A photo of six water filters on green leaves and moss.
A photo of six water filters on green leaves and moss.

How to Make Your Water Filter Last Forever

Water filters are crucial components to any backpacker’s kit, and they require special care and maintenance to ensure longevity and effectiveness in providing clean drinking water in the backcountry. The specifics of water filter care and maintenance depend on the type, brand, and model; always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when caring for your water filter. That said, there are a number of general principles that every backpacker should know when it comes to maintaining, cleaning, and storing water filters.

Types of Backpacking Water Filters
First off, familiarize yourself with your filter and how it compares with other varieties on the market. All filter types—whether pump, gravity, squeeze, or other—require slightly different care and cleaning techniques. In addition, the filter mechanism itself dictates proper care. Hollow fiber filter cartridges are most commonly found in backpacking filters. Some others use ceramic materials like those in MSR’s MiniWorks line. Make sure you know what type of water filter you own before cleaning it.

Continue reading to learn more about how to make your water filter last forever, written by Zoe Gates.

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Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Zoe Gates
Editor at Backpacker

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In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
Senderista

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For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker