Water Filtration and Purification for Backpacking

[vaneztax]

Great idea, is steripen that good? What do you think of Sawyer filter? Thanks

[upupaepops]

@vaneztax The Steripen products are superb. Easy to use, and fast. They are still my "go to" item for treating water that is mostly to completely clear of sediment, etc. The Sawyer products have a great reputation, and hollow fiber membrane technology is certainly the "new" generation of filtration. Sawyer is also known for their value as relatively inexpensive products, and they now have version that will filter out viruses, as well as the other common bacteria.

[robcat007]

This is one of the BEST YouTube videos I've ever seen.  So informative, thorough, and concise. Thanks a bunch!

[upupaepops]

@robcat007  Many thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[blueshoestoo]

LifeStraw weighs 2 oz, costs $20, filters bacteria and protozoa (like giardia) to EPA standards for water filtration. It uses a micro filter (NOT iodine or chlorine). Its finally available in North America through greenbeetlegear on the web.

[upupaepops]

@blueshoestoo Lifestraws are good, inexpensive filters, if you're not worried about viruses. The only downside I'd give Lifestraw is that they are only good for drinking, by which I mean that it relies on the drinker sucking the water through it. It can't be used for filling a water containter. So I put Lifestraws in the "emergency" water filter category, since they're not really practicle for the primary filter needs for backpacking.

[blueshoestoo]

@upupaepops true, but in North America, unless you are drinking water contaminated with human excrement , viruses are not a concern. I think the LifeStraw is extremely practical, they only weigh 2 oz, and you fill your water container with unfiltered water if you have to, drink out of it with your straw. They filter 1000 liters!

[upupaepops]

@blueshoestoo I agree on the likeliness of virus contamination being pretty low. And you're right, you can fill your water bottles and then use the Lifestraw when drinking. The only downfall is if you need filtered water for anything else, like cooking, or for other drinking needs like coffee. That's where filters that can at least accomodate a gravity flow come out ahead. But if all you need is drinking filtration, the LifeStraw is a super affordable alternative.

[blueshoestoo]

@upupaepops well thats true, i didnt think about that, i suppose youd have to filter that water for particles then boil it. thats a great point, it would be much more expedient to just pump filter that water first.

[upupaepops]

@blueshoestoo Lifestraw has such a great and inexpensive technology, it would be cool if it could be adapted to a gravity type system, like filling a water bladder and then letting it filter through the Lifestraw and drain into a water bottle. Same concept as a Sawyer system, but less than half the price. I may pick one up and experiment.

[blueshoestoo]

@upupaepops @upupaepops LifeStraw has just such a set-up, called the LifeStraw Family (so it appears on their website) but i cant find it for sale in the United States. I can only find the pocket water filter at one place called greenbeetlegear on the web.

[upupaepops]

@blueshoestoo Thanks for the info! Actually, this answers my question, which is whether or not the Lifestraw will pass water just from a gravity feed, and it appears that it will! So, all you really need is just the most basic "hiking" lifestraw, and a water bladder. Fill the bladder, hang it up, and let it gravity filter through the Lifestraw directly into a water bottle. Same setup as the Sawyer, but much less expensive! I'm going to pick one up and try it out. Thanks again!

[nubespubes]

I believe Sawyer makes a filter that claims to remove viruses down to 0.1 micron but the FisrtNeed XL has been around a long time and if something aint broke, dont fix it!

[nubespubes]

Unless it removes viruses whats the point??? Viruse can be much smaller than 0.3 microns which is about what the best filters go down to...A true water purifyer needs to remove viruses and as far as I know their is only ONE on the market that is backed up by the EPA to remove bacteria, protozoa and virues down to 0.2 microns WITHOUT the use of chemicals and thats the FirtsNeed XL...Nothing MSR makes will remove viruses....

[upupaepops]

@nubespubes You make a good point, as we tend to worry more about viruses these days. But the reality is that the main concern is Hepatitus, which comes from raw human sewage, which, generally, is not a problem in the more back country areas. But, to be safe, that's why I carry the Steripen. I do like the First Need, and it's a good filter, but heavy. And many times the water is more than clear enough that I don't need the filter, I just hit it with the Steripen and it's all good.

