Water Purifiers

Featured review by Sheila Bergin Goss

I have been testing the Grayl GeoPress Purifier, a new, large capacity water filtration bottle, while canoeing, canoe camping, and day hiking this summer and fall. For the past three years, I have used a Grayl Ultralight Water Filter bottle, to provide clean and safe water for me and my dogs while canoeing and camping. I reviewed that bottle here on Trailspace on 10/14/18, and since then have continued to carry that bottle in my canoe bag, and occasionally, in my backpack side pockets. The new GeoPress utilizes the same fill and press filtration system as my Ultralight, but has improvements that address some of the deficiencies I found with the prior bottle. I can recommend the GeoPress for its simple operation, effective filtration performance, and increased volume. The bottle can be used by a solo paddler or hiker, but can also be used to replenish water supplies for canine or human companions.

DESCRIPTION: In the Grayl product line, the  GeoPress Purifier replaces the Grayl Quest, a similar water filtration bottle, but one which was a bit heavier, and did not have the improved features of this current GeoPress model. I am using the GeoPress as an upgrade over my Grayl Ultralight filtration bottle. The Grayl GeoPress uses a simple fill, press, and drink system to purify freshwater, but is not suitable for salt water or extremely brackish water. The filter bottle has a capacity of 24 ounces (710 ml), more than the 16-ounce capacity of the Grayl Ultralight filter bottle I have used for a few years.

Read more: Grayl GeoPress reviews (4)

Featured review by TJ1984

The MSR Guardian is a top of the line water purification system that delivers on its impressive claims. Very fast, very efficient, and largely hassle-free (requires no backflushing). Excellent for the solo hiker, but perfect for larger groups.

Disclaimer: This review is purely on design, usability, durability, and my overall opinion of the product. Without access to a water testing laboratory, I cannot make any claims regarding the actual efficacy for removing harmful impurities (biological and non-biological). While I can say that I have never gotten sick drinking water filtered by the MSR Guardian, that in-itself is no validation of the claims. Without proper controls, it is merely circumstantial. Introduction: The MSR Guardian is the latest and greatest in backcountry water purification (actual wording according to MSR is "The world's most advanced backcountry purifier").  According to MSR: "Nothing is safer or easier to use for purifying the most demanding backcountry water...

Read more: MSR Guardian Purifier reviews (5)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

The MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier is an all-in-one water treatment system that is ideal for groups, or people needing potable water in larger volumes. Not only removing bacteria, protozoa, sediment and particulate, MSR’s new flagship purifier also removes the tiniest viruses, while also using activated charcoal to improve flavor and reduce chemicals. The Guardian’s new purge valve quickly and easily cleans the filter to maximize flow rate, removing debris.

Mountain Safety Research (MSR) is no stranger to water treatment, and even taking a quick look at the Guardian Gravity Purifier, it shows. MSR has been responsibly manufacturing a host of products for over fifty years. You can read more about MSR here. At the core, MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier is its hollow fiber technology. Unlike all of the other hollow fiber core water treatment products currently available, the pore size filters much smaller particles, effectively removing viruses. This technology came about via the pharmaceutical industry, where specific molecular sizes were required to be filtered for scientific testing.

Read more: MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier review (1)

Featured review by KiwiKlimber

I’m sure someone out there could prove me wrong, but the SteriPen Adventurer Opti is a foolproof tool for purifying water in the backcountry.

Usage and Why I Bought It:After borrowing a friend’s SteriPen Adventurer Opti during a three-day trip, the ease of use, compact size, and effectiveness were the reasons I purchased my own. It’s been a handy little companion during many hiking and canoeing trips, making the chore of preparing water for safe consumption much less daunting (than pumping) and quicker (than tablets) than what I had been used to. Ease of Use:In only 90 seconds, a liter of water is clean to drink. That’s not too shabby, although you have to hold the pen in the water for those 90 seconds without letting go (which doesn’t sound difficult, unless you really have to pee!) Needless to say, it’s a pretty simple tool.

Read more: SteriPEN Adventurer Opti reviews (11)

Featured review by Talynn Turner

As an employee of Aqua Research, LLC of course I am biased towards this water purifier, but I have taken the H2gO purifier backpacking and use the disinfectant regularly. The best features in my opinion are the weight (3.8 oz) and the solar rechargability. I can stuff the purifier in the bottom of my backpack for weeks and then when I need to purify water pulled from a contaminated source I can simply hold in the sun for a couple seconds and be ready to create a disinfectant solution on the spot.

As an avid backpacker, camper, and international traveler, I was hired by Aqua Research LLC to help market the H2gO Purifier, a small electrolytic water purifier ideal for the activities I love. Therefore, with some bias I will say that this purifier is the most unique and creative purifier on the market. I have used my PRIME model purifier for about 4 months now, and am hooked. The purifier works by converting Salt (NaCl) to Disinfectant (Sodium Hypochlorite +Hydrogen Peroxide) through an electrolytic process.

Read more: Aqua Research H2gO Prime reviews (2)

Reviewed by Satori Mystic

The SteriPen line offers a great new tech for h2o off piste. After significant time spent researching the line of products I decided on the Ultra for two reasons. One; it is rechargeable (no peculiar batteries to find) and Two; it doesn't have the battery draining "flashlight" like the Freedom.

On a light and fast tour around Summit County Colorado this Memorial Day weekend I had good opportunity to goof around with the Ultra. With the low volume and minimal weight this was added to my fastpack kit with no noticeable interference to load distribution. The time saved at refills added up to over an hour. Really happy with the lack of work as compared to my old PUR (before they named the model Katadyn). More time for running. I don't even have to take my pack off to fill up anymore! As with any electronic device; learned the manual before setting off in to the wilderness. The smiley face is hilarious, but when snowflakes and lightbulbs start appearing on the screen it is helpful to know what they really mean.

Read more: SteriPEN Ultra UV Water Purifier review (1)

Featured review by Gorn The Wanderer

The only real choice if you want to remove all the nasty bugs/chemicals from your water source with a single self-contained device.

I’ve had this First Need purifier for nearly a decade and it has served me and my hiking/backpacking buddies well. Most importantly, this is not simply a water filter but a chemical-free purifier. That means you don’t have to use the chemicals other require or the addition of iodine to make water safe to consume. This means it removes a lot of those difficult to spell pathogens that will definitely ruin your trip and possibly leave you sick/ailing long after you get back to civilization.

Read more: First Need Deluxe Water Purifier reviews (13)

Featured review by Sheila Bergin Goss

I purchased this water filtration bottle primarily to take canoeing, for day trips and canoe camping outings. It is small, easy to carry, and can provide clean drinking water in a short period of time. It is really tough to use in the canoe, due to pressure needed, but a quick stop off at shore and I can get clean water quickly. It is also handy to use when hiking, as it fits nicely into backpack bottle pockets.

Packaging as I purchased the bottle in spring of 2018 With the unseasonably warm summer we had, and with numerous canoe camping trips on the agenda, I was looking for a simple, easy to use, and portable water filtration system/product that I could bring canoeing, camping, and hiking. Having potable water in the canoe is essential for both paddlers and dogs, and at remote canoe camping sites, relying on the lake water can be risky. Though we hike in areas with mostly clean waters, it is not wise to depend on luck when utilizing our streams for drinking water.

Read more: Grayl Ultralight reviews (3)