Katadyn Water Purifier

When you are out for a long, hot, perhaps multi-day walk, you need to have an adequate supply of good drinking water.  Carrying all you need from a domestic supply is not always practical, so to make sure of having clean drinking water, some sort of water purifier is necessary, and the new Katadyn “MyBottle” model has much to recommend it.

A part of the Katadyn ‘Ultra Light Series’, the MyBottle is styled as, and can be used as, a sports drinking bottle.  It has a soft BPA-free plastic, dishwasher proof body and a hard plastic top that incorporates a fold flat, leak-proof, cushioned mouthpiece and a carrying clip as well as an integral cartridge life counter to indicate when the purification cartridge needs replacing.

The Filtration System

When you have access to clean water you can fit the supplied tube instead of the purification cartridge, but when you are refilling the bottle from ‘suspect’ sources, you simply push fit the cartridge into the top part of the MyBottle and drink as you go. The filter cartridge comprises: a fibreglass pre-filter that removes bacteria and protozoa and any particles larger than 0.3 microns, a 3-layer “Virupur” filter medium to absorb viruses and smallest particles, and a carbon filter that removes odours and improves the flavour of the water. A simple “click” counter allows you to see when the cartridge needs replacing, and as each cartridge will treat up to 100 litres depending on the quality of the water you treat (using the cleanest water you can find will preserve the life of the cartridge) you can go a long way without changing cartridges! The side of the bottle is marked with volume marks in both ml and oz, which helps you see how much water you have left (and is helpful with field cooking as well!) and the MyBottle will hold up to 800 ml without the purifying cartridge, and 560ml with the cartridge. The MyBottle purifier weighs only about 260gms so is genuinely ultralight compared to other purifier systems and measures approx. 26.5 x 8cm.  The purification needs no extra chemicals, extra pumping or batteries, and will purify 0.2 litres per minute – a nice steady sipping drink speed.

Easy to Fill, Easy to Use

The MyBottle water purifier is easy to use, the wide mouth of the bottle making it easy to fill.  The shape of the bottle makes it easy to hold and the fold flat cushioned mouthpiece comfortable and easy to drink from and easy to pour from. The plastic tube allows you to drink without tilting the bottle when you are not using the purifying cartridge. Coming in “Blue Splash”, “White Splash”, “Red Swiss”, “White Flower” and “Green Deer” colours and graphics, the Katadyn MyBottle costs around £45 and is a light, practical and effective water purifier for your hiking needs, and comes with full instructions. Replacement cartridges are easily available when required. For more information phone 01524 822084 or visit www.arkconsultants.co.uk or the Katydyn website at www.katadyn.com