Aspen Times Reviews Katadyn, Lifestraw, and Clearsource Water Filters

Aspen —Katadyn’s Explorer Pro Purifier weighs 1.38 pounds. It filters 20,000 liters of water before the ceramic stage needs replacement. That’s a lot of hydration for a device that packs into a glove box or a daypack.

The Aspen Times ran this gear review recently, highlighting products tested by the writer during summer travel that included a foreign country. The piece notes all three featured items are third-party tested and certified. With the holiday weekend approaching, REI is discounting the Katadyn purifier by 25% off its $449.95 price tag.

That’s the short version: you can buy high-end filtration hardware at a reduced cost right now.

The Katadyn unit uses a three-stage system: ceramic microfiltration, activated carbon, and virus removal. You can swap out the virus or carbon stages depending on where you’re going. It strips microplastics, bacteria, protozoa, cysts, sediment, and chemicals from the water. The filters store dry without mold risk. It’s made in Switzerland.

Next up is the Lifestraw Go Series Tumbler, 20 ounces. It’s an insulated mug that doubles as a filter. The straw attaches to a membrane microfilter inside the base, which lasts up to 1,000 gallons. It removes bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and dirt. A carbon filter handles chlorine and taste issues. The narrow base fits standard cup holders. It weighs 1.2 pounds empty. Lifestraw prices it at $59.95 on its website. Each purchase funds safe water for one child for a year.

The third item is the Clearsource Ultra RV Water Filter. This isn’t for hiking. It’s for your motorhome. The system uses technology developed by NASA to remove heavy metals, bacteria, cysts, and viruses. Clearsource claims no other RV filter offers that level of protection, citing a proprietary VirusGuard element they say outperforms advanced survival filters. The chassis is powder-coated metal with stainless steel fittings. It weighs 28 pounds. You can leave it outside overnight without worrying about the elements. A lighter “mini” version is available.

The reviewer noted they didn’t get sick while RV’ing through the South, which is a decent real-world test for the Clearsource unit. They also reported no change in water pressure when the filter was installed between the overnight source and the RV.

For folks who live in or near mountain towns, the practical application is straightforward. If you’re planning a trip to a region with questionable tap water, or if you’re relying on a natural source for your RV’s fresh tank, these are the options that have passed independent certification. You don’t need to guess.

The Katadyn is the premium choice for serious backcountry or international travel. The Lifestraw is the commuter’s pick — grab it, fill it from a tap or a stream, and drink. The Clearsource is for the folks who park their rigs in campgrounds across the valley or downrange.

Make no mistake: water quality varies wildly from one zip code to the next, and even worse when you cross state lines. These products remove that variable. You pay once for the hardware, and you stop worrying about what’s in the glass.

The Aspen Times review ends with a note on storage for the Clearsource: empty the canisters before putting it away. That’s all you have to do.

REI has the Katadyn on sale until the holiday weekend ends. Lifestraw and Clearsource are available directly from their respective websites. No middleman markup on the latter two, just direct-to-consumer pricing.

If your current setup is a bottle of tap water and a prayer, it’s time to upgrade. The hardware exists. It’s tested. And for the Katadyn, it’s 25% cheaper this week than usual.

The story doesn’t get more complicated than that. You want clean water. These tools deliver it. Buy the one that fits your specific use case, and stop second-guessing every sip.