Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

Got a deal on the Steripen Classic UV purification 'pen'. The Classic is heavier and cheaper than the Adventurer model.

Have used the Classic on two trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota, relying on it completely for drinking water on week-long trips.

Loaded with 4 AA Lithium batteries I got about 100 liters of safe drinking water before the batteries wore out.

Although the lake water in BWCAW is claimed to be among the cleanest in the country, and some canoeists do drink straight from the lake (usually dropping weighted buckets to depth far from shore) we were able to draw water from the shoreline, hit it with the Steripen, and drink, a convenience taking only 2-3 minutes total.

It was a pleasure to drink unfiltered water, taste and all, with confidence that we wouldn't get sick.

I'll be taking the Steripen to western China and plan to use it in all situations where the water is relatively free of industrial pollutants. (Which rules out about 3/4 of the country's waterways)

Only negatives of this device is the weight as compared to Adventurer model and the cost of batteries.

Rating: 2 / 5

I took the Steripen on the CDT knowing that I would have many questionable water sources, but wary of using chemical treatment on my water for several months in a row.

I was disappointed by the battery life and dependability of the Steripen Classic. I used 4x Lithium AA batteries as recommended. I should have been able to treat 100 liters.

Sadly, however, after about 30 liters, the Steripen would show "no battery." Then, maybe 8 hours later, it would have enough juice to treat ONE single liter before showing no battery again.

This 8 hour delay to access the remaining power in the batteries was unacceptable.

I sent home my Steripen, switched back to my trusty polar pure, and walked the next four months without issue.