Hydrate or die: Top water filtration systems for avid bikers
by: Alicia Bodine
Posted on: Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm by: Alicia Bodine
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One of the most important things you can do for yourself when biking a long trail is to stay hydrated. The problem is that you don’t always have access to clean, pure water. You don’t want to weigh your backpack down with a heavy filter system either, so what do you do? I have found two filtration systems that are so lightweight you won’t even know they are there. One is a price that anyone can afford and the other is a little on the expensive side.
Katadyn Micropur Tablets
These tablets are fairly new. The reason I recommend them above all other water filtration tablets is they meet the EPA purification guidelines. These tablets keep you safe from viruses, bacteria, giardia and cryptosporidium. These tablets also keep your water from tasting like iodine. You will want to drop one tablet in to each quart of water. Each bottle comes with 20 tablets. Amazingly, these tablets have a shelf life of 10 years—stock up on them without worrying about them going bad. Katadyn Micropur tablets usually sell for $13.95.
Optional : If you want to spend an extra $29.71, you can purchase Katadyn’s Microfilter Bottle. It looks just like any other water bottle but is equipped with a water filter. There is no wait time like with the tablets—you just pour water into the bottle and drink. I personally would use this product in conjunction with the tablets as the water bottle itself doesn’t protect you against giardia or cryptosporidium. The bottle does help improve the taste so together with the tablets you would have a very powerful water filtration system.
MSR MIOX Water Purifier
I first heard about the MIOX Purifier on a news broadcast. I watched a live demonstration on how this purifier works and I was extremely impressed. I actually like this water purifier better than anything else on the market, but it is a little on the expensive side, which is why I added the tablets above. Some people are hesitant to spend the money for this system, but it is worth every dime.
The MIOX Water Purifier is so light you can keep it in your pocket. There is no iodine so you can eliminate having bad tasting water when you are finished using it. This system was created for the military and can purify large quantities of water at a time. This is good news if you decided to go biking as a group. It also works instantly, which is important for bikers who are extremely thirsty. This purifier kills viruses, bacteria, giardia and cryptosporidium just like the above tablets. This purifier requires batteries. Of course, your kit comes with batteries, but you will eventually have to replace them. Basically you add your water and press a button and you’re done. The MSR MIOX Water Purifier costs $139.95.
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