Best water filter/purification system?

kdstrick

kdstrick

Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
4,210
Hey guys... give me some advice on the best water filter/purification system for hiking/camping.

It must be:

Lightweight
Reliable
Small size
Ability to kill waterborne virus, protozoan parasites, and bacteria

Also, any additional advice or information regarding this subject would be very welcome. :thumbup:

Thanks!
 
I use an MSR Miox. I used to use a Hiker filter, but got real tired of dealing with the hoses, the pumping, and worrying about contaminating the "out" end.

I tend to treat several liters of water at each use, and let it sit overnight or while hiking.

You might want to read the reviews for it at rei.com.
 
If you just want to kill stuff, go with Micropur. It will not filter anything, but it will kill anything in the water. There is a 4 hour wait time, but keep in mind that this rating is based on filthy water that you cannot see through that is filled with all sorts of nasties.

If you want to filter as well, go with the Sweetwater Purification System. It combines a very nice filter with what are basically bleach drops, and will filter and kill all the nasties you have to worry about. The Army had a page where they tested and ranked all of the filter and purification products on the market, and the Sweetwater was ranked as the most effective, IIRC. Micropur was the best chemical treatment, if you are just going the chemical route. The page is no longer active, so I can't point you to it. :(

Keep in mind that there are two Sweetwaters out there, one with the drops and one without. You could get the Sweetwater itself and add Micropur, just make sure you get one of the chlorine dioxide based chemicals (I think that is the chemical name?), NOT the iodine based ones like Potable Aqua. PA used to be rated to treat 2 of the 4 things you have to worry about, but now they are only allowed to say that they can treat 1 of the 4.
 
Here you have a Micropur Forte guy as well. I have never used a filter but I also hike in places where there is little (if any) contamination (think high altitude mountain). In summer time you might find some cows or sheep up there, but that's about it. I use Micropur Forte tablets and I let them sit for an hour or so. I usually carry two containers with water (Sigg bottle and bladder system) and I let the Micropur work on the bottle while drinking from the bladder. Then I just refill the bladder with the purified water from the bottle.
Mikel
 
Hi all

I've been lurking in W&S for a while and have really appreciated the tips I have picked up along the way! Some of the knifes/gear in my small but growing collection include Fallkniven F1 (thermorun handle and zytel sheath), Fallkniven PXL folder (maroon micarta handle), Spyderco Manix, Spyderco Endura 4 (serrated), Leatherman e305x (combo blade) and 502x and Wave, Fiskars splitting axe, Bahco folding saw, a Led Lenser P7 LED flashlight, and a Steripen. Once I work things out better I will try to post pics.

I have camped in Australia both hike-in style and car camping. With a pregnant wife it became harder to hike-in camp due to reduced limits on packable weight (outrageous, I know) and due to concerns over accessible 'clean' water. We have a low cryptosporidium risk where we camp so I have relied on purification tablets without any problems - but my wife was not keen on residual chemicals in the water (neither Iodine or chlorine) and with tabs you have to wait an hour or so before drinking the treated water.

In short, I was recently faced with same question as the OP. I narrowed it down to two options - Steripen and MSR Miox. Filtration systems seem bulkier but would be essential if treating heavily silted water or if heavy metals from mining were an issue.

Initially I was tempted by the Miox system, as it is a similar to chlorine treatment of municipal water. Upon reading various internet reviews (I was impressed with quite useful responses from the company on some sites) I was left with the impression that the Miox system would work but I was still put off by the residual chemicals (?even the company can't tell you exactly which species of mixed oxidants are produced in the cascade reaction - if anyone knows the answer to this out please let me know!) and the slightly fiddly salt mixing process (it runs on salt, water and batteries, to generate mixed oxidants that rip apart living critters - over a minutes to hours - meaning effectiveness is mainly time based). Steripen treats a litre (1/4 gallon) by simply dunking it in for 1-2 mins until the UV light switches off (I bought the cheaper but bulkier unit that runs on 4x AAs, from Amazon delivered, much cheaper than I could find in-store in Australia).

