Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#147479 - 03/07/11 06:31 PM water filter question
skysail Offline
member

Registered: 01/30/11
Posts: 17
Loc: chicago
hey hows it going. i had two questions about water filters. whats a good/safe way to filter water when traveling abroad? i was thinking about buying a pump filter but im not sure which one.

the other question is what method do you use to clean water when using only chemicals. should i just use a coffee filter at the top of a bottle and put it in the water source? and how about for really dirty sources?

Top
#147481 - 03/07/11 07:12 PM Re: water filter question [Re: skysail]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
When traveling abroad, I would use a purifier instead of a filter. Either chemicals or a First Need. Reason being, when abroad I would have more concern about viruses in addition to bacteria or protozoa. The backcountry sources I usually tap into are primarily going to carry more risk for the latter issues than for viruses. For urban use, I would consider a Steri Pen - ultraviolet light would do the job and you could easily get batteries for it or replace the unit should you have to.

Coffee filters or a bandanna will strain out large particles like leaf matter. If by 'really dirty' you mean full of silt - you may want to look at adding a flocculant to the kit. Some contaminants can be settled out of water if you have that kind of time. A flocculant can speed up the process.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#147485 - 03/07/11 08:32 PM Re: water filter question [Re: lori]
skysail Offline
member

Registered: 01/30/11
Posts: 17
Loc: chicago
ok I think im just gonna stick to the chemical method, I bought aquamira. The steripen is a good idea, I will prolly invest in that sometime soon since I am abroad a lot instead of the pump. It cost about the same anyway. The thing I like about the pump though is that it cleans the water really well.

Top
#147490 - 03/07/11 09:53 PM Re: water filter question [Re: skysail]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
If you do prefer the pump, look at the First Need. It's a purifier but it does so by pumping water through like most filters.

Also look at Sawyer filters and purifiers online - there are purifiers in their lineup that attach to faucets or function as a gravity filter.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#147506 - 03/08/11 09:55 AM Re: water filter question [Re: skysail]
dragoro Offline
member

Registered: 03/23/10
Posts: 15
Loc: Michigan
I use polar pure.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
2 registered (), 174 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum