Great summary! One important caveat, I know you're well aware of this but a lot of newer people only have an awareness level of understanding, it should be made clear to them that you can't just plop these things down in katrina water (or more recently, LA river water) and expect it to be safe due to the other contaminants involved (fuel, pesticides, chemical runoff, etc). Under these conditions, careful selection of source (such as pools of water isolated from the flooding, ie snow/rainwater catchments) would work, or steam capture.
@@Stoney_AKA_JamesI love my Grayl but it clogs easily and I am still super cautious. I've known some people who seriously got messed up from bad water, and I've got no desire to go through what they went through.
@@Stoney_AKA_James I've had really good luck with my small milbank bag in conjunction with the Grayl. It's an awesome purifier for quick on the go. My first pick for a water source still wouldn't be some puddle next to a farm field the filter might be able to handle the chemicals but I'm not going to push my luck. I've heard about some people having dirty water leak up from around the unfiltered water cup while they're hiking. Personally I haven't experienced any leaking I just wipe around the bottom to dry it off when I do filter to make sure no dirty water drips up and containments the mouth piece.
Even if you live in a relatively temperate environment, it's worth being prepared to mitigate cold effects bc it doesn't take much elevation gain to drop temp even if it's warm down low.
I live in Idaho, and as you know, it's gets in the teens and below zero at times. I've used Katadyn filter systems when hiking out far, and if it below zero, I wrap my water bottle system with HotHands HeatMax Toasti Toes/Foot warmers. I suppose you can wrap a Grayl with them too. Had any issues with your AR freezing in subzero temps. I use Spartan Accuracy oil for mine. But in the summer, you have to clean it off and reapply with CLP or whatever you use.
Crazy idea for keeping water filter, and Grail from freezing in cold weather, store in a insulated collapsible, lunch bag between uses, and add a disposable hand warmer in the bag. Yes you are adding weight to your kit, but the usability of these two items are critical for winter operations, in non permissive environments, where boiling water may endanger the unit.
Re the Grayl Ti; as you have other water storage; so you can take just the filter off an keep it on your body; maybe something else is compatible with the bottom thread.. will have to think about that; maybe a rubber end cap to mould something fairly easily for the screw. I also use coffee filters and rubber band with my collection; but even a shemag or something will extend the life of the filter a lot. I have also started using (and love) the AR15 sized drink flasks; they don't hold much; the Ti will fill 2 and bit of them; but they are low profile; lots of mounting systems (i,e; because they are common mag size) and found a couple helps regulate my usage from a bladder etc.
So instead of chlorine tabs I like to carry a dropper of iodine. It's a 30 ml drop bottle which should conservatively be able to purify about 90, 32 ounce bottles of water if you use 5 drops per. It's more of a spill risk than tabs but it's cheap and easy to carry. I really want one of those chlorine makers though I think that or a grayl is next on the wish list. Thanks for telling me about the grayl Ti! Didn't even know that existed.
The Grayl, you carry it in a roll one, put those chemical hand warmers in the pouch with them, also if you have a second container, treat with the Grayl and pour into the second container, then run the Grayl 2-3 times empty to blow the moisture out of the cartridge
It looks like the old tried and true method of boiling and filtering is the best mini sawyer. I get the other options.. but depending too much on ultralight backpacking stuff and gimmicks.. I would stay way from that.. we already have lots of electric equipment we depend on.. I don't need any more stuff that would require further charging or the power supply need it to maintain the current ones in use.. cool video 😊
check out the Grayl Ti he has; its titanium so can do all the boiling stuff if filter fails. I love it and not many of the backpacker people have reviewed them because they are $$. He didn't mention but the filter can be removed and put close to you to prevent freezing, though would need to be aware to mitigate some contamination, i'm going to have to look into that... and with some prefiltering the collection stage (like a coffee filter, shemag) can get longer life
If your in a northern mountain range gather water from a stream that originates from snow melt only..Avoid streams that are fed by glaciers..The glacier fed streams are full of silt..You will need s topo map to determine this..
While a bit on the heavy side, and may be considered relatively bulky, the best I've come up with is the General Ecology Frist Need XLE. Give it look some time. Thanks for the content. It's always interesting and inspiring to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Step 1: use Milbank bag Step 2: Cnoc bag for dirty water Step 3a: Sawyer squeeze Step 3b: if needed an inline carbon filter Step 4b: MSR dromedaris bag Step 4a: boil water before putting it in the MSR bag to keep my friend Sawyer and myself warm during the night.