As far as I can tell both Miox and Steripen can kill bugs equally effectively, neither filter sediment or heavy metals. Miox may have a slight edge in the treatment of murkier water but if the water was that bad I'd consider pre-filtering for sediment then using Steripen. Steripen kills by UV light within a couple of minutes (auto-off once you push a button to tell it the volume of water to be treated) - viruses, bacteria and protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium - my unit is about 20 x 4 cm and weighs about 200 grams (there are smaller models -1/2 the weight - with different power supplies, from memory there is a solar rechargeable case for one model).

I opted for the Steripen - but for short term use I would drink water treated by either unit. It is a recent purchase so I have only used it on one trip - without a problem, very happy with it. Prefiltered with pantyhose. Might be problematic if the water has a strong odour/taste - then you will need to filter properly. Admittedly, if there was no pregnancy issue, we would have probably just relied on purification tabs!

Just my 2c worth, please feel free to correct/expand.
 
I used to carry purif. tabs and thoughts about getting a system, but decided against it.

I just carry a stainless steel cup and boil it.
 
I have a Steripen like Edgyone does. Haven't had the chance to use it yet due to not
needing it in the winter. In the winter, I just melt snow for water.
The Steripen was recommended to my daughter by the instructors in the Outward
Pursuits program at Canadian Union College in Alberta, Canada.
Am planning on trying it out in the spring.

Cheers
 
Okay - I just went through this. I think this one is a great system:

http://www.rei.com/product/720265 Pumps fast, kills everything and tastes great.

Here is what I ended up going with:

http://www.rei.com/product/767563

This is a GREAT system unless you have VERY little water to filter - then it is tough to get the bag into that little of water - but all filters will struggle here.

It is FAST and effortless. I use streams, rivers, and the like - scoop a bag full - hang it from a tree or hiking pole - and forget it. A few seconds later (literally) I have over two liters worth. To back wash the system - you simply hold the clean bag higher than the dirty bag for 4 seconds - DONE!

TF

TF
 
This Platypus system doesn't make any sense to me. If you fill this bag from a stream, how do you prevent the unfiltered water from running down the outside of the bag; because you know it is going to get wet and then run down the hose into your water container? My understanding is these 'bugs' are small enough to be contained inside one drop of water.

Reading quickly about the the Steripen; doesn't this system run on batteries? How reliable have batteries been from you experience? Not good in mine.

Your thoughts...




Talfuchre said:
Okay - I just went through this. I think this one is a great system:

http://www.rei.com/product/720265 Pumps fast, kills everything and tastes great.

Here is what I ended up going with:

http://www.rei.com/product/767563

This is a GREAT system unless you have VERY little water to filter - then it is tough to get the bag into that little of water - but all filters will struggle here.

It is FAST and effortless. I use streams, rivers, and the like - scoop a bag full - hang it from a tree or hiking pole - and forget it. A few seconds later (literally) I have over two liters worth. To back wash the system - you simply hold the clean bag higher than the dirty bag for 4 seconds - DONE!

TF

TF
Click to expand...
 
Because the water is connected via plumbing to the inside of the clean bag.

It goes, dirty bag - hose - filter - hose - clean bag - hose.

It would have to run down the oustide of the dirty bag, down the hose, down the filter, down the clean bag, down the outside of the hose and somehow into your mouth. If you didn't see this coming - you deserved to poop a lot.


In theory, this same contamination could happen at any time.

TF
 
I really thought about getting the Steripen, but the Steripen reviews at rei.com scared me off. That's why I went with the Miox.

As with all things battery-powered one could bring some Micropur as a backup.
 
I understand. What about durability? I guess from my 'military' mind, I am always thinking about making everything soldier proof. I would also worry about poking a hole in the bag, either from a sharp rock or from chaffing inside my pack. Your thoughts......


Talfuchre said:
Because the water is connected via plumbing to the inside of the clean bag.

