I am in the process of purchasing a water filter for canoe camping use. I have heard good reports about the Steripen system. Have you used this system and what has your experience been? If you were to use one water filter system for a twon week BWCA/Quetico trip what would it be? I do not mind carrying a little more weight if a system is reliable and something that doesn't get pulled up after the first few uses. Most systems I have used in the past work well for awhile and slowly degrade, sometimes during there first week of use. What have you used successfully? Thyank you for your guidance!

I've used a Katadyn Hiker or Hiker Pro for the past 10 years and never really had a problem with one until last year: the palm grip snapped. Thankfully, I always have Super Glue along on a trip and was able to repair it and it worked the rest of the trip just fine. I did replace the handle with an old one I had in storage once I got home. I like the adaptor they include for the wide-mouthed Nalgene bottle and from a water purity perspective, again, never had an issue.

I don't own it personally but was looking towards buying it before I read some of the reviews on REI (https://www.rei.com/product/799003/steripen-adventurer-opti-water-purifier). Seems reliability may be an issue. Based on what I've read, the veterans seem to be much happier with the gravity filters (MSR, Platypus)....that's likely my next purchase.

There have been a lot of threads on water filtration systems over the years here; a search will turn up a lot of information. Most of it will be related to gravity systems, as most people here use one - Sawyer, Platypus, MSR are the major ones. Filters like the Sawyer are field-maintainable by back flushing.

I looked at the Steripen like PatrickE, but decided against it after reading reviews and thinking about. I ultimately bought a Sawyer Squeeze, a Sawyer Water Filter Bottle, and various components to convert for a gravity system. I have been very happy with them. I also have an old MSR gravity system which has served me well for more than 1 or 2 people.

Not a fan of the pens, however I have done some research. Be mindful of the pens that store and contain the contaminants. With that being said, some of these need to be used for a short time and discarded or cleaned out effectively. I believe some of the newest models have a back flush capability. Just do good research.

Jezbo: "Not a fan of the pens, however I have done some research. Be mindful of the pens that store and contain the contaminants. With that being said, some of these need to be used for a short time and discarded or cleaned out effectively. I believe some of the newest models have a back flush capability. Just do good research."

The Steripen uses UV light to kill microbes. There is no containment, backflushing or storage- they work by stirring water in a container with a wand that emits UV light.

I've thought of getting a steripen for use on the move and as a backup to our gravity filter. Or, I could use a sawyer squeeze for on the move and carry two sawyer filters as backups.

One thing about the steripen: do not drop it in water, say by losing your grip while stirring and having it drop in the bottle of water, because that kills it really fast. And especially don't do that on the first day of a 10 day trip meaning that you are now using just one bottle of iodine crystals for the rest of the trip and if you were planning to rely on iodine you would have at least bought more bottles so you could do more water at once. Just saying.

For my first trip I am going to be using the 4L Platypus bags with a Sawyer mini filter. I also bought a Lifestraw for $15 from a website named after river in Brazil. That way I can filter at camp and use dip and drink with confidence on the water.

Whether for two weeks, two days, or two months, I'd stick with my gravity filter. Fast, low effort, high output, no moving parts, no batteries, no worries about dropping it in the water. If it starts to slow down, a quick back flush restores it almost instantly. Here is a very recent thread on gravity filters. For backup I'd just boil water.

I've got a Steripen Classic and have been using it for the last 3 season when it is cold and I have to worry about filters freezing. I have not had any issues with it. Will it fail some day? Sure, but my filters can fail too.

I do own several filters. The most reliable filter I own is a Katadyne Pocket. I've owned it for many, many years and it has never failed me, but I seldom take it out anymore since it requires a fair amount of effort to pump and weighs as much as a small child (ok, I'm exaggerating, but it is heavy). If I'm going to take a filter these days, it's generally a Sawyer Squeeze. I do have a gravity filter too, but haven't used it for a while. Works ok, just never got in the habit of taking it.

Most of the time I just use Aqua Mira. Light weight and works for me. A lot of my trips are solo, though, and weight and small size are very, very important to me. Again, I do take the Steripen in cold weather and have been happy with it. Not an expert on any of this stuff, just reporting on my experiences.

SilentPaddler: "I am in the process of purchasing a water filter for canoe camping use. I have heard good reports about the Steripen system. Have you used this system and what has your experience been? If you were to use one water filter system for a twon week BWCA/Quetico trip what would it be? I do not mind carrying a little more weight if a system is reliable and something that doesn't get pulled up after the first few uses. Most systems I have used in the past work well for awhile and slowly degrade, sometimes during there first week of use. What have you used successfully? Thyank you for your guidance!"

