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How to Choose a Water Filter 

How to Choose a Water Filter 

When someone hears about a water filter, their first thought usually goes to backpacking. It’s a pretty good first thought, as most people in the industry use it for that purpose. For those going on a backcountry trip, I’d suggest to anyone they should find a high-quality filter. If you don’t, it is a surefire way to have your trip turned upside down.

However, modern water filtration and purification devices and accessories are not only siloed into the backpacking scene. They have been used for all outdoor activities such as hiking or trail running, fishing, rafting or canoeing, and in natural disaster situations where tap water is compromised.

I say all of this to show that water filters are not only designed for one subset of the outdoor space, but a valuable item for anyone who spends time outside and near water. Below we’ll dive into the different water filters, and how to choose a water filter for your needs.

Water Filtration Options

Pump

This is the classic water filter that a generation of outdoorsmen and women grew up on. It’s a relatively simple concept where you put the water filter in the water and, through pumping, water is filtered into your water bottle or water bladder. While this is a classic approach, it’s still beneficial and highly recommended. The only downside is these will usually weigh more than a gravity filter set.

Gravity Filter

The gravity filter has become one of the fastest-growing types of water filters in the outdoor industry. It is a game changer to have filtered water without physically pumping and allows you to focus on other things.

There are two types of gravity filters. The first has two bags – dirty and clean. You scoop water into the dirty, hang it on a tree, and let it filter into the clean. The second option has only a ‘dirty’ bag, and then there’s a nozzle that filters the water as it goes into your water bottle.

Tablets

Quick purification tablets are a great lightweight way to clean your water. Historically, they tend to leave a chalky taste in the water. Although, new versions are being marketed to say you can’t taste anything. So, all you do is drop in the tablet, wait a couple of minutes, and you’re good to go. A pro-tip would be to also add in some flavored powder to nullify any weird taste. You should also try to find clear water as this doesn’t filter anything out.

UV

This is one of the newest forms of water purification. UV light will have the same effect as tablets in killing bacteria and viruses. However — and this is a big one — it doesn’t filter sand and other water contents out before you drink. If you use this method, find water that’s fast-moving to decrease the odds it’s full of sediment.

How to Choose

In the end, it all comes down to convenience and how you want to filter and purify your water. Many in the outdoor industry like to control their flow rate, which means physically pumping. This can be a faster and more efficient method if your singular goal is water right at the moment. 

However, for some (like me), I love the gravity filter system because it allows me to scoop up water and while I’m setting up camp, the water is filtering. With this method, I have drinking water for the entire evening.

Both have their drawbacks. A gravity filter isn’t the quickest filter if you’re in the middle of a hike and need fresh water. Also, the pump filter takes energy that you may not want to expend after a long day on the trail.

Both of these options have backpackers in mind. For individuals who are trail running or hiking and need a lighter and quicker way to get clean drinking water, tablets, UV, or a smaller pump would be best.

Water Filter vs. Water Purification

You may see water filters and water purifiers as you’re looking around. Both more or less have the same result, although they get there differently. As the name suggests, filters use cartridges to separate the toxins and sediment from the water. This provides a clean and safe result.

For purifiers, they take a secondary approach. This route usually takes a chemical (tablets) or UV light to kill microscopic bacteria. For trips in the U.S. and Canada, a water filter will suffice. However, if you plan to go internationally, it’s recommended to have a water purifier on hand as an added layer of protection.

How to Create a DIY Water Filter

Creating your own water filtration system is surprisingly elementary, using items that are easily found in nature but can also be purchased from a store. The main ingredient in many commercial water filters is activated charcoal. Charcoal that has been treated with oxygen is referred to as “activated” charcoal, in which the oxygen works to create millions of tiny pores in the charcoal, allowing it to absorb tastes, odors, and particulates. More importantly, activated charcoal will also absorb volatile organic compounds (VOC) and chlorine, making it a heavyweight in the filtration arena.

It is crucial to differentiate between filtration and purification, however. Carbon-based filters will not remove microbes, nitrates, or most heavy metals. In order to ensure you have treated your water enough to safely drink it, you’ll want to purify it in some way after it’s been filtered.

There is a variety of ways you can accomplish this, including the use of purification tablets, tinctures, or even household hydrogen peroxide. Because many bacteria and viruses are anaerobic, the hydrogen peroxide overwhelms them with oxygen and destroys them. There are conflicting opinions on whether boiling is an acceptable option, as studies have shown that boiling found water actually helped release some toxins!

The following instructions for your own DIY water filtration system are easy enough for a child to understand, and would therefore make a great educational activity for the whole family. Construct a few of them so you have one for home, one for your camp gear, and one for the car, so that you always have ready access to filtered water!

You’ll need:

  • Plastic bag – a shopping bag, wastebasket liner, or large freezer bag
  • String or twine to hang the bag
  • Activated charcoal
  • Rocks
  • Sand
  • Container to collect the filtered water

How to make it:

  1. Place a relatively thin layer of activated charcoal along the bottom of the bag.
  2. Pour a thick layer of sand on top of the charcoal.
  3. Place a layer of rocks on top of the sand.
  4. Add another thick layer of sand, and then top with more rocks. Make certain there is ample room remaining at the top of the bag.
  5. Hang the open bag from something, such as a tree limb, with the charcoal on the bottom.
  6. Place your container below the bag, and snip a small hole in the bottom of the bag.
  7. Add water to the top of the bag, and as gravity takes it down through the layers it is filtered, leaving you with water free from sediments, odors, and odd tastes.

Article and Photos by Alec Sills-Trausch

Alec is a photographer, writer, and avid hiker who enjoys pushing the limits to find incredible destinations. He hopes through his work to inspire others to get outside and to respect planet earth so future generations can enjoy it just the same. He’s also a cancer survivor. And, he hopes to use his voice to show that you can have a wonderful life after the treatment.