I have yet to attempt the sort of extended hike that would make these things necessary, but the subject is interesting all the same.
I’m curious about the references to virus, and how many of the products seem to give no protection - in what circumstance (apart from imminent death from dehydration) would you not be concerned about virus contamination…?
TIA
Adrian
G4AZS
Hi Brian,
I think everybody would be concerned about virus infections. It seems boiling it the only way to have some peace of mind on this subject (up to 5 minutes for hepatitis A).
In the end it probably comes down to personal choices and the type of environment you are hiking in. It is kind of like when you buy a car. How many advanced safety features can you afford. In the old days airbags and ABS breaks were not standard on all cars and buyers had to decide how many features they could afford and whether it was money well spent.
When it comes to hiking and water filtration systems with regards to viruses, it is probably a similar choice. It has less to do with cost but more to do with weight and expected efficiency and the likelihood of getting infected based on the type of terrain you are hiking in (Amazonian jungle vs dry grassland for example).
Personally, given the environment I am typically hiking in, I am more worried about contracting Brucellosis (bacteria) than contracting a virus. It does not mean I am not worried about contracting a virus but I think that where I typically hike, the odds of getting infected by a bacteria are higher than that of getting infected by a virus (I may be wrong).
It is a personal choice and everybody’s risk assessment will vary. If you want to be safe you can carry a stove and thoroughly boil all the water you intend on drinking. Are you willing to put-up with the extra weight and the time it will take to set-up and boil it every time? Everybody’s answer will depend.
I also do mostly day hikes but considering longer hikes this season away from huts which is why I have been thinking about this topic. I have also ran out of water in the past and met people who had ran out of water as well. I am thinking that having that extra bit of gear that may allow you to consume water that would otherwise get you sick is not such a bad idea. Hearing about people’s experiences on that front is always helpful and interesting.
73,
Arnaud
Interesting topic, on most hikes I do, which are rarely extensive affairs, I usually carry the water I expect to need, but always have a sawyer mini in my bag along with some puritabs, on most trips I also take along the jetboil & that covers all bases for me, the filter & tabs can sit inside the jetboil easily so takes up no more space than the jetfoil alone, I carry the gas & burner in a separate pouch along with my spork & wipes, the extra weight is minimal, I also carry a couple of other ways to make fire with me just in case the jetboil fails which up to now it hasn’t.
Thanks Arnaud and Neil,
Only once have I run low on water. I was carrying 2.5 litres, on a hot all day hike. I decided to cut the walk short, and drank the last of my water when in site of the car, where I had plenty more.
I did pass a stream, which could have been useful if I had some purification kit. On the other hand, for occasional use like that, I’m not qualified to assess the risk - to follow your analogy Arnaud, I can see brake shoes and airbags, but I can’t see or assess a virus presence! Maybe I should do a little more research.
Boiling is perhaps the safest, and I do have a tiny stove, but boiling and cooling a quantity of water is not a quick process in the context of a day’s hike…
I have reached similar conclusions to you.
I use a Jetboil Minimo to melt snow in Japan in the winter. I am probably thinking to get another one for France and leave it there. The piezoelectric starter on the Jet boil has not failed me either so far. I am also thinking to get the Sawyer mini, not for regular usage but more for a “just in case” type of situation. With the 100g gas canister I cannot put anything else in the Jetboil but not a big issue, I usually carry large packs with extra space.
73,
Arnaud
I remember running out of water when activating F/AM-035 with my friend Thierry, F4EGG in 2014.
There is a super-long approach to the col before tackling the summit. That approach is in a bowl that somehow seems to intensify the sun’s rays. I had taken 5L of water. It still was not enough. I ran out of water on the way back half-way through that scorching bowl. There was no water source, it was like a desert. The summit had some snow though, so if I had had a stove I could have replenished my supply earlier on. By the time I reached the car I had no more saliva in my mouth. My entire mouth, throat, lips all felt as if I had sucked on some super hot sand. I arrived at the car feeling completely drained. Thankfully there was a hut selling cold water at the parking lot. I went to buy some. When it was time to pay, the guy in front of me decided he would try to get a date with the gal running the cashier… By that time I could not take it anymore, I opened the water in the shop and drank it on the spot before paying for it.
So running out of water sucks. Every hike is different. In that case, a Sawyer Mini or similar wouldn’t have helped but a stove at the summit would have done the trick.
Lesson learnt!
I like #14!
