What are the best water purifiers?

[EricTheRed]

^^^ Absolutely agreed. But If you are going to count on ONE, count on the First Need XLE. Because otherwise you are just gambling. For example, the XLE will remove the threat of leptospirosis. nobody else will claim that, or can prove it. Do you need that? probably not, as I have said in earlier posts. Unless you are going to Hawaii. But really, if you want the ultimate end all be all you go with first need. If you want to cut corners/weight/space/ have multiple options, you do that and accept the tradeoffs. YMMV, and good luck.

I personally don't mind the extra couple of oz's. I also don't have one in every bag. Chlorine tabs/iodine have a great long term/spread out usefulness imo. But the bag I think is going to actually get used? It gets an XLE, and I don't worry so much as a drop. As also previously mentioned, I have thousands of back country miles worth of water run through first need's and I have NEVER been sick. No, I don't work for them. No, I also have no way to prove that they have taken anything I don't wanna drink out of my water, But, like I said...willing to gamble?

[wrcpete]

I saw this company in a magazine it might be what some of you are after. http://www.berkeywater.com/start.main.html

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[travellightfreezeatnight]

First Need all the way. My brothers and I have been using First Need purifiers for over 20 years and they are IMHO the very best. Here is a little Microbiology/Public Health history to get you thinking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Mi...iosis_outbreak.

Cryptosporidia is the pathogen most often detected, but there are other parasites that can be just as unpleasant. Giardia (bever fever) is also common. These are the two big ones in the US, but if you travel out of the US, there are many others. It is also very important to follow manufactures directions for cleaning and sanitizing the filter/purifier element after every trip. Many of the organisms that are filtered out can and will continue to grow in the filter matrix and will eventually emerge on the clean side. The First Need requires back flushing and soaking in dilute bleach.

Of course there are also many bacteria and virus to worry about. The first need will catch all these pathogens down to 0.1 microns and >99.9% removal.

Semper fi

[billybronco]

just bought this.......it's badass

http://www.rei.com/product/786393/sa...system-2-liter

[ra2bach]

just bought this.......it's badass

http://www.rei.com/product/786393/sa...system-2-liter

nice. I came back to this thread to ask about the Sawyer Squeeze. it seems a popular filter for many on the AT but not mentioned in this thread.

does anyone carry the SteriPen? do you think it works as advertized?..

[themonk]

nice. I came back to this thread to ask about the Sawyer Squeeze. it seems a popular filter for many on the AT but not mentioned in this thread.

does anyone carry the SteriPen? do you think it works as advertized?..

I carry a SteriPen. Its awesome and works as advertised. Slick option for short trips. That being said you need to protect it and it is battery powered vs a normal filter. If you use Nalgenes its a great lightweight option.

[taliv]

i've been carrying/using steripen for years. i bought the one they sold a long time ago that came in the case that has a solar charger built in. seems to work great.

that said it is not a filter. it nukes bacteria and viri. and imho it is for use in conjunction with and not in lieu of filters.

[Bear1]

Love my katadyn. Has been with me in the field many times in the past 4 years. Needed to change the filter once. Otherwise perfect, lightweight and compact.


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[NongShim]

Sawyer pointONE. I have one of their filters for backpacking and like it a lot. They have a million gallon guarantee, may not be able to take advantage during SHTF but it instills some confidence. Looking to add a system to a rain barrel for SHTF.

They have a pointzeroTwo if you are worried about viruses.

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Yup. Light and versatile. Also, faster than most other stuff.

[9mm_shooter]

I've had and used the First Need one. I also keep a few different tablets chemical ones. In my Camelback I've got one thare filters to. I carried the First Need in Iraq 03-04 and 08-09.. just in case. A small bottles of iodine in first aid kits will work as back up. Taste like crap though. Add a coffee filter to strain out bugs and dirt help save the water filters. The main water treatment I carry now is Miox that uses sure-fire batteries and salt. As stated above different options and backups. Iodine don't work for some due to allergic reactions. .
The driver I had in 08

100% agree with using coffee filters to remove larger contaminants. A filter can be used if you still see stuff floating around. After that, iodine to treat everything else. Bleach can be added too, if you're really worried about the water. I was also a big fan of the Miox system until I found out that it basically is an expensive, Surefire 123 battery-powered portable bleach factory. It dawned on me that I could get the same results, and less hassle by just carrying a small bottle of bleach.