashes in the right direction, but I don’t know how dudes do it! [Laughs] I always feel like I get splashback!
In Southern Arizona, we do have a lot of people focused on rainwater capture and water recycling, so I have been thinking about an outdoor toilet that has a urine diverter. You can sit or stand, but there’s no water in the bowl, so standing is probably easier without that splashback. And then it diverts it out to the landscape. I’ve been wanting to install one, but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I would probably use a pee funnel there so I don’t have to worry about people walking by my yard in the alley.
Have people ever been surprised, or reacted strongly, when you used it? Have you told friends?
I always wonder about this when I pull over by the side of the road! [Laughs] I’m a very obviously curvy person, and if I’m peeing by the side of the road standing up, I’m always wondering about the cars driving by, what they’re thinking!
But for the most part, people are actually really excited. They’re like, “Oh wow, that was a quick pee break! Did you not have to take off your harness?” I’m just like: “Let me tell you about the pStyle.” And now a bunch of people on my search-and-rescue team actually use the pStyle too.
I’m kind of new to the disability community, and I see people post online, “Oh, I can’t take my compression tights off because I had surgery, how do I pee?” And I like to suggest, “Here’s the pStyle!” It may not work for everyone, but pulling down compression tights is hard! You pull them down halfway through the day and they don’t come all the way back up. And it’s a $13 device that can save you ripping a $100 pair of compression tights.
What would you say to people who are afraid to try the pStyle?
Just try it where there’s low consequences. Try it in the shower.
Literally the first time a person is with me outdoors, and I just go down the trail with my backpack still on and pee, they’re just like, I’m sold! [Laughs] They’re over it, whatever the concern was.
Based on your experiences, what hurdles do you see to getting pee funnels to be more widely accepted?
The fact that it doesn’t collapse is the only drawback. I’m not really a purse carrier, or I just have a little purse with me. I would use it more, out and about, if I could fit it well in my little purse. So that’s maybe one barrier to more people adopting them.
Bonus Question: What is your favorite color for a pStyle?
For a long time I was mostly a clear person, because I was worried about dyes and anything extra down in my nethers. [pStyle no longer carries clear pStyles] But now I’m into the recycled ocean plastic one. That dark green one.
Anything else you want to share?
I love the cases! What I do at the end of the trip is just chuck the case—with the pStyle in it—in the washing machine! That wears the case down a little faster though. But if I’m gone on a multiday trip, or in a place where I can’t flick the funnel to clean it (like a cave), I don’t even bother wiping the pStyle down. I just put it back in the case, and I make sure I’m not touching the pStyle to anything. It just touches me and then the bag. And then I wash it all!
It’s the flexibility not to have to worry or plan where you’re going to pee. Just pee wherever. It’s so integrated into my life now that I rarely pee without it. I have a special place for it in my caving gear and in my tent. I’m so grateful for it!
Thank you Sarah! Here’s a link to information on caving (caves.org) and search-and-rescue (mra.org). You can get a pStyle here. For my evaluation of the pStyle, check out What’s the Best Pee Funnel? Have a stand-to-pee story you want to share? gostandingup@gmail.com
Freedom and Safety: Gem’s Stand-to-Pee Story
Gem is a climber and adventurer from California who uses a pStyle. They shared their thoughts with me about stand-to-pee devices, the outdoors, and their experiences as a nonbinary person.
What’s your story, and why pStyle (Gem’s preferred brand)?
I’m a climber, and also I backpack, and do outdoors things. I actually discovered pStyle through a friend of mine who is also nonbinary. They said, “Hey, you can pee standing up, it’s much easier.” And I was like, “That sounds like a really useful thing.” I’ve been backpacking and hiking before and experienced the annoyance of squatting to pee.
What was it like when you first learned to use it?
I bought one, and I tried it in the shower, and it worked. Then I took it on my backpacking and hiking trips and it was immediately amazing! One use and I was completely sold.
It really only took one practice, because I found it very easy to use.
How did having a stand-to-pee device impact your life?