I have a Steripen that I have never used. You can have it if you want it. Email me if interested.

I have a Steripen Adventure and love it. I have a Katadyn base camp pro for camp. For on the go and day trips the pen is great. I keep it with me, with ditch gear. They now make a lid for wide mouth Nalgene bottles with a pre filter. Fill through lid and filter then you slide pen in lid and no worry about dropping it in. Never had an issue with batters on a trip lasting, should do 50 litters on a set

I have a few different options ranging from chemical 'PolarPure", to a pump system purifier "First Need", and 2 different gravity systems.
Looking for opinions/recommendations? I'd recommend a search of this site, common topic with bunches of responses over the years. One very common complaint is about Katadyn clogging issues (never used one myself).

My current choice is a MSR Trailshot I have used over the last year. Small, easy to use on trail or from a canoe, very good flow. Field maintainable via back flushing. I added tubing and bags to use as a gravity system at camp. Now MSR offers a Trail Base built form the Trailshot hand pump.

butthead

IMO any type of passive water filtration system is key, anything you don't need to sit there and pump/shake etc is a time saver. also having a good way to back flush it is paramount in the whole system anytime your are filtering water from a natural source ie lake, river, stream. And now products are so similar that you really cant go wrong.

Katadyn BeFree filter as primary, AquaMira as backup.

indeed correct, I was thinking about life straw type water filters and typed pen.

MSR Hyperflow Gravity Filter system

Everyone has their favorite with respect to a water filter. I've used this one for the past 5 seasons. It works well.

I have only ever used Life Saver USA.
They had some small issues years ago but have totally re-organized and are under new leadership in the USA.
I now have the Liberty:
Life Saver Liberty

My experience with the steri pen is you better have a backup something. Msr gravity using a Sawyer filter, the bigger one. But the mini is all you'd need.

Many years ago (15?), my buddy and I did some extensive research on water filters/purifiers. We looked at all the factors - filtration rates, weight of the unit, ease of use, does a Nalgene bottle attach to the unit, cost compared to others, replacement filters, how fast it fills a 32oz Nalgene... almost any imaginable detail that could make a difference.

At the end, we came to the conclusion that the First Need Purifier was the best product on the market for canoe tripping and backpacking.

First of all, it's a PURIFIER, not just a filter. That means it filters viruses and all the ultra-micro organisms that a filter won't catch. Secondly, it weighs a pound and it packs compactly. Thirdly, it fills a Nalgene in about 45 seconds with dual-pumping action. Fourth, it's back-flushable in the field. Fifth, the cost is a little higher than some of the filters on the market, but not that much more than, for example, the MSR Miniworks. Maybe $10 or so?

There have been changes in products over the past 15 years so it's possible the First Need doesn't have the performance advantage over it's competitors that it once had, but it's a very good product, one that I'd strongly recommend considering.

I just dip from the middle of the lake, but that is the Q.

Jackfish:
At the end, we came to the conclusion that the ... was the best product on the market for canoe tripping and backpacking.

First of all, it's a PURIFIER, not just a filter. That means it filters viruses and all the ultra-micro organisms that a filter won't catch.
"

The Life Saver USA I listed above filters down to 15 Nanometers.
The First Need only filters down to 0.1 Micron. 15 Nanometers = 0.015 Micron.

"LifeSaver water filters meet an adaption of NSF Protocol 231 based on recommendations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). LifeSaver bottles filter bacteria to a minimum of Log 6 (99.9999%), Viruses to a minimum of Log 4 (99.99%) and Cysts to a minimum of Log 3 (99.9%). "

I can literally pump water through mine nearly as fast as I can drink it. 1.2 Liters per minute and with the small filter I get about 500 gallons.
I'll take my Life Saver USA over any filter out there.

Karl, where did you come by the 15 nanometer statement?
"Membrane manufacturers cannot specify an exact uniform pore size across all of their membranes due to variance which occurs in membrane production. It is for this reason that Icon Lifesaver do not quote a specific figure. Icon Lifesaver can guarantee that the membranes used in our products have a spread of pore sizes that ensure Icon Lifesaver meet an adaption of NSF Protocol 231 based on recommendations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Log reduction represents an acceptable range of microbiological pathogen removal, we believe this to be the most accurate and relevant measurement of water filtration effectiveness." from, Icon Lifesaver FAQ's

Not saying the LifeSaver is not good, but the 2 filters use different media to filter, direct pass figures are often considered less important than measured lab bacteria and virus counts. The First Need does have independent lab tests to EPA certifications as the LifeSaver. And has very similar filtering performance,

