Great Walks of New Zealand
Bladders & Bottles
There are many hydration bladders out there. Ensure you choose a quality brand to avoid bladders that will leak inside your pack and soak your gear. A hydration bladder than can fully open up to be cleaned and dried easily is best otherwise mould will grow inside. A 3-liter bladder is enough capacity each day for the Great Walks, and you can usually fill up at most huts/shelters but always check this for each walk. In summer the water tank levels may be low, and more water may need to be carried. Many hikers carry bottles as well so you can add electrolytes and collect water on the trail.
For some Great Walks you may need to treat the water before drinking and this is advisable as a precaution. Water at the huts/shelters is usually rainwater gathered from the roof so caution is required. However, for many of the Great Walks (particularly the alpine walks) we found it was not necessary to treat the water, and we didn't without any issues. It is however personal preference whether you treat or not and it's always a good idea to take some form of water purification just in case. The cheapest way to purify water is to boil but this is pretty inconvenient after a long day, and you will need to wait considerable time for the water to cool enough to go into your bladder or bottle. There are lots of other ways to treat water including UV pens, water tablets, and life straws. Check some bladder, bottle, and water purification options below.
Hydration Bladders
Water Bottles
Water Purification Methods
TIPS
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Bladder hoses are notoriously difficult to dry and mould can grow in the tube. After rinsing your tube, put the hose in the freezer to avoid mould and bacteria growth.
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Reduce plasticky taste of hydration bladders by choosing a bladder made with neutral taste materials. Sometimes rinsing with water and lemon juice before use can help.
Hydration Bladders
When choosing a hydration bladder, ideally a bladder that doesn't leak inside your pack is best, so avoid cheap versions. Look for bladders that are made from taste-free materials and have a good flow rate from the bite valve to avoid having to sip hard for a drink. Bladders that can be filled easily one handed and most importantly can be opened up completely to clean and dry are the best. Here are some of the bladders we use and highly rate.
Bottles
Carrying a water bottle? Handily there are a few water bottles on the market that have inbuilt water filters so you can carry and purify water at the same time.
LARQ water bottles have an inbuilt UV-C LED light to eliminate bio-contaminants from your water and bottle. Fill up, press the button and 60 seconds later you have clean water. Keeps water cold for 24hrs or hot for 12hrs with a double walled design. So, if you carry a bottle and want an added inbuilt water purifier these bottles are cool. These bottles however do require charging by USB port, so may not be suitable for longer expeditions.
GRAYL water bottles allow you to fill up, press down the top of the bottle like a plunger, and enjoy purified water in 8 seconds. The bottle is a little heavier than most but doesn't require batteries or charging. Replacement purifier cartridges are required over time.
Water Purification Methods
There are lot of different ways to purify water on the trail and what you choose will depend on a few factors - cost, portability, ease of use, and what is likely to be in the water.
Boiling Water
Boil water for at least 3mins on a rolling boil.
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Pros: Simple, cost efficient, and effective at killing most bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
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Cons: Requires a stove/ fuel, & pot, difficult to do in large quantities on the trail, time consuming having to wait for the water to cool before storing.
Water Tablets
Drop water tablets into the water and wait for the recommended time before consuming.
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Pros: Lightweight, compact, a more affordable option, and easy to use.
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Cons: May not remove sediment, chemicals, or heavy metals from water. Tablets that contain iodine can leave an unpleasant taste.
Water Tablets - We tend to carry tablets as they're cheap and compact. The water on the Great Walks is generally pretty clear and free of sediment if it needs to be treated at all. Water is safe to drink after 30 mins, so we fill up and purify our water at night ready of the next day.
Water Filtration
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Pros: Effective at removing bacteria and protozoa, but not viruses. Better for larger quantities and to remove solid particles and debris from water.
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Cons: May require some maintenance and may not remove all contaminants.
Life Straws - give users the ability to drink directly from water sources or any filled container. Life Straws filter the water and provide protection against bacteria, sand, parasites, microplastics, silt, and cloudiness. Lightweight, portable and compact these are great in emergency situations and not as expensive as UV pens. No batteries required and will last for approx 4,000 liters of water. Life Straws also offer water filter bottles including collapsible bottles with the filter straw inside.
Gravity Filter Systems - fill the reservoir and use gravity to filter the water into another container. More expensive than other options but if you intend on hiking into the backcountry, are a regular hiker, and happy to make a long-term investment these may be a good option. Check out the Platypus Quickdraw 3L Gravity Filter system which is compatible with a variety of bottles.
UV Purification
Use a portable UV light device to disinfect the water.
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Pros: Compact, lightweight, and effective at killing bacteria and viruses.
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Cons: Can be costly, requires a battery or to be charged and may not be as effective in murky water.
Ultraviolet (UV) Pens - are good option if you are a regular hiker or traveler. UV light is used to purify water by killing bacteria and viruses. Simply insert the pen into water and press the UV light button. The pen works quickly, and the water is often safe to drink in a couple of minutes. However, sometimes it can be difficult to be certain the filter cycle worked. UV pens will usually operate by battery but tend to be expensive in comparison to other water purification methods.