Touring - Water Filters

What water filter brands have been tested by you tourers out there? I am interested in hearing some experiences with some of the leading brands, or maybe some of the off brand ones.
I would think MSR and Sweetwater take a fair share of the market out there. Anyone use that Katadyn pocket filter? Its pricey but looks like a beast!

Or do many tourers find it unneccessary to even carry filters?


Thanks for the input,
Dave

For myself, I've been using a Pur Hiker for about five years with great results...but, I make it a habit to change the filter ever year reguardless of use.

Take a look at Pur filters. They are some of the best filters/purifiers out there, some of them even remove viruses which most of the other brands do not. As far as I know they are the only company which produces purifiers which meet EPA standards.

I have had been using a Pur Explorer for years doing back country hiking and travelling and it has never failed me. I have also used the Scout and Hiker models which are smaller but still great filters.

Normally I don't carry a filter as I do most of my touring in Southern Ontario where clean tap water is abundant, but when I do, I carry the MSR filter which also has an optional Iodine (I think) cartridge to kill off those nasty viruses. From the looks of your tag line, this might be a good option for you.

Remember a filter is only useful if you keep the clean side clean.

Yes, I have the katydyn purifier, I bought after getting very ill in india a few years back and spending Christmas in hospital. I figuresd it was the best small water purifier around, it's used by the Red Cross and is the item that many members of the British Army get in place of the standard GI item.

It's a simple case of economics, if you are on holiday a single bout of 'travellers tummy' will loose you at least a day of your holiday, so you only have to use it once and it has paid for it's self