Hey all, me and my daughter are just getting into hiking and we’re planning a couple of multi-day trips out in Colorado later this year. We usually stick to day hikes, but now that she’s joined a local adventure club, we’re upping our game. What are your go-to ways to make sure you’ve got enough clean water while you’re out there? Appreciate any tips on portable filters or whatever else you all use…
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I usually just carry extra bottles for day hikes, but for longer trips, I’d recommend the Sawyer Squeeze. Super light, and it screws right onto a regular water bottle. I use it on overnights all the time, and it hasn’t let me down.
I’ve had the best luck with the Grayl Geopress. It’s a bit heavier, but it filters out viruses, which is clutch if you’re traveling internationally or just paranoid like me 
. Also, it filters fast—good for impatient hikers like my partner, who hates waiting for water to be ready.
International trips aren’t on the radar yet, but I kinda like the sound of having something that covers all the bases. Does the Grayl take up a lot of space in your pack?
It’s not the smallest option, but it doubles as a water bottle, so it kinda balances out. I usually just clip it to the outside of my pack, and it’s not too bad.
Honestly, for Colorado, unless you’re hiking in really remote areas, most of the water sources should be fine with something basic like the LifeStraw. Cheap, light, and gets the job done if you don’t mind sucking through a straw for every drink.
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I’ve used the Sawyer Squeeze on everything from quick weekend trips to a week in the Sierras. The one downside is cleaning it out after a few days can be a pain. If you don’t mind dealing with that, it’s perfect.
Y’all are missing out on the SteriPen. I’ve used it for years—it uses UV light to zap the bad stuff in your water. No filters to clean, no pumping or squeezing. You just need a wide-mouth bottle and a bit of battery power. Just make sure your water isn’t too murky, or you’ll end up drinking chunky water .
A UV pen sounds futuristic, lol. Do you bring backup batteries, though? I’m kind of notorious for forgetting to charge stuff, so I feel like I’d need a backup plan.
Haha, yeah, I always have a backup battery pack with me for my phone anyway, so it covers both. You could carry water treatment tablets as a backup though.
I actually use purification tablets as a backup—Aquatabs, to be specific. They’re great if your filter breaks or you just don’t feel like lugging gear around. The only downside is they take 30 minutes to work, and the water can taste a bit like pool water, but it’s a good safety net.