Water Treatment

Recent Water Treatment Product Reviews

Grayl Ultralight

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… Full review

Katadyn BeFree 3.0L

I wanted a filtration system that was easier to use than the Sawyer. I found it. This system is super fast and easy. I used it on a weekend backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail and could not be more pleased with it. While the filter doesn't filter as much water as the Sawyer (you can filter about 1,000 liters before you need to replace the filter), the trade out is there is no backflushing necessary and it's much faster to fill the reservoir because the opening is bigger than the Sawyer (43… Full review

MSR SweetWater Siltstopper

Adds a pre-filter to virtually any water filtration system. I have an MSR Miniworks EX, and I use the Siltstopper on the intake hose for extra efficiency. It provides a much longer run time between cleanings for the main filter itself. Without the MSR Siltstopper, I would have to tear down and scrub the MiniWorks cartridge about every 3-5 Litres, but with the SiltStopper prefilter, I can go practically a week before needing to scrub the main filter cartridge. Less scrubbing on the main filter means… Full review

Renogy Portable Outdoor Water Filter

It is a functional pump that works, but isn't all the easy to use, especially by yourself. There are better filters out there...I'd recommend Sawyer. It is a functional pump that works, but isn't all the easy to use, especially by yourself. I found that having at least one person to assist by holding the clean water bottle and to make sure the water inlet hose stays in place. It went even better with three people. Unfortunately for me, this isn't great. Overall, a functional filter that works as… Full review

LifeStraw Mission Gravity Water Purifier

The gravity filter allows you to do other things during filtration, instead of pumping. No need to stand by the river to filter. You can carry the water back to camp. I agree with other reviewer about potential cross contamination during storage. Thanks to the other reviewer for the review, very detailed indeed and very accurate.  I used the filter for a two-month bike trip in Namibia and  Zambia, almost exclusively in clear water sources. I agree with your concerns about cross contamination during… Full review

Renogy Portable Outdoor Water Filter

Easy to use, compact filter. As a member of another website, I occasionally receive free gear to demo in the field while camping in exchange for a review. Hiking the Grand Teton was the perfect opportunity to put the Renogy Tactical Water Microfilter to the test. This trek was taxing and I consumed a lot of water to keep hydrated. The Renogy water filter is compact and super easy to put together and use quickly. There is a silicon tube that attached to each end of the device. There is a float… Full review

SteriPEN Journey LCD

I have owned the Steripen Adventurer for about a decade, and it has performed very very well, with good battery life. With the Journey LCD, I had the same battery probs described by the other reviewers. My conclusion is that the Journey somehow drains batteries when not in use. I had a headlamp like that—it's now in the landfill. By flipping one battery when not in use (so it couldn't make a circuit), I seemed to get a little more life out of it. I do like the LCD display, but I am back to using… Full review

Katadyn Pocket

This baby is durable. Easy to maintain. I've had this filter since 1987 or 1988 and it is still going like a champ. Mostly I backpack in the western Sierras and have done Glacier National Park. Not once have I gotten ill and this filter is still going strong. Mine is the older model with the white plastic casing and I expect it to last until I can't lift a backpack. It is a little heavy for a filter, but when I purchased it, I wanted a filter that would last. Even the original O-rings that came… Full review

Katadyn BeFree 0.6L

Instant water filtering—but be gentle! The filter itself is a great piece of gear. Yes, the flow will be reduced as it gets used, but I can overlook that shortcoming due to the convenience of simply squishing the flask for a drink of clean water. What is not acceptable is that my first trip out the flask developed a pinhole leak at a seemingly random location—not on a seam nor corner. Thankfully, it didn't affect my ability to use it. I just learned where the leak was and put my thumb over it. Full review