Water Filter/Purifier

[Kessler10]

Any recommendations for a good water filter/purifier for back country? Here good things about Sawyer? (and affordable)

[WapitiTalk1]

I have used MSR Mini Ex and liked it but it is slooooooow. I have a Katadyn Hike Pro and like it (much faster than the MSR mini), but, the filter tends to clog if you're not filtering crystal clear water. I also have the Katadyn Base Camp filter which is pretty darn slick but suffers from the same problem as the Hiker Pro if the water you're filtering is not crystal clear. I know a few cats that only carry the water purification tabs with them into the backcountry and really like the result. Only bad thing about the tabs is it take 15 minutes before you can use the water (if I remember the minimal purification time correctly). I'll get Dotman to chime in as he is a big proponent of the Sawyer system.

[CurlyTail]

For personal use, and to carry in your daypack - Sawyer Mini

I carry this and it allows me to drop into a prone position and suck water through the straw directly from a creek or stream. I also usually carry a plastic bottle of GatorAid, and you can fill the empty GatorAid jug with water, screw on the Sawyer Mini, and drink out of the bottle. Quick and easy. Lightweight.

For Group Camping, or back at camp - Platypus GravityWorks Filter System

Quickest and easiest way to filter a large volume of water for cooking and recovery. Large bag is lightweight and packs down to nothing.

For emergencies - Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification Treatment Drops

Old School, but still good - Katydyn Hiker

Works great. A bit bulky. Filters need to be replaced more often than you wish. Wears you out a bit pumping. State of the art - 10 years ago!

[jmez]

I use a Sawyer mini and really like the system. I have it inline in my camelback. I use a quick detach hose, just unhook the hose, dunk the bladder to fill and hook it back up. If you have water sources that allow you to dunk a bladder it is a really good system. Quick and easy.

I was on the fence until I tried it. Now me and all of my hunting partners use this system.

[husky390]

Sawyer and an old water bladder FTW. Just don't let it freeze.

I use a diesel fuel filter sock to pre-filter the water before it goes into the bladder. Works like a champ

[Brendan]

If you use any filter based system - don't let it freeze... If it does, you at least need a new filter, potentially a new unit or you're endangering yourself to unfiltered water.

I personally tried the sawyer and the Kataydn, kept the katadyn. I have it set up so I can pump directly into my water bladder without taking it out of my pack. If I wanted a gravity setup for camp where I just let it naturally flow from one bag to another, I'd use the sawyer.

I know some people really like Steripen if you have relatively clear water without a lot of crap in it. I'm considering trying that as it's quicker than tablets and relatively light. My hunting partner used one this year and was always quicker than I was with the katadyn.

[Fridaythe13th]

I love sawyer have used it for 3 years now with no problem. I just fill the bag dry off the outside and squeeze it into my hydro bladder. End of the season clean dry and ready for next season. there is a Youtube video on it.

It just looked easier than the 3 handed pump ones. Were you have to hold the pump between your legs, pump with one hand and in the other hand you have to hold the bladder and the end of the hose.
Just make sure you try at home one of the guys had a o ring twist on him and the bad water was coming out the side.

[Indian Summer]

I like the Katadyn. If you are super concerned about weight the Hiker Pro is nice. I like the Vario. I really like the lever action pump instead of one that moves in and out of the unit. It's really effortless and super fast. Filing a 5 gallon container for base camp is a breeze. it comes with an attachment that fits on to the Nalgene bottles so you don't have to hold the one end while you pump.

Like Brendan mentioned... do NOT let your filter freeze.
Vario

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Hiker Pro

HikerPro.png (8.76 KiB) Viewed 7107 times

[Elkduds]

1st I've heard of freezing being detrimental to Katadyn and other filters, tell me more. Mine is stored in a shed all winter, do I need a new filter after freezing I could store it indoors in the future.

[Brendan]

1st I've heard of freezing being detrimental to Katadyn and other filters, tell me more. Mine is stored in a shed all winter, do I need a new filter after freezing I could store it indoors in the future.

I think the issue is if it freezes with water in it, the water expands, and can crack / break the integrity of the filtering membrane, thus allowing potentially contaminated water through. If it's stored dry with no water, I don't think it should be a problem, but I think it's pretty hard to dry the inside out completely unless you take it apart. If you're worried - you can take it apart, replace the filter.

[Elkduds]

I think the issue is if it freezes with water in it, the water expands, and can crack / break the integrity of the filtering membrane, thus allowing potentially contaminated water through. If it's stored dry with no water, I don't think it should be a problem, but I think it's pretty hard to dry the inside out completely unless you take it apart. If you're worried - you can take it apart, replace the filter.

Thanks, Brendan. Due 4 a new filter anyway. I'll store the filter indoors in the future. Had giardiasis once, got it in Mexico. It's the sh!ts

[Dr. Rx]

I like the Katadyn. If you are super concerned about weight the Hiker Pro is nice. I like the Vario. I really like the lever action pump instead of one that moves in and out of the unit. It's really effortless and super fast. Filing a 5 gallon container for base camp is a breeze. it comes with an attachment that fits on to the Nalgene bottles so you don't have to hold the one end while you pump.

Like Brendan mentioned... do NOT let your filter freeze.
Vario

Vario.png

Hiker Pro

HikerPro.png

x2 on katady..

Kris

[dotman]

I'm a big fan of both the Sawyer squeeze and mini. I keep the mini in my pack at all times with a 3L Platy Big Zip and can quickly refill in the field. At camp I keep the squeeze and a 10L MSR bag for camp water. This system has worked great, been using the squeeze system for 3 years and the mini for 2 years, not a single issue.

Do not let these filters freeze!

Also what Rory didn't tell you is when his Kat quit working on us my sawyer picked up the slack!

[poisonarrow]

I use iodine crystals. One little bottle is good for 2000 liters of water.. I hate pumping. I also take a Katadyn Camp 6 gravity filter. I love that thing. After setting up camp hang it in a tree and when you come back to camp let gravity do the work.

[Wyoklaelk8]

We use the katadyn hikers and everyone takes 1-2 plastic water bottles (real cheap lightweight kind). We fill them few times a day and fill everything at night, great for filling lots of bottles and cooking with. We go through too much water to mess with the straws/gravity filters. We tried them and they were kinda pain waiting. We are usually in wilderness areas and clean clear water is prevalent. We get to a stream, pump, drink , pump, and leave with as much water as you want to carry. We have always done a thourough job of draining /pumping all the water out that freezing hasnt been an issue.

[justinspicher]

Another voter for the Sawyer. If I go out to the woods, it goes as well. Easy and affordable and way better to pack. I used an MSR miniworks for a number of years and the Sawyer is way better for me.