One-Handed Water Purification

I'd look at the SteriPen Adventurer. Just turn it on. immerse it in your bottle, swirl until the UV light goes out and you're done. I also carry Katadyn chlorine Dioxide tablets as a backup but they take a minimum of 30 minutes to be effective. Often I need more water NOW.

Eric

I'd check out the ULA Equipment Amigo water filter. Gravity-feed water bag with a Katadyn Hiker-type filter. 7.5 ounces, $45. Only potential one-handed complication I could see is filling the bag with water, might need to throw a rock or something in it to sink it a bit?

Another vote for the ULA. I absolutely live mine. Once I'm at camp and I've filled my container, I fill the water bag again to hang at camp and have another 4 liters on tap. Might take a bit of practice to do it one handed. But I think it could be done.

stuart. i just got back from a hike using only the anti-gravity gear aquamira setup and 2 drops of clorox per 1 liter of h2o. i did use a coffee filter (from my coffee maker-permanent type) to pre filter water. the whole setup plus extra prefilters (fits into aquamira) weighed 5.25 oz. was happy with the performance. you do have to let the bleach sit for 30 min. but i always seem to have water leftover from a days hiking so not a problem when i get to camp….

Love my ULA. I did switch out the PUR filter for a Sawyer SP120.Starts out at 6 1/2 oz and after using ends up at 7 1/4 oz.

I use Aqua Mira as my primary water treatment. If you set the bottles on the ground, it wouldn't be any harder than anything else to do it one handed. However a decidedly easier method would be with the dry chlorine dioxide tablets like the ones made by Potable Aqua. Just cut the package with a scissors, pop one into your water bottle and it's the same thing, but simpler. The problem with those vs. liquid chlorine dioxide like aqua mira is that the dry tablets cost more (i.e. $10 for a package large enough to treat 20 liters rather than $12 for a bottle large enough to treat 30 gallons).

As others have suggested… there are a number of solutions.

The first option is chemical treatment. While I typically use Aqua Mira, I would recommend the Katadyn Micropur tablets because they will will be easier one handed. I would stay away from the Potable Aqua tablets (either formulation) because I have head numerous reports of problems with them.

The second option is gravity filter. The ULA Amigo gravity filter looks great. Playtpus, MSR, and Sawyer also make systems though the ULA is the easiest and lightest. You can also DIY using two playtpus containers and an inline filter.

Third, there are the UV systems… I have been not impressed with the reliability of the UV systems, so I would generally recommend against them.

When I by myself I just use chemicals. When I am with others… I often combine the systems. My Platypus Bigzip SL (3L) is used both as my hydration system on the trail, and the source for the gravity filter. The inline filter's source end has a quick release connector which clips into the Big Zip, and the other end feeds a 3L platpus which holds clean water. When it's time for my platypus to go back to being part of my hydration system I use aqua mira to make sure there aren't any nasty in what was the dirty water part of the gravity system.

–Mark

Thanks guys for the great responses. These forums are great, but the drawback is all the money I'm going to want to spend! I guess my main concern is ease of use, but I am pretty good at figuring out how to do things.

I'll definitely go with some tablets and might get a gravity filter to try out.

I'm nowhere near UL, my pack/shelter/sleep system are 12 lbs, but it is light for me, I used to do 50-60 lbs, so I'm making headway. Each item I purchase will be done so with weight in mind, so I'll get there eventually.