Every Way to FILTER WATER in the Backcountry! | Miranda in the Wild

It’s time for the Water Treatment BATTLE ROYALE! In this video, I’ll walk through the different types of water treatment, how to use them, and some pros and cons to each.

Water Purification vs. Filtration: 0:59
Chemical Purification: 2:06
UV Purification: 5:00
Pump Filters: 6:39
Gravity Filters: 9:27
Bottle Filters: 10:58

[rei]

Hey friends! I TOTALLY forgot to include an important factor of choosing a type of water treatment: quantity of water! Chemical purification, bottle or squeeze filters and UV purification only allow you to treat what you can fit in a bottle. Gravity filters are great when you need a large quantity of water (say, for a group) or when your water source isn’t close to camp. Pump filters kind of fit in between, allowing you to filter as much as you can carry! What’s most important to you when choosing a water filter?

[RomeoMSong]

Definitely love the Sawyer. I love that it fits on most bottles so I've got a CNOC dirty bag and I carry a couple of smart water bottles and some sports caps to help with the backflushing. All very light, easy and durable.

[Golddragon]

I used pump filters for a long time but after finding gravity filters, I won't go back. And don't forget to always have a back up plan. Bring a light weight chem treatment if you can.

[TheSJCieply]

Microbiologist here. One thing to note is that chemical treatments don't sterilize the water, at least not with anything you'd take backpacking. They don't tend to be as effective at protozoan parasites like cryptosporidium and giardia, which are major issues in many areas.

[antonioallevato]

Another good point to include is how long you can use each water treatment method. I know some filters are good for hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, while the chemical treatments only work for however many tabs/drops you have. Would end up changing the price point the longer you use each method.

[AndrewB]

I treated my water with respect and admiration and I still got the runs.

[kimberlysmith]

I ended up buying the Sawyer filters so I wish those were reviewed! I did see them on your table with the BeFree one :) I have a video request: we want to take our kids backpacking and I want to make sure 1) we dont overload them, and 2) we have the right footwear for them. Is this something you can make a video about, or if you have can you point me to it? Should also mention we are newbies ourselves too! Thank you so much Miranda and REI!

[jennyl]

I use a grayle, love it. Doubles as your water bottle and no power or other supplies needed. Plus it filters viruses so works anywhere

[listofromantics]

00:28 - You had a Sawyer Squeeze (most often chosen by PCT / CDT / AT thru-hikers) on your test bench, but didn't test it.
Otherwise, a very good, well-produced, and informative video; well done, Miranda (and REI).

[AllenSchubert]

WOW!! I've never seen so many water treatment things in one video! Including products that I've never seen/considered (probably because of cost)! And I enjoy Miranda's presentation of these things! Miranda keeps it simple and to the point while being very entertaining!

[conrad]

Katadyn only produces the filter part of their filters. The "bottle" is made by Hydrapak which makes it really easy to find bigger storage tubes like their Seeker or Expedition series, varying from 2 to 8 litres. They allow for the use as a gravity filter aswell.

[TheHumanFlag]

YouTube needs to add a love button for videos like this. Best one so far!

[justalurkr]

Miranda is the best thing ever to happen to the REI channel. Relevant to the topic, I just bought a BeFree and couldn't be happier it came out on top in this comparison!

[shufflingfate]

Sawyer squeeze all the way. I can use in on a bottle, in a gravity feed system and it can filter a lifetime's worth of water. You can service it in the field too, just don't let it freeze. I don't recommend the mini or micro, go for the full on squeeze. I use a cnoc 2l dirty bag for the gravity system! Sad you didn't test it.

[MikeWood]

I live in Canada so no REI stores, but watching informative videos such as this one with Miranda are a highlight of my Youtube subscriptions. I rang the bell too. I wish that Mountain Equipment Co-Op here in Canada had an online presence like this that entertained and informed as well as REI and Miranda do.

[SarahStudt]

I love my BeFree filter! I got the 3L too which has a handle. For those asking, sawyers do work in a similar way, but if you get the micro expect to do a lot of backflushing.

[dantran]

You're a cool host, but I am skeptical of your palette xD
That pasta water coffee has stayed with me.

[avery]

Would have loved to see the Grayl compared to those as well. Love the videos, keep them coming.

[williamtrott]

I just returned from a week and a half in the Idaho mountains and used the life straw and Sawyer. Sawyer was used primarily in a gravity feed and if you squeeze the dirty bag, we were getting 4 liters in less than two minutes. With the life straw I found the flow increased if you filed the bag entirely with water so there was no air pocket, this seemed to create a vacuum and increased water flow. I did have to back flush the filter 3-4 times and that also increases water flow through the straw. Both of these have my vote for lightweight, inexpensive and effective filtration devices.

[backyardfern]

hi there! once the gravity filter starts to flow you have to lift the clean water bag up to purge the air out and then it flows super fast! (1.5L per minute)