Award : NEMO’s Helio™ Pressure Shower Wins Gear of the Year From Men’s Journal

NEMO Equipment, Inc., a leader in designing innovative tents, backcountry sleep systems, and accessories, has won Gear of the Year from Men’s Journal for its Helio™ Pressure Shower. More than just a shower, Helio™ is a portable, pressurized water source that brings cleanliness to the backcountry and everyday adventure. Perfect for basecamp bathing, campsite dish duty, or rinsing off muddy gear, Helio™ also provides relief in emergency situations where water and power is scarce.
“Each year, our team of experts torture-tests hundreds of new products. The good stuff gets reviewed throughout the year. Only the greatest makes it onto this list,” say the editors at Men’s Journal about the Gear or the Year awards process.

Unlike conventional gravity-fed hanging showers, the Helio™ system uses an 11 liter welded fabric tank pressurized by NEMO’s patented foot pump. Simply fill the tank with water, let it warm in the sun, set the tank on the ground, and then step on the foot pump a few times. Pumping occasionally while showering maintains the water pressure in the tank and there’s no hanging required.

“A backcountry shower may sound like too much of a luxury to fit in your pack, but the Helio™ stuffs down to a respectable 5.5" x 8.5" package and weighs a modest 25 ounces. Step on the foot pump to increase the pressure and enjoy the spray nozzle jet (and fairly warm water, too, if you let it sit in the sun all day). And why even worry about packing it – it's an especially welcome relief back at a car base camp after a muddy ride or dank, dusty day of canyoneering,” said gear reviewer Frederick Reimers.

“Traveling in the backcountry doesn’t have to mean ‘roughing it’. With thoughtful design and quality materials, we’ve built a shower that’s easy to carry and brings a new level of comfort to your adventures. From a hot shower on an extended backpacking trip to rinsing off your wheels after a great day in Moab, the water delivery system Helio™ provides is a welcome slice of luxury without the weight,” said Cam Brensinger, president and founder of NEMO.

In addition to its versatility in the field, a recent letter from a customer in New York affected by Hurricane Sandy highlighted the usefulness of Helio™during a natural disaster. “Being without power and water has rekindled my desire to be more prepared for emergencies. Although there are quite a few items I still have to get, at least I know I have a reliable way to wash up. Thanks for making a product that helped bring a little comfort during a bad situation,” M. Brown.

The Helio™ Pressure Shower can be found through NEMO’s website and at nationwide outdoor specialty retailers.

In addition to its tents, sleeping pads and backcountry washing systems, NEMO added sleeping bags to complete its sleep system in 2012. Founded in 2002 with the commitment to bringing the highest level of design and engineering to the world of outdoor adventure sports, NEMO has patents pending for its AirSupported Technology® and many of its products’ features and accessories.

NEMO Equipment, Inc. / Kate Ketschek / 603-828-1050 / kate@nemoequipment.com