You can also attach the filtration unit to bottles with a 63mm wide-mouth; if you don’t already have a bottle this size, you’ll need to buy one, but it is a nifty feature nonetheless. As you saw above, it was made mainly with aluminum. Some other components have been made with plastic.

Katadyn Ceramic filters have a micro porous structure with impregnated silver which delays the growth of bacteria. The pore size of Katadyn ceramic filters is 0.2 micron (0.0002 mm). Bacteria range in size from 0.2 to 5 micron and like protozoa (1 – 15 micron), are efficiently filtered out. Ceramic filters can be mechanically regenerated and the filter capacity is measurable.Simple, If the gap of the measuring gauge fits over the ceramic it is time to replace the filter element! A replacement element, however, is not this simple, regarding price (continue reading), although the performance and 20-year warranty may better ease your mind. We have all probably owned a Nalgene at some point. This Epic Nalgene OG filter bottle by Epic Walter Filters takes the same classic bottle we all enjoy up a few notches by adding the cleverly designed water filter element. Practical, easy to use, and very importantly – this bottle won’t break the bank either. The Sawyer Mini uses the same technology as the first Sawyer Filter system, except in miniature. You can use the filter as a squeeze system to filter water for later, or as a straw by attaching it to the top of most standard sized water bottles. All in all, nothing really to complain about. It's kept me healthy after drinking water that people won't even swim in or let their dogs drink. The weight and value of it is priceless after you take that into consideration. The main filter is a ceramic depth filter with a pore size of 0.2 microns. This keeps out all disease-causing agents that are much larger.

The big downside of Potable Aqua is taste. Neutralizer tablets are available and do a decent job of masking the chemical flavor, and many people add a drink mix to make a tastier concoction. If you’re wondering about the differences between iodine (Potable Aqua) and chlorine dioxide (the Katadyn and Aquamira above), the former is not effective in killing Cryptosporidium, while the latter is categorized by the CDC as having low to moderate effectiveness. Further, the Katadyn and Aquamira don't have as many issues with taste, which is why they land higher spots on our list. Once you start pushing down the handle, the water will be forced to run trough the ceramic filter, removing the potential pollutants discussed above. Okay, we’ve gone through a bunch of great options for water filters, but we had to give you a heads up on one that’s best avoided. Sure, the idea behind the LifeStraw filter is great, but it just doesn’t do what the company has claimed it can do.

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A lifesaving product like this needs to be built to last, and must be able to stand up to the harshest of environments. Hands down the Katadyn Microfilter has got to be the most durable, dependable and well-designed filter that I’ve ever tested. I'm considering cutting the label from this case and employing a lighter case for storage and transport, possibly using a cuben fiber case?

As off the pre-filter, you only need to rinse it with clean water (this has to be done every time you use it). Coffee Filters. The larger coffee filters, 12-cup size, will work best! I carry two filters for every day I expect to be on the trail… i.e., 3 days/6 filters. Water filter pumps will allow you to obtain water from very shallow sources, and filter exactly the amount of water required. They sometimes require a bit of cleaning but are generally very long-lasting in design.This portable water filter is considered as a one stage filtration system, however it also comes with a pre-filter (a strainer at the suction point) to trap particles greater than 130 microns; without this, your ceramic filter will get clog in not time. Thanks to the convenient size, this bottle will also help to greatly reduce your plastic use since you won’t have to rely on buying bottled water. There are several big benefits to chemical filtration. First, you can buy a bottle of chemical filtration solution for a very low price, which then has the capacity to clean large quantities of water. Extremely impressed with this filter. As it is the only one I've used, my opinion is somewhat biased. Water: a transparent, tasteless, odorless liquid!? Hmmm, think again. I, once, with little choice, filtered water from an abandoned cow trough full of the most nauseating putrescence I've ever encountered, the only possible water source available!