The Best Backpacking Water Filters, Tested
Drink clean water anywhere.
Water is the stuff of life, and when you’re exploring in the backcountry, having access to clean H2O is vital. For that, you need a portable water filter. Unlike many home units, systems designed for backpacking, camping, and hiking are equipped to remove bacteria, protozoa, and sometimes viruses, too. They also sift out particulate matter and can neutralize funky tastes, so you can chug with confidence.
The Difference Between Filters and Purifiers (And How They Work)
Water treatment is often lumped into one category—filters—but there are also purifiers, which remove viruses, too. On the surface, more protection sounds better, but the level you need depends on where you’re going. Water-borne viruses aren’t a threat in the U.S., Canada, parts of Europe, and Australia, so a filter is just fine. If you’ll be traveling elsewhere overseas, pack a purifier.
Continue reading the article by Popular Mechanic's Adrienne Donica here.
October 30, 2024
Popular Mechanics
Since 1902, Popular Mechanics has been the authority on how your world works. We bring our audience the latest news on innovations and inventions across the automotive, DIY, science, technology, and outdoor spaces. We also serve our readers with the knowledge they need to get the most out of life, whether that's how to change a tire, how to build a farmhouse table, how to find your lost phone, or how to hike the Appalachian Trail. Popular Mechanics is about wonder, about being curious about the world around you, and it's about getting your hands dirty, too.
When it was founded, our magazine used the tagline "Written so you can understand it," and today, we still follow that ethos. Whether we're explaining the last technology news or demonstrating how to install a light switch, Popular Mechanics explains the world in an easy-to-understand, jargon-free way while also offering readers the depth of information they need to succeed.
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