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Have you heard about Water-to-Go? We only discovered them recently and we were blown away by the concept, and just had to try it out. Basically, this is a company that produces water bottles that filter all kinds of water to make it clean enough to drink. The claim is that it can remove “up to 99.9999% of water dangers”.
There are other filter bottles around, of course, but Water-to-Go claim that they have made an innovation that goes beyond the activated carbon that is used in most other bottles of this kind. Water-to-Go filters are much more efficient.
We couldn’t wait to try it out for ourselves, so we took one with us on a wild camping trip. A weekend of backpacking in the Welsh wilderness! We would have to survive on whatever water we came across – a bottle that made it safe to drink would certainly come in handy! In this Water-to-Go review, we will talk through the science behind these incredible water bottles, before going through our experience in Wales.
(You may have already guessed from our intro – but we love these bottles)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Incredible water filtration system
- Makes water taste better
- Lovely design
- Perfect for hiking and camping
Cons
- Replacement filters required every 200 Litres (which, to be fair is a long time)
- Not dishwasher safe (but you probably won’t take your dishwasher on a hiking trip!)
About The Brand
WATER-TO-GO began with a simple mission: to provide safe drinking water on-the-go. They saw a need for a water bottle that could convert even the most murky water into something drinkable. The brand’s founders were inspired by NASA technology, adapting it to create a bottle with a highly effective filter system.
They realised the impact a reliable water purifier could have, especially for travellers and outdoor enthusiasts. With their innovative design, WATER-TO-GO has made it easy to stay hydrated without relying on single-use plastic bottles. Their efforts are contributing to solving issues like plastic waste and water scarcity. The fact that their filtered water bottles also remove 99.9999% of microbiological contaminants, there is also less plastic, heavy metals, parasites, viruses and bacteria in your drinking water.
WATER-TO-GO has made a big splash in the water industry (sorry), and it’s clear why. These bottles are having a positive real-world impact, a reusable water bottle that reduces plastic waste provides you with clean drinking water anywhere in the world. What’s not to like?
Specifications
The WATER-TO-GO bottle is designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind, among many other groups. Let’s start with the basics: This 750 ml filtered water bottle is made of sturdy plastic and is BPA-free, providing a safe option for carrying clean water. That’s all very well, but sports bottles are a dime a dozen, so nothing particularly special there.
Here is where it gets interesting though, with the built-in filter, and the amazing new patented process of cleaning water. I’ll try not to bore you with too much science, but we found this fascinating. Basically, there are three technologies at play – a mechanical filtration system which stops harmful contaminants passing through. Then the ‘nano alumina’ emits positive electrical charge, which attracts the negative charged contaminants and traps them in the filter, and finally there is activated carbon within the membrane, which eliminates bad tastes and odours.
This is really clever stuff, that is way over our head. But it’s cool that they use the phrase “constructed utilizing nano technology”. The mechanical filter and positive charge work in tandem to protect against pesticidal, bacterial or chemical contamination – it’s got you covered.
It weighs only 130 grams, making it lightweight and easy to carry. Its practical dimensions (28.1 x 8.7 x 8.6 cm) mean it fits snugly in most backpacks, as well as bicycle drinks holders. The bottle feels durable and has a leak proof design.
It’s worth mentioning the filter at this point, as that’s something that you need to change, for obvious reasons. It’s there to collect anything harmful, so every now and then it will need to be replaced. So the obvious next question you’re going to ask is “how often do you need to replace a WATER-TO-GO filter?”. The answer is every 200 Litres, or roughly every three months. A new filter is around £15, and they’ve worked it out that this basically amounts to 6.25p per litre of fresh drinking water, which in that context seems very reasonable. The filter membrane is biodegradable, so can be responsibly disposed off when you are done with it.
One element that is worth highlighting, even if it’s not really in our remit as a camping review site. Travelling abroad – the way this bottle is designed would make it perfect for taking with you when you go to places where drinking tap water is a bit iffy. It could save money and reduce the amount of plastic bottles you get through, while also giving you fresh tasting water.
From cycling to hiking to travelling the world, the bottle’s ability to purify water offers peace of mind. It’s a reassuring choice for anyone needing more than just a simple water bottle.
Using the Product
So, to put it to the test, we took it to Wales. The Water-To-Go-Bottle was an absolute game-changer for being out in the wilderness. We felt unburdened without a load of bottled water, allowing us to trek further, knowing that we would find a water source along our route, and knowing that we could drink from it. Simply fill the bottle from any stream or river, and we were ready to carry on our way. We were truly free to roam wherever we wanted.
The ease of use was impressive; just scoop and sip without worrying about water safety. It really is that simple. You do have to suck a little, it’s not a bottle that you just squirt straight into your mouth, but that’s just a factor of having a thorough filtration system, and it’s to be expected that you will have to help with the water flow.
The filters need to be kept wet in order to stay active – but this is done easily. Just leave a little water in the bottle when you are not using it, and make sure you turn the bottle upside down. There – done. One thing to note, which may seem obvious, but make sure the contaminated water stays away from the lid and spout of your bottle – the filter won’t work miracles on those parts, I’m afraid!
The leak-proof lid is reliable, even during bumpy bike rides. One-handed operation made it practical while walking without stopping. By purifying on-the-go, it offered a sense of independence, deepening our connection with nature, which was what it was all about. There was no altering our route to go via a shop, or trying to find a water supply. There’s a real satisfaction in knowing we could trust what we drank, eliminating concerns about contaminants.
One factor that I’d like to add – the water tasted amazing. I know that you might be thinking “well, water is water”, but the filter really helps to make the water even more delicious. Maybe part of it is psychological? Drinking water straight from a stream, surrounded by beautiful nature. But there is also science behind it, albeit quite obvious science. If you take out all the bad stuff, what are you left with? Just the good stuff – and that’s what makes the water out of a Water-To-Go bottle taste so good.
To clean on the go, you can just rinse it with some hot water, and maybe a more thorough clean with a gentle washing-up liquid when you get home.
Being able to drink straight from a natural water source will never get old. We love these bottles.
Conclusion
This is the least surprising conclusion that we’ve ever had on this site, but we are huge fans of the Water-To-Go filter bottle. There is just so much to like.
To start with the camping element – it’s such a good bottle to have when you are out and about. You never need to worry about where you are going to get your next drink, as this bottle makes almost all water drinkable (sea water is a notable exception).
Away from this convenience, though, there is a bigger issue at play. Water To Go can provide drinking water all over the world – turning dirty water into drinking water quickly. A quick look on the Water To Go website will show you some of the incredible work that they are doing, and that in itself is a reason why we are so happy to support this company. Water To Go bottles are about so much more than just making your life simpler when camping. This is all on top of reducing the need for single use plastic bottles.
Honestly, this is the best water filter bottle that we’ve ever tried, and it will become a staple part of our camping equipment, and I can even see myself using it every day on my commute or when I’m out with the kids. It’s just a really good water bottle to have out with you, whether you use the water filter element of it or not.Water To Go have produced a wonderful bottle here. I think every camper would find it useful – and they make great camping gifts!