The Importance of an Outdoor Water Filter
Water filters transform murky, potentially dangerous natural water sources into clean drinking liquid. They use microscopic pores to sift out protozoa and bacteria (including E. Coli and Salmonella) but they don’t eliminate viruses.
A prefilter is an accessory that improves a filter or purifier’s ability to treat murky water by removing sand, sediment and leaves from the water supply before it enters the main filter. This reduces field maintenance and extends the life of the filter element.
Ease of Use
A good outdoor water filter removes many unhealthy contaminants from your water, allowing you to enjoy clean drinking water in any environment. These water filters for hiking and camping also come in handy during disasters, when they can make contaminated tap water safe for consumption.
In addition to removing harmful bacteria and protozoa, these systems usually have a pore size of 0.1 or 0.2 micron, which eliminates many fine particles that can be found in murky water. This includes silt, clay, rust and scale, as well as the harmful pathogens cryptosporidium and Giardia.
Some backpacking filters feature a dual-stage water treatment process, which not only physically sifts out harmful pathogens but also deodorizes and clarifies the water with activated carbon. Some also have a built-in UV Outdoor Water Filter light to destroy viruses and bacteria by scrambling their DNA. Unlike chemical options (such as iodine tablets), these types of portable water filters don’t leave behind any unpleasant taste in the water or require batteries and electronics, making them an ideal choice for backpacking and camping.
Whether you’re backpacking in the backcountry or setting up camp at a basecamp, these portable water filters are easy to set up and use. They’re lightweight and compact in design, so you can easily pack them for your next adventure. You can attach them directly to your water bottle or, for larger groups and basecamps, they fit into a drinking vessel like a reservoir or bucket.
Ease of Maintenance
Outdoor water filters and purifiers are relatively easy to maintain. If you follow the instructions for your specific model, you will find that it isn’t too difficult to keep your filter in good working condition. Some models require backflushing, while others only need regular cleaning. Some models, like the Sawyer Squeeze system and the Crazy Cap bottle bottle, even include a built-in purification tablet for a truly hands-free solution.
For most of us, the idea of being able to drink water directly from a stream or river is incredibly appealing. However, these untreated water sources often contain a wide range of contaminants that can pose health risks. These include natural organic matter (humic acid, tannins), inorganic chemicals, sediments, and harmful microorganisms.
Keeping your filter clean and properly maintained is essential for safe drinking, so you’ll need to perform regular backwashing. This is a process that reverses the flow of water to flush out any debris that has accumulated on your filter over time, improving the quality and efficiency of your water.
You will also want to clean your filter before storing it for a long period of time. According to Katadyn, this will help prevent algae build up. The company recommends letting your filter dry completely before packing it away, or you can use a bleach rinse to ensure that no unwanted bacteria have accumulated during storage.
Ease of Storage
If you’re backpacking or traveling abroad, it’s important to bring a water filter Portable water purification straw to make sure any unsafe water can be transformed into safe drinking water. You can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water, so having a reliable outdoor water filter is essential for any outdoor adventure.
To keep your outdoor water filters clean and ready for use, it’s best to rinse them after every use before storing them in a dry place. This prevents the buildup of bacteria or other contaminants that may slow or stop water flow. It’s also a good idea to wash and sanitize any detachable parts, following the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you have a functional, durable outdoor water filter that will last longer.
Backpacking water filters like the Sawyer Squeeze are easy to carry and can be used by a single person for short hikes or longer trips. Groups backpacking together might want a gravity-fed water filter like the MSR AutoFlow XL to simplify camp chores and help everyone stay hydrated throughout a trip. This filter also adapts to fit various storage vessels, including bladders and Smartwater bottles, for ultimate flexibility.
For backpacking adventures in a remote environment, consider bringing a military-grade pump water filter that’s resilient to freezing and designed for use in muddy or silty water. These models, such as the MSR Guardian and the Grayl UltraPress Purifier Bottle, remove bacteria and protozoa from water with a 0.2-micron filter, and the Guardian uses about ten percent of the water it filters to backflush itself, making it a great option for removing viruses from muddy, cloudy water sources where other filters might fail.
Ease of Setup
Whether you’re removing chlorine and chemicals from your outdoor fish pond or creating clean drinking water for your backyard patio, an outdoor water filter is an important investment. Unlike chemical options, which add an unpleasant taste to the water and can be toxic if swallowed, and UV purifiers, which require batteries and electronics and aren’t effective against some types of protozoa, these outdoor water filters are your personal environmental guardians that transform natural, untreated water into fresh, clean drinking water.
Water is filtered through a physical barrier, usually a porous medium such as sand or gravel, that removes contaminating particles. This filtration process is not perfect, however, and certain filters may leave a residual taste or odor.
Some models use activated carbon filtration to reduce bad tastes and odors, while others employ both UV rays and a physical filtration process to eliminate microorganisms that can cause waterborne illnesses. These comprehensive filtration systems are ideal for backcountry adventures, guaranteeing the safety of your drinking water and minimizing the risk of disease.
If you’re planning on using a water filter outdoors, set it up in an area with good air circulation and protected from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. For backpacking, a gravity-powered filter like the Platypus GravityWorks is an easy-to-use option that requires minimal setup and can be left unattended while you treat other water.
