SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier for Backpacking, Camping & Travel

We bought this pen to use on a trip to Colombia. We filled our bottles with tap water then simply stir the pen until the light goes off and drink safely. Very easy to use. It does not leave any smell or taste from the device. Good purchase if you travel or backpack.

I have tried so many other methods -- the pumps, the chemicals, the squeeze bag -- and this is by-far my fave. I used an earlier model for about a decade before it broke and only had to replace the batteries once. This model is even better -- it's easier to see the sterilizing lights, so easier to know that it's working and when it's done. I recommend this for camping, and I recommend it for international travel. Way better to purify the tap water than to buy endless supplies of plastic bottles.

I added this to my filtering system - I do a lot of hiking in the high peaks in the Adirondacks. Recently I did a solo backpacking trip - and camped out for 2 nights. I wanted to make sure there would be no reason I would fall prey to some kind of parasite from a brook or stream. I coupled this with another filtering system and really felt this to be a great solution. It was compact and simple to use. I will be using this for a lot of trips ahead. Great solution!

I have used this product once until now, I have done about 3 gallons of water. The unit operates fine from the looks of it i get the green light every time. For the short time I got to use it, it still runs on the same battery, the sensor that some people said have problems with, for me works ok. The water quality, I am no expert but drank water from a lake and am still fine after 2 weeks. When I get to use it in other sources I will give another review. I like this option better then filters b/c from the description it kills more pathogens. Understanding the concept of UV light and knowing that in my child hood they use to use these lights to sterilize hospitals i trust it more then a simple style filter. I picked this particular type b/c of its price/convenience/performance, I think it fulfilled all these for me. I don't mind spending few dollars more for batteries or the extra negligible weight for extra protection. I also think that if my steriPen batteries will tip the scale on global warming, then we are in more trouble already the we think. I use rechargeable at home.

I received this a few days before leaving on a trip for Mexico. I tested it out on one glass of water at home and it seemed to work. Unfortunately, when I got to Mexico I tried to use it and the uv light didn’t turn on any longer. The light on the side blinked a few times then blinked red. I am pretty sure the battery was dead. But since I hadn’t even used it, that means it was pretty much dead when I received the product. I can’t give a review on the products ability to clea m since I could t use it. I returned it after I came home. Unfortunately I was without a filter on the trip.

I initially debated this purchase, as it's not inexpensive, but it's a total win. My debate centered around version, price, weight and fragility. I trust the science behind it. I'm notoriously sloppy with water purification, drinking tap water in Mexico, ice cubes in Myanmar and river water in Colombia. In preparation for an expedition to cross Madagascar, where water sources would be unknown, I decided it was time to consider my health. My last big gear-buying spree was in 2005 - it's pretty amazing the advancements since. For any hardcore trip where you risk destroying water tablets, using up iodine on other activities or serious dehydration...get a SteriPEN. Key moments I was particularly thankful for SteriPEN: 1) When porters topped off a group pot of water we'd boiled the night before, which we realized as we went to tank up for the day. Wait 30 minutes for purification tablets, or, re-purify starter bottles with two wands for immediate consumption? Easy. 2) When I ran out of water and found a river an entire village used to wash dishes, laundry and bathe. I ran through the purification process twice, just for fun, drinking within five minutes. Since returning from this trip, I've undergone multiple blood tests- the only bacteria strain found was contracted pre-SteriPEN. Having this, I am much more likely to drink wisely on future trips. The weight was nominal and, while you certainly want to use the included case, it's sturdy enough. I had it in the outer pocket of my pack much of the trip. I used it in multiple 40oz Kleen Kanteen metal containers, which the math was a little tricky on, but I just over-purified when in doubt. Also "works" on Camelbak sacks. I do agree with various other reviews noting it's a little awkward to ensure the wand is submerged while you're stirring (otherwise it shuts off), but it's not a big deal. The signal light is easy enough to keep an eye on, but it would be nice if placed at the end of the handle. A lot of folks warn of contamination around the lip or mouthpiece of your container. Slosh it around while you're purifying or rinse your mouthpiece off with a purified bottle. At the end of the day, my bottles were being dragged through rivers and muck so there are really only so many preventative measures one can take. Like any tool a life might depend upon, I tested it before departing to at least verify the light remained on through a full cycle, etc. I would encourage anyone to do the same. October 2016: I still recommend SteriPEN as your primary method of water purification. Also great for extended trips or living abroad.

I bought this for a trip to Guatemala as a backup in case we needed it. It came in handy when we travelled to Tikal and didn’t want to buy a bunch of overpriced water at our hotel. It’s a bit of a leap of faith when you start using it and I’ll admit, I ran it twice over everything for good measure. No one got sick, it really does work. I highly recommend it.

We took this with us on a vacation to Thailand recently. It was exactly as the company advertised would definitely recommend it, it worked great while we were on vacation.

This has been mostly used for a trip to Nepal, it was a pleasure to use, and I imagine the main factor in keeping my completely healthy for 6 weeks. I used it everyday for almost all of my water and I changed the batteries once. A great little thing if mineral water is hard to come by, its helped me out many a time when I have needed just a little water to brush my teeth, but cant be bothered to go out and find a shop! Alternatives to this (things that kill viruses as well bacteria) are not terribly convincing, this is completely chemical free, and my tongue and general well being appreciate that. I used it after filtering the water beforehand with a homemade gravity filter, as the water must be fairly clear to remain effective. The only thing I would like to see improved is the strength of the led light which indicates the UV bulb is on; It can be a little difficult to see in direct sunlight, it is possible though, you may need to use your body to create a shadow. So not a massive issue!

Je cherchais un système me permettant de consommer de l'eau de qualité sans passer par les bouteilles en plastiques vendues en magasin. J'ai essayé les filtres du style brita, mais ce type de produit est controversé, du fait des résidus et du contenu des filtres qui avec l'usage finiraient par être nocif pour la santé ! Les bouteilles d'eau c'est trop contraignant et cher : les porter par 6 et le bisphénol m'ont conduit à trouver une solution me permettant de consommer l'eau du robinet. Bien qu'en France la réglementation serait stricte, je préfère prendre les devants car je n'ai pas non plus confiance en la "qualité" de l'eau du robinet (résidus malgré leurs contrôles et filtrage en tout genre). A présent je suis ravie de pouvoir filter l'eau du robinet. Je la met dans des bouteilles en verre comme à l'ancienne et puis au frigo ! Et hop : je bois de l'eau qui a le goût de l'eau des montagnes ou de l'eau de source. La qualité gustative est au RDV. C'est un investissement qui paye à long terme tant au niveau de la qualité de l'eau que de la santé. J'ai tout de même testé avec mon appareil, mais y'a pas trop de différence en ppm, peut être n'enlèverait-t-il que le mauvais ? Eau du robinet sur Nice : 176 ppm Filtrée : 136 ppm. @ vous de juger !

Indispensable si vous devez voyager dans des pays où il n'y a pas l'eau courante. Petit détail: il n'est pas possible de stériliser son eau directement dans sa bouteille en plastique (le goulot est trop étroit pour laisser passer le steri pen). J'ai dû pour ma part utiliser un gobelet transparent en plastique et ensuite transvaser l'eau dans ma bouteille. Cela dit, la gêne est minimale.

My wife and I carried one of these, along with two wide-mouth Nalgene bottles, while travelling in the Far East, as we didn't want to be dependent on bottled water. Each day, we would fill up from a tap, give it a blast with the pen and off we went. While others on our trip suffered from nasty doses of diarrhoea, my wife and I were spared.