It is so much better. It’s so easy. It just improved my life substantially! So now I use it everywhere. I have three of them. I keep one in the car, I take it when I’m traveling, it’s useful for road trips: just hop on the side of the road! It’s super useful for climbing trips, for hiking trips—I just find it very useful!
And in the state of our country right now, going to the bathroom is very fraught, especially for a nonbinary person like me, who is not real comfortable using the men’s room. And if I use the women’s room, depending on the situation, people will look at me, or say, “This is the women’s restroom.”
I’d much rather pee on the side of the road in peace than use a public restroom most of the time. So I think it’s a lifesaver for that reason too!
Was there ever a time when you were SUPER glad to have your pStyle?
Well, I’m a huge fan every time I use it! But when I’m snow camping, I use it to pee inside of the tent, into a bottle. It’s very useful to not have to go outside in the cold and the snow, and put on your boots, and all of that stuff.
And I think the other time is when I’m on really popular backpacking trips. I just have to pee all the time! And with the pStyle, you don’t even have to go off trail very much. Even if people are seeing your back—we see cis gender men do that all the time. I also have a little bit of privilege, because most people assume I’m a cis gender man when they see me, so I can get away with peeing in the open, standing up.
But peeing on a crowded trail—especially, say, Yosemite---when there’s really nowhere off trail to go and people are coming from both directions—I remember, before the pStyle, it was just really stressful! Because you’re like, who’s gonna come, my pants are down! And with a pStyle, you’re like, oh whatever, this is fine! I have privacy, I feel so good.
Also, for me, as a nonbinary person, I feel good using the pStyle to pee standing up. I don’t use it at home. Sitting down, standing up, either way, it doesn’t give me dysphoria, but I do think it’s very freeing to be able to pee standing up.
Have people ever been surprised, or reacted strongly, when you used your pStyle?
I would say no. I would say people who are surprised are people who have never heard of the concept before. When I give them the schpiel, they’re like, “Oh that’s really cool!”
So it’s a surprise like “I didn’t know that existed,” but never a bad surprise. I think people have said, “Oh I tried one, it was hard to use, what about leakage?” They had questions. Maybe they didn’t have a good experience. I’m really glad my first one was a pStyle, because immediately it worked.
And also--I’ve actually had some trans men friends ask me about the pStyle because their packer-style stand-to-pee devices were leaking. And I have never had that problem with a pStyle. It doesn’t leak. So that’s interesting. And as a nonbinary person, I absolutely refuse to get something called “Shewee.” That’s just not gender-affirming to me.
What would you say to people who are afraid to try it?
I would say there’s very little to lose and so much to gain if it works for you! It can really unlock a lot of freedom and safety. And make your life a whole lot easier in the outdoors. It’s not too expensive. I’d say give it a try in the shower once or twice and see how it feels. There’s very little downside but the potential for major upsides! You should definitely try it.
Based on your experiences, what hurdles do you see to getting pee funnels to be more widely accepted?
I think a large percentage of people don’t know about them! I had certainly never heard of them ten years ago. And I started using it maybe five years ago. So I would definitely say if I had heard about the concept before, then it would have been in my brain and I would have tried it! So that’s definitely one hurdle.
And I do wonder with the rise of transphobia, and trans people in the news, I wonder whether gender roles, and the idea of standing up to pee like a man, is weird to cis gender women. I could see that being a thing. The same way cis men don’t want to sit to pee because it’s “feminine.” I could imagine for some set of people that’s gonna be a hurdle.
Bonus Question: What are your favorite colors for pStyles?
The first one that I got was just black because I wanted it to be inconspicuous. Then I chose a skin tone one, because I wanted to explore whether that would be more gender affirming for me. But I think I’m fairly indifferent to the color.
I love bright colors generally, so usually I would pick something that’s bright-colored, but in this case I don’t want to draw attention to the particular object while I’m using it. Like if someone sees you with a bright orange thing, is that gonna attract attention, or violence, are they gonna ask if I’m trans? So I do think the skin tone ones are great and I appreciate the darker skin tones. Not all companies do that.
Anything else you want to share?
