Hydration Tech for Hikers

As a resident of upstate New York, one of my favorite year round activities is hiking the mountains of the Catskills and the Adirondacks. But while summer is a great time to get out on the trails, the heat definitely adds its challenges, especially in staying hydrated.

Dehydration and heat exhaustion is one of the biggest dangers for novice and experienced hikers alike who underestimate how much water they will need along the way. I made the mistake myself earlier this year on a very hot and sunny day hike, and it took me a few days to fully recover. I don't recommend it.

Coincidentally, I wouldn’t have had a water issue if I had used the pump filter in my pack on the way up the mountain when I passed by a water source. As it turns out, there are actually a number of different methods to safely decontaminate water in the outdoors to keep your water bottles full while avoiding water borne illnesses from bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Let’s take a look at some of the different tech available:

Option #1 – Filters

Filters work by physically separating bacteria and contaminants from water by passing the water through a filter medium. Filters come in hand pump, gravity, and mini/straw versions. Gravity filters are best for treating large volumes of water at a time, but can be cumbersome with their multiple parts. Straw filters, typically small and lightweight, allow for drinking straight from the water source but cannot easily treat large quantities as needed for groups. Hand pumps, my filter of choice, strike a balance between the former two in terms of weight, filtering speed, and convenience.

Pros and Cons: Filters remove particulates in addition to bacteria and protozoa, making a visibly dirty water source more appealing to draw from. They also may make the water taste better. On the downside, they can add some weight to the pack and the filter cartridges need to be replaced periodically. Most filters are not effective for removing viruses, which are more of a concern on international trips.

Option #2 – Chemical Treatments

Chemical treatments are droplets/tablets which kill bacteria and viruses when placed in the water. Products use either iodine or chlorine dioxide as the active ingredient. Iodine treats for viruses and bacteria but not for protozoa such as Cryptosporidium. Chlorine dioxide will treat Cryptosporidium, but typically only after an extended contact time (one hour for the droplet form, four hours for tablets).

Pros and Cons: Chemical treatments are easy to carry and easy to use, with no need to worry about battery life or a spent/clogged filter cartridge. However, treatments times are longer, so hikers will need to wait an extended time after application before they can safely drink the water (not so convenient for day hikers). In addition, chemical treatments typically add an odd (typically unwanted) taste to the water.

Option #3 – UV Purifiers

UV purifiers are battery powered devices that use UV light to kill or disable pathogens. UV light is effective against all types of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Purification typically takes about one minute for a liter of water.

Pros and Cons: UV sterilizers are convenient for individual use, but can be more time consuming for groups if treating one container of water at a time. With the addition of spare batteries for longer hikes, the device can add some noticeable weight to a pack.

While I can’t personally vouch from experience for most of these water cleaning options, In the end a choice between these different options comes down to preference and the type of trek you’re going on. Someone hiking the Appalachian trail may choose chemical treatment drops for their light weight and convenience, while a day hiker like myself might prefer a filter or a UV light for the quick application. I can personally only vouch for pump filters, which have always served me well (when I remember to use them).

Regardless of choice, if you’re looking at doing some long or hot summer hiking, be sure to consider this type of equipment on your next adventure. Stay healthy and stay hydrated!