How to Get Drinking Water While Backpacking (Filtering Tips for Pros)

Big thank you to aquatabs for sponsoring this video! I’ve carried their water treatment tablets on every trip since my first thru-hike in 2019 and I am so excited to be working with them.
Today I’m talking about how to get clean water while backpacking, even from the nastiest sources. I’ve had to collect water from my fair share of cow tanks and ponds, neither of which ever look particularly appetizing. But when you’re in the middle of a hot desert with no other water in sight for 20 miles, it’s time to get creative. In this video, I’ll go over some tips I’ve picked up in my backpacking career to make even the nastiest backcountry water sources not only drinkable, but enjoyable.
If you prefer to read these sorts of things, check out my blog on how to get clean water while backpacking:
www.eliseott.com/backpacking-howtos/backpacking-hacks-filtering-nasty-water-like-a-pro
Water Treatment Tools for Backpacking:
*These links are paid affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you use them to purchase, at no cost to you. Thanks for the support!
Aquatabs: bit.ly/3TTL2OA
Sawyer Squeeze (or similar backpacking filter): bit.ly/3vwnHbT
Bandana of some kind (any kind’ll do): amzn.to/3TS9WOz
Clean Water Bottle & Dirty Water Bottle (any 1 L size from a gas station will do, resume them, but keep track of which is which)!
Extra O-rings: amzn.to/47vTCWQ

[@CarlZ993]

Excellent video. For me, I always carry a small scoop that I've cut off from a 1/2 L water bottle. I use this when using another bottle would stir up too much sediment from the water source. It typically weighs only 0.1 oz and it is easily replaced in the next resupply town should it disintegrate on the trail (rarely happens, tho). I simply scoop the water from the source into my dirty water container(s), filter, and repeat as needed. Mio is my favorite water flavoring. AquaMira is my chemical treatment that I use as a backup or extra treatment.

[@eliseott]

Thank you! Yes a scoop is GREAT to have, especially when you don't use a bladder - great tip! Mio is my favorite too!

[@edfox6485]

On the AZT, I stretched panty hose over the mouth of my dirty bottle before getting water from a sketchy source. That seemed to keep out larger debris before I Sawyer-filtered into my clean bottle.

[@eliseott]

This is a fantastic hack! Eliminates the need for two dirty bottles too!

[@dodge_walks]

I really like my set up of a 2l CNOC bag with the sawyer squeeze....more often than not I use it as a gravity filter whilst I am doing some other chore

[@eliseott]

I've been thinking about getting a bladder for awhile even if just for an easier squeeze!

[@GhostHawk_hikes]

Hey! Thanks for your video, it's great as always! But I've been wondering for quite some time wheter to use Aquatab before or after filtering the water. You use it after filtering, but won't the possible viruses get into the filtr and remain there?

[@eliseott]

I'm sure both ways would work! I see your point about getting the viruses in the filter, so I could see the argument for doing it before. I usuallly sit and filter as a sort of break from walking at a water source, if I aquatab first, that would extend my time at the water source quite a bit (waiting 30 minutes before filtering vs. filtering, and hiking on for 30 minutes before I drink). But truly I tihnk whatever works best for you is a good way to do it!

[@gregmortonoutdoors]

Gear Skeptic did a multi part series on the filtration/purification. His research is an eye opener on some of the most popular filters.

[@eliseott]

ooh interesting I'll have to check it out!

[@wanttogo1958]

All of Gear Skeptic’s videos are worth the time spent to watch them and then some. His series on water filtering definitely an eye opener. Also, check out Dan Becker’s video that focuses on what Sawyer is doing in different locations around the world, particularly Africa, to provide clean water which directly improves the health of the community. He posted it about four months ago.

[@eliseott]

@@wanttogo1958 I ended up watching part of the water filtration series and am stoked to watch more. So much good info! I haven’t seen Dan Becker’s video about Sawyer but I am familiar with that side of the company. It’s definitely part of the reason I support them!

[@rosevilleca38.75]

That looks good but what about boiling the water too, just to be extra safe?

[@eliseott]

You could! I feel like Aquatabs is what fills that gap for me and I prefer it because my pot that I backpack with is pretty small, it would take me quite awhile to boil all the water (and let it cool) that I’d need to fill 3-4 plastic bottles.