I’d just say I’m really thankful to the pStyle, and it’s my favorite piece of outdoor gear! Despite doing so many outdoor sports, like snowboarding, snow camping, backpacking, climbing, my favorite and most impactful piece of outdoor gear that I have ever got for myself has been the pStyle. It just eliminates a whole category of worries.
You know, growing up, I was kind of jealous about boys and men having it so easy in the outdoors—it was like, “Oh it’s so easy for you, I have all these other considerations!” I thought it could only be one way, and I was just trapped in this way forever. And then to find out, oh, I could have that same ease that I’ve seen other people have—that part is amazing. It’s like a level of equality.
I really like stand-to-pees, and I really like your website! Because now people will have a resource. I want everyone to experience the happy revelation that I experienced.
Thank you Gem! You can get a pStyle and learn more at their website. Also check out my interview with pStyle’s founder, Krista Eickmann. Gem referred me to a queer climbing site with great resources: Queer Crush. Do you want to share your stand-to-pee experience? Hit me up at gostandingup@gmail.com
Stand-to-Pee Stories: Stefanie
Stefanie is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and stand-up paddle surfing, among other adventures! She uses the Freshette pee funnel and was kind enough to share some of her experiences with me.
What’s your story—why did you decide to use a stand-to-pee device, and what led you to Freshette?
I was out on a mountain bike ride with some friends and I was visiting Phoenix. I live in San Diego. And we just somehow got on the topic of pee funnels, and one of my friends said, “You know, I highly recommend the Freshette,” and then she told me why. She said, because it has the longer tube on it. The other ones, she says, you pee on yourself.
Fast forward a few days. I’m mountain biking, I get into an accident, I wind up fracturing my hip, get taken to the hospital… now I’m bedridden! And I’m in Phoenix. I’ve got to go home. It’s a six hour car ride. I’m thinking to myself: how am I going to pee? There’s no way that I’m going to be able to get from the car to a gas station. And I didn’t have an ADA placard to park near a gas station anyway.
So I remembered the conversation with my friend! And I’m on Amazon, going “I need to have the Freshette pee funnel sent to me by tomorrow!” And it arrived!
What was it like the first time you used it?
I got it New Year’s Eve and we were driving back the next day. And I was like “How do I use this thing?” I saw it said “Try it in the shower first.” So I did that, and it worked, even though I could barely stand.
And the Freshette was my life saver coming home, it really was, because I could pee on the side of the road! I just had to slide out of the truck—still standing—and it has this lip on it, you just kind of scrape it along, and it takes away the “drip drip.” So that was great!
Freshette’s had a couple of models, and is now on its “third generation” model. There’s also a 36-inch tube. What do you use?
Well, all that story is how I got to use this one [Stefanie holds the Freshette with retractable 5-inch tube, an earlier model]. And then I was like, this is great, I’m gonna use it when I go backpacking and hiking and camping when I have to pee, rather than squatting.
Fast forward a few years, then we get this one! [Stefanie holds the current Freshette model with 7-inch tube that folds back.] This one’s great because now the tube just rolls out. I love it! The tube is a little bit wider, so if you do have way more pee, it’s coming out really fast. Then it just folds back up. And it has a contraption here to keep the tube in place.
I like both models! I keep the original one in my car for emergencies—and trust me there have been a few! And the other once I keep in my backpacking gear, or when I go skiing.
And then there’s the long extension tube, for people who are at home—so it also caters to people who have had injuries.
How did using Freshette impact your life?
Funny, as I’ve aged, something happened with my knees. My knees started getting sore as I was mountain biking. I could barely squat! And I was like, Hmm! Love that I have the Freshette! I don’t have to worry about squatting.
Or skiing! Sometimes you’re skiing, and you really gotta go—well, that means you have to go all the way back to the lodge to go to the bathroom, whereas now I don’t have to. And when it’s cold, you don’t want to have to take off your bottoms and squat with skis on. This is way easier.
Have people ever been surprised or reacted strongly when finding out that you use a pee funnel?
When I went mountain biking, one person said, “That’s interesting, I just squat,” and I said, “Yeah, I just squat too sometimes.” But there’s some times when squatting is very difficult. Or I’m tired! And my knees hurt. And I don’t want to squat. And actually, when you squat, you’re more exposed. I can’t squat by my car. But I can use this by my car.
