Water is the essential element to life! And that fact is no different when you鈥檙e camping. Sure, if you鈥檙e car camping you can bring all the water you need. But for those longer backcountry treks it鈥檚 important to have plan as to how you will attain drinking water when your Camelbak runs out. Over the years, advancements in innovation and technology in outdoor gear have provided more choices in how we filter our water on the trail.
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Old School: Hand Pump
How it works: 聽Just like it sounds, the water is pulled through a filtration system by gravity and becomes drinkable as you drink it.
Cost:聽about $100
Pros:聽Long lasting, dependable, and you can pump as much water as you want!
Cons:聽Time consuming, bulky.
Let it all fall Down: Gravity Fed
How it works: Just like it sounds, the water is pulled through a filtration system by gravity and becomes drinkable as you drink it
Cost: about $100
Pros: Quick, simple, easy.
Cons: Often they can only hold a limited amount.
New School: Ultra Violet Pen
How it works: Exposure to ultraviolet light for about 90 seconds will purify the water. Yes, it鈥檚 that easy.
Cost: $80-120
Pros: Fast, lightweight and very easy.
Cons: Battery powered, no visible verification if you’ve done it correctly.
In a Pinch: Purifying Drops
How it works: 聽Chlorine dioxide formula these drops will kill waterborne pathogens.
Cost: $5-7
Pros: Cheap, extremely light weight and excellent for emergencies.
Cons: Necessity to get proportions correct every time and it鈥檚 still a chemical, which is always weird.
