Filtered water bottles

[Al Bundy]

Does anyone here use those water bottles with the filters inside? It seems like it would be easier to use than boiling or using tablets. Bi-Mart has one for $20 and I was going to pick up a couple, but wasn't sure if I should trust them.

Do they work?

[tonymoe]

I use a Katadyn and have never had a problem with it. The one I use is the green 32oz. squeeze bottle ($45). I think the one your talking about, is the clear/white little one? depending on my hike or hunt I will carry either a filter bottle or pills. I am leaning towards the pills more often. I feel they are just easier for what I do.

[ihunt]

I have 2 katadyn filter bottles they work great never had a problem with them been using them for 3 years now.

[ICEMAN]

I have hiked with them often, and carry one (aquamira) when hunting. You need to pay special attention to water on the outside of the bottle getting on the mouthpiece. Simple care when filling and you will be good to go...

For multi person trips, I use a hand pump/filiter. For just me, I use the squeeze bottle...

[clindsayrun]

In addition to the filter bottle I carry a steri pen as well. When I'm in areas that I trust the H2O I only carry the steri pen. The steri pen kills all the protozoa and stuff, then I let the filter rinse it all clear.

[BLKBEARKLR]

I am trying the steri-pen this year, have carried the filtered bottle for 5 years now, never had an issue, only problem is every year wether I use it for 1 gallon or 100 gallons I always replace the filter and at 30.00 a pop gets expensive...

[Al Bundy]

In addition to the filter bottle I carry a steri pen as well. When I'm in areas that I trust the H2O I only carry the steri pen. The steri pen kills all the protozoa and stuff, then I let the filter rinse it all clear.

That's the little UV light right? I was checking them out but I wondered how sturdy they were.

[clindsayrun]

No problem with my steri-pen yet. It comes with a little plastic cover for the "blub."  We used it on some rather questionable water out in Horseshoe basin in the pasayten wilderness and no one got sick. I even carry it in my day pack at work now. It's far better than carrying my full on filter pump.

I'll tell you what though, the first few times I used that steri-pen I cycled it through the water like three times. I trust the science behind it, but there's still that element of "miracle cure snake-oil" to it.

If it wasn't for the fact that all those aid groups in Africa (and you know the water is bad out there) are using it, I don't know that I ever would have tried it.

[7mag.]

I prefer the little Katydan pump. If you drill a hole in a standard water bottle lid, you can use that lid for filling all your bottles. That way, you are not paying for and carrying around those water bottles with the filter taking up half of the room inside. And when you want a drink, it is just drinking out of a bottle, not the slow flow from the filtered bottles. I use the 16.9 oz throw away bottles. Very cheap and you can replace them as often as you like. I like this method because I don't have to stop as often to fill my bottle. I learned it from David Long's book "Public Land Muley's", great read.

[Intruder]

They work.  Check the specs on the filter and make sure you are buying adequate filtration for the buggies and critters you're trying to avoid.  A few $ more can be worth it sometimes.  It also helps to carry a small piece of clothe to strain the water through first to get the bigger *censored* out so it keeps the filter cleaner.   

[klickman]

I use a Katadyn and have never had a problem with it. The one I use is the green 32oz. squeeze bottle ($45). I think the one your talking about, is the clear/white little one? depending on my hike or hunt I will carry either a filter bottle or pills. I am leaning towards the pills more often. I feel they are just easier for what I do.

Katadyn is awesome.  I use mine fishing but whenever I am backpacking I use the tablets

Klickman