Water is the course of life, we all know that, but I wonder how many of us take enough with us whilst were out green laning, whether that’s for a whole day or just an afternoon? We all know that disaster can strike at anytime, from a simple puncture to finding ourselves up to the chassis rails in mud with no one to help us out. Admittedly l’ve found myself in the odd predicament whilst out alone, and although l’ve aways managed to get myself out of trouble, the effort it’s taken has often left me knackered and dehydrated. For this reason alone I reckon it’s not only important to have a couple of water bottles with you, but also water filters that will enable you to collect and drink water from the filthiest of water sources. Recently Pure Clear sent me some of their range of filtered water bottles to try out – their Active Water Filter Bottle, Life Filter Straw & System and Collapsible Squeeze Bottle, read on to see how I got on…
Let’s begin with their filter system
Pure Clear believe that if you are looking for a filter to protect you or your family from outdoor water source contaminants it must protect from waterborne viruses not just bacteria, parasites and the other usual contaminants. So each Pure Clear filter removes 99.9999% of all bacteria and removes 99.99% of all the above, plus endotoxins, microplastics, chlorine, trace pharmaceuticals, chemical reductions (PFOA’s), organic and chemical matter, dirt, sand, and cloudiness.
Just like batteries that go weaker as they begin to die, Pure Clear believe it’s the same with water filters, in that, after a period of time, the lower the filtration performance will be. It’s for this reason that they recommend you change their filter after 200 litres or 2 months, which is the equivalent of 400 standard plastic 50cl water bottles. If you cost it out with say fl each per bottle, that’s £400 in plastic water bottles vs the cost of one of their water filters. Ultimately you can save huge amounts of money and the environment at the same time. They even have a month indicator on the filter housing to remind you when you put the filter in the bottle so you don’t change it too early. Now let’s have a look at their bottles.
Active Water Filter Bottle
The Active Water Filter Bottle is a traditional style bottle that’s solid, yet BPA and BPS free and designed specifically for sport and outdoor activity. It is also completely free of estrogenic and androgenic activity and is recyclable, meaning it is the safest manufacturing plastic available to date.
For ease of use it has a single press button to release the lid via a spring action (which is anti-rust – stainless steel), so it’s simple to open should you have your hands full. Once open it has a silicone mouthpiece, which from experience is soft and comfortable to drink from.
Inside the bottle itself is the filter cartridge housing and straw. The housing and straw simply twist away from the
lid becoming two separate pieces. The body of the filter cartridge then twists again in the centre, which exposes the active filter.
There is a band around the centre of the housing which has 1 to 12 marked on it to indicate the month, and when the filter was introduced. Simply twist the band with the corresponding number on, to point at the arrow marked on the body of the housing. You can now see when the filter was introduced and if it requires replacement. Simple, but clever stuff.
Collapsible Squeeze Bottle
I’ve used the Pure Explore more than any other product, partly because the body is made of transparent grey TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), and therefore has the ability to be molded and squeezed into the smallest of pouches.
It’s kept in my Thule Powershuttle case along with utensils and a washing-up kitvas I use it mainly for gathering water when l’m cooking and washing up when clean water is a necessity. Weighing in at just 59 grams it holds 500ml and contains new ultra small Active Filter that lasts for 200 litres, or longer if the filter is dried out and stored after use.
Life Filter Survival Straw Pro
If you are looking for something a little lighter to carry then the Life Filter Survival Straw Pro is right up your street…. or stream.
Mike from Pure Clear couldn’t emphasise enough that this product shouldn’t be confused with other drinking straws on the market that only filter bacteria, parasites and micro-plastics, as this straw will additionally filtrate against waterborne viruses, chlorine, chemical reduction, heavy metals and even trace pharmaceuticals.
The Life Filter Survival Straw Pro can be used several ways, either by submerging the end of the body directly into water, or by attaching the 82cm tube that it comes with to the bottom of the body, and sinking the other end of the tube into water, and then drink from the nozzle.
If you’ve bought the Life Filter System which also includes two water pouches, you can collect water in the pouch, and attach it directly to the body, using the 28mm screw thread at the bottom, and then drink safely.
The Pure Clear systems aren’t just useful for survival situation, but ideal when travelling in foreign climes or to simply keep in your car for emergencies, and the best thing is that their range of products are also affordable and designed and made in the UK.
