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Reviews > Personal Hygiene > Bathroom Sundries > GoGirl GoGirl > Owner Review by Jennifer Koles

GoGirl
Female Urinary Device

Owner Review by Jennifer Koles
November 11, 2009

Personal Information

Name:  Jennifer Koles
Age:  34
Gender:  Female
Height:  5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight: 140 lb (64 kg)
Email address: jennksnowy at yahoo dot com
City, State, and Country: 
Orange County, California, United States


Backpacking Background

After getting into the outdoors scene camping while 4-wheeling and day-hiking, I switched to backpacking in the early 2000's. I have backpacked extensively in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho along with California, Pennsylvania and Nevada. I have slowly been cutting my base weight to be able to go longer in duration and distance. I have done so mainly by using better gear and dumping heavy luxuries. I backpack year round in all weather, and usually take a free standing tent and a gas stove on all my trips. I love trying out new gear.

The author

The author in the Narrows at Zion National Park, Utah.


Product Information

Manufacturer: GoGirl (FemMed, Inc.)
Web Site: www.go-girl.com
Product: GoGirl Female Urinary Device
Year Manufactured: 2009
MSRP: $6.99 US
Available Colors: Pink Tube with Lavender GoGirl and Camouflage Tube with Lavender GoGirl
Reviewed Color: Pink Tube with Lavender GoGirl

Weight Listed: none listed on website
Actual Weight: 1.50 oz (43 g) packaged tube; 1.05 oz (30 g) GoGirl alone

Measurements of Tube: Height- 3.75 in (9.53 cm); Diameter- 1.38 in (3.5 cm)
Measurements of Device: Approximate Length- 6.5 in (16.51 cm); Width- 2 in (5.08 cm)


Product Description

The GoGirl is a feminine hygiene product or known as a Female Urinary Device (FUD) that is designed for women to urinate while standing up. It is indicated by the manufacturer to be used in unsanitary bathrooms, traveling, camping, boating, concerts, sports, or just to avoid germs. The device is made of a durable germ resistant medical-grade silicone and it can be disposed of or reused. At $6.99 each I decided to wash and reuse my device, since I can not afford to buy a new one each time I use it.

The GoGirl comes packed inside of a plastic tube with a removable cap on one side. The outer tube wrapping has pictures indicating ideas of where to use the device. There is also information on the contents of the tube (one GoGirl, tissue and baggie). Printed on the wrapping is information for disposal (do not flush, and use biodegradable baggie for storage or disposal).

Contents of tube

Inside the GoGirl tube is the GoGirl with a small folded piece of tissue and a white biodegradable baggie. I found the tube to be small enough to carry in my purse and my smallest cycling pack. The baggie has the GoGirl logo and name printed in pink on one side and instructions (in English and another language) for use on the reverse. There is a sticker on the baggie that can be removed to seal the baggie closed.

GoGirl

The GoGirl (FUD) is made of a flexible silicone material that I can easy bend or roll up. It also retains its original shape after it is stored. It reminds me of a funnel. It has a large opening on one end and tapers to a point with a small opening at the bottom. It has some embossing on it to indicate which way the device should be positioned up, "GOGIRL", symbol and the letters "DO NOT FLUSH", the text "patent pending". There are also two dashed lines at the top of the funnel opening on the ends. I think these dashed lines are for an extra grip for finger placement when using the device. The funnel opening that is placed close to my body is designed to obtain a close seal and to prevent splashing. This is achieved by the silicon having an area that can be pressed against by body and not just a straight edge.

Opening

Using the GoGirl (First Time)

After opening the packaging for the first time I knew I would never be able to remember or be able to package it in its original state. I found that I can roll it up in the baggie or a plastic small zip closure bag and still get it in the tube. I just cram it in there and there is some room to spare for a tissue. It works for me!

OK so my first time using the GoGirl I was scared that I would make a mess. Plus I did not want to embarrass myself using it in the wilderness for the first time. So I used it over a toilet. Pulled down my pants, placed the GoGirl and wee I went. I had some hesitation before I could actually urinate, because it felt odd to stand up and handle this task. However, it was a success. No mess to clean up on myself or my surroundings. After the first use I was hooked. Read on.


