Water Filters vs Water Purifiers Backpacking 101

When exploring the great outdoors the one thing we take for granted is water. Staying hydrated is not as simple as drinking straight from streams and lakes. To protect against protozoa, bacteria and even viruses there is a wide range of water filtration and purification systems built specifically for backpacking.

In this video we are going to look at the different ways and methods for treating water and find one that will work best for you.

WATER PURIFIERS
Aquatabs Purification Tablets

Aquamira - Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment

SteriPen Aqua UV Water Purifier

WATER FILTERS
Drink Through Filters
1. LifeStraw Personal

2. Katadyn BeFree

Pump Filters

1. Katadyn Hiker Water Filter,

2. MSR Guardian

3. Katadyn Pocket

Gravity Filters

1. Katadyn Gravity Camp

2. Platypus

Squeeze through filters

1. Sawyer Point One

2. Sawyer Mini

3. Sawyer Micro

[John_Henry]

I saw this clip months ago and I was really impress. But I was really busy trying to get some stuff done on a deaditline. I meant to come back to it and bookmark it but somehow the YouTube search algorithm would not bring it up. I just stumbled onto it this time. VERY clear, concise, comprehensive and to the point. I like clips like that. OH and NO ADVERTS other than the YouTube required ones. I REALLY like that.

[MaxMax]

Glad you show us what using each filter actually looks like! instead of just talking about them in a room, seeing neat neature nuggets was relaxing

[mrnobodieswildcampingadventure]

I'm in the UK and a great believer in Boil and Tablet water cleansing. Never had an issue with such and don't see the need in UK for changing. Also in Winter on Mountains, filters cannot be allowed to freeze, so again the old Boil the snow, and tablet method good for me!

[gregu]

Our boy scout troop has used the UV-pens on trips to BWCA in the past. We went to Isle Royale this summer. On the boat over, the rangers told us that there is a tapeworm in the waters that those pens had not been tested against yet; they could not guarantee success and thus, did not recommend using them. I had a Sawyer Mini along and it made drinking from Lake Superior effortless. I suspect the tapeworm the rangers talked about would have been in more warmer, stagnant ponds than clear, 42 degree Superior. However, I know you've been to Isle Royale and thought I'd pass that tidbit along. Thank you so much for sharing all your information and experience!

[happyfuntimereviews]

I use a Cnoc 2L dirty bag and a Sawyer Squeeze with a cleaning coupler to attach to a standard water/soda bottle.
Works great as a gravity system if you hang it from a tree or your hammock suspension, and you can also use it as a squeeze through system.
The cleaning coupler makes for very easy backflushing as well!
Great video, thank you!

[davidmosher]

Thank for putting this video together, I appreciate the information. One bit of feedback is that you have background music that if very loud, I would much prefer to hear what your are saying; possible with future videos please reduce this music volume. Keep up the good work!

[blueeyeswhitedragon]

Thank you for not mentioning DIY water filters as a way to supply drinkable water.
So many videographers use DIY water filtration as click bait for views, not considering the possible consequences to campers experimenting with sand & stones to "purify" their bush water.
This was a well thought out and comprehensive approach to water purification out in the wilds.

[parnold-mora]

As always, thank you so much for the excellent video! You gave us lots of choices for filtering/purifying our water safely.

Years ago, I was on a 3-week kayaking trip in Quetico Provincial Park when I contracted giardia from unfiltered water. I normally filtered all my drinking water but ran out while out on a short hike and took a drink from a cool stream. I'll ever do that again (severe stomach cramps and diarrhea for 3 days).

Today, my preferred method of treating water is catching particulates through a cloth kerchief then boiling. I carry a gravity filter or squeeze filter (Trail Shot Micro Filter), but these methods will fail if you haven't done the required maintenance. My least favorite method was using iodine tabs which affected the taste too much.

Like you said, there isn't a perfect way to purify water, we have to weigh all the pros and cons and use a method that best suits our needs. Thanks again Marine!

[jirlam]

Thanks for this informative video, I didn’t really know the difference between purifying and filtering so thanks! Hello from UK

[mikey]

Great info..one thing to consider when using a gravity system, is to leave a loop on the hose that you fill your bottles with...that's lower than the bottle is. So any unfiltered water on outside of the bag will drip from the loop, and not get in your bottle.

[sunnymas]

Thank you for the video, showing all the systems, with so many informations about it.
I just need this information, for my choice, what to buy.
Greetings from sw germany (Europe). (liked and longer subscribed.)

[aliceg]

Thanks for your response. I just saw this video and I became a subscriber . Thanks for all your hard work and I’ll be looking forward to new ones, as wells as watch what I’ve missed.

[traviscreamer]

Great content. To add to the mix I love my Mil bag it is a sock shaped canvas bag that pre filters all the gunk and leaves out before boil or chemical treatments. Also just got a Grayl this summer which is a carbon filter. It's simple and design and works well.

[matthewvizian]

Hi great video what hammock do you use in your videos. Looking to backpack

[Gobucky]

Thanks again for another great video filled with a lot of helpful info. Really enjoy you info videos. Hope your summer has been well. Looking forward to a trip video soon I hope? Happy trails Marine, hi to Runner too.

[oldtimerlee]

Thank you for sharing. I like the Sawyer Mini and Squeeze filters. Have the Mini in all family personal kits. Have the Squeeze for vehicles and group situations. Also have their 5 gal bucket kit for base camp application. There are several good examples, on line, of how to add a DIY carbon filter, if desired, using activated carbon (used in aquarium filters).

Thanks, too, for going over multiple methods with regards to potable water. Always good to have multiple ways, including SODIS, chlorine dioxide, boiling and Sawyer filters, in my case. .... That reminds me!!! I need to check the expiration dates of my purification tablets. Suspect they are out of date. Glad I watched, that's for sure.

[ScreechingSoup]

thanks for your video. I use a Katadyn hiker pro and a Sawyer Mini, though i prefer the size of the mini and how much water it can clean

[johnpowell]

Regarding leakage from the wide mouth of the Cnoc (pronounced 'crohc'!) Vecto, one possible reason for this is folding the top of the bag the wrong way -it's easy to slide the seal across the top of the bag if it is folded in the wrong direction but it will leak.

[racheljohnson]

what-er
thanks for the informative video! i’ve been looking for a video like this and had to go way down the line to get it

[aliceg]

Appreciate all your tips on choosing a water filtration system. Is it necessary to rinse the filter when you get home per outing? Like you mentioned using a scrubby? Would you ever filter twice or do you boil it first and that’s fine? Thanks