Best Water Treatment for Backpacking
Water is one of the essentials. Bad water makes for a bad day, bad week, or even the end of a thru-hike. The major concern on the Pacific Crest Trail is giardia. But, diligently treating water can easily mitigate this risk and ease any anxiety from water-borne parasites. Much like resupplying food, continually replenishing water is a natural part of a thru-hike, so we compiled some of the most popular water treatment methods for PCT hikers.
There are many different methods of water purification – boiling, filtration, ultraviolet light, and chemical treatment with iodine and chlorine. All these methods are effective and proven to work for many successful backpackers. The key is finding the method and product you are most comfortable with. I have seen people hike the entire trail using iodine or other chemicals for purification despite filters being the most popular method. I have used a steripen for entire thru-hikes and never had issues. The trick is finding what method you will diligently use throughout the trip.
Besides simply boiling water — which uses too much fuel for backpacking — here are our recommended products and the most commonly seen on the Pacific Crest Trail.
- Our Pick: Sawyer Squeeze
- Best Chemical Treatment: Aquamira
- Day Hiking Choice: Katadyn BeFree
- Smaller filter Option: Sawyer Micro
- Smallest Sawyer Filter: Sawyer Squeeze Mini
- Alternative Chemical Treatment: Iodine Tablets
- For Large Groups: Platypus Gravity Filter
- Treatment with UV rays: Katadyn Steripen
Read more details on all of the best backpacking water treatment options here.
August 31, 2022
PCT Thru Hiking
LIFE OUTDOORS
MEDIA MENTIONS
Depending on where you travel, you may want to pack bug spray, too. In places like Florida and North Carolina, summers get buggy, and you’ll be happy to have packed a spray on nights when you want to sit on the porch or dine outdoors.
MEDIA MENTIONS
As a veteran of the Iraq War, I found myself struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder from which greatly impacted my mental health. In 2016, I came across the film “Wild,” an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about healing by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
MEDIA MENTIONS
Sawyer Permethrin Premium Insect Repellent is used on clothing, not skin, and it provides long-lasting protection against ticks.
