Whenever I travel, I always carry a bottle of water, but even though I like having it, it can be annoying.
It takes up a lot of space in my backpack, even before adding a way to purify the contents. I feel especially frustrated when I have to ditch my liquids at an airport security check, and then carry a large bottle with nothing in it for several hours.
The Vapur collapsible water bottle range offers convenience without wasted space. I recently reviewed the Shades model, and the company also shipped a MicroFilter version with a built-in filter for me to test. This is how it was.
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Vapur microfilter test
The Vapur MicroFilter consists of a collapsible one liter (~ 34 oz) container made from a sturdy BPA free plastic, along with a wide plastic straw filled with hollow fibers to filter bacteria and protozoa with a 150 gallon (500 liter) capacity.
The lid mechanism snaps firmly into place to prevent spillage, but also unscrews to allow quick filling and emptying of contents. There is also a carabiner to attach to a backpack.
One important thing to note is that while the MicroFilter will remove many of the nuisances found in untreated water sources, it will not remove viruses. If you want the most complete protection against waterborne diseases, keep this in mind.
Unlike the Shades model, the MicroFilter is not designed to roll as the filter mechanism makes it impossible. I found that by taking the air out of the bag it was possible to loosely fold the sides, but you would need to use a rubber band or similar to hold them in position.
As a result, although the MicroFilter is still much thinner than a normal plastic bottle, it is not as space efficient as the Shades when empty. You can remove the filter completely and roll up the bag, but you still need to take the filter with you.
However, aside from purifying the water, the great filtering mechanism provides an additional advantage over Shadows. Even when it’s full of water, it’s much easier to open the lid without spilling the contents everywhere.
I was able to firmly grip the filter at the top of the bag, which meant less squeezing the contents when opening the lid. My floorboards definitely appreciated it.
The size was also more useful for travel than the 500ml offered by the Shadows. One liter of water is enough to spend several hours exploring in most conditions, which means less need to locate somewhere to refill in the middle of the day. Of course, having a filter means that you should be less concerned about where you are filling up in any case, but it’s still nice not to have to do it as often.
The larger size also means a sturdier base – when placed on the ground, the MicroFilter was less prone to falling off than the Shades.
Unlike some straw-based water filters, the MicroFilter did not require large amounts of suction to draw water through it. With a gentle squeeze, it was even possible to (slowly) pour filtered water out of the nozzle, making it useful for washing toothbrushes or irrigating wounds, among other things.
I noticed a different taste to the water after it had passed through the filter. It wasn’t unpleasant, as such, but I still would have preferred it wasn’t there. Whether it disappears over time remains to be seen.
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Verdict
The Vapur MicroFilter is a mixed bag, pun intended. Overall, I liked the size and layout, and within its limitations, the filtering mechanism worked well. However, given the taste and lack of protection against viruses, the recommended retail price of $ 50 is harder to justify.
Fortunately, you don’t need to pay a similar amount if you buy from Amazon – I’ve seen it below $ 20 at times, making it a much more attractive option.
Still, I would personally be inclined to pair the company’s liter Eclipse bag with a UV-based Steripen water purifier. You’ll end up with better protection when you need it.
If you have a little more room in your bag, also take a look at the GRAYL Ultralight. It works like a French press, with greater comfort and protection than the Vapur Micofilter. It also filters out any unusual flavors or particles, which the Steripen does not.
