Do you love to backpack, hike and camp?
Do you struggle carrying large amounts of clean drinking water?
It’s recommended that humans consume more than 2 liters of water on an average day, and more when doing a physical activity such as hiking. That’s a lot of weight!
What if I told you that you never have to worry about having enough drinking water ever again, whatever the length of your trip?
With an abundance of backpacking water filters on the market it can be difficult to narrow it down to the one that suits your needs.
I have done the hard work for you and found the best water filter for backpacking so you will be able to make an informed decision.
After all, water is the elixir of life, so it’s important to know you will be safe and hydrated when you’re out adventuring.
What Makes A Good Backpacking Water Filter?
There are a number of things to consider when looking for the best backpacking water filter, and it can be a little overwhelming. One of the most important factors is that it does its job effectively.
This job is to eliminate nasty, illness-causing protozoa, bacteria and viruses to allow you to hydrate yourself without the repercussions of experiencing horrible intestinal problems (definitely not ideal when camping or hiking).
Most backpacking water filters will do this, so the next factors to take into consideration are size, weight and treatment time.
If you’re hiking and carrying all your items then size and weight are crucial. Hydrate yourself with the correct amount of water for any journey.
On the other hand, if you’re setting up a campsite for an extended stay, something larger may not cause too many problems.
Finally, treatment time is the amount of time you have to wait before safely drinking your filtered water. Some systems can take up to half an hour to filter out unwanted materials.
Once again, if you have a semi-permanent camp this may be OK, but if you’re on a weekend hike you’ll need something a little more instant.
Overall, you need to understand your own needs before deciding upon the best water filter for your backpacking needs.
The Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is one of the best backpacking water filters.
It’s ideal for just about any outdoor setting, including camping, hiking and international travel.
It’s small and effective, filtering out 99.99999% of all bacteria and protozoa.
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter can be used over and over again. The filter will be effective for up to 100, 000 gallons of water.
It’s also a great filter to have on hand in the case of an emergency situation.
The kit comes complete with attachments to allow you to drink directly from the included reusable squeeze pouch, standard plastic water bottles and even directly from the water source with the handy straw.
Pros and Cons
A backpacking water filter review would not be complete without an explanation of the positives and negatives.
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is small and lightweight so it won’t take up much valuable space in your backpack. The treatment time is incredibly quick . You simply use the straw attachment provided and drink away!
This is perfect when you are hiking and don’t have time to stop and wait for your water to be clean and safe. Alternatively, you can fill your own water bottle or hydration pack and drink on the go. The filter system comes with all the attachments you need as well as useful instructions.
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a cost effective way to provide quick, clean drinking water virtually immediately, without adding bulk to your backpack. The filter will last you years!
On the flip side, it isn’t ideal for use amongst large groups, so if you’re camping with a bunch of friends you would all need your own Sawyer Mini Water Filter.
What’s more, due to the fact that it uses a filter system, it may not eliminate viruses such as Hepatitis A and Rotovirus.
Some users may find it difficult to get a flow going through the straw, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best backpacking water filter for personal use during your hiking or camping trip, then look no further.
The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is an ideal travel size and will help make sure you don’t suffer from any illnesses caused by contaminated water consumption.
It’ll help keep you safely hydrated and therefore allow you to have an enjoyable hiking or camping experience.
Less time worrying about ‘bad’ water means more time appreciating the great outdoors!
