Is your trusty backpacking water filter reaching the end of its lifespan? There can be seriously nasty stuff in backcountry water so it’s crucial It’s hard to say for sure, but you probably have more time left than you think.
How long do backpacking water filters last? Most backpacking water filters have an advertised life span between 300 and 100,000 Gallons, but those numbers are heavily inflated. You can expect 300-500 gallons out of most filters, but it depends on the water source and how you care for the filter.
There are lots of different factors that affect the lifespan of a water filter. Look at the advertised lifespans of the filters in the table below. I might not be the smartest man in the world, but I wasn’t born yesterday. Do you really think those advertised ratings are accurate?
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How Long Do Backpacking Water Filters Last?
There are lots of factors that affect the effective life span of a water filter. It’s really hard to get a good reading on advertised filter lifespans. Every manufacturer uses its own testing method in a controlled laboratory setting.
Unfortunately, we have no control over backcountry water supplies. So those advertised ratings using continuous flow out of a water faucet are basically worthless.
I decided to throw together a table comparing different water filters and their advertised lifespans. Just ignore the advertised lifespans for now. Do some of those estimates look a little bit fishy?
| Filter Type | Water Filter | Product Weight | Advertised Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squeeze Filter (My Favorite) | Sawyer Squeeze | 3oz | 100,000 Gallons |
| Squeeze Filter | Sawyer Micro Squeeze | 2oz | 100,000 Gallons |
| Inline Filter (My Favorite Inline) | Sawyer Mini Inline Filter (Best Inline Setup) | 2oz | 100,000 Gallons |
| Inline Filter (Specialty Product) | Lifestraw | 2oz | 1,000 Gallons |
| Pump Filter | Katadyn Hiker Pro Filter | 11oz | 300 Gallons |
| Squeeze Filter | MSR Trailshot | 5oz | 2,000 Gallons |
| Pump Filter (Clean/Replace Cartridge) | MSR Mini Works | 1lb | 530 Gallons |
Every physical water filter works the same basic way. You run water over a substrate barrier and it removes larger particles from the water. Over time the filter starts to clog up and you get less water flow.
There’s just no rhyme or reason to any of the above estimates. Do you really think a Sawyer Filter is over 50 times better at filtering water than everybody else? I love my Sawyer Mini Filter that I use with my hydration bladder, but that’s just insane.
Even if it could filter 100,000 gallons, it would be clogged up and useless. You can realistically expect between 3-5 years or 300 gallons out of a water filter. After that you’ve either damaged the filter, bought another one, or it prematurely clogs up.
Just buy a filter that suits your needs and replace it occasionally. Probably 99% of people should just buy a Sawyer Squeeze or Sawyer Mini Inline-Filter. They’re cheap, durable and highly effective. What else can you ask for?
Ignore Filter Life Expectancy Estimates
Do you notice anything fishy about the estimates in the above table? Do manufacturers really think they can fool us with those ridiculous numbers? Every water filter uses the same basic filtration meth
For example, look at the Sawyer Mini Water filter that I use. It has an advertised 100,000-gallon life expectancy. That’s a serious drop from the old million-gallon life expectancy they used to advertise. In reality, 100,000 gallons of water is an ungodly amount of water to filter.
Think about how many gallons fit in my 24ft above ground pool. It holds about 13,000 gallons of water, so I could filter my entire pool at least 7 times. That’s an ungodly amount of water! There’s just no way that 100,000 gallon estimate would be accurate in the field.
What’s The Real Backpacking Water Filter Life Expectancy?
You can realistically expect to filter 300-500 gallons of water through any filter. It all depends on where you’re hiking and how you take care of the filter.
Water quality varies throughout the world. Regularly filtering silty dirty water will quickly clog up most filters. In these situations, I will use the MSR MiniWorks Filter (pictured above) that you can take apart and clean. Every other time I bring out one of my Sawyer Pocket filters.
Large Filters Last Longer
We try to shave every last ounce off our packs base weight, but that comes with a cost. Bigger water filters will almost always last longer than smaller ones.
They just have way more filter material inside the unit. It will just take longer for the extra area on the filter to clog up. Even though the sawyer mini and squeeze have the same estimated lifespan, my squeeze filters last 5 times longer. The only reason I don’t use it regularly is the additional weight.
Never Let Your Water Filter Freeze
Do you go camping in the winter? Then you might want to reconsider using a backpacking water filter. Even though you can use the filter, you can never let it freeze.
I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s possible. Just follow my guide explaining how to prevent a backpacking water filter from freezing in the winter. It really isn’t that difficult with a little forward-thinking.
Letting your filter freeze destroys its structural integrity. Everything expands and contracts causing small fractures that allow water to bypass the filtration system. If it freezes, just throw the filter away and buy a new one.
How Do I Estimate The Remaining Life of A Water Filter?
Estimating the remaining life on your filter isn’t easy. There have been tests where people buy a new filter to establish a baseline and test the side-by-side flow rate on both filters.
Although it does work, there is one major problem with this testing method. You still have to buy a new water filter. With a new filter in your closet, do you really think you’ll continue to use the old one? No you give it away to a buddy to use and end up with a new trail partner.
Just suck through the filter and see how it works. If you can easily get water through it keep on using it. Once it starts to clog up and drinking is a challenge it’s time for a new one.
Do Backpacking Water Filters Expire? Is it safe to use an old water filter?
Backpacking water filters don’t necessarily expire, but they get brittle with age and regular use. When used regularly, replace the filter every 5-10 years depending on use. It needs to be replaced more frequently in muddy/silty water.
A filter that’s just sitting on a shelf in your closet shouldn’t need to be replaced. The only time you might run into trouble is if it goes through freeze and thaw cycles.
When Should I Change My Water Filter?
With normal use, backpackers rarely need to replace their water filters. Think about how many trips you’ve went on over the last decade. You would have to use the filter weekly (over 5 years) to reach the end of its 300-500 gallon lifespan.
You’re way more likely to accidentally damage the filter. Don’t use a filter that cracks or goes through a freeze/thaw cycle. That destroys the integrity of the filter allowing water to bypass the filtration system.
