I am so excited about the Grayl Geopress! While we already own a Sawyer Squeeze water filter, we decided to give the Geopress a try. The biggest reason is that it filters out viruses as well as bacteria and other pathogens. We’ve recently experienced some pretty nasty things while hiking. Dirty diapers left right at the base of a waterfall, used toilet paper and other such filth right next to streams and along trails.
Norovirus, hepatitis A and rotovirus are spread through feces and unfortunately too many people using public lands don’t care to take care of their human (or pet!) waste appropriately. Sadly, we’ve seen it first hand.
The Grayl Geopress filters out viruses such as Norovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A, as well as bacteria and protozoan cysts. The packaging states that it filters out 99.99 % of viruses from water. While the Sawyer Squeeze is still a good water purification system overall, it does not filter out viruses. The Grayl Geopress is also less complicated, in my opinion. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the Sawyer Squeeze on less trafficked trails. But after what we have witnessed this past year on our hikes, I really want to hit the AT for 7 days with a filter that also covers viruses. Just in case.
With the Grayl Geopress, it is also easy to keep track of the clean container and the dirty container. With the Sawyer, both bags look alike and you need to mark them so as not to get them mixed up. Overall, the Grayl is easier to carry and doubles as a water bottle. It’s all in one! The Grayl will make it easier for us to refill Ghost’s pupflasks. When we boondock, we often bring 6-7 gallons of drinking water in jugs. This will keep us from having to pack so much water, as well. Once we use it out on a hike, I’ll try to remember to come here and update this entry. So far, I’m really impressed with its functionality and its weight.
Here at our house, we have a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water. It removes fluoride and chlorine! Our city water is nasty! The concentration of chlorine is unbearable and makes the water undrinkable. The Geopress removes 99.9% of chlorine and 20% of fluoride (which you shouldn’t find in nature!) Flouride is a neurotoxin cities add to water. Bleh!
I tested the Geopress on our tap water tonight and it did an excellent job in removing the chlorine! I was REALLY impressed. I made a video of the trial. It’s rather fun to do! I am not a professional YouTuber or blogger, but I do have fun with it. Once I get better with my GoPro, watch out! I’ll be making more videos. <laughter>. Don’t worry, I won’t give up my day job.
My Little Red Bike 