Are you going on a trek and want to quench your thirst in a stream or lake? Or do you want to drink tap water where tap water is not reliable for drinking? Then a water filter is an absolute must. This way you prevent illness, diarrhea, or other discomforts along the way. But what types of water filters are there? And which water filter is most suitable for your adventure? We are happy to help you.

Types of filters

Let's start with the types of water filters available. All water filters for outdoor activities feature a filter with ultra-small pores to trap bacteria, protozoa, parasites, and dirt. The size of the pores is expressed in microns. The smaller the pores, the more the filter traps. Generally 0.2 microns is sufficient when hiking in a natural environment, and in most cases, this is enough.

Additionally, some water filters have a chemical filter or virus filter. To remove chemicals, water filters often use a carbon filter. This removes chemicals from the water, reduces unpleasant odors, and improves the taste of the water. This is ideal when you want to drink tap water all over the world, even when the tap water is not reliable for drinking or tastes very dirty.

A virus filter is only necessary for heavily contaminated water. Think of areas with a lot of human activity or where agriculture poses a high risk of water pollution from animal residues. For most outdoor activities, a chemical filter or virus filter is not necessary.

Ease of use of the water filter

Water filters come as a straw, water bottle, gravity system, and pump system. Which water filter suits you depends on what you are going to do and what you find important. We are happy to help you get started with your choice by providing more information about the type of water filters below.

Water filter in straw form

Do you want to carry as little weight as possible on the go? Then there are filters, shaped like a straw, that allow you to drink directly from streams or rivers. The disadvantage is that you always have to be near water to drink. Usually, it's more convenient to choose a water bottle with a filter. This way, you always have water on hand while on the go.

Snowcountry tip: Water filters in the form of a straw are perfect for a (first aid) kit. Such a filter is small, lightweight, but ensures that you drink filtered water in (emergency) situations.

Water bottle with a filter

A water bottle with a filter works quickly and easily. You fill the bottle with water, and when drinking, the water passes through the filter. This way, you drink filtered water directly. You take the filled bottle with you, so you always have water on hand. There are both flexible and hard water bottles.

Flexible bottles hardly take up any space when empty. Moreover, you can squeeze them empty, making it easier to share with someone else. On the other hand, bottles with a hard exterior usually drink better because of the cap. Furthermore, some water bottles with a hard exterior are insulated, keeping the water in the bottle cold. This is especially interesting in warmer temperatures.

Gravity filter system

A gravity-based filter system consists of a water bag that you fill with the water you want to filter. Hang the water bag high, allowing the water to seep through the filter. Collect the clean water in another water bag or drinking bottle. A gravity water system is ideal when you need to filter large quantities of water at once. For example, because you are with a large group or because you want to cook.

Pump filter system

You mainly see pump-based filter systems with enthusiastic users who go on treks multiple times a year. With a pump filter system, you place a hose in the water you want to filter. By pumping manually, you suck the water through a filter. You collect the clean water in a clean drinking bottle, for example. An advantage of this method is that the source from which you take the water does not need a high water level because you put a hose in.

What to consider when purchasing a water filter

Once you have decided which water filter you want, there are a few more things to consider when purchasing:

Filter lifespan

Over time, filters need replacement. The lifespan of most water filters ranges from 1000 to 5000 liters. Do you have a water filter with a carbon filter? Then it's handy to know that a carbon filter is usually full after about 100 liters. The component is easy to replace and can be ordered additionally in our webshop. 

Filter speed

This refers to the amount of water you can filter per minute. Especially when you need a larger quantity, this is important. For example, for cooking or because you are traveling with a larger group.

View All Water Filters

In short

So which form of filter do you choose when?
Straw Lightweight, ideal for first aid kit, drinking directly from a source
Flexible water bottle with filter Lightweight, ideal for first aid kit, quick and easy
Hard water bottle with filter Lightweight, quick and easy, pleasant drinking due to the cap, also insulated bottles
Gravity-based filter system Suitable for large groups
Pump-based filter system For avid users who go multiple times a year, suitable for extracting water from a source with low water level

 

Which filter do you need when?
Standard filter with pores of 0.2 microns and smaller when hiking in a natural environment
Additional chemical filter is useful when you want to be able to drink tap water all over the world, including unreliable tap water.
Additional virus filter only when dealing with heavily contaminated water