Delving further into what every Nazi should have on an extended day hike or overnight backpacking trip, we're going to continue down the list of the Ten Essentials. This time around: water. Also, I like to hear myself talk.
How much should I bring?
The rule of thumb is 1 liter per hour of hiking, and most people hike 2-3mph, however that can change by a huge number of factors. Heats an obvious one. Hotter climates will have you drinking more. Exertion will cause you to drink more as well, so elevation changes and gains, heavy packs, and being a big fat fatty can effect the amount you'll need.
I'm a hard core Nazi tough guy. Can I just drink from a stream?
There's a risk involved with taking a drink straight from a cool, refreshing stream. There are a number of waterborne illnesses for which water should be treated, and most of them cause diarrhea, which I guess is pretty funny. And if you're hiking more than a few miles, you're not going to want to carry all of your water unless you don't have a choice (such as a desert or high elevation).
Water treatments
So survivalist and GI Joe larpers will just say "lol boil it", and yeah, it's the most effective way. But if your hiking, you don't have time for that shit, unless you like building a fire in the middle of the day and drinking boiling hot water. I prefer a Sawyer squeeze, which is an activated charcoal filter. I've used the same one for probably a thousand miles and haven't had any issues, other than it freezing that one time. Ive heard the Sawyer mini can clog easier. I've used a katadyn hiker as well (it's a pump style), but it's a little cumbersome and clogged on me too many times. I've seen people use chemicals; Aquamira is a two part thing that you mix, drop into water, and wait. Looks ok, but I don't like waiting. Lifestraws are a gimmick.
Pro tip: use a sawed off disposable water bottle as a fill cup for the squeeze bags. The bags don't like to open up on their own. You can nest your filter into this cup when not in use.
Bottles and bladders
I fucking hate bladders. You can't tell how much water you have left in one and they're a pain in the ass getting back into a pack. It's nice to be able to sip water continuously, but not worth the hassle. I prefer bottles.
InB4 BPA!!1!
Nalgenes are a popular choice. They offer a small amount of insulation and are easy to full. But they're heavy. Like, obnoxiously heavy for what they are. A lot of people (and me) use disposable water bottles. Some people like Gatorade bottles, but I splurged on Smartwater bottles. Like hiking, Smartwater is a SWPL thing. Tasted like water to me; I was really just paying for the bottle. It's tall and slender, so it takes up less room and slides easier into a packs side pocket. The sportcap can be used to backflush a clogged water filter. They weigh close to nothing. And I've never had one brake.
So there you have it. Hiking hydration in a nutshell. Be back for part 33 1/3: nasty ass trail food.
