(Part 3) Best camping & hiking water filters according to redditors

Sawyer Products SP128 Mini Water Filtration System, Single, Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FA2RLX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MzGzDbKTT58GD

I have an in-line attachment for hydration pack.

There’s a little pump too.

Water Purifier Pump with Replaceable Carbon 0.01 Micron Water Filter, 4 Filter Stages, Portable Outdoor Emergency and Survival Gear - Camping, Hiking, Backpacking https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NVCBWVV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MBGzDbY1W35D3

I once drank out of a fairly stagnant looking lake, had ducks and other things living in it. All I used was a personal life straw and it was fine. Most water sources in the US are safe enough with just a life straw.

As another user said though, it's just for drinking. Sucking and spitting into a canteen or nalgene is tedious at best. It's better to just filter and boil water for carrying as you go.

Consider this family life straw as the filter step and boiling as an extra security measure that may be unnecessary but doesn't hurt if you can afford to fuel wise.

That being said I used a gravity filter like yours (from another brand) before and didn't have any issues either. No boiling or anything. I trust the life straw brand and I'd probably trust this thing if I was out camping or what have you.

Essentially, a life straw will filter out most if not all bugs that might be in your water, boiling the water afterwords will kill anything that slips through. I tend to boil my water after filtering just in case.

I usually filter the water through a bandana and boil it, rather than using a heavy duty filter. Been doing it that way for years now and I've never gotten sick. However this is out in the Pacific Northwestern US. Generally speaking the water tends to be reasonably clean here to start with.

When it comes to chemicals or metals like lead the straw doesn't help much. It's for use in wilderness areas. Think lakes and streams, not flood waters or old sewers.

If you want something with a little more oomph they make lifestraws that can filter chemicals and metals out. But whether or not you need that is something you have to determine for yourself.

The difference is that the heavy duty ones have an activated charcoal layer as well as the filter systems already included in a normal life straw setup. If you're worried about lead or chemicals in your water look into that.

I'd suggest you go out camping or hiking and try out any or all of your survival gear at least once. You'll build a lot more confidence in what your prepping measures if you've already seen them work before.

The way I see it, If I try out a new water purification method now and get sick at least I can get treated and learn from it. Which is a lot more preferable than depending on an unfamiliar process when it really counts and seeing a doctor isn't necessarily easy.

Hopefully this can work as a solid basis of info to get started from. I'll link the heavy duty life straw below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018ZUMQNA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_StzXAb72NK280

Spare hiking socks

• in Ziploc bag
  
  Spare underwear
  
  
• in Ziploc bag
  
  Pants/shorts
  
  web belt (2)
  
  Jacket/rain jacket
  
  Pullover sweater
  
  Bandana/shemagh
  
  OR sunbucket hat
  
  Tyvek tarp (w/grommets)
  
  50' hanks para cord (2)
  
  
• with a couple of Figure 9 tighteners
  
  50' orange 3/8" rope
  
  Titanium tent pegs (6)
  
  Mylar emergency blanket
  
  GPS & spare batteries
  
  Digital FM radio & spare batteries (with headphones)
  
  SPF 30 sunscreen
  
  Lip Balm
  
  Headlamp & spare batteries (with red light)
  
  LED flashlight & spare batteries\
  
  Small IFAK
  
  
• mole skin
  
  
• Neosporin
  
  
• lavender oil
  
  
• Band-Aids (various sizes)
  
  
• gauze pads
  
  
• Clear tape
  
  
• cloth athletic tape
  
  
• antibacterial wipes
  
  
• latex gloves
  
  
• foldable scissors
  
  
• plastic tweezers
  
  
• Advil Liqui-gels (200 mg)
  
  Fire bundle
  
  
• Old man's beard, birch bark, etc
  
  Ferro rod, Bic lighter, etc
  
  Mora knife & sharpener
  
  Pocket knife
  
  Multi-tool
  
  50" roll, duct tape
  
  Pen/Notebook
  
  USB stick with scans of important docs along with other files, like a list of Internet bookmarks, etc
  
  Tupperware container (vital records)
  
  
• Birth certificate
  
  
• Passport
  
  
• Social Insurance card
  
  
• Family photos
  
  
• Insurance policies
  
  
• Mortgage/deed
  
  
• Vehicle titles
  
  
• Vaccination record
  
  
• Cash
  
  
• Bank info
  
  
• address book
  
  Food*
  
  KFS
  
  GSI cup
  
  Aluminum water bottles (2)
  
  Sawyer Mini kit
  
  Toilet Paper!
  
