Aquamira bottle and chemicals review

[sierraDoug]

This is a very informal review. Tried out Aquamira's filter bottle. It's actually a Nalgene bicycle bottle with a slide in filter. It was wonderful to just fill it at a stream or lake and walk away, drinking when I got thirsty. There was enough water around to carry only the 24 oz. that it holds, instead of a quart or two I used to when bothering to get out the filter pump. Less squatting at creekside too. The one thing you have to get used to is sucking to get the water through the filter while also squeezing the bottle. This bottle's plastic doesn't taste plasticy at all, which is weird since it's the same type used in other bicycle bottles. I like.

I only bothered to use my new Aquamira chemicals at dinner time when cooking. They are easy to use and the water tastes unflavored.

I give two thumbs up, one for each product.

[capoken]

When I hike solo I use a filter bottle just like AM. However I use it like a filter to fill my platypus if I don't see a stream on the map for a while. It takes longer than a filter but at 5 oz for the bottle and 11 oz for the filter I feel it is worth it. I also love being able to just dunk and go.

[jackiebolen]

That's good that the filter works but I don't understand why you'd carry chemicals as well, especially when using them for cooking because you're probably boiling your water. Maybe I'm missing something.

[gumby]

That's good that the filter works but I don't understand why you'd carry chemicals as well, especially when using them for cooking because you're probably boiling your water. Maybe I'm missing something.
In order to properly disinfect water you have to have it at a rolling boil for 15 minutes. I don't think that is possible on the trail seeing that conservation of fuel is paramount.

I'm going to try a homemade filter adapter of opt for a filter bottle as mentioned above.

Lone Wolf

[Dances with Mice]

In order to properly disinfect water you have to have it at a rolling boil for 15 minutes.http://www.cdc.gov/travel/water_treatment.htm

[pacwise]

Thanks for the post. I am going hiking again October 1st, from Pine Grove Furnace State Park in PA to Harpers Ferry. I am going to try aquamira
chemicals along with my mini works water filter.

[sierraDoug]

This place is great. I've been thinking I'd stop treating water I'd be boiling for dinner 'cause people have said boiling is good enough. Now that CDC link (above) makes it clear just reaching the boiling point (at altitude even) is NOT enough to disinfect water.

So I'll keep using the Aquamira chemicals when in doubt of water I'll be "cooking" with, since I don't plan on boiling for 3 minutes and waiting for it to cool.

As for using the filter bottle to filter a bunch of water... too slow and tedious for me. It just trickles out. The chemicals are easier/lazier.

Thanks for all the great ideas and info.

[MDSHiker]

I've been using the Aquamira bottle and filter for about 5yrs now. I only use it when I'll need water for myself. If I hike with my kids then I'll bring along a pump filter.

I love the dang thing. I always carry an extra filter in case the other gets clogged. If it starts coming out of the bottle too slow then I switch filters. One time I sent a new filter back to the store because it was almost clogged. A good filter will let more water through than just a trickle. I also fill my other bottles/water bag with it.

The only time it's been a pain in the tail is when you can't find a good water source to "dip" out of. When that happens, it's time to get out a cup to scoop with. That's only happened on rare occasions so I don't worry about it.

I recommend the bottle filters if that's what you need for the situation you're in.

[sierraDoug]

I've been using the Aquamira bottle and filter for about 5yrs now. I only use it when I'll need water for myself. If I hike with my kids then I'll bring along a pump filter.

I love the dang thing. I always carry an extra filter in case the other gets clogged. If it starts coming out of the bottle too slow then I switch filters. One time I sent a new filter back to the store because it was almost clogged. A good filter will let more water through than just a trickle. I also fill my other bottles/water bag with it.

The only time it's been a pain in the tail is when you can't find a good water source to "dip" out of. When that happens, it's time to get out a cup to scoop with. That's only happened on rare occasions so I don't worry about it.

I recommend the bottle filters if that's what you need for the situation you're in.
How do you know when the filter needs replacing? When the water comes out much slower? I have to sqeeze the bottle with two hands while also sucking to get a decent flow. Is that the sign of a clogged (new, in this case) filter?

Thanks.

[MDSHiker]

From my experience, when the filter is hard to squeeze water through, then it's time for a new filter. If the filter is new and hard to squeeze water through, then you've got yourself a defective filter. Just my opinion. I've had many filters that were not hard to squeeze water through.

[gumby]

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/water_treatment.htm
I was going by what we have been told by local public health after a little inconvenience we call a hurricane. They say 15 minutes, I know 1 minute will probably work, but in order to attempt to kill cysts (the big G) it takes longer.

If you ask FEMA they will get back to you after they have sat on it for a few weeks.

All in all boiling is ok but probably still not feasible for the amount you'd have to boil daily.

l8r

[Traction]

you guys don't seriously filter your water do you? It's just water, what could it possibly do to you? I can't see carrying the weight of a filter or of chemicals for something that is so good for you. Be a real man (or woman) and lap that beautiful flowing crystal clear refreshment right up out of that spring, or stream, or river.. or pond.. There's no need to filter that stuff.. if you're a real hiker.. your body will take care of it. Now shed 6oz from your pack and lift your chin high as you walk back onto the trail free of filters and chemicals and self reliant and confident of your capabilites as a free person.. no longer bound by those chains you call Aquamira or MSR..

Seriously though.. I did the trail without purifying my water.. then again, I might be crazy. But I'll tell ya it sure was nice not carrying the weight of a filter or chemicals on my back, haha. Most of the time I was able to get my water from a spring or a halfway decent stream.. except for that time when I drank out of a beaver pond.. uh oh. Never got sick though, but I've had the runs since I summited Katahdin (over 2 months now).. I wonder if not purifying my water has anything to do with that :datz

[bulldog49]

I was out this weekend and used the Katadyn Extreme squeeze bottle filter for the first time. It worked much better than I thought it would. I carried some extra water in a Platy, but there is no need to filter it before hand. When my filter bottle was empty I just poured from the Platy to the filter bottle.

Also, I never filter the water that I use for cooking. I let it boil for about 30 seconds and have never had a problem.

[Big Dawg]

you guys don't seriously filter your water do you? It's just water, what could it possibly do to you?

if you're a real hiker.. your body will take care of it.


Never got sick though, but I've had the runs since I summited Katahdin (over 2 months now).. I wonder if not purifying my water has anything to do with that :datz

More power to ya Traction!! I'll stick w/ the light weight option of Aqua Mira,, just to make sure. At 1.1oz, it's worth it to me.

[HikeLite]

Traction, did you even boil water for dinner? If you did, then you purified your water for the most part.

[Traction]

haha, I heated my water anyway.. I don't know if i would call it boiling.. that would mean i'd have to carry more alcohol.. and we all know that means more weight. :banana ..So then, I guess you could say that my dinners were purified more than anything else..but not really.

It was really quite convenient to just reach down and scoop that stuff up and enjoy its cold refreshing taste right then without having to wait for chemicals to take effect.. or having to pump some sort of crazy little contraption... that would involve either: a.) brainpower to work the chemicals (i'm kidding) or b.) upperbody strength to work the water pump.. and whew, we don't do upperbody strength (although i suppose you could work it with your legs..).. so for me, filtering my water wasn't even an option..

On a serious note though.. most of the time I was able to get my water from a pretty dizamn decent water source .. ie: nice cold spring.. the toughest place to find good water was massachusettes i'd say.. where of course, i still didn't purify :dance

so, if you're thinkin' about throwing out that katadyn or that aquamira bs .. do it.. just carry a little extra toilet paper.. (or, be like me and pick extra leaves :D )