"% Reduction (geometric average of 3 units)
Bacteria Cysts Virus Polopviurs
type I
Test Point
% of Rated Capacity Klebsiella terrigena Cryptosporidium Rotavirus SA-11
start >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
25% >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
50% >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
48 hr. stagnation NG NG NG
*60% >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
*75% >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
48 hr. stagnation NG NG NG
*90% >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
*100% >99.9999 >99.9 >99.99
*= Worst case challenge water. NG = No Growth"

From, General Ecology website

Both are excellent filters! Biggest differences are in the method of use.

butthead

butthead: "Karl, where did you come by the 15 nanometer statement?
butthead
"

You would have to ask that!!
You can see it here in their info movie and I also have it marked somewhere that seems to be eluding me at the moment.
It's also in their original demo movie of years ago.
15 NM

Watch at 2:45 on this one.
The entire video is awesome.
I still have this filter but recently got the new Liberty model.

Original video

The new Liberty is streamlined and a bit smaller/lighter. I love it and won't live without one. I also very much like the volume of water available.

It's not just about the size of the filter. The First Needs also treats the water to kill any organisms that make it through the filter. More importantly, the flexibility that the First Need gives puts it ahead of Life Saver for the same price in my book.

I agree with Jackfish. Frist Need is the best system for me. It's small, light, easy to pump, and I can drop the intake over the side of the canoe and fill my nalgene without having to stop. Meaning... when I'm thirsty, I can drink within 30-40 seconds, even if my bottle is dry. I don't have to wait for the gravity filter to take half an hour to put some water out that isn't purified. AND I only have to have one bottle out throughout the day, rather than hauling 3 full bottles I might need total over portages from campsite to campsite to stay hydrated if I was using a gravity system. A lot of people are put out by having to spend 30 seconds or less per bottle pumping water, as opposed to whatever they're doing while the gravity filter works. I know the "set it and forget it" concept is appealing, but is time really that scant a commodity in the outdoors? Better in my mind to have safe water. But... if you really must have gravity feed, the First Needs is compatible with a gravity feed system as well.

It costs $99.99 on Amazon. For me, the extra cost is worth the peace of mind.

"You would have to ask that!!"

Sorry Karl, just my way. I will also point out the Liberty version does list log5 in comparison to log4, for filtering capability. Log 4 or 5 in virus elimination is quite an achievement in portable consumer filtration.

Your comments on flow rates also are very close to results I get from First Need (pumped), and Trailshot (gravity feed), at a gallon filtered in 3 minutes. Love a fast filter!

Another good point on the LifeSaver line, is available accessories for the folks who do not like to putz or modify their gear.

butthead

" The First Needs also treats the water to kill any organisms that make it through the filter."

And I'd be remiss if I do not ask BuckFlicks about this source?

As a long time owner I have never heard or noticed such, and I have replaced the filter several times.

butthead

That First Need says - "Particle Retention Rating:0.4 micron" in the technical specs.
I'm still leaning heavily toward the Life Saver. More than double the filtering capacity, as well.

Butthead - I did see that statement you question, too. Curious.
All in all, both of those probably do a good enough job for a B'dub trip.

butthead:

My current choice is a MSR Trailshot I have used over the last year. Small, easy to use on trail or from a canoe, very good flow. Field maintainable via back flushing. I added tubing and bags to use as a gravity system at camp. Now MSR offers a Trail Base built form the Trailshot hand pump.


butthead"

Ken gives good advice, even though it often results in me pulling out my wallet. I read Ken's review of the MSR Trailshot and bought one last year. I used it on my solo last September and was quite pleased! It is so small and light, and a simple backflush away from new again.

I wouldn't recommend it for large groups unless you use the gravity system Trail Base unit. Squeezing the Trailshot for a large group will have you looking like Popeye in no time!

Dave

I have started using a five gallon bucket that I fill up shortly before coming into camp. Hanging it from a tree with a gravity filter. You can buy a shut of valve for a few dollars on amazon or from a local beer brewing supply store that you can fit attach to a 5 gallon bucket. I also carry a sawyer mini which is nice on the go.

This is what I have used...

Aquamura

so far so good..... better than fighting with that Sweetwater pump and filter.

Stuff even makes the water tastes better

dr bob

Purchased a Sawyer gravity system last year and it was a total gamechanger. For $40 all said and done, and the filter allegedly does 100k gallons in its lifespan, more than i will ever use. And in the event it craps out, im out $20-25 for a new one. Compared to my old MSR Ceramic, this thing is a dream. As others have said, just fill it and hang it at camp and let gravity do the work. It comes with a platypus connector so if you just connect it to that itll stop flowing when its full. I backflush once or twice a trip to keep my flowrate up. Takes maybe a minute.
Sawyer Gravity Filter

Atrain: "Purchased a Sawyer gravity system last year and it was a total gamechanger. "

One issue with some filters, and I think the Sawyers fall into this category, is that you can't let them get below freezing, as the ice crystals destroy the filtration medium.

