Backpacking Water Filters: Why You Need One Yesterday
When I first got into exploring in the outdoors, I thought I was the cat's pajamas with my hydration pack with the 3-liter bladder. I would fill it before every hike and never think twice about running out of water. Until I did... Luckily my friend that I was with had a water filter and I was able to get some water back into my pack. When I got home, I immediately ordered a water filter. I didn’t want to be the guy running down the trail with stuff running down my legs or worse. Having clean, filtered water is vitally important when in the outdoors, the water may seem clean but there are little guys hiding in the water wanting to ruin your trip.
Since that lovely humbling experience, I’ve tried out a few different backcountry filtration systems. In using the filters, I have also found myself not using my hydration pack bladder as much and using reusable water bottles to save weight and space while filling up on the trail (to be honest I have no idea where my 3-liter bladder is in all my gear). Let’s face it, between the camera gear and usually an adult beverage in my pack, I’m not trying to set any land speed records on the trail.
For any and all water systems it all starts with a water bottle, make sure you have a good and durable water bottle that can handle being tossed around, fall out of a pack, fall down a canyon wall, fall off a car, roll down a mountainside and whatever else you can throw at it (or throw it at).
Bottle recommendations:
Nalgene
Kleen Kanteen
Hydroflask
Yeti
Next comes the water filtrations systems. You’d be surprised what kind of stanky puddles you can drink from with a proper filter. There are quite a few options out there and I’m going to tell you a little bit about the systems I’ve used and why I like them.
Pump Filter – Katadyn
This is first filter I ever had and is the one I’ve probably used the most, until just recently. It is very easy to use and quite durable, with a wide mouth cap for easily filling a water bottle. Once it’s all put together it only takes about a minute of pumping to fill up a 32 oz bottle. The storage is compact and all the hoses that go on the “clean” output side of the pump are stored in a separate bag inside of a bigger case so there’s no contamination.
Pros: Durable, easy to use
Cons: Heavier, bigger
Sawyer Mini Filter
I got this filter a couple of years ago and was slow to warm up to it. Now it’s my go to filter for backpacking! The reason is because it’s light and really easy to use. The filter is small and comes with a bladder style water bottle that has a cap like most water bottles that you can get at the store. Not that I’m one to advocate using single use water bottles, but if you are in a situation where your bladder was torn and you happen upon a plastic water bottle, it could be lifesaving. There are also attachments so you can connect it to your hydration packs as well. The only real downside (and it’s minor) is that you have to put your hand in the water to fill the bladder. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but the first time I used it there was snow still in the alpine lake I was at and my hand was cold for quite a while.
Pros: lightweight, fits most water bottles
Cons: bladder can tear
Life Straw – Bottle
I am a huge fan of Life Straw products. The water bottle is amazing for quick easy access to drinking water on a day hike or when backpacking. The built in “LifeStraw” allows you to fill the water bottle up on the go and drink it immediately. No pumping, no squeezing bags, no drops, just fill and go. It’s also a great water bottle to have while traveling home and abroad when you aren’t sure about the water.
Pros: the fastest way to drinking water
Cons: can’t use for cooking water in the backcountry
LifeStraw – Straw
This filter should be in absolutely everyone’s daypack, backpack, or both. This is the best way to make sure you never are without clean drinking water. Use this for an example: A couple of years ago there was the Eagle Creek Fire that decimated the Columbia River Gorge. There were hikers that got stranded from the trail head due to the fire starting in the middle of the trail. If you are out for a day hike and maybe didn’t think you’d need a filter, but got stranded like these hikers, having this in your pack could be the difference between life and death.
Pros: light, best for emergencies
Cons: none, put it in your pack now!
There are other options out there for getting clean water as well, purifying drops and UV filters for example. But I don’t like to use rely on things that I can spill (as I’m very prone to it) and I would hate to need water and have the batteries be dead on my filter. That’s not to say they don’t have their advantages; they just aren’t my preferred method.
Whether you’re going out for a leisurely day hike, afternoon walk, or multi day backpack, having access to clean water is vital. Figure out which backcountry filtration system works for you and make sure you read the instructions on proper use. Not using them correctly can result in rapid decreased value in your camping gear. Stay hydrated my friends.