Water Filters and Containers

Potable Aqua Iodine Water Purification Tablets remain a popular method of backcountry and international water purification in developing countries, despite the increased availability of alternate purification methods like chlorine-dioxide tablets. Iodine Water Purification – Pros and Cons Using iodine tablets is not for the faint-hearted because they turn clear water …

The MSR Guardian is a first class water purifier that removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, dirt and silt from backcountry and international  water sources. Weighing just 17.3 ounces, the Guardian has a self-cleaning filter which constantly purges itself while you filter water so you never have to backflush or scrub the …

The MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter is a pump-style backcountry water filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from hard to reach water sources. It’s also compatible with wide mouth water bottles and hydration bladders from Nalgene and MSR. If you need additional protection from viruses, try the MSR MiniWorks EX …

Sawyer’s Select Water Filter and Purifier Bottles combine a Sawyer’s 0.1 micron absolute hollow filter membrane filter (same as a Sawyer Mini, just smaller) with a foam purifier to remove contaminants found in fresh water. Labelled S1, S2, and S3, you can purchase different purifier bottles which remove different classes …

The CNOC Vecto 2L Soft Water Container is a roll-up soft bottle that’s compatible with the Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Mini water filters (which 80% of backpackers use). Like the Platypus Big Zip, one side opens up completely, by removing the bottom slide, making it easier to fill from water …

The LifeStraw Water Filter is a 2 oz straw-style water filter that you drink through. While LifeStraw (the company) likes to say that you can use it to drink directly from a stream or pond, that’s an exaggeration. Crouching down like that is uncomfortable at best since the straw is …

Aquatabs are chemical water purification tablets that help neutralize viruses, bacteria, and Giardia cysts in backcountry water sources. The active ingredient is a form of chlorine which will purify clear, non-turbid water in 30-40 minutes. While you can use them on their own in certain circumstances, they’re best used in …

I’ve been using Platypus Platy Water Bottles since 2009 for bulk water storage, filtration, and purification because they’re so reliable and durable.  I use a 2L Platy Bottle on almost every day hike or backpacking trip I take, so it gets a lot of use and abuse, and comes back …

The Katadyn BeFree Water Filter System is a fast flowing water filter that’s bundled with a wide-mouth soft bottle. It’s designed to filter backcountry water sources and removes protozoa and bacteria that can make you sick. The BeFree competes head-to-head with several similar filter systems, including the Sawyer Squeeze, The …

The Sawyer Gravity System (1 Gallon) is a group-sized backcountry water filter kit good for basecamp and group use. Costing $40, it comes with a 1 gallon water reservoir, hose, Sawyer mini water filter, caps and adapters, and a syringe for cleaning the filter if it starts to clog up. …

The Lifestraw Flex is a screw-on style backcountry water filter that is compatible with a wide range of soda-sized water bottles and reservoirs. While it comes with its own 22 oz soft-bottle, you can also screw it onto standard-sized soda bottles, Platypus or Evernew reservoirs, integrate it into a hose-based …

The Sawyer Squeeze Point One and Sawyer Mini Water Filters are the most popular water treatment and purification systems used by backpackers today (approximately 40% use them according to a recent survey). The Sawyer Squeeze Water Treatment System (which includes 2 x 32 oz. water reservoirs, a cleaning syringe, etc.) …

When the weather gets cold and temperatures drop below freezing at night, I like to switch from using a water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze or the Katadyn BeFREE (3L) which break if frozen (even a bit) to the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Water Purifier. It works in freezing temperatures, as …

The Katadyn BeFree Water Filter is now available with three different soft bottles capacities: 0.6L (20 oz.), 1.0L (33.8 oz.), and the latest, a 3.0L (101 oz.) bottle. I think the 3.0L size is perfect for backpacking because it can be used to haul additional water for camping or to …