That said, I own a Sawyer Mini too...but it's really, really slow. Replaced with a Katadyn BeFree last year. Going to get their gravity setup this year.

I have been looking at the Katadyn Vario Filter. I like that you can adjust the filter rate and that it screws onto widemouth Nalgene bottles. It also has a hose to pump into other containers. Yes it weighs a pound but it sure looks convenient.

My other choice was to go with 2 lifesaver bottles that have a two stage filter built in. Just scoop up water in the bottle, screw the top/filter straw back on and drink.

$79 for the katadyn and $30 each for the Lifesaver bottles.

Recently purchased a 3L Befree. Have yet to try it outdoors, but it sure worked well on the indoor test run.

Waiting to hear from company if they will sell me a 1L flask without the filter to use when traveling.

Steripen for about four or five years now and still alive. They are really handy on the winter trips.

Bought a Katadyn Pocket soon after the circular plunger top was adopted. Lasts forever, bombproof, silver impregnated ceramic filter, and has never let me down.

It was also a critical component of my massive gear setup, along with a tent that has to be 12-14 lbs, a freighter canoe that was 100+ lbs, etc.

Having been so thoroughly pleased with the Katadyn Pocket, I bought a Sawyer Mini last year, and I liked it, screwed onto the top of a Smartwater bottle. I think I might switch to a gravity feed this year and leave the Katadyn (and probably an extra lb) at home.

I have used a Katydyn hiker for quite a while and still take one along occasionally as a backup. Last couple trips, I have moved more towards some kind of Sawyer mini setup.

Frenchy19: "Recently purchased a 3L Befree. Have yet to try it outdoors, but it sure worked well on the indoor test run.


Waiting to hear from company if they will sell me a 1L flask without the filter to use when traveling."

Company got back to me, and buying just the 1L flask is not an option. They also told me that if there are problems with the flask (e.g. leaks), that I need to contact the company that makes that for them. That, in my opinion, is a crock of garbage.

old platy hydration bladder and a sawyer mini. love it, it weighs next to nothing, no pumping and was really cheap.

Bushman: "I have been looking at the Katadyn Vario Filter. I like that you can adjust the filter rate and that it screws onto widemouth Nalgene bottles. It also has a hose to pump into other containers. Yes it weighs a pound but it sure looks convenient."

I borrowed a Vario for my first trip last August (filtering for myself and my 11 yr. old daughter) and while it worked, I was not impressed. It's finicky. It leaks if the o-rings aren't lubed. It leaks if you pump too fast. When filtering through the ceramic, I found I was cleaning that a couple times a day.

I picked up a MSR Trailbase for this season, hoping to have a better experience.

4L Platypus for camp. Works amazing and easy for at least 6 ppl in my tests.

Katadyn BeFree for filtering on the move. This combination is all we need for everyone in out trip. We use the BeFree and squeeze water in everyone's water bottles when on the move.

Couldnt be more happy with this system.

: "

Bushman: "I have been looking at the Katadyn Vario Filter. I like that you can adjust the filter rate and that it screws onto widemouth Nalgene bottles. It also has a hose to pump into other containers. Yes it weighs a pound but it sure looks convenient."

I borrowed a Vario for my first trip last August (filtering for myself and my 11 yr. old daughter) and while it worked, I was not impressed. It's finicky. It leaks if the o-rings aren't lubed. It leaks if you pump too fast. When filtering through the ceramic, I found I was cleaning that a couple times a day.


I picked up a MSR Trailbase for this season, hoping to have a better experience."

After a few more days of reading reviews I went with two Sawyer minis. Small, easy, lightweight and can be used different ways and affordable enough I got one for my canoe partner in a different color so we each have our own private drinking source and if his breaks he can rent mine! LOL

butthead: "" The First Needs also treats the water to kill any organisms that make it through the filter."


And I'd be remiss if I do not ask BuckFlicks about this source?


As a long time owner I have never heard or noticed such, and I have replaced the filter several times.


butthead"

Butthead - upon reading your message, I took to the google-mobile to find information and I can't find anything to support that... but it was a selling point by the REI employee when I first bought it over 10 years ago. Could be he was misinformed and passed that misinformation on to me. Seems like it was a big deal that not only did it filter, but it treated the water. Now the materials are clear to say that it's a chemical-free purifier. /shrug ... guess ignorance has been bliss for me since 2007.

I have a katadyn pocket and a hiker and looked at the steri pen but opted for a Harry Potter magic wand from eBay instead as it has more practical uses.