  
• in Ziploc bag
  
  Hygiene kit
  
  
• toothbrush/toothpaste
  
  
• soap
  
  
• baby wipes
  
  
• dental floss
  
  
• wooden toothpicks
  
  
• Black garbage bags
  
  
• Ziploc zipper freezer bags
  
  
• Hand Sanitizer
  
  Whistle
  
  Signal Mirror
  
  6" chemlights (4)
  
  Mechanix gloves
  
  Dust masks
  
  Permanent marker
  
  Sillcock key
  
  FuBar
  
  ------------------
  Food
  
  Cereal bars
  
  Dried soup mix
  
  Trail mix
  
  Mountain House meal
  
  ------------------
  Winter
  
  Synthetic long underwear
  
  Wool toque
  
  Gloves

Water System:

-Sawyer Micro Squeeze w/ adaptor for back flushing
($45.40 on Amazon )

-2L Evernew Water Bag
($15.82 on Amazon )

-2 1L Smart Water Bottles ($5)

Cook Set:

-Toaks Titanium 900 ml pot
( $60.81 on Amazon )

-Light My Fire Spork
( $3.56 on Amazon )

Or, you could use a long handled spork to reach into dehydrated meal bags, e.g. Boundless Voyage, Toaks, Snow Peak, etc (More Expensive)

A cheap disposable option is a Dairy Queen large spoon if you don’t require a fork.

-Optional hot drink mug: GSI Infinity Backpackers Mug
( $11.09 on Amazon )

Stove:

Alcohol Options:

• DIY cat stove with integrated pot holder (go on YouTube)
  
  -Trangia or Titanium alcohol stove e.g. Vargo Triad
  
  -Make a DIY beer can or aluminum flashing windscreen (YouTube)
  
  [You need to make sure that the alcohol stove has a snuffer cap if a fire ban is in effect]
  
  [If you use an alcohol stove, you will need a leakproof fuel bottle- check MEC, Litesmith, or use an old fuel stabilizer bottle]
  
  [In Canada, good alcohol fuels are Methyl Hydrate and Captain Phab Marine Stove Fuel]
  
  Gas Stoves:
  
  I don’t use a gas stove, however, here are a few I have heard of that are more affordable.
  
  
• MSR Pocket Rocket 2
  ($59.95 on Amazon )
  
  
• BRS Titanium Burner
  ($20.93 on Amazon )
  
  

I would think that using a Camelbak reservoir would be most of your system. You might have to fill it with filtered water yourself.

The tube with the bite-valve is a lot of what you’re trying to accomplish, it seems.

I mean, you _could_use something similar to the Lifestraw in-line filter and filter regular water. The camelbak setup would allow you to ice the reservoir bag in a cooler, which would give you ice-cold water whenever...

Available on Amazon

These are relatively inexpensive, but cool to have items:

Long Handled grill basket

Collapsible solar light

personal water filter

Haul and hang kitchen organizer

Daypack There's nothing special about this particular one, but every car camper needs a daypack for hiking.

Battery pack for charging small electronics

Weatherproof matches

Hiker's Emergency whistle

Mosquito head net

Hydration bladder

Collapsible water jug

Condiment squeeze bottles (for more efficient cooler packing)

That product looks exactly like this cheap 8$ one? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VX8MQW8

If you are looking for an active carbon filter and a straw that has replaceable filters, check out Survivor Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGQ6XV8

Great idea, dehydrated food! I do have the the micropur tablets (https://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-Micropur-MP1-Purification-Tablets/dp/B07CQYZVVN) + life-straw. However, it can't hurt to add the iodine tablets, since its so lightweight.

https://smile.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-Filters-Purifiers-Squeeze/dp/B0757SJYRF?sa-no-redirect=1&th=1

Sawyer also offers an option for heavy metals and is a bit more serious (here). You might be in the market for the S3 which is good for 400 uses. Water purification tablets might be worth checking out as well.

