![]() ![]() Water filters should not be allowed to freeze as the expanding water within the membranes causes these to split and even though it can appear fine, it will no longer be filtering effectively. I normally carry this 2lt bladder permanently attached to the filter as my ‘dirty water’ bag and leave the small 0.6lt bottle at home. The small 0.6lt flexible bottle that comes with the BeFree is made by Hydrapak, a company that also makes the 2lt Hydrapak Seeker flexible bottle. On a day hike I might simply carry the 0.6lt flexible Katadyn bottle/soft flask, but that is a bit small. It has a good flow rate and the wider thread size (42mm) means that bottles are easier to fill from streams and the like though does limit you to what bottles will connect. I like the semi-exposed filter that can easily be swished around and cleaned. For the past few years I have favoured the Katadyn BeFree. The partially exposed filter membrane within the plastic cage aids in effective occasional cleaningĮveryone seems to have their individual preference as to water filters. Katadyn BeFree filter has a wide screw thread. Alongside that I will often be carrying a water filter. These are light, reliable, have a cap permanently attached to the bladder, which prevents it being lost, and a gusseted bottom which means it stands well when filtering into it. I have used Osprey, Platypus, Evernew and Cnoc bladders extensively and prefer the Evernew. There really is no need to carry the good, but heavy, aluminium or steel water bottles available from gear shops as a plastic bottle can have a long life if refilled and used with a small degree of care.įurther south I will be carrying one 850ml bottle and a 2 litre clean water bladder. I have to buy replacement bottles extremely infrequently, I have some ten or so knocking around the house and they continue to be rotated into use as required. Any plastic bottle will suffice but like many hikers I like the Smartwater bottles as they are smooth sided and taller, slipping into pack side pockets better. In Scotland, with water everywhere, I am relying simply on one or two 850 millilitre bottles, probably one, and refilling from the many water sources available as required. Hiking in wet locations means that less water has to be carried. Replacement bottle for one that sprung a leak after three months of constant and daily use On hikes over many months, disposable bottles can wear out and require changing. Lose a bottle cap and a bottle is pretty useless. My final item carried is a spare type 400 bottle cap in my ditty bag. In case of emergency, I also carry a few days supply of water purification tablets, usually in my ditty bag. I keep most of this together in a lightweight blue (for water) 150mm x 280mm drawstring, 0.5oz Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) stuff sack from Tread Lite Gear. A bottle to drink from during the day, plus a water filter attached to a ‘dirty water’ bladder, and a ‘clean water’ bladder. My hydration set up on trail is fairly simple. If I am out for multi-days, amongst the first thing I am doing when making camp is preparing a pint of oxo, tea or similar, followed by more drinks later. Even while hiking, if I see an opportunity for a mug of tea, I invariably take it. ![]() I drink constantly throughout the day, in fact before I even hit the trail. Little in a pack will weigh as much as water does- 1 gram per millilitre, or 1 kilogram per litre. Or they don’t want to carry water as it is heavy- it is. I have come across hikers that do not like to drink because it means they will have to pee. You sweat more on trail, this fluid has to be replaced. I believe that many of any stumbles, slips, accidents and mistakes, even navigational, be they small or large, that occur to hikers, are as result of being dehydrated. Complete hydration set up weighs 182g (6.42 oz) and has capacity to filter and carry 4.85 litres of water ![]()
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