Water Filters & Purifiers

Staying hydrated is an extremely important aspect of survival, especially in hot environments. One of the biggest enemies is is waterborne diseases that cause diarrhea. A little bit of diarrhea can slow you down and ruin a trip while more severe cases of diarrhea can lead to severe and even life threatening dehydration. In fact, waterborne diseases are the largest culprit of death and morbidity in the third world.

No matter where your treks take you, you should take a water filter or water purifier with you in order to avoid the miserable case of stomach cramping cooties and the poo poo butt.

So, what really is the difference between a backpacking water filter and a backpacking water purifier and why might you opt for buying one over another? To put it in the simplest terms, a water filter gets rid of protozoa and parasites, even bacteria, but it does not remove viruses. A water purifier eliminates all of these plus viruses. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has set standards that require water purifiers to eliminate 99.9% of all viruses. Chemical contaminants are another story and there is no sure way to remove them. The good news is that hiking trails rarely are below areas where hazardous chemicals have been released. If you are planning a backpacking trip in a foreign country buying a water purifier is a must. You just never know what might be in the water.

Oso Grande carries several water filters and water purifiers including the SteriPEN Water Purifiers are the best solution for personal portable water purification. SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses, and more to make water safe to drink. They are great for camping, hiking, travel, and emergencies.