Product Use

The GoGirl has been used or carried in the following locations during various sport and leisure activities

  • Hiking: Red Rocks, Nevada; Whiting Ranch Park, California; and Cleveland National Forest, California
  • Backpacking: Yosemite National Park, California (three day trip); San Jacinto State Park, California (overnight trip)
  • Biking: Whiting Ranch, California; Weir Canyon, California; Peters Canyon, California; Fullerton, California; El Moro Canyon, California; and Big Bear, California
  • Rollerblading on the beach path near Huntington Beach California
  • Rock Climbing: Red Rocks, Nevada
  • Day to day in my purse and in the car
  • Public restrooms

The elevations ranged from sea level to over 10,000 ft (3,048 m). The temperatures ranged from 43 F (6 C) to 90 F (32 C).


Impressions and Performance

I must say that I am impressed with the performance of the GoGirl. I can now urinate like the guys. Well almost, I still need some extra help. At first I thought it would be difficult to use. But, for me it has been easy to master using the GoGirl. It is now natural for me to use it and I do not freeze up when it is time to urinate in the device, as I did the first time.

The instructions say to "adjust clothing" as step one. I began to pull down my pants some to use it and now I have mastered being able to use it successfully by not pulling down my pants/shorts, just pulling them away from my body. For my biking shorts and for pants/shorts with no zipper I just pull some of the material away from my body, slide the GoGirl in place, do my business carefully while pointing the tube end of the device, shake it while still holding it when I am done, then position my pants/shorts. With my pants or shorts that have a zipper I open the zipper place the GoGirl inside, position it and then I poke the end through the zipper opening.

This took some time to develop this skill and at first I was reluctant to try it. I urinated with my back turned in the wilderness and my friend did not know what I was doing because my pants were up in the back. I call this "stealth urination". Sometimes when I am finished doing my business and I pull it away from my body some drops of urine will roll towards the large opening of the funnel. But the design of the funnel traps those drops and they do not dribble out of the large opening.

After using the GoGirl wherever I may be, I just rinse it with water and store it in the baggie or my own zip closure baggie. The provided baggie got some holes in it after about 6 uses. A zip closure bag works fine. When I get home I rinse the GoGirl with soap and water. There has not been a noticeable odor when I am on the go and just rinse it with water.

Now the color of the GoGirl is not discrete. It is a light lavender color, but it is unnatural to have a lavender colored item poking out from my pants or using it to urinate. I would like to see the GoGirl available in more natural colors like a light tan or a beige color.

This thing is great! There is no splashing over the top of the device. And I can aim it exactly where I want to. The GoGirl rolls up and can be stored inside the tube or in a small pouch in my backpack (in a baggie of course). The only issue I have with storing it inside the tube is that sometimes the lid pops off because it does not tighten with threads or securely. I would like to see some threading on the tube or a pop off type of lid that has a tab to open it.

The silicone material appears to be durable. It has not torn, stretched, and has not melted when stored in the tube on the front seat of my car in direct sunlight. My GoGirl looks as good as new.

I get quite a few comments on the GoGirl when I debut it to my friends. Some of them think I am nuts (my shy friends) and others think it is such a cool idea. Even my guy friends think it is pretty nifty.


Things That Rock

  • I have mastered urinating while standing up
  • I do not mess my shoes
  • The storage tube is compact
  • Easy to use
  • No leakage
  • Easy to clean

Things That Are So-So

  • The lid of the tube does not secure tightly in place
  • The color is not discrete
  • Storage baggie is not durable
GoGirl in tube

Summary

I have loved using the GoGirl and I had to get more. I now have a total of four GoGirls to store in my car, at work, in my purse, in my backpacks, and in my cycling packs. This is one of those things that I do not want to leave home without.

 



Read more reviews of FemMed Inc. gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Koles

Reviews > Personal Hygiene > Bathroom Sundries > GoGirl GoGirl > Owner Review by Jennifer Koles



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