As international bicycle travellers, we rely on our good health to enjoy our journey. In almost every country in the world, water quality varies wildly from city to town and lake to river. In order to minimise water health risks, we recommend treating your water, especially in third world countries, but also in rural areas of developed nations.

Not only is water treatment important for your health, but it will allow you to avoid buying bottled water, reducing your plastic waste impact on the world. If you have seen how bad the waste disposal of plastic is in many parts of the world, you will understand why we would never EVER buy bottled water.

This resource has been made to discuss the different types of water treatment for travel. We have included as many products as possible to allow you to make the most informed decision before purchasing.

How can water make you sick?

Water-related illness can mostly be linked to three different disease-carrying pathogens; bacteria, viruses, and protozoa/cysts. Just by looking at water, these pathogens will never be visible. Most often, protection against bacteria and protozoa/cysts is all that is required for travel in developed countries.

Removing Viruses: If you are travelling in developing nations, water sources will have a much higher risk of virus contamination. UV filters or chemical treatments are the best way to combat 100% of viruses, although you can filter out 99.99% with a product using a 0.1-micron filter.

Removing Giardia: This parasite readily transmitted via the faeces of mammals is probably your biggest water health risk. Most water treatment systems below will eliminate Giardia.

Remember to avoid collecting water from water sources nearby heavy industry, agriculture and mining areas. Travel water treatment products will NOT protect you effectively from high concentration chemicals.

Summary of Water Treatment Systems

– Water filter pumps are the most common for travellers who require a simple, non-electric, relatively bombproof and reliable product

– UV filters are small, effective, light and fast, however, are more fragile and potentially less reliable (electronics and battery failure) than other options

– Filter bottles are cheap and convenient but are less suited to filtering larger quantities of water and may not be 100% effective at wiping out viruses

– Filter bags and inline hoses are simple, light, fast and cheap, but have a shorter life span than other products

– Straws are only suitable for emergency situations

– Chemical tablets/drops/powder are effective and cheap, however hold a chemical aftertaste and require a lengthy wait time

What type of treatment is the best?

There is no simple answer for this! All treatment types have their pros and cons as discussed below.

In terms of effectiveness, products which use a filter pore size of 0.1 (and sometimes 0.2) microns are able to remove 99.99% of viruses, as well as everything else. This is because viruses like to attach to larger hosts (bacteria) which are removed in the filtering process. The safer option again is using UV light or chemical products to remove 100% of viruses!

We recommend doing some homework to find out whether all of the below manufacturer claims are true.

How do we treat our water?

Our SteriPEN UV filter is an incredibly small and lightweight light sabre filter. We especially like it because it is effective against viruses and cryptosporidium, it leaves no bad taste and because we can drink our water straight after treating. We filter our water in a 1.0L Nalgene bottle – taking exactly 90 seconds to complete a litre. Some people have had problems with the reliability of UV filters, but our SteriPEN hasn’t missed a beat other than chewing through batteries quicker than expected.

We charge our older generation SteriPEN CR123 batteries via USB on our PP+ dynamo hub charging cable.

1. Pump Filter/Purifier

Pumps have been the standard for most long distance cyclists for decades as they are simple and electronic free. Not only do they make the water safe, but they filter out particulate. Make sure you pick a product with a long lasting cartridge, something that filters quickly and is field serviceable.

General Ecology First Need XLE – This is the only filter pump that operates without chemicals; instead using an electrostatic charge. The First Need features a speedy filtration process @ 1.9L/min and is able to treat viruses according to the manufacturer. The treated water is instantly drinkable and has no chemical taste. The filter pore size is 0.1 microns and the cartridge should be good for 750L. Weight: 453g.

Katadyn Mini – One of the smallest and lightest pump filters available (210g), the Mini pumps a bit slower than the competition at about 0.5L/min. It isn’t warrantied for 20 years like the Katadyn Pocket (probably due to the lighterweight construction), but the cartridge will last a good 7000L. Filter pores size: 0.2 microns.

Katadyn Pocket Filter – The toughest and most reliable pump filter available has not a 1, 2 or 5 year warranty…. but 20 years! It is heavier than the competition (566g) as it employs various metal components but the cartridge is cleanable, is silver impregnated (to avoid bacterial growth) and will last an incredible 50,000L! Flow rate is 1.0L/min. The downside is that it carries a very high cost of $370us. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

MSR Hyperflow Microfilter – For the fastest filter out there, you cannot go past the Hyperflow (3.0L/min). Not only is it fast, but it’s also light very light at 209g. The cartridge lasts 1000L before needing replacement and the pump kit comes with hose connecters for your bottles. MSR do not claim this product effective against viruses. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

