I''ve used Aqua Mira on 2 backpacking trips thus far and it has been better than iodine. The only problem is spilling it when you mix both parts together and also keeping track of the time. Eventually, if you use this for over 2 weeks, you''ll begin to taste it because it will build up in your bottle, however if you rinse your bottle out well, your water will barely have any Aqua Mira taste, if any.
In 2004 during my hike of the Appalachian Trail, my water filter was nothing but headaches, clogging and maintence. I replaced the filter 2 weeks into my hike with Aqua Mira and used it extensively for the rest of the trip. I found only a slight chlorine taste, no worse than some city water I''ve had. The only issue was I couldn''t drink my newly gathered water immediately, as one could with a filter. Water management had to be planned. I would take my breaks at or near a water source so I had the aloted time for parts A & B to mix properly. Then once at camp, first thing I would do is get and prepare my water, then move onto setting up camp. By the time I was done, I had water.
During my hike (and afterward) I used it without any problems and without contracting any sicknesses.
I liked the product so much, I''m back to purchase some more for an up coming hike I''m planning on the Ouachita Trail, in AR and OK.
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I used this water treatment kit to purify swamp water from the Florida Everglades and it worked very well. Since it''s the dry season and the water holes are rather small with no flow whatsoever, the water had a ''swampy'' stagnant smell to it (did not attempt to taste untreated water but I imagine, based on the smell, that it would be an unpleasant taste). After treatment, the water was not only clearer (it was turbid to begin with) but the taste was great. I used a combination of the treatment drops and the Frontier water filter (same brand) and the water was simply great! no aftertaste, no unpleasant chemical flavor and no ill after-effects. Other people in my party used Iodine based purification tablets and complained about the taste of the water... everyone wanted to drink my water instead!
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There are many ways to get clean water these days. Filters, UV lights, charged salts, chlorine, iodine, etc. They all have PROs and CONs. I prefer the Aquamira drops over the other methods because I never have to worry about dead batteries, dead UV bulbs, broken equipment, foul tastes, or clogged filters. I keep several sets of these around. Some in my "go bags", some around the house, and some in my emergency kit in my vehicles. Each set can make up to 50 gallons of drinkable water. I prefer the drops over the tablets for packing space and the amount of clean water you get from such a small amount of product. Highly recommended if traveling to con tries with less than optimum water purification facilities. If traveling to these places, I would also recommend purchasing a 1L platypus bag/bottle.
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I''ve been using Aquamira drops since 2001 over hundreds of miles of hiking and backpack trips. So far, I''ve never been sick. Most of the water I''ve treated comes from high mountain streams and I suspect most of that water is pretty clean. In those cases, I have lowered the dosage from 7 drops per quart down to 3-6 drops, depending on my "gut feeling". Not very scientific, I know, but so far, so good. I have a very sensitive nose and palate, so yes, I DO notice a slight chlorine smell to the water (hence my desire to lower the dosage). I do prefer the pure taste of filtered water, but like others have said, this stuff is just so light, much lighter than a filter and unlike (from experience) filters, it doesn''t break down. It does have an expiration date on it, but over the 10 years I''ve used the stuff, I''ve spent less on it than I ever spent on filter systems.
I did use Aquamira once on Kauai''i, in an area known to harbor Leptosporosis, which has similar symptoms as Cryptosporidium. In that case, I did use the drops at full strength, but never got sick.
And do note, CHLORINE (as in bleach) and CHLORINE DIOXIDE (Aquamira) are not the same thing. The latter is what is used in most municipal water supplies for purification.
The only time I used a filter over chemical treatment was in an agricultural area. Besides the masses of cow p**p and urine being washed into the lake, the lake was chock full of fish, algae and probably lots of nasty chemicals as well.
The wait time (20-30 minutes, depending on temperature) of purifying is something I just got used to. I don''t even notice it now. What I do now is when I come to a fill up spot, I mix my chemicals, have a snack and then go fill my bottle(s). That''ll be about 5 minutes for the chemicals to be ready to dump into the water.
If you want to read a technical paper on how well this stuff works, google for "Efficacy of Water Treatment Technologies" by the Ryan Jordan of Backpacking Light Magazine.
A tip: When you buy a second package of Aquamira after your first one has run out, be sure to save the mixing cup from the first one, then you''ll have two handy mixing cups. Plastic water bottle caps also work well for mixing, just be sure to let the two chemicals mix well if there is any sort of ridge inside the cap.
Another tip: These are concentrated toxic chemicals, no doubt about that. When you''ve dumped your chemicals into your water, cap your water bottle and shake a few times. Then remove the cap and pour a tiny bit into the mixing cup, swirl around and dump back into the bottle. Pour, swirl and dump again. This way you will be getting all of the chemicals into your water, out of the mixing cup and less chance of the chemicals ending up in the waterways or environment.
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I have been using the large FuelBelt FuelBox for several years now, and love it. In it, I carry mini Cliff Bars and/or gels, AND my BlackBerry or cell phone. The advantage over a Bento box, is that the FuelBox zippers closed and protects the contents from the elements. My cell phones and on-the-road nutrition have survived torrential rains and dust, thanks to the FuelBox. It has completed 11 triathlons, several in pouring rain, and innumerable training rides and long trips in all varieties of upstate NY weather, road and riding conditions. The FuelBox, and it''s contents, stay put and are easily accessible while riding.