But when I need to I carry a Sawyer gravity filter set-up.
Richard // N2GBR
p.s. On the AT it seems common to use Aqua-mira (SP) which is a two-part product and takes ~15mins
Hi,
We tend to carry all of our water now plus extra (actually, read that as I tend to carry the water, my girlfriend carries the food - not sure about the arrangement there…).
We tried using the chlorine type tablets in Morocco 2014 when climbing Toubkal and we had no choice but to use stream/lake water. I ended up being a bit ill, which my GP thought may have been Giardiasis:
Giardiasis - NHS
Having recently spent a couple of weeks climbing some >2500m mountains in the Swiss Alps, I know what you mean about using up the water quite quickly. Luckily a lot of huts do sell water, which you can plan for using hiking maps and a bit of Googling to check they are open (you may also need a lot of cash - my worse bill was when I spent almost £50 on 5x bottles of 1l water on a long distance overnight trip)!
We also take a small gas stove and 100g gas canister, just in case we need to boil some locally sourced water. You can’t beat a hot cup of tea on a summit as well! 
Simon
For years I have used bleach for water, then a Pur Hiker filter system, then carried enough for the trip, now back to a purifier system that light, easy for field maintenance and doesn’t kill the bank account. It is a Sawyer SP128 Mini Water Filtration System. Fast, no not really compared to a filter with a pump but it works great for me.
Malen
VE6VID
When I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail I used Aqua Mira drops (chlorine dioxide, I believe). They are very lightweight, but you have to wait 30 minutes for the chemicals to work. They also don’t leave any taste, which is a big plus for me.
Since then I’ve purchased a Sawyer Mini filter. I’ll take one option or the other depending on how long I’m going, and how many people I need to treat water for.
I drank Afghan mountain water treated with iodine tabs, didn’t die.
-Doug, ND9Q
“I ended up being a bit ill, which my GP thought may have been Giardiasis” 
I used Hydroclonazone in the past because it did not give a bad taste to the water as well.
But then I realized recent tests found it to be insufficient to treat water.
If Aqua Mira works and it has no bad taste then it is a big thumbs-up.
Iodine works but using it too much may be a concern.
I am guessing this was (is?) standard Army issue.
Is that what the US army currently recommends for soldiers in the field?
The Marine Corps has been using an MSR MIOX Purifier for the past couple of years. MSR has a commercial version (it’s red in color vs coyote brown) that’s sold to the public. It’ll treat viruses and bacteria. Uses salt, water, and batteries. While visiting my son down at Camp Pendleton a couple months back, he showed me the newest one coming down the pike. It’s currently in field testing, and had to be turned back in once he transferred. I would have liked to have that one find it’s way into my pack on the way home! 
Here’s some info:
We both have the Sawyer Mini’s too.
73, Todd KH2TJ
Interesting info, thanks Todd. I had never heard of that, mixed oxydants using salt
I am sure the marines have done their homework so it is good to know what they’re using.
It seems there’s a wait time though which does not sound so convenient for a Marine on the go.
Users seem pleased with the civilian version of it.
Yes looks like the Sawyer Mini is coming to my backpack this summer.
73,
Arnaud
I’ve produced drinkable water from some really ugly sources…ponds, etc. What I have learned is the following process:
Be aware that when at altitude, water boiling temps are much lower. A general rule is 2-deg F for every 1000 ft of elevation. Just means you have to boil water longer…
Guy/n7un
Great discussion, and timely as I am considering longer hikes. For day hikes I always tank up as I drive or at trailhead on a liter or 2 of Green Smoothy (Greens and Fruit) chock full of 15-30 ml Chia seeds. I can forget about water for an hour or so and sometimes reach the summit without touching a drop.
Tank up is a good idea. For longer day hikes or overnight best to start well hydrated, more important if there is an alternative water source to the one in your pack at the start of the hike. May sound a bit obvious but I need to remind myself to do it.
Slightly off topic, My Camelbak 3 litre short Milspec bladder arrived today. This is to replace the Osprey one. Feels a much better quality and more compact. Have some comments on my sota gear blog.
Tony VK3CAT
Good tips, thanks!
I typically have access to clear water but filter + aquamira sounds like a good combo.
Regarding tanking-up, I have read that you should do it in the evening before the hike as you body cells become more hydrated and thirst will come later. If you combine that with a pre-hike top-up then you should be “golden” for a while. You may have to plan for more time though if you have to stop every 10 minutes… 