Aquamira filter bottle

I bought one last year to use on a trip to the Maroon Bells. After looking at it, I decided I did not like the separate, unattached filter.

The filter just sits on top of the bottle, and is not attached to the lid — to me, another item to lose or drop in the dirt. Also, just in handling, I managed to pull the halves of the filter apart.

I now use bottle without the filter to take water to the gym or on runs around the neighborhood…

Robert:

Firstly — Why combine the bottle with expensive tablets? Pairing with a filter (be it Frontier Pro or the Aquamira bottle filter) — all you need is a tiny bottle of el cheapo household bleach — 5 drops per quart or liter.

You can buy a whole gallon of bleach for about a buck. 5 drops per quart or liter basically means almost no cost at all!! Or spend $14 on thirty tablets. Do the math.

Secondly — Methinks the choice between inline filter vs. bottle filter is mostly one of personal preference. Both can work, so choose the one you like.

However, I am not sure I follow your two particular reasons regarding failure and weight. A Platypus bladder is pretty darn dependable (some of mine are almost 6 years old and still functionally perfect). No guarantees, but then same with the bottle.

As for weight, I can almost guarantee you that the 1L platy plus tube plus FP filter is significantly lighter than the filter bottle — which holds significantly less than 1L of water!

So, I don't think the filter bottle is superior using any objective comparison — your choice will be based on your own subjective preference.