[TF Kilo]

We have 3 purification systems we rely on:

MSR MIOX, as previously stated it *will* kill everything but you'll need something to filter muddier water with

MSR Miniworks filter pump. Interfaces directly to the Dromedary bags we have in lieu of camelbaks, gets pretty much everything out of the water and can deal with muddy water if necessary

Pro's for the MIOX are that it kills everything
Cons are that it takes batteries, needs salt to work, and requires more forward thinking along the lines of using purification tablets. You have to plan out your water resupply so that you hit a source before you need water, since it's 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on what threats are actually in the water. Muddy water isn't a huge concern considering that bandana's/cravats/fabric to prefilter is already something we carry.

The miniworks is a pump, so it's clean water ready to drink right now. It can't catch viruses in the water, so the MIOX takes the win if that's a threat in your area of use.

The third solution we use is purification packs from Hydration Tech. They're handy in that it's unattended water production and make essentially gatoraid. Open sealed pouch, take the pack inside, toss in water. Come back later, pick it up, cut open and pour into container. Works in any water, the big drawback is time. I don't rely on these as a primary water source due to it being about 10 hours to a quart of purified gatoraid-water, instead it's an augmentation to the MIOX and pump.



Future thoughts for us: The "Hyperworks" pump and gravity kit from MSR. This is a pump which performs the same as the Miniworks, but with the gravity kit it becomes an unattended water production solution. 4 liter bag that's always considered "Dirty". Fill the bag, connect filter to line, connect clean side of line to container. Hang up, .3 liters an hour without having to actually pump.

My thinking is that the gravity flow would be more appropriate in a situation where you know:

Your camp and water source are significantly separated
You want to minimize time spent at the water source for whatever reason
You plan ahead with resources IE multiple 5 gallon buckets to resupply with "dirty" water in quantity to filter back at home

Specifically, the gravity system seems to be a good solution in more arid environments such as where I am in Nevada. Camp up in the hills or whatnot, ability to move to a water source with a vehicle? keep some clean buckets, do a drive around every week or so to the lake/creek/whatever. Filter's doing the work while you conduct camp improvements, if you need more water sooner than the gravity system provides hit up your buckets with the pump/MIOX or just boil.

We only *carry* the miox and miniworks, though.

Hope this helps!