How To Never Spend Money On Drinking Water While Traveling Again
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Whether you’re at home or abroad, buying single-use bottled water becomes expensive — not to mention it wreaks havoc on the environment. Yet when traveling, having access to clean water is priceless. Boiling is not always an option, while waiting for iodine pills to kick in is a hassle. Luckily, there are a number of different water filtering products travelers can buy for now to save later on.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter ($19.95) is pretty lightweight — only 2 ounces – and portable. Its BPA-free design consists of a straw-like filter containing a hollow fiber membrane that traps pathogens inside of it. Users place one end of its tube into an unfiltered water source, including ponds and streams. LifeStraw claims to be able to filter up to 264 gallons or 1,000 liters of water to 0.2 microns. Bonus: no batteries or electrical power needed. Debra Schroeder of Traveling Well for Less used it after arriving late to a hostel in Shanghai so she could brush her teeth that night and have safe drinking water in the morning.
Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter
Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter ($70) gets a lot of kudos for easy removal and installation of input and output hoses. It also includes a removable filter protector to extend cartridge life. The hand-pumped filter is said to remove particles, protozoa, and bacteria down to 0.2 microns in size. Its glass fiber element comes pleated to handle more silt and muddiness while its carbon core works on enhancing the water’s taste. This filter also comes with a carry sack and a bottle adapter. Photographer and storyteller Greg Goodman said that he and his wife Carrie have spent much of the past three years using this filter while traveling extensively around India, Asia, and South America. “We’ve filtered water from the Ganges River, wells on the Inca Trail and more… never having a problem.”
Camelbak All Clear Water Purifying Bottle
A filter/bottle combo, the Camelback All Clear Water Purifying Bottle ($77.00) deploys ultraviolet technology in purifying water, with a process said to be complete in 60 seconds. A bulb does the heavy lifting, engineered to last 10,000 cycles or the equivalent of three bottles a day for nine years. You can drink as soon as the purification process is completed or carry the bottle along with you. The filter/bottle is powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries – which are included – and can be charged from just about any USB compatible power source.
First Need XL
Though the $100+ price tag might make a budget-minded traveler wince – along with its bulky size – the pump-style First Need XL filter has gotten high marks on review sites for quality in purifying water from bacteria, cysts and viruses. It now includes a clean-out port to reduce accidental contact with icky water and a double-action field-serviceable pump with no hold time. Plus, it’s been updated to directly better connect to trail containers. It also comes with a sealed canister with cover and tote bag.
MSR Miniworks EX
Though extra muscle can be required with pumping, the 1 pound-MSR Miniworks EX ($89.95) micro filter is like a workhorse. One cartridge treats up to 2,000 liters of water before needing to be replaced, and its filter has a carbon/ceramic element to ensure clean and taste-free water. The AirSpring Accumulator feature is capable of pumping one liter per minute and the flow rate can be renewed easily and repeatedly in the field—no tools required.
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