With well over a decade of backpack hunting experience, we have seen innovations and advancements in all types of gear — including water filtration and treatment. We have used chemical-based and UV treatments, pump-style filters, and many types of hollow fiber filters that use pressure and/or gravity.
For backpack hunting in the Rocky Mountain West (and Alaska), which is how and where we hunt most, our favorite way to filter and carry water is with a "squeeze" style filter that integrates with a soft-sided bladder.
In this video, we explain how we filter and carry water on backpack hunts, utilizing the Hydrakpak 42mm Filter, paired with a Hydrapak Seeker bladder.
Is Filtering Really Necessary?
If backpack hunting in remote locations and drinking from natural water sources that appear to be “pure”, is it really necessary to filter or treat water before consuming it? How does water become contaminated in remote locations? What are the risks of drinking untreated water in the wilderness? What are the different types of water treatment methods (filtration, chemicals, UV, etc), and are they all equally effective?
We answer those questions, and more, in an in-depth podcast conversation with Dr. Vincent Hill, the Chief of the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch for the CDC...
Links to Resources & Recommended Gear
- The Best Ways to Filter & Carry Water on Backpack Hunts
- Water Storage & Access with K4 Pack Systems
- Hydrapak Filter: https://amzn.to/43GM9pq
- Hydrapak Filter + Bladder: https://amzn.to/3SMMII4
- Hydrapak Seeker Bladder: https://amzn.to/3FRZwdd
- Katadyn BeFree Filter: https://amzn.to/4kKdpJW
- Katadyn BeFree Filter + Bladder: https://amzn.to/4mXw5ah
- Exo Ultralite Nalgene: https://exomtngear.com/bottle
- Exo K4 Nalgene Holder: https://exomtngear.com/nalgene
