How to Use aquatabs for water purification while hiking

So, you’re planning your next hike. You’ve got all the gear: your backpack, boots, binoculars—and Aquatabs to make sure you stay hydrated and healthy on the trails.

You’ve heard that the tablets are an effective, lightweight, reliable water solution for outdoor adventures. But how do you actually use your Aquatabs on the go? In this blog post, we’ll explain in-depth about how exactly to navigate dosage amounts, how long to wait before drinking water, and how to safely store your supplies.

Staying Hydrated On The Go

You already know how important it is to stay properly hydrated when you’re on the trail. Drinking enough water helps you stay focused, healthy, and energized. It’s the most important item you’ll need, whether you’re planning a days-long trek or a 3-mile walk. Experts estimate that you need to drink about one liter of water or more per hour, especially if the trail is strenuous or heat is high. 

Reliable water becomes even more important because most naturally-occurring water sources haven’t been treated. Drinking untreated water from rivers, lakes, and even rainfall can lead to both mild and severe illnesses, leaving you dehydrated and in need of medical attention.

Why Use Aquatabs?

Aquatabs are the world’s leading water purification tablet. They are trusted by millions worldwide for reliable water treatment and protection against bacteria, viruses, and giardia cysts.

They have several unique characteristics that make them perfect for hiking and off-grid camping:

• Fast-Acting: Aquatabs, no matter their dosage, get to work fast, leaving water ready-to-drink in just 30 minutes.
• Portable: With tablets the size of your fingertip, it’s easy to transport Aquatabs in pockets, backpack compartments, and emergency kits.
• Sustainable: Aquatabs take up less space and plastic than toting packs of individual water bottles, leaving room for other supplies and helping keep campsites clean.

Aquatabs Dosages

When it comes to hiking and camping preparation, we recommend two Aquatabs sizes:

Aquatabs 49mg – Aquatabs 49mg are perfect for taking your water on the go. Each tablet is designed to purify 64 oz (.5 gallons) of clear water and 25 oz (.2 gallons) of cloudy water. Don’t have a 64 oz water bottle? No problem—you can use the 49mg tablets to purify any amount of water under 64 ounces, the only difference being a slightly affected taste. These tablets come in packs of 30, 50, and 100, so that you can find the right solution for your needs.

Aquatabs 397mg – Aquatabs 397mg are designed to purify up to 4 gallons of clear water and 1.5 gallons of cloudy water. This is a great solution for purifying RV water tanks or water that has been stashed in advance along the trail. Coming in a pack of 100, this dosage is ideal for water jugs and group hikes.

Aquatabs Instructions

No matter the size of your Aquatabs, use is simple and effective. Just follow these 4 steps:

1. 1. Fill up your water container with water from a lake, river, or stream.
2. 2. Determine water volume and dosage.
3. 3. Insert the correct size of Aquatabs tablet, shake or stir well, and let sit for 30 minutes.
4. 4. Drink without stress!

For more information or details, you can also check out our How-To page here!

Tips for Using Aquatabs On A Hike

Aquatabs are trustworthy on their own, but there are some extra practices you can incorporate in the wilderness to make sure you are making the most of them.

• Tip #1: Use a separate water container for collecting and purifying water. This reduces the chance of any untreated water contaminating your drinking water.
• Tip #2: Collect water from the fastest-moving part of a stream or river. While this does not guarantee that the water will have less microorganisms, it can help make sure you are starting with the best quality water available.
• Tip #3: It’s always useful to filter your water before using Aquatabs. This can be something as simple as a coffee filter or even a beanie! This extra step helps get rid of bigger contaminants like dirt particles before purification.

If you can’t do any of these three, that’s okay! Aquatabs are effective without other interventions.

How to Store Your Aquatabs

Aquatabs can sustain most environments you put them through! They are durable against both extreme temperatures and high humidity, meaning that they will stay effective whether you keep them in the cabinet or your coat pocket.

Aquatabs expiration dates depend on the product and range from 2 to 5 years from date of manufacture. The expiration date is listed on every product, and if you shop from our site, we make sure that the listings include the up-to-date expiry date of our in-stock product. Water stays treated for up to 24 hours after application of an Aquatabs tablet. After 24 hours, it is recommended to use another tablet to re-treat water.

Shop Now

Choose Aquatabs for effective, portable water purification for hiking and camping. Explore our site to compare your options and find the solution that fits best with your style of adventure!

If you have more questions on how to use Aquatabs on your next hike, contact us to speak with a representative. We love connecting with customers and hearing your experiences. For more general questions, check out also our FAQ page, where you can find the most up-to-date information about dosages, applications, and use cases. Happy hiking!