Water Purification

[Nuts]

What's everyone else doing for water purification? The last couple trips I have been using the UV water bottles. I like the fact that I simply dip it in the creek. Hit the button. And a minute later have drinkable water. No messing with anything. I feel a little like gen z carrying a stainless water bottle but it works so I roll with it. I can fill a bladder by pouring it in. It cycles UV fast enough to not annoy me. In a raft or hiking. Just scoop and press the button. Hoping it works as well as things like the straw. I haven't gotten sick yet and for sure have drank downstream of beavers.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Haven’t tried the uv yet, the straw was one of the best pieces of emergency equipment I added to my pack. I’ll be taking the UV system to Africa this year.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Our favorite backpacking water purifier is the Sweetwater filter and pump. I've had more than one and have used it for many years.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Sawyer inline filter with 2.5 gallon collapsible bags for camp. I've got an old Pur Hiker that I've had for 25 years. It still works.

 

[Caseknife]

I have started using the Steripen Ultra.

 

[MEIERJ88]

Sweetwater has been my go-to for over 10 years now. Simple and rugged.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Sawyer.

 

[The_Jim]

UV is a pita and doesn’t get any sediment out of the water - plus you’re relying on electronics in the backcountry.

I use the sawyer squeeze. It’s light, cheap, and I just keep it in my pocket so it doesn’t freeze. I carry dirty water in the collapsible bags and filter as I need it into 1 clean water Nalgene. The filter is cheap enough to buy a new one each season.

 

[R.K.]

I have a sawyer squeeze I like for backpacking or just general use.

I’ll use my older MSR waterworks if I can justify the weight or can’t fill the sawyer bladders.

I also have a Katadyn base camp 10L gravity filter if I ever have the need for it (long trip, multiple people), but haven’t yet.

Always liked the idea of a UV purifier, but I have this funny feeling about the threads not being clean/sterile when using the same container.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Im looking for simple, I didnt have water issues last time in Africa but if I can filter in addition to what they do in camp, life should be good.

 

[mxracer317]

Grayl. Won’t use anything else

 

[Rogerdoger]

BeFree filter, interchanges with the hydrapak bags, have a 4l in pack if needed for camp and then typically use a 1l for filtering on the go. It’s quick and easy. Or if I am wanting really quick I just use potable aqua tabs.

 

[OleRedbeard]

Used the sweetwater for many years and also the Katidyn. Both have been great. Really want to give the UV pen a go but dunno about the whole battery thing.

 

[ccc23454]

I like a actual filter and also a suction hose as seldom do i have running or deep water where I am refilling. My only experiance with pen was weird, looking at bugs (dead) and some organics in my bottle after stirring was not ideal. I have had same katidyn pump for 20ish years, works like champ and easy to care full just kind of heavy/bulky for how often I use it when backpacking. That pump has pulled drinking water out of some nasty and hard to reach holes with zero concern and minimal taste. I also tried a waterbottle with filter in it once, worked great as I was hiking a creek bed and wanted to try it but quickly realized how much volume the filter took up in bottle and had to refill more often than expected. Lots of personal preference with water filtration!