GO New Mexico review: The InstaPrivy portable toilet kit for camping and outdoor use

GO NEW MEXICO

ESSENTIAL GEAR: InstaPrivy says it鈥檚 No. 1 for No. 2

This all-in-one portable toilet kit aims to make your next camping trip more comfortable

A person in a blue shirt carries a backpack-style outdoor toilet kit on a sunny pavement.

InstaPrivy folds up into a backpack.

Rebeca Zimmermann/GO New Mexico

Donn Friedman GO New Mexico

Published May 28, 2026 - 3:30 p.m. Modified May 28, 2026 - 7:23 p.m.

A camouflage privacy tent and portable toilet kit on display at a booth with InstaPrivy branding. — InstaPrivy portable toilet kit with a camouflage privacy shelter and backpack is demonstrated at Overland Expo.

Portable toilet kit with a folding seat and black privacy cover labeled Instaprivy. — The portable toilet kit from InstaPrivy is shown with a folding seat and bag in place.

Let me count the ways that the portable toilet kit is better than just trenching a hole when you gotta go in the outdoors.

You don鈥檛 have to squat to do your business.
It comes with a unique privacy shelter that can be hung from a tree or just rest on your head.
It all packs up in a nifty backpack, so you can get away from camp if you can鈥檛 poop with people watching nearby; the entire kit is less than seven pounds.
It is sold by a U.S. veteran-owned business.
When set up, the legs are long-enough to make it easier to comfortably sit than even a more expensive cassette toilet.
It is a complete kit with toilet paper, hand sanitizer, waste bags 鈥� and even a shovel if you are far enough in the backcountry to dig a hole to deposit you doo-doo deep underground in areas where that is allowed.

The kit, which was being hawked at in May, is sold for $149 at. President Paul Mangum, showing his belief in the product, demonstrated how it works at the show.

鈥淭he InstaPrivy is a portable toilet in a backpack; it has everything you need,鈥� Mangum said. 鈥淎nd one of the best thing about the kit is it sets up so quick and easy.鈥�

The privacy tent also provides protection from mosquitoes, flies and other buzzing nuisances while you do your business or change clothes, he said. You can hang up the privacy blind and use it as a shower tent and even for a tall guy it will cover up your important parts, Mangum said.

Mangum provided an InstaPrivy backpack kit for GO New Mexico to test.

With all its extras 鈥� tent, backpack and privacy tent 鈥� it goes to No. 1 on my choices for going No. 2, just like the inventor鈥檚 marketing message promises. To me the kit is a top choice 鈥� much better the toilet that is made of metal and wood. Though more expensive, it has more capability than the smaller and lighter cardboard box. POTT-T says its cheaper alternative is available and will be sold again via its website again soon. I have had a POT-T in both my rigs since purchasing it seven years ago at Overland Expo. You鈥檒l need the Thunderbox if you weigh close to 500 pounds. For those of us 300 pounds and below 鈥� if you鈥檙e 250-300 sit gently: the InstaPrivy is fine.

Share your New Mexico adventure channel, rigs and panorama photos with us at go@abqjournal.com. It could appear in an edition of The Sunday Journal in the GO New Mexico weekly outdoors section.