Hydrate safely with the best portable water filters

Stay safe on the trail and avoid unwanted waterborne illnesses

If you've ever fallen foul of dirty water, you'll know exactly how valuable a quality portable water filter truly is. If you've not, then congratulations, but it's time to get your filtration system sorted before you do. The dangers of dirty water are widely recognized — harmful germs and pathogens can cause serious illnesses — and as outdoorsmen, proper hydration key to our safety on the trail. We need to know that the water we're drinking is clean and safe.

Unless you're built like the Hulk or just plain love suffering, then you're not going to want to haul all the water you need for multiple days on a hike. Remember, every liter of water weighs 2.2 pounds, and with hikers needing at least a liter of water every 2 hours, this starts to rack up quickly. Instead, take one of these portable water filters next time you're out thru-hiking or headed to the campsite with your family. That way, you'll have all the clean drinking water you need without the excess weight.

Continue reading the full article written by Tom Kilpatrick and Lucas Coll.

LAST UPDATED

February 26, 2024

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Tom Kilapatrick and Lucas Coil

Explore More Content

No items found.

Media Mentions

Nine pounds of backpacking gear is all a hiker needs to be safe and warm.

Adventure Alan
Media Mentions from Adventure Alan

Media Mentions

We surveyed 365 section or thru-hikers about their stove, food, and water preferences and their experience of illnesses on the Appalachian Trail in 2019.

The Trek
Media Mentions from the Trek

Media Mentions

Emily Ford completed a winter thru-hike of the Ice Age Trail on March 6th, 2021 after 69 days on trail. She is the second person—and the first woman—to ever thru-hike the trail in winter.

The Trek
Media Mentions from the Trek