AWGs. Researched them all, interviewed Navy/Seal experts regarding desalination systems, etc. A good unit that takes humidity in the air & filters extesively is the best bet – labor-wise, pric-wise, convenience-wise.

Hey @RucksackRob, very interesting information. Can you recommend any purifier that filters 99.99% of all viruses?

1) There are basically two different types (sizes) of filters. There are more, but we’ll stick with these two sizes. The 1st is a ‘Micro-filter’ which by law must filter 99.9999% of bacteria, the 2nd is a ‘purifier,’ and it must filter 99.99% of Viruses, which are basically twice as small as bacteria, so if you’re getting a purifier, it will, of course, filter out all the bacteria too. For North America and most Euro backcountry, a Micro-filter is more than sufficient, BUT… if you are a soldier, missionary or relief worker going to a third world country, I can not recommend a purifier enough. Water is to be assumed contaminated when there is nothing more than a well or open water source. Believe me; you don’t want giardia, cholera or other waterborne diseases.

#2)NEVER LET YOUR FILTER FREEZE (after using it). If it is below freezing such as snow camping, soldiering or survival situations, it must be kept inside a warm place such as under your parka or in your sleeping bag at night. If your filter freezes, it can and will crack, thus defeating and compromising the filter membrane(s) allowing contaminated water to pass through unbeknownst to you. One last point, the first thing to do upon returning from any trip is to disassemble your filter and dry it out for several days or more (per the owners manual/instructions) so as to avoid any algae growth. I’ve learned these things from being both a retail salesman at a mountaineering store and an avid user of filters/purifiers on several continents, both in civilian and military use. (from Alaska to South Pacific Islands, from Korea and Thailand to Afghanistan and many points in between. jus’sayin…lol)