MSR TrailShot MicroFilter

As above, this filter is really easy to use. I have passed it out to friends and clients without explanation to see if they could work it out for themselves – and so far, so good. As long as the water you are taking from isn’t too cloudy or heavy with sediment then it should flow through the filter without much of a problem. The pumping is easy and fast, and the fast flow rate means that you aren’t hanging around leaning over a stream or pool for too long.

As it’s so small and unobtrusive I’ve found that rather than refilling a whole bladder I was stripping down the weight and going out with just the MSR TrailShot and a 1L bottle, refilling several times throughout the day as I passed suitable water sources. For runners and hill walkers looking to go light, the TrailShot’s compact size and general convenience make it an attractive option.

As this is only a 0.2 micron filter than means it’s suitable for catching harmful protozoa, like giardia and cryptosporidium, and bacteria like salmonella, but NOT viruses. It does meet the U.S. E.P.A. drinking water standards but you will need to carry additional water purification tablets if viruses are likely to be an issue (this is not generally a worry in the UK).