The closest thing I used to a life straw is the "Soldier water filter". An ultra small membrane type filter built inside a real tiny hand pump.

While it worked incredibly well as a filter, as a pumping device it sucked. Took circa 30 minutes of minutia pumping while crouched by a water source to suck up a single liter of water.

To me those straw, look more like a last resort type of water filter for similar reasons. They probably work well as a filter but are rather tedious to use. They have a truly limited use scenario.

Also because of it's method of use you are likely not to be fully hydrated as you will likely not drink as much as actually needed for long hikes in hot weather, as it's designed to be only used at the water source. Water sources can be rather far apart. Good sucking skills are also required.

I have images in my head of sucking that straw until I turn blue with my face suspended a few inches above the lake or river bank attempting to suck water then sliding and falling into the water while simply attempting to have a drink.

I don't know about you but it seems likely to produce some rather comical photo opportunities for other hikers while simply attempting to get a drink.

I personally used the Katadyn 6L base camp water filter (The revised Version #2) and found it an amazing high speed device that allowed me to filter enough water to fill my 3L bladder and cook dinner and breakfast as well as provide water for other hikers with me. This each and every night at base camp. This in a mater of minutes. it filters really fast. An entire days supply only takes minutes.

Aside this I would perhaps consider the Sawyer squeeze filter, which is somewhat similar but designed for smaller quantities of water. You don't have to suck until you turn blue.

Simply fill bag and squeeze, Around a liter per squeeze bags and is about the size of a life straw while stored in your bag. This is the real economical yet highly functional solution. Small, compact. The only draw back is you have to do this multiple times a day. Other than that it's the perfect kit.

Katadyn and a few others make better hand pump type water filter that are more usable than what I had. However they are truly cost prohibitive and I personally cant see why pay this much makes sense for me.

In the end for me it's a gravity filter, less work, fast, more quantity per water pull from lakes and rivers and fast easy filtering. It is a real blessing to have ease of use, when tired and having to setup camp and prep food etc. I cant say a single bad thing about that filter, yet.

Albeit I have read some rather bad reviews on the same filter I use, but so far it's not my experience with them. Not a single issue ever...

Are you comparing the Versa to the regular Squeeze or the Mini? Would seem odd to compare it to the larger of the two when it's essentially more akin to the Mini.

I actually have started to recently use another Mini knockoff by Miniwell (https://www.amazon.com/miniwell-Portable-Outdoor-Emergency-Survival/dp/B06XQB6K7Q) and have noticed no difference in performance to the Sawyer.

I'm not the biggest fan of this sort of filter, neither the Squeeze or the Mini, but do like the knockoffs a bit better due to the ability to backflush without a syringe or sportscap lid.

The included adapter and tubing to create a gravity setup using just about anything has been interesting also.

1. Sawyer water filters are really cheap yet can filter an immense amount of water: http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-Filtration-System-Single/dp/B00MPH1LU4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413472747&sr=8-2&keywords=sawyer+one
   
   
2. You can store bulk grains and beans cheaply to provide a large amount of emergency food using Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers along with 5 gallon buckets. These are what I got: http://www.amazon.com/10-2000cc-Oxyfree-Absorbers-Dehydrated-Storage/dp/B001Y0Y8C6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413472777&sr=8-2&keywords=mylar+food+storage
   
   Then just buy 5 gallon hdpe buckets for 2.50 each and lids for 1.50 each from your local hardware store. Add the grains, oxygen absorber, and seal the bag with an iron. Each bucket when filled with rice or beans will provide enough calories for someone for a month. This is wayyyy cheaper than freeze dried food and will last just as long.
   
   
3. A crank flashlight with USB power, only $15: http://www.amazon.com/American-Cross-CLIPRAY-Charger-Flashlight/dp/B003BYROUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413472929&sr=8-1&keywords=crank+usb+flashlight . Alternative power flashlights are always good and USB power to devices could either merely convenient or a life safer.
   