So yeah, I think one person was surprised, and asked, “Why don’t you just squat?” But my guy friends were all like, “This is great!” My boyfriend didn’t know about the Freshette, but when I ordered it and I told him and he went, “That’s awesome!”
I think people are more interested. They’re intrigued.
Was there ever a time that you were very grateful to have the Freshette?
I took it to Portugal. I took it travelling because some of those bathrooms are nasty—not in Portugal specifically, just anywhere in the world, including here.
I was stand-up paddle surfing. We went to a place before the summer season. So the bathrooms were locked! Of course the guys go behind the bathroom to pee standing up, and I’m like, I got my Freshette! I’m gonna do the same thing! I told a friend there and she said, “That’s brilliant!”
What would you say to people who are afraid to try it?
Oh! I would say, “Get over it.” [Laughs.] I would be like, “Just try it in the shower. Try it in your back yard. Try it where it’s a safe environment. So if you do get pee on yourself, it’s no big deal. It’s okay! Pee’s sterile. [Laughs.] It’s no big deal. Give it a try!” Because it’s amazing how liberating it is afterwards.
And if people are grossed out by germs, think of the germs in some of these bathrooms you go to, that’s even worse! So I would just try it. Even just try it at home naked, aiming into the toilet.
I’d say Freshette’s probably the easiest one to use! It’s got a big funnel, and if you hold it right up to your vagina, then it’s sealed! The pee’s not gonna go anywhere else.
Anything else you want to share?
The Freshette is great! I use it when I go backpacking, hiking and biking, instead of squatting.
I like that it helps people with injuries. It’s not just for outdoorsy people.
I also like that it’s a woman-owned business, and I like supporting small businesses—this is the one I recommend.
You can get a Freshette pee funnel or learn more about Freshette at their site: Freshette. As Stefanie says, Freshette is a small, woman-owned business. Read about my experiences with the Freshette pee funnel on my site at What’s the Best Pee Funnel? Thanks Stefanie!
The pStyle Interview
In order to build community and share awareness, I’ve been reaching out to the owners of different STP manufacturers to hear their stories. Krista Eickmann, founder and owner of pStyle, gave me some of her time recently to discuss the pStyle, STPs, social change, stigma, and her own experiences.
Who is pStyle for?
It’s really important to me to say that pStyle is for anyone who needs it! We are aware, through having been in business for twenty years, that it’s useful not only for the people that you might instantly think of—cis women—but also for trans people, some non-binary people, some intersex people, and some cis men. So that’s the gender dimension.
And then there’s the dimension of your access to toilets. That encompasses the people you’d commonly think of, like hikers, outdoors people who are able bodied—but we like to take it out to bigger perspectives. There’s a lot of occupations where it’s useful, sometimes life-saving, [to pee standing up]; there’s the disability aspect; there’s things most people have never thought of!
For example, a customer told us that they had multiple-chemical sensitivity and going into a public restroom meant not knowing what smells they’d encounter—they said they just pee by the side of the road with their pStyle. We had someone who had a fear of drains and a fear of loud noises--they used the pStyle in public restrooms, so the auto-flush toilets were less distressing. I would never say that I heard it all when it comes to why someone finds the pStyle useful!
I review 15 devices on this site. What do you think makes pStyle stand out?
What makes pStyle stand out is ease of use while fully clothed, ease of cleaning, and easy of carrying—that’s in the category of functionality. It also has a wiping function, which many others don’t.
Then there’s the inclusiveness and USA manufacturing. We manufacture both the pStyles and pCases in Tennessee. We’re a queer business and we market the pStyle in a gender inclusive way. We donate to organizations working with women, LGBTQ+ people, unhoused people, and immigrants. Making an impact socially is part of what we’re interested in doing.
You market pStyle as a Personal Urination Device, not a Female Urination Device. Can you talk about the distinction?
We made the phrase Personal Urination Device specifically in opposition to Female Urination Device. And that was and is the accepted term—because people are horrified if they don’t KNOW this is for [cis] women.
