Are you planning a trip abroad? Whether it’s a family holiday in Europe or solo travels around Asia, knowing you always have access to fresh, safe water is vital. With a filtered water bottle, you can have peace of mind knowing that, wherever you roam, you can safely drink any water source.
But are filtered travel water bottles really necessary? Let’s take a closer look at why clean water matters when you travel and how these handy water bottle filters can make all the difference to your adventure.
Is tap water abroad safe?
We’ve all heard horror stories about terrible stomach bugs and other unpleasant issues from holidaymakers and travellers abroad. Local tap water or other water sources can lead to some nasty consequences, from “travellers’ diarrhoea” — which affects 20-60% of overseas travellers according to the NHS — and dehydration to cholera and Hepatitis A.
Why is this?
Well, every location has different standards, and some circumstances mean clean tap water just isn’t possible. Some places may have high levels of contaminants in groundwater, while pollution can affect other areas.
In some developing countries, a lack of infrastructure and investment makes it impossible to maintain water treatment systems. Other causes include:
- Rapid urban growth
- Natural disasters
- War and conflict
All of these can result in water sources that may be rife with bacteria, viruses, and parasites — all of which can cause sickness.
If you have plans to travel to any of the following locations, we recommend taking drinking water into account so you can hydrate safely:
- Many Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India
- Mexico, Brazil, and Peru
- Countries in Africa
- The Middle East (outside of major cities)
How to make water abroad safe for drinking
When travelling overseas, there are several methods for treating water to ensure it’s safe to drink. However, many of these can be time-consuming and aren’t always 100% reliable. For instance:
- You can use bottled water — which can be expensive and contribute to single-use plastic waste.
- You can boil the water for at least one minute — but then you need to wait for it to cool if you want a cold drink. Plus, you need access to a heat source!
- Iodine and chlorine solutions can help disinfect water, but they won’t tackle parasites and viruses — it also leads to a distinct taste you may not like.
What makes filtered water bottles essential travel gear
If the above methods seem like a lot of hassle, especially when there’s no guarantee of effective purification, we’re with you. That’s why we recommend a filtered water bottle. One of our Pure Clear travel water bottles makes ensuring safe hydration a breeze.
You can simply fill up your water bottle and sip! The included filter will remove all manner of contaminants. And with our unique Electroabsorptive Filter Technology, you can get true peace of mind. Combining a semi-permeable membrane with teeny-tiny pores, activated charcoal, and a positive electrical charge, these filters are far more effective than alternatives.
They’ll remove:
- Bacteria
- Endotoxins
- Viruses
- Cysts
- Polysaccharides
- Colloids
- Particulates
- Microplastics
- Heavy metals
- Dissolved salts
- Chemical reductions
- Trace pharmaceuticals
- Bad tastes and smells
- Pesticides
Learn more about our Pure Clear filtration technology.
What are the best filtered water bottles for safe drinking while travelling abroad?
All of our filtered water bottles can effectively filter out contaminants at home and abroad. However, we have a couple of products that we feel are perfect for your travels, whether you’re interrailing or wild camping.
- Pure Clear Active Water Filter Bottle
The Pure Clear Active Water Filter Bottle is lightweight yet robust, able to withstand any knocks when in your luggage. It can hold just over 760ml and has a sip-through top. It’s a top choice for most travel destinations.
- Pure Clear Explore Water Filter Bottle
Available in 500ml and 1000ml capacities, our Pure Clear Explore Water Filter Bottles are ultra-portable, featuring a soft, squeezable structure that allows you to pack them down into the smallest of bags.
When space is at a premium or you need to watch the grams while backpacking, this is an ideal choice.
Both of these travel water bottles use our incredibly effective and efficient filter cartridges to keep your drinking water safe and clean.
How a filtered water bottle can help you travel more sustainably
When travelling and on holiday, we don’t often have the chance to recycle and practice sustainable habits like we can at home. Every country has its own recycling policy, and you may not always be able to dispose of plastic waste in an environmentally friendly way.
Globally, almost half of all plastic waste (46%) goes to landfills. If you want to minimise your single-use plastic consumption on your travels, a reusable filter water bottle can help.
One of the most common ways to ensure safe drinking water abroad is to use bottled water — but that, of course, contributes greatly to plastic waste. Each of our water bottle filters can save the equivalent of 400 single-use plastic bottles, offsetting 32.4 kg of carbon dioxide! Plus, we operate a filter recycling system, so you don’t need to worry about those ending up in the landfill, either.
Real travel scenarios where you’ll be glad you brought a filtered water bottle
Plane delayed and now you need to hang around the airport on a hot day?
Worried about brushing your teeth with questionable tap water at a hotel?
On a hike where the only water source is a lake or waterfall?
Road-tripping through rural areas with limited bottled water access?
Without a filtered water bottle, you might be a bit scuppered. But with a Pure Clear Active, Explore, or Life Filter to hand, you’ll be ready to hydrate whenever you need.
What to look for in a good travel water bottle
In our experience, the best filtered water bottles for travelling are lightweight and portable so you aren’t weighed down. They can also fit into a backpack or clip to the outside to help save space.
But what about the filters themselves? We recommend looking for those that have a substantial lifespan, especially if you’re away for a while. Ours can last for two months, allowing you to filter 200 litres of water from any source.
Flow rate is another factor to consider. Many filtered water bottles have a flow rate of between 300ml and 600ml per minute. Pure Clear’s has a flow rate of 800ml per minute, allowing you to filter your water quickly and confidently.
Pure Clear water bottles also stand out for their proven filtration — we’ve put our bottles and filters through rigorous testing to prove their efficacy and safety. We’re pleased to announce that our bottles have been certified by Biological Consulting Services of North Florida, Inc. to filter more than 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.95% to 99.996% of viruses, and more than 99.9% of cysts.
Did we mention our bottles are also BPA-free?
Pure Clear: Your luggage essential
No matter where you’re travelling to, a Pure Clear filtered water bottle is the most convenient way to make sure you always have access to safe, clean water when you’re abroad.
Whether you’re always jetting about or you’re planning your first overseas adventure, take a look at our full range of travel water bottles, filter cartridges, and accessories so you’re ready for anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Pure Clear water bottle filters last?
Our filters can process 200 litres of water. For most people, this means they last around two months.
Can I use them with any type of water?
Yes, our filter water bottles can be used with tap water, lakes, streams, waterfalls, and more.
Are filtered bottles allowed on flights?
You can usually only carry an empty water bottle through security — but it can be a filtered water bottle. You can then fill up your bottle from the airport taps or water fillers; however, you can usually only carry 100ml of water onto the plane. Any more than that, and it will need to go in the baggage compartment.
How do I clean and store them?
To clean your filtered water bottle, take the mouthpiece, external filter compartment, and outer bottle apart, then wash each with warm water and washing-up liquid. Only wash the inner filter itself with clean water — never soap. Rinse, then leave each part to drain well. Store your water bottle somewhere cool and dry.
