Portable water purification helps people in underdeveloped nations all over the world, protecting them from disease and infections caused by cysts, protozoa, microbial waterborne bacteria and viruses like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Humanitarian organizations are striving to lower the general cost of these devices in order to provide them to many members of the population of third-world countries. In the meantime, the pricing on these is much more in reach for those of us in developed countries, even though we already benefit from cleaner water sources and more advanced water filtration systems. The catch? You can’t take your city or town’s water source with you, so you might not be so lucky while out enjoying mother nature, and trying to keep hydrated during your adventure… or in a country with questionable water cleanliness, and would prefer to not be running to the bathroom for your whole trip. Here are some portable options for you.

The pocketable personal version: SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier is a small device that you dip into an existing cup or glass of water, and then simply stir until it notifies you the purification cycle is complete. A bit 007-ish but probably the easiest one to pack.

The Katadyn Exstream Purifier Bottle is ingenious – it’s a purifier that sits inside a familiar sports-bottle shape. Fill it from a stream or other water source, and let it purify as you continue your journey. For the adventurer.

On the higher end sits the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter. It’s more like a heavy duty pump which can supply filtered water at the rate of 1 quart per minute – that means it can handle 1 to 4 people while remaining quite portable. For black-ops and campers alike.

More photos after the jump.

SteriPEN Traveler Handheld UV Water Purifier

Katadyn Exstream Purifier Bottle

Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter