A photo of six water filters on green leaves and moss.
A photo of six water filters on green leaves and moss.

How to Make Your Water Filter Last Forever

Water filters are crucial components to any backpacker’s kit, and they require special care and maintenance to ensure longevity and effectiveness in providing clean drinking water in the backcountry. The specifics of water filter care and maintenance depend on the type, brand, and model; always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when caring for your water filter. That said, there are a number of general principles that every backpacker should know when it comes to maintaining, cleaning, and storing water filters.

Types of Backpacking Water Filters
First off, familiarize yourself with your filter and how it compares with other varieties on the market. All filter types—whether pump, gravity, squeeze, or other—require slightly different care and cleaning techniques. In addition, the filter mechanism itself dictates proper care. Hollow fiber filter cartridges are most commonly found in backpacking filters. Some others use ceramic materials like those in MSR’s MiniWorks line. Make sure you know what type of water filter you own before cleaning it.

Continue reading to learn more about how to make your water filter last forever, written by Zoe Gates.

Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha
Maelezo ya vyombo vya habari kutoka Backpacker
Backpacker

Katika BACKPACKER, tunahamasisha na kuwawezesha watu kufurahiya nje kwa kutoa habari inayoaminika zaidi na inayohusika kuhusu adventure ya nchi ya nyuma huko Amerika ya Kaskazini.

Tumejitolea kwa uaminifu, heshima, na ushirikiano katika uhusiano wetu wote.

Tunaelewa na kujibu kwa wakati unaofaa kwa mahitaji ya bidhaa na huduma ya watumiaji wetu.

Tunachukua jukumu la uongozi katika kuelimisha na kushirikiana na wengine ambao wanashiriki maslahi na maadili yetu.

Tunaunga mkono mipango, sera, na tabia ambazo zinahimiza ulinzi wa maeneo yetu ya sasa ya jangwa na majina mazuri ya mpya.

Tumejitolea kuonyesha ubora wa juu wa picha za kulazimisha na hadithi za kuvutia.

We provide our industry with superior service, resources, and audiences. </p>

Tunakuza matumizi endelevu, ya chini ya athari ya jangwa.

Tunasaidiana na kuhimizana kubuni, kuongoza, kukua, kuchukua hatari, kushiriki mawazo, na kuonyesha shauku kwa jangwa.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

It all starts with Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L, the best and most reliable filter-bladder combo and the core of my backpacking water storage and filtration system.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Our top water filter for thru hiking, the Sawyer Squeeze, is 15% off.

Naomi Hudetz
Chief Operating Officer & Online Editor

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

People with alpha-gal syndrome show allergic symptoms such as rash, nausea and vomiting after eating such meat.

Stephanie Soucheray
Reporter