Water filters

[sherpaxc]

Which one do you use and why?  I've tried the chemicals and the Steri-pen.  Neither have worked for me.  This weekend we finished our first day on the trail dry and needed water quick.  I went to treat my water from the creek and my chemicals bottle cap had busted open and I lost the ability to treat my water.  Luckily my buddy had brought his filter and let me use it.  I'm convinced I will carry a filter.

Which one do you have field experience with and what makes it so great?

Thanks a ton for the info.

[Mike Brown]

15 years of use, no stomach issues. 4-5 element changes.  Use the lubricant periodically.  Hundreds of times used, never an issue. 

http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-wasserfilter-backcountry-series-produkte/katadyn-hiker/

[boddunn]

I've got the Katadyn too, had it for about 10 years, not used it loads but I've never caught a bug so far.
 Just checked BackPackingLight and the only reviews I can see are for MSR filter and they're rated as below average. As for reader reviews McNett Aquamira chemical treatment seems to be the best.
 In the UK we're unlucky enough to never be far from a shop or a tap so I don't use water treatment much.

[sherpaxc]

Thanks Mike.  That is the one I was thinking about getting.  I willing to take on the bulk/weight for piece of mind.  I almost had a travesty on my hands this weekend when all my chemicals spilled.  Luckily there was a backup. 

15 years of use, no stomach issues. 4-5 element changes.  Use the lubricant periodically.  Hundreds of times used, never an issue. 

http://www.katadyn.com/en/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-wasserfilter-backcountry-series-produkte/katadyn-hiker/

[pro_out]

  I have both the Katadyn Hiker and MSR Sweetwater.  I now only use the Sweetwater, the reasons- light ( 11oz.) and fast ( it pumps on both the up and down strokes of the handle)  http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/basecamp-water-treatment-and-hydration/sweetwater-microfilter/product.

[mattinaustin]

+1 on the Katadyn Hiker, but I also carry some of their MicroPur ClO2 tablets as backup.  I use it because it works and it's what I have.  If I had been more of a weight weenie I might have gone a different route.

Curious about the Aquamira Frontier Pro at Backpacking Light as well as the Sawyer inline filter.  Could shave several ounces and still end up with a good physical filter.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/aquamira_frontier_pro_filter.html
http://www.sawyerproducts.com/SP162.htm

[Rockin]

  I have both the Katadyn Hiker and MSR Sweetwater.  I now only use the Sweetwater, the reasons- light ( 11oz.) and fast ( it pumps on both the up and down strokes of the handle)  http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/basecamp-water-treatment-and-hydration/sweetwater-microfilter/product.

+1 on the MSR Sweetwater.  After longingly staring at old cow troughs at the Antelope Peak Challenge when I lost most of my water I now carry tablets where ever I take my pack.

[Done]

I've used Sweetwater pumps for 16+ years, and they've been great. The silt filter really helps if you need to pump cloudy water.

But I've recently moved to Aquamira drops (not tablets) because they are so much lighter, quicker, less bulky, and don't require maintenance. For far less weight and bulk than a pump, you can carry an extra set of bottles as a backup if you like (although I've never had a bottle leak or break).

[chrisx]

boiling water works best
http://www.rei.com/product/768513
tea kettle 5.5 ounces
matches .1 ounce
set kettle directly in fire

[Done]

Boiling is indeed a great way to kill pathogens. But it takes a long time to build a fire, boil the water for the prescribed duration, and then cool it off to drink. On all-day rides, I generally need to fill my 100oz hydration pack a few times--and I'd hate to have to stop to make a fire every time. I also prefer the "leave no trace" approach to mountain adventures, which pretty much precludes burning a lot of stuff.

[chrisx]

the sawyer water purification works
http://www.sawyerproducts.com/SP135.htm
the faucet adapter can be used to filter water from a one or two liter bottle, then reversed to flush the filter.
the bottle it comes with is not grovie but the black filter is.  also works with hydration pack.
the fine print on all filters say they must be replaced if they freeze.

