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Step 1
Select a purifying kit with a hand pump, like the MSR MiniWorks EX Filter, about $90 at REI.com, for convenient use in the field. Water purifying kits with pumps utilize reverse osmosis to shift the water between two containers as a way to filter out contaminants.
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Step 2
Select a water purifying "pen" to keep down the weight in your pack. SteriPEN Adventurer Water Purifier kits come with a small tool that uses UV rays to sterilize drinking water. The base model is about $100. Visit the company's website for more information on its products.
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Step 3
Lighten your load on a hiking trail when you buy an individual water bottle with purifying filter. Most manufacturers who offer full-sized hydration units sell smaller versions for hikers taking day trips. Katadyn Micro Filter water bottles, Aquamira water bottles with filters and Clear Brook portable water filter bottles are a few examples. Most versions cost around $40.
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Step 4
Research hydration backpacks as an option as you look to buy a water purifying kit. This type of backpack has a bladder system with a drinking mechanism that allows hikers to hydrate without slowing their strides. Popular models include High Sierra Stream Hydration Water backpacks, BC Access backpacks and Camelbak packs. You can find them online at retailers like Untracked.com, Backcountrygear.com and Altrec.com--expect to spend between $50 and $100.
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Step 5
Pick up a few bags of iodine and ascorbic acid pills to accompany your water purifying unit. Iodine pills help destroy a great deal of microbes in unfiltered water and ascorbic acid kills the taste of iodine in filtered water.
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Step 6
Assess the level of difficulty in draining unfiltered water into a purifying kit before you buy a product. A kit with a narrow hole for filtration will lead to wasted time waiting for water to drain into the storage container.
