Looking for help with Water filters

bush-haus

bush-haus

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I am a hiker and also spend a lot of time on the river kayaking. I am looking for info (a list of known-to-be efficient products) on water filters. I searched a bit in the forums and found a few threads with a few products but not necessarily what I am looking for.

A friend of mine had a bladder of sorts that allowed for a large amount of collected water in the river that look like a bladder that he was able to have it drip into another container. He hung from a tree and gravity pulled it through the filter into the other container.

I wasn't really looking into filters then so I never took a good look--I have no idea what it was (brand) or how it worked.

I am very familiar with the iodine pills as well as boiling water for a few minutes as a way of getting rid of what ails you but just looking at more mechanical options.

Please don't get overly scientific with the responses (99.8 vs 99.99999 vs etc). I am a simple guy. :)

Thanks for any help you can provide. 👍
 
there are several manufacturers that make a bag to bag filter. Sawyer, Platypus, Aqua Mira, Katadyn come to mind. I am sure there are others.
I have used the Platypus brand filter, and it works just fine. I am sure the others are good too.
 
I use an msr mini-works. Its a bit larger and heavier than a lot of the filters, but can easily handle the water needs for a few people. It also has a charcoal component which does a pretty good job of removing some of the tannin from water. It won't handle really badly darkened water, but at least I know its safe.

Your main differences are going to be unit weight, flow rate, overall lifespan, and the initial quality of the water. the mini-works will handle some pretty cloudy water with little trouble, but other filters are better off having time to let the water settle. Some filters are more field serviceable than others, but then there is a lot to be said for simplicity.

A gravity based system is good if you know you are going to be stopped overnight, or for a few hours at least, the advantage being that they work while you do other things. With a pump filter, you can just fill up and go, trading the physical labor for time. Some filters will also work as an inline unit in a hydration pack, so if thats how you drink on the water, it could be an advantage there, in which case your hydration bladder also doubles as your dirty water bag in camp. Although some people don't like to have to suck up water, the vacuum effect can be uncomfortable for some.

Some of the pump filters are very light and good for one person, while most gravity filters are based around groups. I guess it depends on who all you are supplying water for.
 
I too recommend you look at the Sawyer Mini. Filters to 0.1 microns filtering protozoa, bacteria, cryptosporidium, and particulates. Universally attaches to small mouth bottles and bags or inline in portable hydration systems. can also be used as a straw to drink straight from the source. Good for 100,000 gallons. Only costs $20 at wally world and $25 elsewhere. Weighs less than 1.5 ounces. Everything else you'll find that is as effective will cost much more. My son and I use the Sawyer Mini. It doesn't filter large quantities for groups, but they are inexpensive enough and so light each person should carry his own which is still the most cost effective option for filtering to 0.1 microns.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Water-Filter-Reviews
 
Last edited:
When I researched what chemical kills what in water
I started a thread and there was a really good site that came up
Look for it there

Then Once I had this chart to say how filtering does with or without chemicals
Mini Sawyers answered the ability to get the best water by treatment and filter
And I have two Mini Sawyers on its way from REI, the connecting bits and peaces
I would not want to be in a situation where I had to use this method for any length of time

I have had the LifeStraw as part of my Emergency Gear, I need to make a bob sometime...
I have a steri pen UV gadget that I would take travelling

was in India and there is bottled water for 20c and hot black tea for 20c
Everywhere you travel there is bottled water
No need for a filter
 
There is nothing better than the Sawyer mini/micro filters for all-around use and they're so cheap there's no excuse not to have one.

I take one backpacking, travelling and keep one in the glove box. Why not? I got a 5-pack on groupon for $50 and they only weigh 2oz!

The threads are universal so pretty much any soda bottle will fit. I prefer the 1Liter Safeway water bottles as they are soft and cheap.

The downside to the Sawyer is that it can clog within a couple days use so you need to carry around the little cleaning syringe as well (careful pre-filtering with a handkerchief helps but is not enough to eliminate the problem).

For chemical treatment look into Aqua Mira as it is more effective than any filter, you don't have to worry about freezing or clogging and you don't have to worry about taste as you do with iodine pills. The problem with Aqua Mira is that it takes a while to sanitize the water so you have to plan things out carefully. I prefer the Sawyer for backpacking as it allows me to either camel up at streams and carry little/no water or I can fill up at a quick stop and drink through the filter along the way. No more sitting awkwardly on rocky stream-beds tiring out my arms.
 
leghog said:
Excepting in the background everywhere you travel.
Click to expand...

Don't understand?
What I am saying is that when you travel is India there is bottled drinking water, and that is what everyone drinks
The chance of your needing to filter water is very small
If you are trekking, then it is different
 
neeman said:
Don't understand?
What I am saying is that when you travel is India there is bottled drinking water, and that is what everyone drinks
The chance of your needing to filter water is very small
If you are trekking, then it is different
Click to expand...
That's what I was saying (or attempting to). Backcountry came out as background.
 
Currently I'm using a Sawyer Squeeze PointOne, PointZeroTwo, or Mini followed by a Platypus GravityWorks Carbon cartridge.

I have used (still own and ready for use) and really liked the following:

MSR Waterworks
MSR Hyperflow
MSR Autoflow
Katadyn Pocket
Katadyn Camp (gravity)


I generally use the Sawyer/Platypus combination as a gravity filter. The biggest inconvenience with them is filling the included bags in very cold temps or when the water source is small and/or shallow. I generally use different bags and keep a "dirty" cup and funnel. I use Platypus BigZips and definitively mark them "DIRTY". They work really well for easy filling. I use Source reservoirs for "clean" drinking and MSR DromLites for heavy duty carry, along with whatever "bottle of the day" I'm using.

I also keep chlorine dioxide tablets for backup.
 
Another Sawyer Mini user/fan. Just thought I would add you can make a DIY gravity filter using a Sawyer Mini or the larger Saywer. My setup consist of two 64oz bottle bags, a SmartWater sports cap, and a couple of clips that connect to the necks of the bags. Added some cord to the bottom side of my dirty bag so it could easily be hung. With the larger Sawyer you can do this with the use of one of those water tornado toys designed to connect two soda bottles together. Cheap, simple, light, effective.
 
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