[DesertDog]

One more on the Katadyn Hiker.

Plenty quick enough and only 12oz if you don't take the extras and just limit it to the pump, in and out hoses and storage bag.

Too much time and fuel to boil.  Then waiting for the water to cool.

Don't want the nasty taste of tablets.

Pens work, but along with tabs or boiling, you really want to drink what you have to get from the stagnant sinkhole or tank that's the only water you can find?  I have no fear drinking it after filtering with the Hiker (and it hasn't hurt me yet)!

Can't say for sure, but it may have one of the cheaper filters for replacement too?

[VABikePacker]

MSR Miox here...like it...(the only complaint I have is the batteries....I haven't had it fail me, if I'm wondering about the batteries, I'll go ahead and put a new set in, PLUS a backup set..)

Water on the trail is like fuel on a road trip you're not familiar with....Top off whenever you get the chance IMHO...

To truly purify, I don't know of any one of 'em which instantly promise getting read of everything - So, the top off method is my preference...Usually when backpacking I'll do two bottles - 32 oz. each - and rotate them....works in my climate fairly well...

[bivysack]

Personally, after years messing about with tablets  my wife bought me a Katadyn Hiker PRO last year and I'm a now a total convert. It's so lightweight, easy and quick to use I even take it on long day rides too. Why hump a couple of litres of water when you can carry a small bottle and top up on route )

As a lot of the people above many of my friends swear by the sweetwater too.

If you're using a camelbak the inline filters do a good job too.

Hope this helps.

Dave.

[AZTtripper]

I used a Hiker pro for years now I have http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/fast-and-light-water-treatment-and-hydration/hyperflow-microfilter/product so far it is working great. Smaller then the Hiker and way faster I also like that it has a back flush. I also like the way the prefilter works.

In a side by side test I had my old Hiker my buddy had the new Hyperflow the Hyperflow won hands down. He pumped more water faster and my paper filter was ruined by the silty water all he had to do was back flush.

I had to do something the choices were to by a new paper filter their up to $40 now or spend almost $100 on a whole new system I chose the new system. So far I am quite happy with it fast, light, compact what more do you need.

I can't see taking the time to boil and just using tabs or drops won't clean away silt and particulates I guess I am fussy about my water and I am will to carry the extra weight.

Tim

[RossC]

I used a Hiker pro for years now I have http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/fast-and-light-water-treatment-and-hydration/hyperflow-microfilter/product so far it is working great. Smaller then the Hiker and way faster I also like that it has a back flush. I also like the way the prefilter works.

I have the same pump. I've only had to use it once and ended up really sick. It was a nasty combination of events which saw us with no option than to pump water from what we now call "the funk dam". There were all sorts of nasties floating in that water, so my questions is:

Is there an upper limit to what a filter pump can handle? If water is 100% funk, is there a better option than pumps? Should I pump then add tablets then boil?

I was particularly careful to avoid cross contamination so I can rule that out as a source of failure. Any other ideas?

[AZTtripper]

Hard to say, not sure I would want to test the theory but I should think boiling would always work.

[jeffkerkove]

+1 for the Katadyn Hiker Pro
http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-backcountry-series-products/katadyn-hiker-pro/





Used it during 2010 CTR.....and for a few years prior during backcountry rides and hikes.  For me it has been very reliable, as well as fast.  Can fill up a 100 oz. bladder in under a couple minutes.

[DaNM]

Sherp, What`s wrong with the steripen?  Pills would get the job done on the CTR, I`m looking to buy a 100 gram streipen so I don`t have to wait for pills. Carry pills too. A bulky 350 gram filter sure works great, but it is just too much to carry.

[sherpaxc]

We'll nothing is actually wrong with it I guess.  I did have 2 of them quit working on me.  Both during bikepacking trips.  The first time I thought it was a fluke, the second time I was done with it.  Luckily I had pills as a back-up.  I don't want to rely on something with batteries anymore.