katadyn filters good for all purification in the backcountry?

[addicted2hunting]

I am looking at picking up a new filter that will do it all. I want to be able to filter and drink. I was looking at katadyn and like how well they filter. does it get all of the dangerous stuff out like bacteria viruses and such? also which one would you guys recommend?

[Bob33]

A filter will not remove viruses, but that is a low risk.

[7mag.]

I prefer the Sawyer Squeeze Filter. Very light weight and compact. Katadyn makes good filters too, I have a Ktadyn Base Camp that works great when staying in one camp for several days or a week.

[jackelope]

I've got the katadyn hiker pro or something like that. Have used it numerous times. I think any of the better filters say they get 99.9% of what is filterable. Just depends on the style or construction you prefer.

[addicted2hunting]

yeah I was thinking the viruses wouldn't be filtered. It is still unlikely to get sick out there I imagine as most places out in the mountains don't have livestock that would cause there to be a danger? probably a good idea to just throw a chlorine tab in the water just in case right?

[7mag.]

yeah I was thinking the viruses wouldn't be filtered. It is still unlikely to get sick out there I imagine as most places out in the mountains don't have livestock that would cause there to be a danger? probably a good idea to just throw a chlorine tab in the water just in case right?

No, filter it or treat it correctly. You don't want to get sick. I used to drink untreated water in the back country, until I got stomach cramps and the runs about 6 miles from the trail head. It could have been much worse, but it was bad enough to teach me a lesson. Now I take a filter and Aquamira drops for backup.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is only $50, it's worth it.

[JLS]

yeah I was thinking the viruses wouldn't be filtered. It is still unlikely to get sick out there I imagine as most places out in the mountains don't have livestock that would cause there to be a danger? probably a good idea to just throw a chlorine tab in the water just in case right?

No, filter it or treat it correctly. You don't want to get sick. I used to drink untreated water in the back country, until I got stomach cramps and the runs about 6 miles from the trail head. It could have been much worse, but it was bad enough to teach me a lesson. Now I take a filter and Aquamira drops for backup.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is only $50, it's worth it.

 

A lot of folks think they have developed an immunity to the critters present in water sources. 

When you do get giardia or cryptosporidium, you'll wish you treated or filtered your water.  I know I did.

[JLS]

yeah I was thinking the viruses wouldn't be filtered. It is still unlikely to get sick out there I imagine as most places out in the mountains don't have livestock that would cause there to be a danger? probably a good idea to just throw a chlorine tab in the water just in case right?

Your danger isn't so much livestock, although they do spread parasites.  Humans and dogs are one of the biggest culprits in spreading water borne diseases.

[Ridge Hunter]

I have the katadyn hiker pro, have not had any problems with it. I liked it enough to buy a second one for a back up for long trips or when separate from my other half for the day in the high country

[Bob33]

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-backcountry.html

[fillthefreezer]

ive been running the gamut on filters lately. first was msr waterworks. fine filter but heavy and took forever, found i hated pumping..
next was katadyn basecamp, sweet! no pumping, take care of other chores while filtering water. turns out its much slower than advertised and once the filter element gets wet, its much heavier than advertised.
next, sawyer inline. i really like this setup. spent some 40 days with it last year. even day hunting it is so small i have it with me. i installed quick connect fittings in the drinktubes on all my bladders (platy big zip 2 and 3L and msr dromlite 4L). the gives me the ability to use any of the bladders w/o the filter to start with clean water. then when i run out, just dip it in a creek, and pop the filter inline and keep going. or you can dip one bladder, pop filter between the 2 drink hoses and gravity filter.
that said, this year, my partner and i are also picking up a hiker pro (for an area we are going to hunt, you pretty much have to get water from a wallow). we need a field servicable filter as the water is dark...
and a steripen, as we are going into an area where water is abundant, theres no need to carry more than a gatorade bottle full. clear and flowing.

my thoughts on water treatment is, make it easy enough that theres no reason not to.
sorry for the longwinded..

[Slimdog350]

I also have the katadyn hiker pro. It stores nice and small and is great if the water is nasty or even remotely questionable. A while back I was in bobs sporting goods killing time and came across a straw type filter that you could put on a water bottle. It was $25 and I bought it for my Idaho elk hunt and outfitted it for my water bladder and it works great! I don't hunt in areas with stagnant water so it worked great to dip my bladder in the stream and have the straw filter do it's thing. It came with some replaceable filters and it filters giardia and such. I will try and find a link.

[Capt. Rob]

They call it "Beaver Fever" for a reason.

[Bob33]

I also have the katadyn hiker pro. It stores nice and small and is great if the water is nasty or even remotely questionable. A while back I was in bobs sporting goods killing time and came across a straw type filter that you could put on a water bottle. It was $25 and I bought it for my Idaho elk hunt and outfitted it for my water bladder and it works great! I don't hunt in areas with stagnant water so it worked great to dip my bladder in the stream and have the straw filter do it's thing. It came with some replaceable filters and it filters giardia and such. I will try and find a link.

Lifestraw.

http://www.vestergaard.com/our-products/lifestraw

[jasnt]

Love my katadyn hiker! Lightweight and works great. Can pump straight in my bladder

[addicted2hunting]

so I should be good with a good filter? then just drink from there? or filter then treat the water?

[JLS]

so I should be good with a good filter? then just drink from there? or filter then treat the water?

A good filter will do the job, no need to treat also.

[casey58]

I have used the hiker pro for the last two years with no problems.

[beave]

i love the katadyn base camp ,  just fill it up and hang from a tree. it is gravity fed so it filters while you are doing other things. Great for a large camp

[addicted2hunting]

ok excellent! thanks for the input fellas! upgrading for elk so the filter is first! haha