Water Filters

Share your advice and personal experiences, post a gear review or ask any questions you may have pertaining to outdoor gear and equipment.
Post Reply
User avatar
ExploreABitMore
Topix Regular
Posts: 168
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:38 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Contact:

Water Filters

Post by ExploreABitMore »

Well, after 10 years of not filtering water, I finally got a parasite! Decided to start filtering my water again.

Just curious what are the new fancy, easy-to-use water filters everybody is using these days?

Thanks for any tips!
Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, Night Sky Photography: http://www.evanthomasphoto.com/
User avatar
gary c.
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1479
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:56 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Lancaster, CA

Re: Water Filters

Post by gary c. »

When it's just myself and maybe a buddy I carry a SteriPEN Journey and have been very happy with it.
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/steripen/journey-lcd/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I go with a group we take a Katadyn Base Canp and that works best for us. I couple guys will carry empty 1gl jugs to fill once we reach camp and we will have all the water we need without having to run back and forth with a pump.
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/katadyn/base-camp/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What seems to be the hot new thing is the Sawyer Sqeeze Filter. I know a couple guys that have them and I think if I were in the market that is what I would take a good look at.
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/sawyer/s ... er-filter/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"On this proud and beautiful mountain we have lived hours of fraternal, warm and exalting nobility. Here for a few days we have ceased to be slaves and have really been men. It is hard to return to servitude."
-- Lionel Terray
User avatar
Scouter9
Topix Regular
Posts: 181
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:23 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: San Diego, Calif.

Re: Water Filters

Post by Scouter9 »

Sawyer Squeeze. For sure. You just need to also pack the lower half of a plastic one-quart milk container, in case you need to scoop water rather than submerge the "dirty bag" to fill it. The Sawyers filter as fast as a pump, last longer and can be easily field-serviced.

What an upgrade and weight savings from my older pumps!
User avatar
sparky
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:01 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Water Filters

Post by sparky »

I use steripen too. Light, easy, quick, zero complaints
User avatar
ExploreABitMore
Topix Regular
Posts: 168
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:38 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Contact:

Re: Water Filters

Post by ExploreABitMore »

Thanks for the feedback guys. That sawyer squeeze looks pretty cool. I'm liking the new gravity filters too. Now, I just gotta make up my mind!

Thanks again.
Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, Night Sky Photography: http://www.evanthomasphoto.com/
User avatar
AlmostThere
Topix Addict
Posts: 2724
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Water Filters

Post by AlmostThere »

I have a squeeze, and went back to using the pump for now. I use a gravity filter (homemade with a Platypus cleanstream inline filter) the rest of the time.

Needing to pump water out of a tiny spring's mossy basin would be impractical with a squeeze or gravity filter - the rest of the time, the gravity filter is less work, only slightly more weight, and makes a nice water bag for putting out campfires or taking a shower.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Water Filters

Post by maverick »

Another vote for the Steripen. Been using it for years and quite happy with it.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
Tollermom
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 4:49 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Carson City, NV

Re: Water Filters

Post by Tollermom »

I have a Sawyer...which I found a bit tricky to fill up from a lake. I also just bought the SteriPen Ultra.
User avatar
Rockchucker
Topix Expert
Posts: 407
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:22 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Bishop, CA

Re: Water Filters

Post by Rockchucker »

I have the squeez and steri pen. I like the squeez where there is plenty of water flowing and somewhat clean. The pen is great for questionable water that may or may not have extra particulate matter. No matter what I carry a back up of aqua mira just in case.
I'm no suture for my future.
User avatar
LMBSGV
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:42 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: San Geronimo, CA
Contact:

Re: Water Filters

Post by LMBSGV »

Another long-time Steripen user. Light, small, easy to use. However, it is for people who hike solo or with one other person.
I don’t need a goal destination. I need a destination that meets my goals.

http://laurencebrauer.com
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 46 guests