Does anyone use a water bottle/filter kit? What kind do you have and do you recommend it? I was thinking about buying one.

I don't use any kind of a kit but, rather, use whatever I need to make sure my water is safe. My backpacking activities range from the local desert island mountains to longer trips in the Sierra or the Cascades. Different locales require different systems.

For example, a lot of the water sources in the Arizona mountains can be pretty skanky. I have drawn water from extremes such as rock pools with dead coyotes floating in them to the normally murky and biologically active seeps and springs I rely on when on hikes of more than a few days. On the other hand, water in the Sierra and Cascades is abundant and relatively clean.

For treating water from sources in Arizona, I always rely on a filter with a chlorine dioxide treatment to follow. I use a simple and field cleanable MSR Sweetwater filter to get rid of particles and Micropur tablets to eliminate foul tastes. I use a lightweight pop bottle or Gatorade bottle to collect the water.

For the Sierra and Cascades, I first look at the water source. If it appears to be relatively pristine, I don't treat the water at all. If it is at all questionable, I add Micropur tabs. Again, no special bottle, just a light one.

I am not a fan of the so-called "hydration systems" with a flexible bladder and attendant plumbing. They are heavy and prone to leaks. I just use a recycled water bottle and whatever technology seems appropriate.

You're talking about the filters in a water bottle? I have what I think you are talking about, used it once, too heavy, cumbersome, limited capacity, takes a lot to squeeze the water out and my hands can give me issues after all these years of handling firewood.

I tryed a filter bottle but didn't like the fact it was slow and if had a dry campsite it was a pain in the butt to use to fill a spare bottle. I use a hike pro which I've had no issues with. I don't care for the chemical tastes of drops so I don't use them unless its really nasty water.

I usually boil it if there is any doubt. This has worked for me on some really nasty sources. The highest and best use of water is to make tea, anyway (well maybe beer).

Water treatment, like any gear selection, requires matching the tool to the task. Without knowing about your water conditions it's not easy to make a recommendation. I backpack in the Sierra Nevada and variously filter, use ultraviolet treatment, use chemical treatment, or drink it straight from the source. Which, depends on where I am, the time of year and whether I'm backpacking or day hiking.

Cheers,

Thanks everybody, I'm just trying to figure out what Method I'm going to use on the a/t next month. I was just researching it and came across one of those bottles. I have those aquamira water drops but I'm not sure if I need a filter too. I have no idea on what kind of water im going to come across.

Depending on where you are going on the AT, you might want to check recent rainfall. Springs were less dependable near Roanoke/Cole Mountain when I was up there (for a weekend each) in Fall and over President's day. All of this may have changed with the recent spring storms, but recommend you check rainfall amounts/drought condition.

I always feel very confident using a Katadyn Hiker filter. I've used the same one for ten years now (with new filters of course) and have never gotten sick. I do my best to filter out of streams, but I have filtered out of standing snow melt lakes before when I've had to.

Of course my tolerance might be higher having drank well and spring water my entire life, and I don't know if the A/T is exposed to more contaminants than we are over here in California.

You don't need to both filter and chemically treat water on the AT; overall I found the water there to be quite good, a lot of it coming from springs. Depending on where and when you might find tannins in the water, but that's just a "look" thing, and not a safety issue. The only times I had to get water from a non-flowing source (i.e., a lake) was once or twice in Maine.

If anything, the difficult issue for me was the temptation to not treat at all when getting water from springs. My hiking partner and I often did not; in New York I came down with giardia (or something like it), but for whatever reason he didn't. I have no idea whether I got it from a water source or in town or what, but I would treat the water in some fashion. The Giardia-like (I was never tested) cooties put me off trail for just over two (quite frustrating) weeks.

I also use the Katadyn Hiker when going with groups. It works very well and I have never gotten sick using it.
Solo, I use the Sawyer filter in a bottle. I purchased it at Walmart and transferred the filter and cap to a white Nalgene bottle as it saves weight. You could probably use a Nalgene softside also. I like this set up because I only need to carry one liter most places and can fill up a partially full bottle anytime I cross a stream without having to dig the filter out of my pack or wait for chemicals to work.