Managing Nature’s Call on Everest: Down Suits for Women

Let’s face it: being a woman in the mountains brings unique challenges—and using the bathroom is high on that list. Now, add being tucked into a down suit in the death zone on Everest, and the question becomes, how do you go to the bathroom? More importantly, what features should your down suit have to make this process as smooth as possible?

We sat down with Seven Summits summiteer Meghan Buchanan, who shared some practical advice for women based on her wealth of experience facing this reality in extreme conditions. When it comes to down suits, the type of zipper can make all the difference. Meghan’s insights on the pros and cons of two common options can help you decide what works best for you. Here’s what we learned:

Half-Moon or Rainbow Zipper:

This style of suit has a half-moon-shaped zipper on the seat of the pants. Sometimes, this style is called a rainbow zipper; both names are a reference to the shape it takes on your down suit. This style allows you to fully unzip the seat of your suit and drop the extra material to your knees with ample room to squat and use the bathroom.

Half-Moon Down Suits We Love:

Pros:
  • Easy to unzip and re-zip 
  • Provides ample wiggle room to pull down the rest of your pants 
  • Simplifies the management of other layers
Cons:
  • Extra material or flap can get in the way
  • Careful attention is required to avoid mishaps
  • Limited compatibility with pee funnels unless the suit has a front zipper

Zip-Through Zipper:

This style of suit has a zipper that goes from the front to the back of your pants along the middle seam between your legs. You will find a variety of product descriptions and names, like the RAB two-way front zip and the Gnara GoFly zipper, but all are a reference to the placement of the zipper on your down suit. This style allows you to unzip the inseam of your suit and either squat down or use a pee funnel to use the bathroom. 

Zip-Through Products We Love:

Pros:
  • Eliminates the hassle of managing extra material while using the bathroom
  • Works better with a pee funnel, even without an extra front zipper
Cons:
  • Can be slightly harder to unzip and re-zip
  • Can be tricky to access and adjust your other layers

Meghan’s Personal Solution: The Modified Half-Moon

Meghan swears by the half-moon design, which she retrofitted by sewing a loop handle that runs laterally just above the zipper. Here’s the play-by-play on how this works from Meghan: 

  • Step 1: Unzip your half-moon zipper
  • Step 2: Pull the rear material down to an appropriate length 
  • Step 3: Reach your hand through your legs from the front and grab the loop handle 
  • Step 4: Gather the extra material towards the front of your body and down suit 
  • Step 5: If you need both hands, clip the loop handle to your harness or just hold on
  • Step 6: Pull down your pants as needed, squat down, and relieve yourself—hooray! 
  • Step 7: Stand up, release or unclip the loop hand, and rezip your down suit 

Meghan’s modification should look something like this ➜

This loop handle lets you keep the extra material, or the flap, out of the way and ensures quick and easy access without removing your harness. Meghan has also been known to clip a carabiner to the loop, which can make it easier to find and hold onto the loop. This method has worked perfectly for Meghan and allowed her to keep things simple when using the bathroom on Everest. 

Practical Tips from Meghan:

  • Practice Makes Perfect: Meghan’s guide on Denali emphasized the importance of practice. There, Meghan learned to use her pee funnel and practiced while wearing her gear and gloves and even in front of others. Don’t hesitate to practice at home, wearing all of your gear, of course, so you know exactly what to do when you’re on the mountain. By honing these skills, you will ensure you feel confident and efficient when you need them the most. 
  • Build a Schedule: On extended expeditions, your body becomes a machine. Pay attention to your schedule and plan around it. Knowing your routine helps you anticipate when you’ll need to go to the bathroom and what options you might have. 
  • Open Communication: Talk to your guides, your team, and even your expedition leaders like Mike Hamill. Don’t be embarrassed, especially as a woman. Open conversations about your needs will ensure that everyone is on the same page. 
  • Be Prepared: Don’t forget to carry a WAG bag for areas like the Khumbu Icefall. Knowing the terrain will help you be mindful of where and when you can go to the bathroom. 
  • Keep It Lighthearted: On Meghan’s first group pee experience, her team made sure the environment was fun and supportive, making the whole moment a bit more approachable. Everyone looked away, but they knew what was happening, setting a comfortable tone for the rest of the expedition.

Final Thoughts:

Meghan’s mantra is to take ownership of your needs. Using the bathroom on the side of a mountain as a woman is undoubtedly more complex, but with the right mindset, it doesn’t have to be an obstacle. Meghan encourages everyone to embrace the challenge and not let bathroom logistics hold them back from achieving their goals. Prepare, practice, and communicate; whether you’re tackling Everest or climbing closer to home, take the time to get comfortable with your gear and own your needs.

“Don’t let needing to pee keep you from reaching the next level.”
– Meghan Buchanan