Well I have a few thousand calories stored away and need to get a few thousand more. But, what I am really lacking on is water.

What is the best filter out there? I let my fingers do some walking and it seems like you have to use a chemical treatment and a filter on everything.

Sooo if you have to use the chemical treatment why would you bother with the filter? Or bother with the better filters?

My life happens to be one of my major priorities so I don't have a problem spending some dough.

Boiling works wonders for any biological concerns.

I have a couple filters. I use a Katdyn Hiker and I also have a Sweetwater Guardian.

Image, are you talking about for bob or camping or your home retreat?

As mb said boiling is great if you have fuel,ie gas, wood etc.

I'm looking into a big berkley filter system for my buddies cabin.
It uses filters but is highly recommended when you look into them.

Imagin, I have had the same thoughts. From what limited research I have done (and PLEASE don't depend on what I have done), the ones with the greatest filtering/purifying abilities (meaning they have the smallest pore size filters) are the First Need XL and the Sawyer filters.

Here are a couple links for ya.

http://www.sawyer.com/products.htm

http://generalecology.com/category/portable/product/first_need_xl_portable_water_purifier-new

These links should help lead you to more reviews from actual users, not from the manufacturers websites.

And yes, the Katdyn filters, specifically the Hiker gets a lot of good press.

Well I was thinking about something for home and pack alike if there is such a beast. Having a simple gravity set up in addtion might be nice. 2 is 1 and 1 is none.

I have had a first need purifier (pump/gravity feed) for the last 9 or so years. It is BY FAR the best pump style I have used (and the only small pump purifier that I know of). I also have a MSR MIOX and have used several MSR and Katdyn ceramic filters. A buddy of mine has a Berky and to be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed by it. About the only role for such a unit is at a stationary location like Sar5 speaks of, otherwise, waaaaaaay too slow (as in .5hr to do less than a pint) heavy, and bulky for anything BOB related IMO.

Boiling (or distilling even better for heavy metals) is about the best/most simplistic option, but is fuel heavy (may or may not be an issue for each AO, and distilling is even more time and fuel consuming).

Bleach can also be used, is cheap (think a few drops per liter) but losses some punch after about a year of storage

Iodine is also always an option and if you go with the tincture, you get a two-fer for an unbeatable low price and KISS factor.

As you said, two is one. Grab a purifier and a pump of some kind, and next time you are at WalMart pick up a small bottle of iodine for $1, have a metal pot for boiling and you will have your basses far more than covered.

Good post damon, thank you.

Anyone ever try the Livesaver bottle? They're fairly expensive, but if their claims are true, the expense may be worth it.

You might want to consider the Sawyer gravity filters. These are claimed to be effective for filtering over a million gallons. To clean them you just occasionally feed pressurized water through it backwards. Only downside is that I think they drop that claim if you let it get outside of a certain temperature range (like below freezing).

http://www.moontrail.com/sawyer-point-zero-two-purifier.php

http://www.moontrail.com/sawyer-sp194.php

bump
Most people around here that depend on well water will use a mechanical filter of some sort plus a UV filter
Our municipality does free monthly water test to homeowners with wells that bring in a sample

Grab a couple of the straw filters for throwing in the vehicle and bag, not the best but a lot better than nothing.

We have a ceramic filter for our shelter-in-place needs with a creek running out behind the house. We've got a katydin (sp?) portable filter in out BOB. I've got iodine tabs and a cup, plastic sheeting, and plastic tubing to make a solar still in my personal survival kit.