This will definitely depend on how long and how frequently you’ll be using the water softener. If you rarely camp in sites with hard water but there is a plan to camp in one in the nearest future, leasing a water softener might be the most viable option. Expect to pay anywhere between $15 and $60 (or even more) per month depending on the size. If you live in or will be camping in areas with hard water areas frequently or for an extended period of time, purchasing your own portable water softener might be the best idea. While there is a significant upfront cost that you’ll need to make, the machine will pay for itself very fast and continue to save you a lot of money down the road. And the good thing is that all you’ll require is a packet of any table salt for its maintenance.