Travis Olander 12.21.22
Water: Without it, you’ll die. Simple, proper? Every good hiker and camper focuses on hydration first, meals second, shelter third, however any skilled trailblazer is aware of that lugging round gallons of the moist stuff simply isn’t sensible. Sure, a CamelBak or massive ole’ jug will get you thru the primary 24 or 48 hours, however when you plan on doing any form of tenting or backwoods journey past two days, you’ll must receive clear water out of your atmosphere. Drinking straight from a river or pond is a surefire strategy to receive a bowel-voiding sickness. That is why we reply the query of why each hiker ought to have a Mechanical Water Filter.
Why the Mechanical Water Filter is Best
You can boil water, or you may deal with it with iodine. But neither methodology successfully removes particulates, sludge, tiny bugs, nor different “nasties.” Iodine toxicity is an actual factor. Chemical filtration ought to be a final resort, used throughout emergencies. Plus, getting a hearth began may simply be an excessive amount of hassle. Maybe you don’t have the time, gentle, sources, or vitality to get wooden, spend some gasoline, and have a tendency to kindling. That’s why the mechanical, micro-membrane water filter is a superb hydration sidekick.
A membrane filter works on easy mechanics.
Microscopic organisms, micro organism, scum, and different bits are bodily larger than pure water molecules. So, if contaminated water is pressured by means of a filter that’s solely sufficiently big to permit water molecules to go by means of, then the stuff you don’t wish to drink can’t get by means of, too. Easy.
These filters use hole fibers. The fibers are comprised of particular, porous composites. They’re fashioned with such small, microscopic holes of their construction that nothing besides H2O can go by means of.
In this cut-away of a single hole fiber filter strand, you may see the tiny micro-structure. Even at 500 microns (0.01″) it’s nearly unattainable to see the person holes alongside the outer floor of the tube, whereby water filters by means of, forsaking micro organism, microscopic organisms, and scum.
Advantages of a Membrane, Mechanical Water Filter
There are loads of causes to put money into a mechanical membrane filter, particularly when you’re rucking it on foot:
1. They Last Nearly Forever
These filters are able to filtering between 250 and 100,000 gallons of water. For context, the common grownup drinks 182 gallons of water per yr. Realistically, you’ll wish to substitute your membrane filter earlier than then — over time, they turn into harder to make use of. Which brings us to their subsequent benefit.
2. They’re Affordable
At the time of this publication, the local weather wars have but to start and society nonetheless features. So, an honest membrane water filter that’s sufficiently small for a backpack or survival bag solely prices round $20 to $30. Even the weekly woodsman should spend months, if not years, utilizing certainly one of these filters on each expedition earlier than they should cough up some money for a substitute.
3. They’re Easy to Maintain
Because these filters depend on easy physics to operate, they’re simple to wash: After every use, simply gently blow by means of the filter’s outlet to “pop” trapped particulates again out of the hole fibers. There’s no must chemically clear certainly one of these membrane filters with cleaning soap, alcohol, or another astringent. In truth, it’s really helpful you don’t do that; it’ll in all probability damage the filter.
4. They Turn any Water Clear
Boiling and chemical remedy will render water secure, nevertheless it received’t magic away all of the chunks of “stuff” floating round. Nobody desires to choke down some brown, dead-bug-filled water. Membrane filters don’t permit any particulates to go by means of, which means even the nastiest water you could find will come out clear, as if it have been distilled. Basically, any water that’s shy of gelatinous goo (or precise mud) will filter cleanly.
5. They’re Instant
The hottest handheld membrane water filters are on-demand, which means they actively operate whilst you take a drink. There’s no prep nor ready for the filter to do its work. Some membrane filters operate like big straws that you could dip right into a river, bend over, and take a sip with. Others present a water bottle with a filter constructed into the cap. Simply fill the bottle with untreated water, and gulp at your leisure.
Disadvantages of a Mechanical Water Filter
Some Viruses Don’t Filter
The greatest membrane water filters present 0.1-micron filtration, which is smaller than nearly all micro organism and different non-viral contaminants. But viruses are as small as 0.005 microns. Others are as massive as 0.3 microns. Those could be successfully trapped, however the smallest viral strains could make it by means of these kinds of filters. If you’re paranoid about catching a virus from untreated water after filtering with a mechanical membrane, you may at all times spend the additional little bit of time it takes to boil it for additional assurance.
Flow Rates Can Be Slow
These filters depend on the consumer to bodily pull the water by means of the membranes with suction. It can get annoying after a short while, however the floor space and dimension of the filter can mitigate this impact. Smaller, tighter filters are typically harder to make use of.
Which Membrane Filters Are Best?
This skilled hiker turns to 2 mechanical filters when he must drink nasty, turbid water with out struggling the results:
- The Sawyer MINI
- The LifeStraw GO
The Sawyer MINI: 0.1-Micron Filter
The Sawyer MINI acts like that straw I discussed earlier: Just dip the inlet to untreated water, and pull from the outlet along with your mouth. The primary package additionally features a 16-ounce, reusable water pouch with a screw-on cap. The threads on the filter additionally work on most pliable water bottles.
The Sawyer MINI claims to filter “99.99999%” of all micro organism and protozoa. To the affordable particular person, this implies 100%. But I suppose they will’t declare that, contemplating they submit their filters for EPA testing and certification. The Sawyer MINI advertises a 100,000-gallon capability. But once more, you’ll in all probability wind up changing it from use and abuse properly earlier than then. Read our standalone overview of the Sawyer MINI to see the way it performs.
The LifeStraw GO: 0.2-Micron Filter
The LifeStraw GO is my go-to membrane filter for typical hikes. This specific bottle and filter have accompanied me alongside the AT Trail and numerous Utah hikes for a number of years. By now, this little unit has filtered not less than a number of dozen gallons of water. The filter nonetheless works like new. I’ve had no points with blockages or failures.
The filter on the LifeStraw is fitted to the lid with O-rings to supply a seal in opposition to untreated water. Unlike the Sawyer, LifeStraw says this filter “only” lasts for about 100 liters. But that’s as a result of the GO additionally accommodates an activated carbon filter that rests atop the membrane filter contained in the core.
Functionally, the LifeStraw is fairly sturdy. Its bottle is comprised of thick polymer that’s taken its fair proportion of bumps and drops on rocks and logs. It hasn’t cracked on me, however LifeStraw additionally affords a chrome steel model.
Is 0.2 microns virtually any worse than 0.1?
This author thinks not. LifeStraw says their filters meet EPA specs and another “ABC 123” sort of rigorous testing to make sure they take away (as LifeStraw claims) 99.999999% of micro organism, 99.999% of parasites, and 99.999% of microplastics. That’s sufficient 9’s for my well being and security. I’ve by no means gotten sick utilizing the LifeStraw to siphon from loads of streams and ponds. Plus, the carbon filter is added safety. Want to be taught extra? Check out our standalone overview of the LifeStraw GO.
Which One is Better?
The Sawyer MINI is superb when you want the smallest, lightest filter to cut back weight. I desire utilizing the LifeStraw. It’s simply extra handy to replenish the bottle from any outdated water supply alongside the best way, and sip it as I stroll. The circulation charge on the LifeStraw is a tad much less restrictive than the Sawyer, too. These helpful lil’ filters are nice for whenever you’re on the transfer. But dwelling water filtration is simply as vital throughout an emergency. Check out our overview of the at-home Survival Filter Water System.
