Katadyn Exstream XR: safe drinking water on the trail – or road

Whether you’re an adventurer, flashpacker, or simply planning a trip to a developing country, the Exstream XR will  keep you hydrated and healthy, regardless of the quality of the available water.

The Exstream XR’s concept is simple: it’s a plastic (BPA-free) water bottle with a built in, replaceable filtration system.  Fill it, squeeze it, and out comes filtered water.

The Exstream’s 3 stage filtration system kills 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.99% of waterborne viruses; in addition, it removes 99.9% of waterborne protozoa such as Giardia.  In addition, its carbon pre-filter removes sediment, eliminates odors and improves taste.

The Exstream XR purifies 28 ounces/830 ml per filling; the lifetime capacity of the filters is up to 26 gallons or 100 liters, depending upon water quality. (A smaller version, the standard Exstream, treats 20 oz./600 ml per filling.)  At 7 ounces (empty), the XR isn’t super lightweight, but its weight is a small price to pay for purified water out in the wild or out in the world.

Katadyn has been in the water filtration/purification business for over 80 years; Swiss based, it’s established an enviable reputation in the marketplace.  Incidentally, the Exstream is the only EPA-registered water bottle/purifier on the market today.

Of note:  when you first receive your Exstream, you need to flush the filters (takes about 10 minutes or so), and then prime them by filling the bottle and letting it sit for a couple of hours.  After that, just fill it and squeeze it.

User reviews are available at BackpackingLight.com and elsewhere on the web, and are generally quite positive (I’ll provide a link below).

Some users have complained about the amount of pressure required to force water through the filters.  Although the amount of force required isn’t excessive, the Exstream is best suited for when you want a quick shot of purified water; if you want to bang out an 8 oz. glassful, don’t make any plans for the next minute or so.  (If attempting this, it’s best to place the XR on a towel resting on a flat surface, with the glass or receptacle beneath it.  The flat surface will make it easier to compress the bottle.)  Also note that the flow of water from the Exstream is strongest when the bottle is full or nearly so.

I saw one user review that mentioned an iodine taste in the treated water, and that’s rubbish in my estimation.  I can only conclude that that user didn’t properly break in/flush the filters or prime the system; the water I treated tasted just fine.

Here’s a quick promotional video about the Exstream:

The Katadyn Exstream XR is available from Backcountry.com and other retailers; typical price is ~$45. This link to Backcountry also includes a few user reviews:  Katadyn Exstream XR @ Backcountry.com When you reach the 26 gallon limit, a replacement set of filters will run you about $28

If you’ve used this or other water purification devices; please comment.

The Fine Print:  I have no connection to Katadyn or backcountry.com