Just bought an exstream -- which is a waterbottle with a built in filter. Its designed for immediate use, so you dip the bottle in a source then squeeze the water through and its drinkable.

Two things to note: it does require a serious squeeze to get the water out & it really does taste of iodine.

At about $50 its a simple, light way to treat some water (unpollluted) in the short-term.

Thanks teach! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I really like these things for everyday outdoor use. I've had the microfilter for a while (not quite the purifier of the exestream) and use it kayaking all the time. Just dip in the cold river water around you, and you have cold clean water all day. Much better than trying to plan to carry several bottles for a day, and much more convenient than using the tablets that are stashed away just in case.

It does require a decent squeeze, but the beauty is you're hydrating much more often with smaller sips, now that you (likely) won't run out that day.

J

Try sucking on the mouthpiece at the same time you squeeze the bottle, it does help quite a bit.



Pete

I have the microfilter like jmarkantes has, it's not a purifier but it doesn't taste like idodine either. You do have the option to upgrade the microfilter to the purifier if you wanted to later.
I suppose you could down grade to the microfilter, if you didn't think you needed the purifier, and don't like the taste.
I will continue to use the mircrofilter and if I am real nerveous about the water, I will boil it, and filter it.