Water on the Trail

[mybackpackingblog]

Hello! I have purchased a Katadyn Vario microfilter for water filtration on the trail. Now that I am focusing on going ultra light, I think it may have to go. It works great. I can pump two liters in one minute. Not sure why that should matter though. Its not like I am ever in a really big hurry on the trail to get water. So...for me...that's wasn't the selling point. I just liked it and bought it. I may use it with other scenarios. Like with the family or something. But for an ultra light pack...its too much...so would some of u veterens give me some idea of what u do? U would rather not filter pond or creek water through grass coal and dirt through a dirty sock. Im not looking for survival mode filtration. ;-) thanks in advance.

[RayBan]

Some only use chemicals (e.g., Aqua Mira, chlorine dioxide tablets, Polar Pure/iodine). Others use something like a Steripen or Frontier Pro, sometimes filtering out debris/etc. with a bandana. Still others use a very light weight pump like an MSR Hyperflow (now that the filter flow issues have been addressed).

I imagine others will have thoughts to share with you on the topic. A search among threads here and on backpackinglight.com will yield even more opinions.

[mybackpackingblog]

Some only use chemicals (e.g., Aqua Mira, chlorine dioxide tablets, Polar Pure/iodine). Others use something like a Steripen or Frontier Pro, sometimes filtering out debris/etc. with a bandana. Still others use a very light weight pump like an MSR Hyperflow (now that the filter flow issues have been addressed).

I imagine others will have thoughts to share with you on the topic. A search among threads here and on backpackinglight.com will yield even more opinions.

Honestly...I personally trust the manufactured water filtration systems better than the primitive ways (which I have learned to do for survival education) or the tablets. I just have more confidence in the pumps. However, pumps break and that big problem deep on the trail. So, I just want the next best thing. Nothing like having the flying trots out on the trail. I just want some method options that I can trust for ultra light backpacking. I will research the ones you mentioned. Thanks for commenting.

[Jelly-Bean]

Aqua Mira drops are the most widely suggested method of light weight water filteration. You can use a bandanna or coffee filters to filter the chunky stuff!

[RayBan]

Two other sources of information you might want to look at are http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/ (some of the reviews are a bit dated) and backpackinglight.com. The testing done is typically real-world/for extended periods by experieenced backpackers in myriad conditions and may give you a better idea of what you might want. Also, there are various gear sites allowing purchasers to post a review, e.g., Backcountry, BaseGear, REI and, of course, Amazon.

[mybackpackingblog]

Thanks for all the replies. I think i will try the Aqua Mira Drops for sure.

[.ghost.]

In case you are at all interested, Bill S over at trailspace did a wonderful 4-part series on all (or almost all) of the ins-and-outs of backcountry water treatment. If you have some time and are interested, check it out!
http://www.trailspace.com/articles/b...hydration.html
That is part 1, links to the subsequent articles are found at the bottom of each article.

[mybackpackingblog]

In case you are at all interested, Bill S over at trailspace did a wonderful 4-part series on all (or almost all) of the ins-and-outs of backcountry water treatment. If you have some time and are interested, check it out!
http://www.trailspace.com/articles/b...hydration.html
That is part 1, links to the subsequent articles are found at the bottom of each article.

Thanks alot...I wil go check it out...
Www.mybackpackingblog.org

[Hooch]

Drink it straight up from the stream, spring or creek. Use a bandana to filter out the chunks.

[mybackpackingblog]

Drink it straight up from the stream, spring or creek. Use a bandana to filter out the chunks.

Ha..nice..I'd rather enjoy my backpacking with the flying trots!. Like you signature by the way...

[STICK]

I love my Aqua Mira drops. However, I have been reading a lot about the Frontier Pro being used as a gravity filter in conjunction with the AM drops and I wouldn't mind trying it out...you know, just to see...

[garlic08]

Many ultra lighters use Aqua Mira, and some of those (me) use AM only as a backup if the source is suspect. (The high mountain springs and snowmelt in the US are likely the best water on the planet--why mess with it?) Some use gravity filters, which are more reliable than mechanical pump filters. Many AT hikers start with a mechanical filter and the maintenance becomes more of an issue than the weight, so they switch to something simpler and usually lighter.

[mybackpackingblog]

Aqua Mira....man...I know, I know...less weight, less weight, less weight...but...geez that sounds like a lot of work...I can take my Katadyn Vario and pump 2 liters in one minute....now...if it breaks...well, then we have problem...maybe carry the AM for back up...The Vario weighs 18 oz....

[sly dog]

After looking at my filter insert after a week of filtering and seeing the color of what I filtered out I think I'll stick with a filter.

[Spokes]

I carried a pump filter for years and thought you'd have to pry it out of my "cold dead hands" but that was before thru-hiking. Didn't take long to ditch it and switch to AquaMira.

I never had any problems with floaties either. Guess it's all in the technique.

[daddytwosticks]

Using my old "Hiker Pro" filter was a PITA for me. Seemed like I needed three hands to get the process right. Hoses dragging all over in the dirt...filter holding water and being way heavier than the so called 13 ozs. I like simple things that don't break. Love my Aqua Mira.

[mybackpackingblog]

After looking at my filter insert after a week of filtering and seeing the color of what I filtered out I think I'll stick with a filter.

Yeah...I'm down with that...I'm having a hard time coming off my Katadyn Vario....she is a beast!

[ScrapIron]

I rarely purify water. I grew up in a polluted big city, right beside a huge car assembly plant. We swam in a creek that positively glowed from all the pollution. I probably swallowed 50 gallons of that water during my lifetime.
I have bugs in my gut that will attack any newly introduced pathogens, thereby preventing me from becoming sick. Whenever I got to Mexico or other places with questionable water, I just drink the water that the locals drink. Never had any problems.

[protargol]

I just got a MSR Hyperflow. Will be sharing between two people so can justify splurging on the 10 oz we'll be carrying for it.

[mybackpackingblog]

I rarely purify water. I grew up in a polluted big city, right beside a huge car assembly plant. We swam in a creek that positively glowed from all the pollution. I probably swallowed 50 gallons of that water during my lifetime.
I have bugs in my gut that will attack any newly introduced pathogens, thereby preventing me from becoming sick. Whenever I got to Mexico or other places with questionable water, I just drink the water that the locals drink. Never had any problems.

Well, I spent the first 8 years of my life beside the Passaic River in Paterson, NJ and I still ain't will to risk the flying trots 10 miles down the trail...that's just me...