MSR Miniworks Ex – The Miniworks has been the most popular MSR pump filter over time. The cartridge life is longer (2000L) and the construction a bit sturdier than the other MSR filters, however the penalty is that it isn’t as fast (1.0L/min) or light (456g). MSR do not claim this product effective against viruses. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

MSR Sweetwater Purifier System – The Sweetwater is probably the most comprehensive pump filter available because of its two stage process which first mechanically treats the water and then chemically treats it, killing all viruses. Due to this chemical treatment, a five to 30 minute wait is required before consumption – some users have reported a chlorine aftertaste. Weight: 397g. Flow rate: 1.0L/min. Cartridge life: 750L. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

2. UV Water Filters

We choose to use a SteriPEN ultraviolet light saber for our bike trips. UV treatment is nothing new, in fact large-scale water treatment in cities is often completed through this process.

Pros – These products are 100% effective against giardia/cryptosporidium/viruses, small, convenient, easy to clean, do not alter water taste and allow you to drink treated water without a wait time.

Cons – UV filters are fragile physically and can be subject to electrical/battery fault. They are also not as effective in heavily gritty water as UV light needs to interact with the organisms in order to alter their DNA. We always recommend using a pre-filter with gritty water anyway. Be careful to wash off any unfiltered water on your bottle threads.

UV Pen:

SteriPEN Adventurer Opti – The industry standard for travel UV products, eliminating protozoa, cysts, bacteria and viruses. We have been using our Steripen for many years now and have experienced no issues to date. As far as we are aware, we have not been ill due to drinking water. Known issues to the SteriPEN product include breaking the quartz lamp, water damage to the electronics and various battery problems. The UV lamp is rated for over 8000L of treatments. Alternative charging kit options include a solar charger (3-5 day charge time) or a wall charger (4-6hr charge time). You should get about 30L water treatment per charge.

UV Bottles:

Camelback All Clear Bottle – The Camelback UV filter bottle is a US only product (for some reason) which is able to be recharged via USB. The battery is good for 60L however the bottle is rather heavy at 481g.

Meridian Designs AquaStar Plus – This product is supplied with Nalgene bottle and filters one litre in about 80 seconds (same as the other UV filters). This product is relatively lightweight however doesn’t have the best track record for reliability.

3. Water Purifiers

Chlorine Dioxide Tablets/Drops –

Aquamira Drops – Once you pop in 14 drops in one litre of water and wait 15-30 minutes, you’ll have relatively safe water. The longer you wait, the more effective the water becomes at treating everything including viruses!

Katadyn Micropur Forte – One tablet or a couple of drops will treat one litre. Effective against cryptosporidium, giardia, bacteria AND viruses! 30 minute wait time before drinking, two hour wait time to be effective against giardia or four hours to effectively treat cryptosporidium. Micropur Antichlorine can be used to improve the taste.

Iodine Tablets/Drops –

Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets – Two tablets in a litre of water and 30 minutes of waiting is all that is required. Iodine is not effective against Cryptosporidium but will treat most viruses.

Salt –

MSR MIOX – The mixed oxidant machine from MSR electronically charges a salt-based solution which neutralises pathogens. The disadvantages of this product include a wait time of 30mins to four hours and the chance of electronic failure. Note: This product is discontinued.

4. Water Filter Bottles

Filter bottles are designed for single person, on-the-go use, but there is no reason why you couldnt squeeze water from one bottle to another to do larger quantities. They are great for their price and convenience, although may be a less suitable choice for cyclists consuming large quantities of water.

Note: Some of these bottles are not suitable for filtering out all bacteria or viruses unless stated.

Alkaway Fill2Pure – A choice of stainless (suck water through filter) or plastic (squeeze water through filter) bottles, these cartridges are good for 500 refills. If you purchase the advanced cartridge, this should guard you from viruses.

Berkey Sports – These 650ml sports squeeze bottles are good for 160 refills.

Bota of Boulder Outback – The Outback squeeze bottles are lightweight (133g), cheap ($20us) and are good for 200 refills. The manufacturer claims the filter removes viruses.

Camelback All Clear UV Bottle – The Camelback UV filter bottle is a US only product (for some reason) which is able to be recharged via USB. The battery is good for 60L however the bottle is rather heavy at 481g.

Clearbrook Survival – The Survival uses a 650ml Nalgene bottle and will do 160 refills.

DrinkSafe Eco – This 750ml stainless steel bottle will require you to suck water rather than squeeze, which some estimate to filter at about 300ml/min. The cartridge should last for 1600L. Weight: 250g.

DrinkSafe Travel Tap – The 800ml plastic squeeze bottle filters at 300-600ml/min and is about 100g lighter than the Eco. The cartridge should last for 1600L.

