Skip to main content

Stay hydrated on the go with our bulletproof water purification tips

Leave the heavy water bottles and hydration bladders at home. Learn to purify water anywhere your adventures take you

A man collects water from a river by the light of a headlamp.
Robert Ritchie / Unsplash

Water, it’s essential to everything we do. Around 60% of the human body is made up of water. It helps to maintain our core temperature, lubricate our joints, clear toxins from our body, and maintain brain function — the list goes on. Sounds pretty good, right? Out in the backcountry, whether hiking a trail, skiing a mountain, or in a life-or-death survival situation, water is vital for keeping you focused, alert, and, well, alive. It can literally make or break your success.

But carrying enough water to keep you adequately hydrated over multiple days — or even one long day — is rarely in the cards. After all, with every liter of water adding another kilogram of weight to your pack, you soon feel the effects. The alternative, then, is to collect water on the go.

Recommended Videos

Collecting water is not as easy as it might seem, with bacteria like giardia — well known for causing giardiasis, a horrendous gastroenteritis-style illness — lurking in even the cleanest-looking water. The last thing you need on a long trek is, well, that happening. But there are plenty of ways to make your drinking water safe anywhere, anytime. So here are our top tips for how to purify water when you need it the most.

Dutch oven over campfire
Peggy_Marco / Pixabay

How to purify water: The boiling method

By far the cheapest method and one that people around the world have been relying on for thousands of years is boiling your water. All you really need for this is a container for boiling your water in and either a portable camping stove or the knowledge and means for making a campfire.

It’s important to get your water to a steady rolling boil and leave it for at least 10 minutes to ensure all the bacteria have been thoroughly killed. Plenty of impatient water boilers have still felt the effects of badly treated water the next day — ask us how we know.

A carefree young man drinks water from a bottle while going for a hike up a mountain
Yuri Arcurs / Alamy

How to purify water: The chlorination method

Of all the methods for how to purify water, this is the simplest, with near-zero effort required on your part. Chlorination tablets are cheap and readily available on the internet. They’re a quick and easy way to treat reasonable quantities of water. These tablets can be dropped into a Nalgene or other easily sealed water bottle — generally one tablet per 500 ml, but check the packaging — and left to work for 30 minutes. This means you can collect and treat your water, then cover some ground while it purifies in your pack.

A word of warning here: Even the apparently “tasteless” chlorination tablets can taste a little like your summer camp swimming pool, so a small bottle of diluting juice is a good idea — if you have the option, of course.

Young man checks water filter alongside river
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to purify water: The filtration method

Filtering water was traditionally used to remove large particles and sediment before treating it another way. A simple filter for sediment removal can be made using items from your camp essentials kit, like clothing, a bandana, or a neck scarf. Once you’ve filtered out the large sediment, you can boil the water to kill off the bacteria — as we’ve already discussed above.

But filtration now goes further than this. Proper outdoor portable water filters don’t just filter out sediment; they also remove harmful bacteria. These filters are light enough now that you can throw one into your pack and take comfort in the fact that you’re always going to be able to collect safe drinking water.

Lifestraw go water bottle
Lifestraw

How to purify water: The reverse osmosis method

Did you know you can use reverse osmosis to purify saltwater for consumption? This process also removes lead, viruses, bacteria, and a whole lot of other contaminants. It’s a bit complicated, but in layman’s terms, reverse osmosis is made up of three canisters: A membrane and two carbon filters.

The pre-filtration step gets rid of large sediments using the first carbon filter. The second step forces water through the membrane using pressure (contaminants are left behind). Finally, the filtration step involves water passing through the second carbon filter, where any excess contaminants are removed. Reverse osmosis units are expensive to purchase, but worth it if you want ultra-clean water.

Taking a break from hiking to drink some water from an insulated water bottle
Tamani Chithambo / peopleimages.com / Adobe Stock

How to purify water: SODIS

SODIS (short for “solar water disinfecting”) might sound like a scam, but it’s been proven to work and is relied on by thousands around the world who know how to purify their drinking water. The process is simple: Just collect your water in a clear bottle and leave it out in the sun for six hours or more until the UV rays kill off the bacteria.

While this method has been proven to work, we’d only really recommend it if you are really short on options and have nothing else to hand. It relies on strong, direct sunlight to work, and unlike other methods, you have no direct control over the outcome. This one is probably best as a last-ditch effort in a survival situation.

Hand holding glass of water hydration splash
Andreson Rian Klwak / Unsplash

How to purify water: Distillation

This method also needs some equipment to work, but it’s a great option to consider if you’re in an area like the tropics or near the ocean where even a freshwater source could have high levels of salt and other minerals. And if you drink water that contains a large amount of salt; it can actually make you more dehydrated.