[blueshoestoo]

Viral pathogens in water come from humans (you would have to be drinking form a sewage contaminated water source to expose yourself to disease causing virus). ALSO, The LifeStraw for instance filters down to 0.2 microns, but it does not claim efficacy in filtering viruses because viruses can be as small as 0.01 microns. What lab tested the FirstNeed XL for viral filtration?

[3318ryan]

Can you use the pens for bladders that are more then a litter?

[upupaepops]

@3318ryan Great question. Steripen says that it won't work with a hydration bladder. I think the issue is getting the water to circulate during the sterilization. In a water bottle, you are swirling the pen to circulate the water in order to get all the water to pass close enough to the light to get treated. I can see how that would be difficult with a bladder, especially a large one. Even though I could stick the pen in a bladder, I'd be concerned that not all the water was treated.

[upupaepops]

@upupaepops Ok...more info. Your question really got me wondering. Turns out there was a lab test done with a 3 liter bladder for military operations. I can't post links here, but if you do a google search for "steripen hydration bladder" one of the top hits is a link to the Steripen website to a PDF file with the test, along with pictures. You are looking for file: a_lbladderp248revised9408.pdf The results were very good.

[afterthefox7]

i carry the same exact system, very good video

[upupaepops]

@82wowee Also, on a side note, I did just see that Sawyer offers it in a 0.02 micron model, the SP135, which does biologicals AND viruses! But it's twice as much as the 0.10 micron version.

[upupaepops]

@82wowee I would love to get your feedback on the Sawyer after you've had it on the trail. I'm really interested in it. I've been looking at the MSR Hyperflow, which also uses the hollow fiber technology, but in a pump style setup. But the size, weight and flow of the Sawyer is extremely attractive. Thanks!

[upupaepops]

@82wowee Interesting. I get about 24-30 liters on a set of standard alkalines. I've not had a lot of luck with rechargeables. They rate rechargeables about the same as alkalines, but I've not seen it. Still, if you ony got 7 liters, I'd say your rechargeables had an issue. Those Sawyer's are really nice, and use the new hollow fiber technology, and still flow about 1 liter a minute. The only thing you'd have to worry about is virus. But depending on your area that may not be a worry

[schlin444]

Hi!

I´ve also got a question...

I have got to use the miniworks pump at school, to filtrate the water, but i've only got a manual in German (i'm Dutch myself), so it's a bit hard for me to understand.. Maybe you can help me how i can use it?

Thanks for posting the video!

[upupaepops]

@schlin444 I can't post a link here, so I sent you a seperate message to your YouTube address. Basically it gives you the link on their website to download the manual in any language, as well as the schematic. Thanks for watching!

[FatDaddy4Fun]

Well done. I do have a couple of questions, however...

I understand that one of these Steri-pens actually has a solar recharger...any thoughts? And just how many uses does one get out of the water filtration system? Do most of the leading brands have the carbon system to rid the bad taste and color? Thanks for the help. I will be purchasing a complete package soon. This video has been very helpful. ~Wolf

[upupaepops]

@FatDaddy4Fun Yes, the Steripen Opti has a solar charging case, but it takes a long, long, long time to recharge. From their website "Solar panel recharges 1 double-cell battery in 2 - 5 days, depending on solar conditions". So it just really isn't practical.  Ditch the solar recharger and you can carry 3x the batteries. On the carbon filters, it used to be just MSR who had it, but I've now also seen at least Katadyn in their Hiker Pro has it as well.

[FatDaddy4Fun]

@upupaepops Thanks again : )

[upupaepops]

@FatDaddy4Fun No problem. Also, per your question about how many uses does one get out of a cartridge, MSR estimates approximately 2000 liters (a little over 500 gallons), but I'd say it depends on how dirty the water is and how often you have to clean it. But that's a good approximation.

[RepublicofNick]

Thanks man supper helpful :)

[upupaepops]

@RepublicofNick you're very welcome, and thanks for watching!

[PG0982]

Hi!

Does the carbon filter in the MSR filters out chemicals or metals like lead?

Cheers from Hungary! Great video 5/5 :-)

[upupaepops]

@PG0982 It does filter out chemicals, but MSR does note that you should not rely on it to filter heavy metals, such as lead. Thanks!