People believe that all cis men can stand and pee, which isn’t true. People believe that all cis women cannot stand and pee without a device, and that’s also not true. So they feel that using the word “female” explains it to people, which it doesn’t. We need to recognize that people know their own bodies. The cis men whom I’ve talked to on the phone buying pStyles KNOW they cannot stand to pee… and they do not want to buy something called a Female Urination Device.
What is a common misconception people have about your product?
That they’re gonna pee on themselves! It’s rare, but I think in people’s minds it feels very likely, which is not the reality. Other misconceptions? That it’s gonna be really gross, and “oh my God, what do I do with the pStyle after I pee, you want me to put it in a case, won’t that be gross???” And then after they use it they’re like, whatever. [Laughs] I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions: that it’s gonna be hard to deal with.
What challenges have you faced as a company?
I’d say just being small. And having certain convictions. That’s been challenging, but it’s also been really rewarding. We wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t rewarding.
We’ve done so many things that aren’t profitable. Like for example our skin tone pStyles are not profitable. We don’t sell a huge amount of all the colors, but I don’t care. It was important to us to offer at least five skin tones—so if I had to justify that to shareholders? They’d be like, “WHY?” [Laughs]
What is your story, and why did you found pStyle?
I got a menstrual cup, and it changed my life! It changed my relationship to my body in such a profound way. And it was through that that I came to the stand-to-pee device concept, and I was like, “Oh my God, this is a thing that’s even LESS popular than menstrual cups!” [Laughs] But I couldn’t stop obsessively thinking about it and talking about it. And I had to make it a well-known thing. It solves so many of my problems! I was like, “It’s gonna be like a toothbrush, ubiquitous.”
It struck a feminist nerve for me, like with the menstrual cups. People were afraid to talk about [periods], and women had so much shame! I feel it’s the same for peeing. Women especially have so much stress around peeing. There’s like the urinary leash and all these ways women restrict what they’re doing because “how am I going to pee?” and no one really talks about that. But if we talk about it, then it doesn’t have the same power over us. And that’s why I can still be really passionate about pStyle, twenty years later.
When I went out into the world to try to sell it, especially to men, who were in charge of a lot of the places where you sell things, I realized that wow, it was not going to be easy. It’s largely been women and queer people who are our champions.
What’s next for pStyle? How do you want to expand, whom do you want to reach out to?
What we’re working on now is our packaging, making it easier to be on a shelf in a small store. And we wanna make a glow-in-the-dark pStyle! And we do have a bigger version in the works, which is important to us for inclusiveness. But also, it’s a reusable product, so we do need to keep reaching new people. And there’s so much we want to do, like collaborate with other small brands like Kula Cloth, Gnara, Symbiosis Gear… we’ll just do as many of those cool things as we can!
I asked Krista if she had any concluding thoughts to share about pStyle.
Yes. I just want to emphasize that we believe in toilet dignity and toilet equity. It’s about respect.
You can get a pStyle and learn more on the pStyle website.
Krista states that in addition to the causes mentioned above, pStyle supports the Rich Earth Institute. Rich Earth Institute works toward sustainable farming and clean rivers, specifically through using urine as fertilizer. To learn how to safely use urine as a fertilizer, visit their site and check out this guide.
Notes From a Penis-Haver
Throughout my journey with STP devices, my husband (cis male) has been supportive, if bemused. He also cleared up some questions I had, which, in retrospect, must have seemed obvious. Here are some of our conversations; I’m in bold:
Peeing in a toilet seems really splashy, loud and annoying.
Don’t aim for the water. Aim for the side, and put a little tilt on it.
Ugh, I have an STP that works but it’s not pretty. I like things to be pretty!
Save it for when you want to channel raw masculine energy. Go outside, start pissing, and imagine a bald eagle flying overhead.
When, if ever, would you pee sitting down?
When I need to take a [poop]. Or I guess if I’m dying. Like having trouble standing up.
You don’t ever join me in peeing in our yard. What’s up with that?
I like being in comfort?
Do you undo your pants, or just undo the fly?
