There are many options to choose from when looking for the best water purification systems for backpacking. It’s important to consider what you’re packing and how much water you might want to pack along the way. Here’s how to pick the right one for you:
Using Prefilters
Prefilters are designed to remove solids in the water before they reach the water filter or purification system. Some of the systems listed below have a built-in prefilter, while others don’t. Depending on the water source, you will want to use a prefilter. For example, if you choose to boil your lake water, you will need to use a prefilter to get all of the dirt and pieces of nature out of the water before you drink it.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light Systems
UV rays are super efficient for purifying small amounts of water. All you need to do is turn on your UV pen and stir it through the water for around 60 seconds. You definitely need to use a prefilter, however, to make sure it’s clean. You will also need to charge UV purifiers or make sure they have batteries in them for every trip you go on.
Straw Filters
Easy, lightweight, but limited to one-person at a time – and they only work if you are literally drinking from a water source at that very moment. To use a straw filter, you’ll need to place the end of the straw into a water source or water bottle and suck the water up through the straw/filter.
Bottle Filters and Purifiers
Bottle filters are super simple: just fill and sip! The suction caused by sipping brings the water up through a built-in filter on the lid of the bottle. You can fill up “dirty” bottles with unfiltered water, and refill your bottle filter as you go. (Bottle filters are my personal favorite on this list.)
Squeeze Filters
Squeeze filters are similar to bottle filters except that instead of sipping, you squeeze. Some of them also double as gravity filters or straw filters. If you want a multi-option tool, you might want a squeeze filter!
Pump Systems
To use a pump filter, you’ll drop an intake hose into the water source and manually pump the water through the filter. Pump filters are great because you can pull water even in shallow areas, and you can replace the internal cartridge when it wears out! However, Pumping can be a chore, and pumps also tend to weigh a bit more than other purification options.
Gravity Systems
To use a gravity filter, you’ll fill up the first bag with water and hang it up on a tree or any elevated surface. Gravity does the work for you, and that’s great! It’s way easier to filter through a large amount of water for a big group of people. Compared to pumping, it takes longer to filter the water, and it’s a bit harder to fill up in shallow areas.
Chemicals
Chemicals are easy to use, inexpensive, and easy to pack. They’re typically brought as a backup in case the primary filtering system breaks. It usually takes longer to filter water than other systems, and some chemicals can leave a chemical taste behind. You’ll also need to make sure that the chemicals you use are effective against every potential bacteria or virus you might encounter.
Boiling
Out of all of the best water purification systems for backpacking, boiling is the ultimate classic. Although boiling takes a bit more prep time than the other methods, it is highly effective and trustworthy. The water needs to be brought to a rolling boil for 1 minute – but if you are above 6,500 feet, it needs to boil for 3 minutes. All you need is a stove, fuel and a pot, and you’re good to go!
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