Portable Water Filtration

[Jonathan]

On the heels of Darren's tent thread I thought I'd ask this. Can anyone school me on small water filters suitable for back/bike packing?

[christian]

I have a First Need XL (now XLE) and a Katadyn Hiker PRO. Both are fine for <2 week backpacking and canoeing trips. I prefer filtering to chemical treatment, personally, unless I'm going SUL.

[dhoff]

I use a steripen. I am more concerned with microorganisms than any other impurities. Steripen will take care of that completely and some models come with a micropore filter as well. BRING NEW BATTERIES.

I have found that my steripen is requires new high output batteries, my old rechargables just could not do it.

[Jonathan]

I use a steripen. I am more concerned with microorganisms than any other impurities. Steripen will take care of that completely and some models come with a micropore filter as well. BRING NEW BATTERIES.

I have found that my steripen is requires new high output batteries, my old rechargables just could not do it.

I've read that some of these filters remove bacteria and some viruses. Is that different than your steripen?

[dhoff]

I've read that some of these filters remove bacteria and some viruses. Is that different than your steripen?

My understanding and I hope that if it is wrong someone will correct me, is that filters remove SOME microorganisms that may cause illness. I am interested in ALL of them. Very little that might be found in a rural environment concerns me more than the microbes that cause severe illness. I have made the error in the past and what was never properly diagnosed but was referred to as "dysentery" was one of the most horrible experiences of my life.

[sonny]

dump the filters.
aquamira is what you want

[christian]

UV Pens vs. Filters:

UV Pen Pros:
Lighter weight & better packability
Deals with viruses (most non-purifier filters don't)
Fast/Easy

UV Pen Cons:
Reliant on batteries
Potentially less reliable (though I think this is mostly people not reading the manual)
Doesn't work well in particle-filled water
Cold water impacts battery life and effectiveness

Filter Pros:
No non-mechanical dependencies
Reliable
Can filter relatively large volumes
Filters cloudy water (i.e. non-microbial contaminants)
Water temperature has no impact on efficacy

Filter Cons:
Large/bulky
Don't generally work with viruses
Require assembly/pumping/dissasembly

For me, family/group/extended trip (>3-4 days) backpacking says "filter." For solo trips, a Steripen would be a good choice, but I just use chemical tabs in those cases. I can deal with the taste. (And admittedly, I've drunk my share of unfiltered water too... I figure Giardia takes at least a week... and I'll be at work by then.)

[Matthew J]

I have a First Need XL (now XLE) and a Katadyn Hiker PRO. Both are fine for <2 week backpacking and canoeing trips. I prefer filtering to chemical treatment, personally, unless I'm going SUL.

Katadyn with the occasional jolt of iodine work well for me.

[ZenNMotion]

I'm not an expert on all the different models and types out there, but I do depend frequently on my now 20 year old Katadyn with a silver-embedded ceramic filter. This is pretty much standard equipment for expat field workers in developing countries and disaster areas. Mine has kept me alive and healthy (at least from water sourced bugs)- it was issued to me for Peace Corps and saw near daily use for 3 years, and I've used it countless times ever since when working where cholera and other water borne diseases are no joke- and it's worked fine for backpacking/camping as well. I have filtered water from roadside mud puddles in desperation and didn't die. I've probably replaced the filter around 5 times- they last a long time if you can keep them free from silt- let the water settle before you pump if you can. They're not cheap, and they're not light either, but they work- ask yourself what it's worth to prevent having a trip shortened by an exploding gut or worse. The katadyne isn't cheap but I think you get what you pay for- carbon based filters are lighter and cheaper, but I wouldn't trust them if the water source is in a partially developed or agricultural watershed. FWIW, a bottle of iodine pills (better than chlorine) is cheap and light for just emergency or occasional use- you don't normally get too far into the wilderness on a bicycle. A tip if you're really stuck- 5 ml of laundry bleach per liter of water usually works fine in a pinch if the water is clear to begin with. A bic pen cap is about 5 ml.

[Chris Yates]

I've hiked with a Steripen and an old MSR filter. For water with sediment, I'd go with the filter, otherwise the Steripen was quick and easy. It always gets tossed in the pack anytime I go hiking in case of emergency. The biggest downside is it requires batteries.

Some good information and reviews on available water filters.

How to Choose the Best Backpacking Water Purification - OutdoorGearLab