It goes, dirty bag - hose - filter - hose - clean bag - hose.

It would have to run down the oustide of the dirty bag, down the hose, down the filter, down the clean bag, down the outside of the hose and somehow into your mouth. If you didn't see this coming - you deserved to poop a lot.


In theory, this same contamination could happen at any time.

TF
Click to expand...
 
For hiking near small mountain streams and springs then I use the MSR Sweetwater for one or two people. Generally you don't need to purify - just filter. For larger groups I use their MiniWorks EX which attaches directly onto a H2O bottle...nice feature! Granted the Mini Works is larger but you can clean it in the field which is handy.

Howwever, the larger the stream and the closer to civilization then the more likely you need to purify. The Sweetwater system comes with a purification liquid so you can have the option of doing both. You can also buy it seperately. You can boil or use tablets - lots of options here.

For city and vehicle carry - I do keep some tablets but I also own a Steripen. I've had it for two years and use it at least 150 to 200 times or more per year. I purify all water I drink when I'm in a community out of my normal "boundary". I have several PhD Microbiologists and a couple guys who run municipal water systems for cities as clients. Both the Microbologists and the city Water guys tell me the same thing - don't always trust every water supply! After the stories they told me (and at their highest recommendation) I now use the Steripen for all drinking water outside of my home town. In two years the pen has worked like a champ. THEN just prior to my elk hunt it puked out on me. I called the company and they overnight (no questions asked) me a new pen for my hunt the following day. I'm impressed!

I use the Steripen for convenience but I have multiple back up systems including the most primitive means. So I don't put all my eggs in one 'technological' basket! If you don't do the same and have some redundancy - you'll be fine.
 
Micropur Sweetwater.

I used the Micropur system at Philmont---it's their standard issue water purification system for all inbound crews---with great success. Popping the pills is simple, just plan accordingly.
 
Raz,

I am a former Marine - so I think your way too. That is part of the reason I went with the system - there were no o-rings, pumps, or things to go wrong. The bag is a simply camel back style hydration bag. Pretty thick - think collapsible canteen thick. - in fact I simply ditched the clean bag and filter water into my hydration bag or hang the bag with the clamp and use it as a shower style water spout around camp. Then you can drink out of the bag as it hangs.

When you use the filtration system in your pack - the pack protects the bag.

Huah?

TF
 
How do the Platpus CleanStream Gravity System compare to the Katadyn Base Camp system? Pro/Cons...which one meets the "hard core" standard best?
 
My experiences with filters are that they clog quick, are heavy, and a hassle. And make nice tasting water, right away.

Cheap, light, reliable, easy: Potable Aqua pills. Just drop it in, wait 30 min. Used all my backpacking life, never let me down, water tastes kinda foul.

As light, slightly more hassle, better taste, ever so slightly more expensive: Aqua Mira drops, mix together, dump in water bottle, wait, slight chlorine taste.

Curious about the steripen... worry about reliability, and as a result having to bring backup pills or drops, in which case, I could save a few ounces by leaving the pen at home. Will be eager to read more of y'alls experiences with the Steripen.
 
candlelight001 said:
Curious about the steripen... worry about reliability, and as a result having to bring backup pills or drops, in which case, I could save a few ounces by leaving the pen at home. Will be eager to read more of y'alls experiences with the Steripen.
Click to expand...

I have one. For hiking, I would say leave it at home. You have to deal with batteries, there have been reports of intermittent failures, and it does not work in water that is not clear. It does nothing to filter, so why not save space and weight and use chemicals like Micropur that have been proven to be much more effective in all levels of water cleanliness?

Now, for hotel travel, it is awesome. I went on my honeymoon last June to Costa Rica, and we treated all of our water with the Steripen. The other hotel guests either had poo running out of their butts from dirty water or money running out their butts from the overpriced bottled water. Batteries, weight, and space are not an issue when you are toting suitcases around. We never had problems with any tap water, even in places that specifically said not to drink the tap water.
 
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