For those interested. Its total weight isn’t even 3 ounces heavier than the titanium grayl and way more versatile. Allowing to carry 6L of water if need be, which I’ve needed in situations where it was 3 days travel between water sources due to drought Packed right there is no sloshing water
Great information... It was always my understanding that viruses are not an issue here in the US. I have been filtering for many years, but not treating for viruses...
One other exemption to bring to the community. Some areas, such as Isle Royale National Park, do not endorse the use of Steripens as they are not rated to kill tapeworm eggs. I'm sure there are nuances to this I am unaware of but wanted to share what I know.
A layered system is great advice. In winter, snow is very safe if you are careful how you collect it. Boiling is hands down the most effective disinfection method in any season. I carry a few coffee filters in case particulates are a problem. I carry a kleene kanteen in an insulated cover. The cover keeps the bottle warm and keeps it from burning my feet in the sleeping bag. I put a hand warmer in the cover sometimes.
I have all of these except the grayl. I don't care for it much although everyone seems to love it for day hikes. I mostly use the sawyer mini or squeeze or just boil it.
That's why I carry some coffee or paint filters with me. Takes no space or weight, and make great pre-filter. Flatten them out and store in 1gal ziploc bag, giving me another emergency water container too.
I am not a Grayl user yet - I was only thinking about buying it. Wouldn't a solution to the keeping it warm problem be unscrewing the filter from the cup and keeping only it next to your body?
Great summary! One important caveat, I know you're well aware of this but a lot of newer people only have an awareness level of understanding, it should be made clear to them that you can't just plop these things down in katrina water (or more recently, LA river water) and expect it to be safe due to the other contaminants involved (fuel, pesticides, chemical runoff, etc). Under these conditions, careful selection of source (such as pools of water isolated from the flooding, ie snow/rainwater catchments) would work, or steam capture.
The Grayl Geopress will filter chemicals, pesticides, etc
@@Stoney_AKA_JamesI love my Grayl but it clogs easily and I am still super cautious. I've known some people who seriously got messed up from bad water, and I've got no desire to go through what they went through.
@@Artorias001
Pre-filter the water, that will keep larger sediments out thereby extending the life of the filter.
@@Stoney_AKA_James I've had really good luck with my small milbank bag in conjunction with the Grayl. It's an awesome purifier for quick on the go. My first pick for a water source still wouldn't be some puddle next to a farm field the filter might be able to handle the chemicals but I'm not going to push my luck.
I've heard about some people having dirty water leak up from around the unfiltered water cup while they're hiking. Personally I haven't experienced any leaking I just wipe around the bottom to dry it off when I do filter to make sure no dirty water drips up and containments the mouth piece.
As a Canadian, I have to say thank you. It gets cold up here.
Even if you live in a relatively temperate environment, it's worth being prepared to mitigate cold effects bc it doesn't take much elevation gain to drop temp even if it's warm down low.
I live in Idaho, and as you know, it's gets in the teens and below zero at times. I've used Katadyn filter systems when hiking out far, and if it below zero, I wrap my water bottle system with HotHands HeatMax Toasti Toes/Foot warmers. I suppose you can wrap a Grayl with them too. Had any issues with your AR freezing in subzero temps. I use Spartan Accuracy oil for mine. But in the summer, you have to clean it off and reapply with CLP or whatever you use.
Crazy idea for keeping water filter, and Grail from freezing in cold weather, store in a insulated collapsible, lunch bag between uses, and add a disposable hand warmer in the bag. Yes you are adding weight to your kit, but the usability of these two items are critical for winter operations, in non permissive environments, where boiling water may endanger the unit.
Re the Grayl Ti; as you have other water storage; so you can take just the filter off an keep it on your body; maybe something else is compatible with the bottom thread.. will have to think about that; maybe a rubber end cap to mould something fairly easily for the screw.
I also use coffee filters and rubber band with my collection; but even a shemag or something will extend the life of the filter a lot.
I have also started using (and love) the AR15 sized drink flasks; they don't hold much; the Ti will fill 2 and bit of them; but they are low profile; lots of mounting systems (i,e; because they are common mag size) and found a couple helps regulate my usage from a bladder etc.
The cartridge can contaminate itself since the dirty part can contaminate the clean one if removed from the bottle
So instead of chlorine tabs I like to carry a dropper of iodine. It's a 30 ml drop bottle which should conservatively be able to purify about 90, 32 ounce bottles of water if you use 5 drops per. It's more of a spill risk than tabs but it's cheap and easy to carry. I really want one of those chlorine makers though I think that or a grayl is next on the wish list. Thanks for telling me about the grayl Ti! Didn't even know that existed.
