Normally on a wild camp I would just chuck a couple of extra canisters of gas in my pack and boil all of my water, only I dont have the luxury of taking them on my next jaunt. Would anybody be so kind as to point me in the right direction as to what is a good water purifier that won't take up a great deal of space in my pack, or failing that a decent filter and something to kill viruses. I've been looking around and had the same Katadyn and MSR products described sometimes as a purifier, and others times as a filter. please help before premature hair loss sets in :p

For just the odd one-off day or two in British or European hills I would just use iodine or chlorine tablets or solutions, which cost pennies and are lighter, rather than spend tens of pounds to buy the machine.

Or are you going farther afield on your jaunt? More details might help us give more information.

its for a two-week long meander around the cairngorms and the surrounding area. not finalised the route yet, just basically looking to do as many peaks with as little backtracking as possible within the time and avoid civilisation. it'll be wild camping every night for the duration, with one stop mid-way through to pick up more food and supplies, then finishing where we started or at a railway station, whichever is more convenient. whatever method i employ, it'll have to be sufficient for two people.

In the Cairngorms you don't need a filter let alone a purifier. The water is lovely! I camp in the Cairngorms regularly (they're my local hills) and have never carried a filter or any other water treatment.

I'm also on the lookout for a water filter/purifier to save carrying water on a solo walk. I've sort of settled on the msr miniworks at the moment. I did think about using a filter paper to get rid of particles then using that aqua mira stuff to clean it up. This would be a very lightweight option. Not put it to the test though yet.

I'd agree with Man on Stilts - I used Iodine droplets for a month leading a jungle expedition in Belize in Central America with no problems. I toyed with taking a mini Katadyn but having done my homework I sold the one I had and stuck with the teeny but reliable iodine bottle. I didn't find the taste bad either and never used the neutraliser tablets I took along. Weight and pack size wise the iodine bottle won hands down for me. If you can get your hands on an old set of Trail magazines from 2003 or 04, one issue had a great breakdown and analysis of water risk in the UK and how to handle it.

Good luck, Paul

I'm with Chris on this one.

The Cairngorms are my local hills too. I'd never even dream of putting anything in the water. Boiling? A waste of gas! Best water I've ever tasted!!!


Besides, who'd want iodine or puritabs in their whisky in an evening? ;o)

so general concensus is to sack a filter in favour of iodine or just be careful where i get my water from. thats cool and the gang, i've got enough to carry as it is :) while i'm on the subject, has anyone tried the MSR sweet-water filter and sweet water solution combination on more sketchy water sources? I've got some imminent time off on my hands (finish uni)and my trail bud has been bandying the idea of going somewhere tropical.

HI - In UK area's - can anyone tell me whether I need to a water filter or use tablets (for a camping trip which will only be in the north of England ie lakes, teesdale & north yorks) We have never backpacked before and I cant see that I will be able to carry enough water (I am a fairly ancient dame having reached my half century and have not much in the muscles dept. so cant carry a great load on my back!) any hints and tips will be most welcome

If you do feel you need to treat the water why not use Aquamira water purification.Total weight about 80gms treats up to 120 litres.Just two small bottles kills bacteria, viruses and protozoans[giardia etc] with no aftertaste.I have used this for a few years with no problems. Bought from Cotswold Outdoors about £11

Agree with oot 'n aboot, I'm happy enough to drink water from the streams untreated in the hills in the UK. Likewise when I've been in Alps (mtn biking not done much walking there) too.

Further afield I'd take Iodine tablets instead of bothering with a filer or going to the trouble of biling the water. Over a short period iodine tablets are fine, though they do turn the old Platypus a strange colour!