Personal preference, depends on the guy. I usually undo the button because my pants are tight enough that they won’t fall down, but plenty of guys just unzip the fly.
Realistically, would you notice if a trans guy used a urinal next to you in a bathroom?
How would I know? There’s a whole lot of dude etiquette here. You don’t look over at another man’s junk. So how would I know?
But if you did notice, would it bother you that a trans guy was in there?
No. But admitting that I noticed would be admitting that I looked, so again, how do I know?
Would it be weird if you went on a hike or road trip with a girl and she peed standing up?
If she gave me a heads up that she was using a device, I’d certainly have no problem with it. I could see a lot of guys being freaked out if they saw her pee standing up and didn’t mention the device.
What would you say to a guy who felt bad that his girlfriend was using an STP?
Why the f--- do you care bro? It’s kind of like guys who don’t like tampons. You don’t have to take a huge interest in it, but why do you care?
Am I still cute even if I pee standing up?
No, I’m sorry, it was over the moment you did it once. [Laughs] Of course!
STP Playlist
Want to get in the pee-standing-up ZONE? Here’s a playlist to get started.
Man! I Feel Like a Woman, by Shania Twain
—For all of you who feel womanly and playful using an STP
I sure do. My favorite way to pee standing up is in lipstick and heels. It feels so cheeky!
Macho Man, by the Village People
—And this is for all you who feel manly (and have some self-irony)
Such a macho way to pee. Like peeing with a handlebar mustache. This is a great song because it’s about the aesthetics of masculinity, and how you pee is definitely an aesthetic choice.
Tubthumping, by Chumbawumba
—For those of you taking your STP out for a night of debauchery
Enjoy skipping that loooooooong bathroom line. Wave at it as you go by.
Road Trippin’, by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
—For those ditching nasty gas station bathrooms
Road tripping when you’re tied to bathrooms is a drag. When is the next one? Is it clean? Will there be a line? Will it be closed for cleaning? Ugh. Here’s to liberty!
Try Again, by Aliyah
—For those who had a little trouble learning. You did it!
Hey it isn’t easy for everyone, especially if you had to test multiple models. Congratulations on your perseverance! (If you’re still having trouble, see the Troubleshooting section of the site.)
Detachable Penis, by King Missile
—For those of you who view your STP as a detachable penis of course
If I lost my STP I would also be pretty bummed out, even if it doesn’t feel like a penis. For those of you who DO view your STP as a detachable penis, take better care of it than King Missile!
Funnel of Love, by Wanda Jackson
—For the funnel users!
I hope you all love your device. It’s an intimate relationship to have with an object—I admit I got a little attached to mine.
Go Your Own Way, by Fleetwood Mac
—For those who just want to do their own thing
Have you encountered haters or naysayers? Just go off and do you.
I’m Only Happy When it Rains, by Garbage
—For those who need to think of water to get going
I do love rain. If you’re still thinking of water to relax and let go, keep at it—it does get easier!
Take Me Home, Country Roads, by John Denver
—For those of you on a journey, and the hikers of course
If you need to pee or you’re dehydrated or you’re just worried about peeing, you’re not enjoying the experience. Now you can focus on the beauty, the tranquility, the adventures, or whatever your reason for hiking.
Cherry Cola, by Eagles of Death Metal
—For those of you who loaded up on a favorite beverage to practice
Shout out to everyone who stayed home for a day with Diet Coke, lemonade, sparkling water, beer, tea, Gatorade, or whatever you drank. That beverage was in the trenches with you!
Sisters are Doing it for Themselves, by Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox
—For the sisters who are feeling EMPOWERED
YES. It’s a great feeling! It’s not just about knowing you can pee anywhere; it’s about subverting expectations and keeping life surprising. Once you break that leash to the bathroom, it’s a whole new world.
I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends, by The Beatles
—For those who appreciate the help
Hopefully your friends were supportive to you on your journey—maybe they were on it with you! I also think about my STP as a little friend. I get by with a little help from everyone.
Get Up, Stand Up, by Bob Marley
—STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS
Don’t let anyone tell you how to pee.