   
4. You can convert any trashcan into a rain barrel for much cheaper than buying one using a kit like this: http://www.amazon.com/EarthMinded-RBK-0001-DIY-Rain-Barrel/dp/B005CJFBJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413473011&sr=8-1&keywords=rain+barrel+kit
   
   
5. Buy some heavy duty plastic sheeting and Gorilla tape for general purpose use too. They aren't expensive and can be used for so many different things.
   
   
6. With Ebola prep being something to consider now go and get a Flu shot. The symptoms are almost the same as Ebola (until Ebola gets really bad at least) and if the outbreak gets bad in the US you wouldn't want to have to go to the doctor to find out if you've got it or not. They are free if you have insurance and you can get them at most pharmacies.
   
   
7. Find out what food crops grow well in your area's soil type and start experimenting with your own garden. Seeds are cheap and it is better to have a garden established before you need it to grow emergency food.
   
   I don't think you can avoid spending money to prep, but with these supplies you would be better prepared than 90% of people for not much money.

About us: We're a couple in our late twenties. Seasoned backpackers with time in the BWCAW, Rocky Mountain National Park, and a bunch of lesser-known MN locations. Transplants to the bay area with 2 weeks left here, quickly squeezing in a trip to see the Redwoods.

Our route: Parking at Waddel Beach, hiking in < 2 miles to Alder and Twin Redwoods where we have sites for Sat and Sunday. Planning to do a day hike into Berry Creek Falls).

Here are some pictures of our gear (minus a few groceries). We favor lightweight gear and have no issue adding a few pounds for things that will make the trip more enjoyable (I'm looking at you: books!)

Partial gear list:

• Big Agnes UL Copper Spur 3 (+Rain fly and footprint)
  
• Nemo foot-integrated sleeping pad
  
• Big Agnes Q-Core SLX
  
• 2 x Thermarest Z Lite Sol
  
• Nemo Rhapsody Women's Spoon Shaped Sleeping Bag
  
• Can't Recall Which Men's Sleeping Bag
  
• Osprey Atmos 65
  
• Osprey Ariel 65
  
• MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
  
• Jetboil Can Stabilizer
  
• MSR Alpine Spatula
  
• Big pot from the MSR Ceramic 2-Pot Set
  
• 2 x Primus Campfire Plate
  
• 2 x GSI Glacier Mug
  
• 2 x Sea to Summit Silverware Set
  
• Petzel Headlamp
  
• Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
  
• Dakine Hip Pack
  
• Adventure First Aid Kit
  
• Marmot Kompresser
  
• Older version of the Alite Butterfly chair
  
• REI Flexlight Low chair
  
• MSR Hyperflow Microfilter
  
• Men's Patagonia Drifter Hiking Shoes
  
• Women's Vasque Breeze Hiking Boots
  
• 40 oz Hydroflask
  
• Stormproof Match Kit
  
• Mini Water Filtration Straw Thing
  
• Portable Aqua Tablets
  
• Guidesman Hammock
  
• Grand Trunk Tree Straps

Ok. I'll ditch the bladder/nalgene for 2 smart water bottles. Do you see any exceptional reason to replace my Sawyer 64oz pouch with a 2L evernew bladder?

nyc resident here, just by a Unicorn Flask, you will be immune from all!

https://www.amazon.com/Unicorn-500-Liters-Purifying-Camping-Filtration/dp/B0178FTQKE

There's others as well, like tge LifeStraw:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006QF3TW4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486501534&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=life+straw&dpPl=1&dpID=41IRyBlx0LL&ref=plSrch

I think you might be referring to the Source ConverTube instead of this item you linked?

The SHTFandGo H20 1.0 is my go to filter. Very small and removes virus and bacteria. https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Personal-Water-Filter-anywhere/dp/B00W3QK9PA

This is the one I carry. The Storm valve that comes standard is, in my opinion, better than the bite valve.

My Pop and I have been using the MSR Autoflow for a long time and I have the output from the filter rigged up with a male QD. I can fill the bladders without removing them from the pack by connecting the filtered water output directly to the drink tube.

I also like the gravity filter because I don't have to filter water at the source. I can scoop up 5l of water and take it to camp for processing. This is especially handy if the water source isn't particularly accessible or comfortable a place to work from.