Water Treatment Alternatives

“For certain trips, I'm thinking about dropping my PUR purifier and going with Pristine (2.8oz). It's supposed to kill crypto and other nasties besides Giardia. Anyone have experience with it?

What alternatives would you consider?

Pristine

”

“Interesting, I like the 15 min, but the mixing thing seems cumbersome to me.Check out Polar pure.”

“I could never wait!”

“My PUR Hiker weighs in at 13oz.

Why don't y'all cut a lb or two off yer bellies to make up for carrying the enormous weight of a filter...rather than sucking up the chemicals?”

“I've got a PUR (Voyager, I think). It's pretty light and does a quart in no time. Saves weight- you carry less water. Make sure your water bottle has a mouth that fits the filter outlet unless you have 3 hands.”

“Ohhhh!!! The fine print... if the water is cold double the dose and wait 30 mins. Then drink the unfiltered water with dead bugs and other critters still floating around in it. Naw I will stick to my age old PUR Hicker.”

“I put a heavy-duty garbage bag in my external frame pack. Then make sure that the bag is inside the pack so it can take water. Then just fill your pack with water from your hose. If you need water just take a cup and fill it from your Garbage-bag-a-pack.”

“BTW, the idea is that you shouldn't run out of H2o”

“There's fine print? Now, that's disappointing. But then again here's the thing.

I've got a Voyager at 8.whatever ounces, but the thing is bulky. You figure that if you can elimate or reduce bulk in certain areas you can by extension reduce your overall pack weight and size. For instance, even though you have a gear alternative that is less bulky but is a little more weight, add up all items like that up for a smaller pack, or smaller stuff sacks, or smaller containers, then just maybe your ahead with the trade-off. Only, with a smaller pack and less overall weight.

It's all about displacement....And ball-bearings.”

“null”

“null”

“there!! it took this time!! the pristine sounds like a promising system. I think I'll stick with good old iodine myself, 2 drops to the quart, wait a half hour and make sure to splash the cap after 5 or 10 minutes. I use 2 one qt stainless steel canteens, drinking from the left side(older) canteen and using the right side as the "working" one. I'm told it doesn't get everything, but I've had no problems in 30 years, and the taste is easily helped with a pinch of crystal light lemonade or tang in the cup”

“easy solution to treating water. Every morning just boil enough for the day. If you start to run out just treat some with iodine before you need it.”

“The chemical iodine is a good idea. 10 drops and 20 minute later and away you go. That looks tempting.

Iodine doesn't kill cryptosporidium though does it? I'm not sure what the risk is there though.”

“Just send all your water that you drink... between the ball bearings that are in your pack and it will kill cryptosporidium.”

“I have a Pur hiker and it has worked well for me, except for that lil' infection I got while hiking the AT last year, but I can't be sure it was because of the filter.”

“Last winter, I started using Aquamira and had good results. I always hated filters in the winter because they freeze up and in general are just a pain to me. I never liked iodine at all so when Aquamira came on the market last year I had to try it. It's lightweight,can't break, has no bad taste and is relatively cheap. I still use a filter sometimes when it's above freezing and bring Aquamira for a back up. The product works and so far I haven't been sick from bad water when using it. In my opinion, the short wait and counting 7 drops per dropper is easier than pumping and maintaining a filter, especially in extreme cold.”