(Photo by Keith Fialcowitz)
My husband has taken up backpacking as a hobby. Little did I know the extent of gear needed for such a minimalist activity! I never gave much thought to specific gear that is needed to ensure safety while out in the wilderness. Whether on an overnight trip or a longer, extended trip, having the proper gear can literally be the difference between comfort and misery or even life and death.
This has been a learning experience for me as I’ve watched my husband start out with basic gear like a backpack, sleeping bag, first aid kit, tent etc. then move onto more obscure gear like a headlamp, bear canister, backpacking stove and sanitation trowel (don’t ask). The list can and does go on and on, with the ultimate goal being to pack as lightly as possible, while making sure you have all that you need for an enjoyable experience.
One aspect of backpacking that cannot be overlooked, even on the shortest trips, is a way to have clean, fresh drinking water. It is not always possible or practical to bring all of the drinking water needed with you from home. While the water flowing down a mountain stream may look pure and refreshing, it is likely full of bacteria, parasites and other contaminates. Drinking contaminated water can lead to a host of problems, least of which can include nausea, fever, diarrhea, vomiting and intense abdominal cramping.
Knowing this, I am determined to make sure my husband has safe drinking water each time he sets off on an adventure. Luckily, there are many options available to achieve this goal. FiltersFast.com has a variety of reusable, lightweight water bottles with built in filtration systems, such as:
- Katadyn MyBottle Water Purifier
- Clear2GO – 20 oz. Vanity Bottle With Filter
- Sawyer SP149 – Outdoor Filter Water Bottle
Aside from water bottles, other options include:
- The Aquamira Water Purifier Tablets – Drop specialized tablets into your water source to purifier it before drinking.
- Sawyer SP181 – All In One Filter System – This kit gives you options as to purifying a smaller 32 oz drinking pouch or a large 5 gallon bucket in case you set-up camp for an extended period or are purifying water for an entire group.
- Sawyer SP161 – Water Filtration System – This allows you to put contaminated water into a 2 liter bag, and then filter it out through a tube.
As you can see, there are numerous ways to purify drinking water while out in the wilderness. It is such an important safety measure and cannot be disregarded. If you have a backpacker or any kind of outdoorsy person in your life, consider visiting FiltersFast.com this holiday season for a gift that will ensure safety and provide peace of mind.
