View Full Version : Polar Pure vs. Aqua Mira
I was looking on Campmor's website and a bottle of polar pure is 11.99 and purifies 2000 quarts. Aqua Mira is 10.99 and purifires 30 gallons. Unless my math is wrong, which is a possibility, it looks like a bottle of polar pure would last the entire trail whereas you would need Aqua Mira at least every thirty days. Is this correct? And if so, how do they compare to each other? Are they both good quality?
Footslogger
01-22-2008, 16:52
I was looking on Campmor's website and a bottle of polar pure is 11.99 and purifies 2000 quarts. Aqua Mira is 10.99 and purifires 30 gallons. Unless my math is wrong, which is a possibility, it looks like a bottle of polar pure would last the entire trail whereas you would need Aqua Mira at least every thirty days. Is this correct? And if so, how do they compare to each other? Are they both good quality?
====================================
Your math is correct. It's about preference for iodine based versus chlorine dioxide based water treatment. You'd be best to read about the science behind them both and choose the one you feel most conifident with.
One thing is that with PolarPure you have to remember to keep adding water to the bottle. Back when I used PolarPure that was one of SNAFU's that always came back to bite me in the butt.
I've used them both and locked in on Aqua Mira ...
'Slogger
Jack Tarlin
01-22-2008, 16:52
I believe that their permormance in the field is very similar.
I've used Polar Pure for years and have saved hundreds of dollars in the process.
One caveat.....try and get a little drawstring cloth bag to carry your Polar Pure in, as it comes in a glass bottle, and sooner or later, you will drop it somewhere.
But one bottle will indeed more than last for an entire thru-hike.
envirodiver
01-22-2008, 16:55
I've used the Polar Pure and never did I get sick. It is light, easy to use. You can half the recommended dosage and double the time, which helps with the taste.
But, I prefer the taste of chlorine to that of iodine.
I'm a little out-of-date on iodine from not using it, but it seems that I heard something about it not being as effective against the protozoan cysts.
As far as taste goes, did I read somewhere that powdered vitamin C will neutralize the taste?
As far as taste goes, did I read somewhere that powdered vitamin C will neutralize the taste?
Yes, but don't add it until after the wait time. Otherwise it will also neutralize the effect of treatment.
Both Polar Pure and Aqua Mira are chemical treatments. So, both require a wait time to work.
Polar Pure was issued at Philmont Scout Ranch for treatment of water in the back-country. A couple of years ago they switched to Micropur tablets.
Unless you go to bleach, it's hard to find a treatment method cheaper than Polar Pure. As Jack posted, one bottle will last a full hike. Maybe even a second thru-hike. But, for some, there is the taste issue, and the wait time. If taste or wait time is an issue, then consider filters, or steri-pen.
Critterman
01-22-2008, 17:59
Iodine is the least effective chemical treatment. Chlorine dioxide ( Aqua Mira )is the best with chlorine ( bleach ) in between the two. Check it out at this link. (http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/WPD/Disinfectants.aspx)
chiefdaddy
01-22-2008, 18:00
Polar Pure for me due to the cheap factor and the not needing anything else(unless the bottle breaks) factor.
Johnny Swank
01-22-2008, 18:24
Just a teaser, but I'm plugging the numbers on thru-hiking water treatment right now from the thru-hiker study I did last fall. You might be surprised at what folks are doing out there in relation to how often they're getting sick. Updates will be on www.sourcetosea.net
Aqua Mira tastes a lot better to me and that's worth the extra cost.
Ramble~On
01-22-2008, 19:45
I've used both and like both. It's said that Polar Pure is not effective against Cryptosporidium parasites but how many cases of that are reported along the AT each year? There are many people who claim that they do not treat their water...ever and don't get sick.
I got used to the taste of Polar Pure and really didn't notice it after a while.
AquaMira is all around good stuff but as mentioned is way more expensive.
Polar Pure works out to something like 1/2 cent per quart.
Both require a wait time and to be effective both can require a long wait time.
Water temperature plays a role and most water sources in the mountains even in summer flow cold.
Alligator
01-22-2008, 20:37
...
One caveat.....try and get a little drawstring cloth bag to carry your Polar Pure in, as it comes in a glass bottle, and sooner or later, you will drop it somewhere.
...And after you've dropped it, say by putting your pack down a little hard, you might just dismiss it as "some noise". Perhaps you'll even be sitting at the train station waiting to head into the city after a weeks hiking. You may feel a few drops of liquid on your belt pouch but shrug them off as water from your hydration hose. After the second set of drops though, the electricity returns to the bulb over your head. Hmmm what was that clunk? Why is there water on the opposite side of my drip tube? Why is the water so brown?? Ohhh, weeelll, at least the camera was in a ziplock:datz.
Just a teaser, ...
It's not nice to tease! However, it's a nice site, and I look forward to reading your data and conclusions when you get around to publishing them. Please remember to post a notice here, or even a summary.
Plastic vitamin bottle will give you some protection on the drop pack breakage. What sort of cloth bag did you find practical? No purple bags for me...