To distill water, you need two containers, one larger than another and a cover. Fill the larger container with the salt water, leave it in the sun, and cover it. Lean the container toward the smaller one so the condensation from the larger one runs into the other container. The distillation process removes the salt and other minerals, but it doesn’t purify it. So make sure to run the distilled water through a filter to ensure it’s safe to drink.

The bottom line is: Water is heavy. Water purifiers aren’t. That’s why packing a water purification system on the trail can save on weight, but it also allays some of that fear that you might run out of water. If you know you can always top up, you don’t have to ration your water and you can stay properly hydrated along the way.

All these methods work, but they’re going to be more effective if you start with cleaner water. Stay away from stagnant bodies of water like ponds and puddles. Instead, try to find flowing streams and remember to check upstream from your collection point for any animals, waste, or other obvious pollutants.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Try these lunch ideas the next time you go backpacking
Got a rumbling tummy on the hiking trail? Try one of these backpacking lunch ideas
Hiker with a backpack in front of a mountain lake background

Trail mix has to be one of my personal favorite snacks while backpacking. That said, you can't live on it, especially when you're hiking for miles every day. I'll be honest — dinner is my favorite meal while out on the trail, mostly because there's a higher chance that I can start a safe fire and simmer something delicious. Lunch, however, has been a challenge. Not only do backpacking lunches have to be delicious and satisfying, but they also need to be easy to prepare. Hopefully these backpacking lunch ideas will help.
Things to consider for backpacking lunch ideas

When planning backpacking lunch ideas, it's more important than ever to choose foods that are nutritious, lightweight, nonperishable, high in energy, and most importantly, easy to prepare. You might not have access to a campfire while you're out backpacking, so here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Easy preparation
I love preparing a hearty meal while backpacking or camping, but not during prime daylight hours when I could be making better time. That's why I always reach for easy-to-prepare meals. Sometimes, I even do a lot of the prep work while I'm still at home. That way, all I need to do is find a nice view.
Weight and packability
I've made the mistake of packing a huge cooler with sandwiches. Not only do you have to lug the entire thing up the mountain, but you've got to bring it down, too. Plus, on a multiday backpacking trip, no ice pack is going to last that long. Be careful that the food you take is lightweight, and avoid foods that require excess packaging or bulk.
Caloric density
Since backpacking is a high-energy sport, you'll want to select foods based on nutrients. High calories are one thing, but to get the most energy from your food, aim for a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Make sure you're incorporating proteins so your muscles can repair after a long day of hiking.
Shelf stability
A lot of backpackers plan their trips for the summer, which means having to deal with the heat. This can definitely play a part in what kinds of foods you bring. Backpackers aim to bring as light as possible, so foods that don't spoil and don't need excessive cooking are going to be your best friend.
Our favorite backpacking lunch ideas

Read more
Why you need a good merino wool base layer
Here's how merino wool fits into your layering system
The best Merino wool clothing is soft, breathable, odor-resistant, and temperature-regulating.

In Nordic regions, they have an old proverb that says: There's no bad weather, only bad clothing. As it turns out, there's actually some truth to the saying! As someone who loves the winter, I've had my fair share of borderline-frostbitten toes, but ever since I discovered the merino wool base layer, I've been able to stay out longer than ever. Here's everything you need to know about merino wool base layers and how to make the most of your gear.

For those unfamiliar with the layering system, a base layer is the innermost part of your gear. Think long underwear and socks. After that, you'll wear an insulating mid-layer followed by a rain or wind-resistant outer shell. Believe it or not, the base layer is the most important layer because of moisture management. Fail to nail this step, and you're probably going to be shivering out there on your bucket list adventure far sooner than you'd like.
What is merino wool, and why do I need it?

Read more
How long can you go without food if you’re lost in the wilderness?
Rationing your supplies and how to find more while lost in the wilderness
Cast-iron skillet over campfire wood

In the U.S., about 600,000 hikers get lost in the woods every year, which is why I never venture into the outdoors without the proper permits, tools, and safety precautions. While I have been fortunate enough to never find myself in an extreme emergency situation, getting lost in the woods is a possible reality, even at our well-maintained national parks. If you've ever wondered how long can you go without food while lost in the wilderness, here's what you need to know.
How long can you go without food?

Due to ethical concerns, food deprivation beyond intermittent fasting hasn't been studied, but scientists from Medical News Today estimate that a person could probably survive between one or two months without food depending on several factors like hydration, age, and heath. How long you can go without food might vary, and it's going to take some math.

Read more