So you plan to go on a hiking or camping trip and don't know which water filters are best for outdoor adventures. Truth is anyone who is a rustic head like you often face the challenge of finding the best gears to buy. While there are many types of water filtration systems available, not all are travel-friendly.
You certainly will need hydration when hiking or engaging in any other outdoor activity, and it helps that you have clean water to quench your thirst. A few bottles and a cooler may be okay for a few hours in the wood, but if you are going to be spending days in the wild, you surely want to invest in quality water filters. You can check below for tips on how to find the best travel-friendly hydration system for outdoor use.
Why do You Need a Water Filter?
You will need to first answer this vital question before going in search of filters to buy. The apparent reason would be to get access to clean water anytime you need, but that’s not the only reason you want to get one. When out in the wild, it can almost be impossible to find clean water to drink, so you want to make provisions for your trip. Having a filtration system means that even when you run out of your reserve, you can purify the water you come across in the wild. You can find more here about outdoor drink purification systems.
Finding the Best One for your Trip
There are many coolers and chillers in the market, and they are available in different shapes and sizes, so finding one that would be perfect for any survival outing shouldn't be a challenge. While there are several brands to select from, not all of them may be a good pick for outdoor camping, which brings us to the question, how do you find the best filters for you? Not to worry, I got you covered. Below are the important features to look for in a quality water purification system for outdoor use.
Ease of Use
You want a system that isn't complicated to operate as you don't want to end up hurling a device that you can't work on a camping trip. It doesn't matter if it is powered mechanically or electrically, you want to be able to operate it at the snap or a bottom without breaking a sweat. Remember, you need to keep your energy levels for all the fun activities awaiting you.
Lightweight Option
It would help if you also take into consideration the weight of the water purification system. You want your water to be clean and chill, but keep in mind that you may have to travel uphill, on foot, and would also have to move other gear too. So you want a filter that is portable and travel-friendly.
Filter or Purifier
Another issue most people have when shopping for an outdoor water system is deciding between a filter or a purifier. While it may seem like both systems perform the same function, they do differ from one another in their treatment abilities.
Filters are more popular and do an excellent job of eliminating impurities, not limited to copper, lead, chlorine, mercury, iron, and other toxic compounds. However, they are not thorough in removing all bacteria and viruses, but they can trap a good number of them. On the other hand, purifiers are great at eliminating bacteria and viruses but don't do much to the toxic compounds that may be present.
Handling
So the weight of the water strainer is okay, how about the handling? You want your bottles to be easy to grip, and the same goes for your filters. You can find options with features that allow you to attach them to your backpack for easy transport. Whether it comes with one or not, you want to confirm that it has superb handling.
Maintenance
You also need to take into account the cleaning of the system. Your water bottles and filters will need to be cleaned before any outing, and it helps if you can get it done quickly. Even the tiniest of devices should be easy to put apart when it is time for maintenance. So you want to note the cleaning procedure before checking out a product.
Food Safe
Although you won't be holding any food inside, you want your drink to stay safe and not be contaminated by the filters. An excellent way to avoid this is to go for products with BPA certification that makes them both environmentally friendly and safe for human use.
Pricing
While you can find budget-friendly options available, you want to go for brands that are well constructed and includes the features mentioned above. You can save big by going for bottles with quality strainers instead of spending on a tank.
The Different Types of Water Filters
Now that you know the main features to look for when shopping for an outdoor water filter, I will now run through the different types available to decide which one would suit you better. The common types are straw, pump, gravity, UV, and bottle filters. The straw filters are the most portable option available and are a good fit for long-distance hiking. The pump option may not be small compared to others but can fit into a backpack.
Bottle strainers are equally great because they serve as a drink holder when you don't want to filter anything. You want to learn more about the different types available before making your pick. This website page https://survivalmethods.net/best-survival-water-filters/ has some examples of quality options that are great for camping and outdoor.
Final Note
You certainly will need a water filter for outdoor travel, and while there are many options available, you need one that is easy to transport and great at keeping out bacteria and toxins from your drink. You should check through reviews to learn about the popular brands in the market and find one that appeals to your needs.