Water Filters For Hiking

A water filter is a good investment. Who wants to boil their drinking water, or taste iodine from tablets or worse, take the risk of drinking out of the creek only to come down with the crappers for weeks?

Katadyn Hiker Filter

The lightweight and easy to use design makes the Katadyn Hiker a great choice for all-around use. Filter physically removes particles, protozoa, and bacteria down to 0.3 microns in size, including giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidium and others. Glass-fiber element is pleated for increased surface area to handle silt and muddy water. Activated-carbon core adsorbs chemicals and pesticides to improve taste of water. Pre-filter at hose inlet filters to 150 microns, removing larger contaminants before they reach the main filter to increase its life span. Quick-connect adapter sends the filtered water directly into your REI hydration pack or Nalgene® reservoir (both sold separately). Includes a carry sack and bottle adapter that fits most water bottles.

Filter vs. Purifier

Don’t get a purifier unless you are traveling outside the U.S. A purifier will kill viruses, something hikers in the U.S. don’t have to worry about. Most purifiers use chemicals to kill the viruses making the water taste bad. If you do travel and are concerned, you could always throw some iodine tablets into the water.

Water Bottle Filters

I was given one by a company, used it a few times then quickly gave it away. The only reason I ever carry a filter is if I am out on a super hot day or a multi-night trip. If this is the case, what good is one small water bottle going to do? When I hit that creek, I want to load up because the next creek could be hours away. Maybe if I was trail running it might be cool but I’m more comfortable having my larger water bottles full.

Ultraviolet Filters

Are you kidding me? Other than the fact that I just don’t trust these things, what are they going to do with milky or unclear water? Sorry, I don’t like the extra floaters in my water. Sometimes you can’t find the cleanest water hole.

The Katadyn Hiker (Previously known as PUR Hiker)

Probably the filter I’ve seen come back to the returns department the least, the Katadyn Hiker has few parts to break, is lightweight and requires little cleaning. You know you need to buy a new element inside when the pumping gets extremely hard. The elements are also easier to find around as more places seem to carry this filter than other brands.