Katadyn Exstream – The Exstream is a squeeze bottle which has a replaceable cartridge connected to a sip tube. When you squeeze, it filters and deactivates viruses at very small quantities at a time. An iodine taste can sometimes show through.

Lifesaver – The Lifesaver is a bit different from the others; it is chemical free and uses a built in pump. The cartridge should last 4-6000L and you will know when the carriage needs replacement as the water will no longer keep filtering. You can treat at 0.75L/min. Downside: it is fairly hefty at 623g but when compared with a pump filter and bottle, it is not unreasonable.

Meridian Designs AquaStar Plus – This product is supplied with Nalgene bottle and filters one litre in about 80 seconds (same as the other UV filters). This product is relatively lightweight (240g) however doesn’t have the best track record for reliability.

SureAqua Bottle – The SureAqua is bigger than the other bottled (1L) and the cartridge should last for 1000L. The manufacturer claims the product removes viruses with it’s 0.1 micron filter.

Water-To-Go – This 750ml squeeze bottle is claimed to remove some viruses and the cartridge should last for 200L of treatments.

5. Gravity / Water Filter Bags

Some bags are designed to be squeezed, but gravity bags require no work, just needing to be placed higher than the output. Possibly the best value for money option, gravity/squeeze bags are light and cheap. The Platypus and Sawyer bags have a great reputation.

DrinkSafe Waterbag – The Drinksafe gravity bag filters at 300ml/min. It is available in two sizes: 6L (300g) and 15L (500g). The cartridge should last for 1600L. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

MSR Autoflow Microfilter – MSR’s gravity filter flows at 1.75L/min and the cartridge good for 1500L. MSR do not claim this product effective against viruses. Weight: 392g. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

Platypus Gravityworks 2L – This 2L bag will filter 1.5L/min in a package weighing 203g. The cartridge is good for 1500L. $110us. Does not cover viruses. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

Platypus Gravityworks 4L – The 4L bag will do all of those litres in 2.5mins, the bag weighing 305g. The cartridge is good for 1500L. $120us. Does not cover viruses. Filter pore size: 0.2 microns.

Sawyer Squeeze – This squeeze bag features a 0.1 micron filter (most others 0.2 microns) and you get three bag sizes from 500ml to 2L so you can use whichever suits you best at the time. Filters at 1.7L/min. $50us. 4 million (!) litre cartridge life. Does not cover viruses.

6. Solar Bags

Puralytics Solar Bag – The chemical-free solar bag uses the sun’s light to activate with its nanotechnology coated mesh, purifying water. The bag holds three litres at at time and can filter up to nine litres in a day depending on the sun strength. The bag is reusable hundreds of times and according to the manufacturer, treats viruses and everything else you should be worried about.

7. Water Filter Straws / Hoses

Filter straws are designed for single person, on-the-go use. They are only suitable for emergency use in our opinion. Note: Some of these straws are not able to filter out all bacteria or viruses, unless stated.

Aquamira Frontier Pro – This inline ’emergency’ filter is only 50g but claims virus protection and is super cheap too at $25us.

LifeStraw – This original straw product comes with a cartridge good for 1000L and removes bacteria and parasites. Is not effective against viruses.

SureAqua Straw Plus – The Straw Plus model from SureAqua claims it can remove viruses with it’s 0.1 micron filter (just like their bottle and hydration pack). The cartridge is good for 1000L.

8. Water Filter Hydration Packs

HTI Expedition – This hydration pack is relatively slow at filtering (800ml/hour) but unlike others, requires no work. The pack carries 2.5L water and the cartridge lasts 90 days.

SureAqua Pak – This hydration pack filters as you suck. It has a 1.5L capacity and the cartridge should last for 500L of treatments.

9. Boiling

A failsafe way to eliminate pathogens. It is recommended that you let the water boil for 1-3 minutes before it is 100% safe from the most heat resistant bug, Hepatitis A. We recommend boiling water before going to sleep allowing it to cool by morning. We like to make a hot water bottle with our boiling water when it’s cold!

Summary of Water Treatment Systems

– Water filter pumps are the most common for travellers who require a simple, non-electric, relatively bombproof and reliable product

– UV filters are small, effective, light and fast, however are more fragile and potentially less reliable (electronics and battery failure) than other options

– Filter bottles are cheap and convenient however are less suited to filtering larger quantities of water and may not be 100% effective at wiping out viruses

– Filter bags and inline hoses are simple, light, fast and cheap, however have a shorter life span than other products

– Straws are only suitable for emergency situations

– Chemical tablets/drops/powder are effective and cheap, however hold a chemical aftertaste and require a lengthy wait time