I forgot to mention that if you're concerned with the fire signature, use a denatured alcohol burning system for cooking and boiling your water.
The Grayl, you carry it in a roll one, put those chemical hand warmers in the pouch with them, also if you have a second container, treat with the Grayl and pour into the second container, then run the Grayl 2-3 times empty to blow the moisture out of the cartridge
or just remove the cartridge and put it in ziplock in pocket/near body.
It looks like the old tried and true method of boiling and filtering is the best mini sawyer. I get the other options.. but depending too much on ultralight backpacking stuff and gimmicks.. I would stay way from that.. we already have lots of electric equipment we depend on.. I don't need any more stuff that would require further charging or the power supply need it to maintain the current ones in use.. cool video 😊
check out the Grayl Ti he has; its titanium so can do all the boiling stuff if filter fails. I love it and not many of the backpacker people have reviewed them because they are $$. He didn't mention but the filter can be removed and put close to you to prevent freezing, though would need to be aware to mitigate some contamination, i'm going to have to look into that... and with some prefiltering the collection stage (like a coffee filter, shemag) can get longer life
If your in a northern mountain range gather water from a stream that originates from snow melt only..Avoid streams that are fed by glaciers..The glacier fed streams are full of silt..You will need s topo map to determine this..
While a bit on the heavy side, and may be considered relatively bulky, the best I've come up with is the General Ecology Frist Need XLE. Give it look some time. Thanks for the content. It's always interesting and inspiring to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Step 1: use Milbank bag
Step 2: Cnoc bag for dirty water
Step 3a: Sawyer squeeze
Step 3b: if needed an inline carbon filter
Step 4b: MSR dromedaris bag
Step 4a: boil water before putting it in the MSR bag to keep my friend Sawyer and myself warm during the night.
For those interested. Its total weight isn’t even 3 ounces heavier than the titanium grayl and way more versatile. Allowing to carry 6L of water if need be, which I’ve needed in situations where it was 3 days travel between water sources due to drought
Packed right there is no sloshing water
Great information...
It was always my understanding that viruses are not an issue here in the US. I have been filtering for many years, but not treating for viruses...
It depends on the water source and environment. It depends on what risk you are willing to take and the situation you are in.
One other exemption to bring to the community. Some areas, such as Isle Royale National Park, do not endorse the use of Steripens as they are not rated to kill tapeworm eggs. I'm sure there are nuances to this I am unaware of but wanted to share what I know.
Two is one and one is none! Always great content!
A layered system is great advice. In winter, snow is very safe if you are careful how you collect it. Boiling is hands down the most effective disinfection method in any season. I carry a few coffee filters in case particulates are a problem. I carry a kleene kanteen in an insulated cover. The cover keeps the bottle warm and keeps it from burning my feet in the sleeping bag. I put a hand warmer in the cover sometimes.
Fantastic
I have all of these except the grayl. I don't care for it much although everyone seems to love it for day hikes. I mostly use the sawyer mini or squeeze or just boil it.
Great video, and I hope you do more like this one!
Nice marathon always enjoy your videos . Thanks
Appreciate your content man this water filtration technique content is very fascinating
Who makes that jacket? Great video as always just got my FullTang chest rig in the mail yesterday taking it out this weekend looking forward to it!
I also bid your question. Moreover, who made those overwhites in Multicam Alpine?
What are your thoughts on an alcohol stove? I appreciate your content please keep it coming!
My Trangia 27 boils a kettle in about 8 mins. Not quick but quiet, low odour and reliable.
Any thoughts on filtering chemical/fertilizer run off from water sources around agricultural areas?
Good vid
Thanks for sharing
Don't forget pre-filtering using bandana, shemagh, etc, this will increase the longevity of your filters.
That's why I carry some coffee or paint filters with me. Takes no space or weight, and make great pre-filter. Flatten them out and store in 1gal ziploc bag, giving me another emergency water container too.
That was useful,tnx
Will a life straw freeze if you backflush/purge it by blowing into it?
👍
It Is not bad for you health to use purification tablet too often?
Not if you follow the instructions.
I am not a Grayl user yet - I was only thinking about buying it. Wouldn't a solution to the keeping it warm problem be unscrewing the filter from the cup and keeping only it next to your body?
Nice low key Marathon flex 😏
Iodine drops
🅱️aint rifle or gay