SteriPEN SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Review 2019

SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Overview

When I first began exploring the wilds in the 1980’s, my father and I would dip our Kelty cups into lakes and rivers as we passed by, drinking the icy water without a second thought. Shortly thereafter, water borne illness became a real concern in the backcountry (as humans and livestock activity increased), and the outdoor industry exploded with options for creating safe drinking water. But holy cow was it a grind. The first selections were heavy, cumbersome filters that took half a day and Herculean strength to use. Or, you could also use tablets that took just as long and gave your water a distinctly nasty flavor and color. No bueno.

Then, to the delight of thirsty backpackers everywhere, the industry evolved again. With some really cool options. Now we are in a “Silver Age” of water purification (the Golden Age belonging to the days when we didn’t have to worry about man-eating bacteria) where there are a plethora of options that are effective, fast, and easy to use.

So let’s cut to the chase. Of everything I have used to filter, purify, or sterilize my drinking water (which is a lengthy list), my standout favorite is the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti. Nothing else is even a close second. Feather light (3.6 oz), small enough to fit into a hip pouch, insanely easy to use, and effective — it’s supposed to kill 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa with its UV light wand. I’ve been using it exclusively since 2013 and haven’t been sick once. In short, I flat-out love this thing. For these reasons, the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti is our Classic Pick for the Ultralight Backpacker, Day Hiker, and Urban Hiker.

We invite you to visit our comprehensive water filter and purification guide, drink in our accumulated knowledge, and see why we recommend the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti below.

SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Specifications

Gear Review of the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti

Origins: Easing You In

When I decided to run the John Muir Trail (JMT) in 2013, I knew that light and lean was going to be the only way to fly. Which meant I had to get rid of the water filter beast in my kit. I scoured every source of information I could get my hands on, and ultimately decided on the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti. It was love at first sight. I picked it up and laughed out loud! It’s so light as to be a complete non-issue. Then I experimented with packing options, placing the sleek, neoprene case in a few different locations. I realized it would fit anywhere in my pack, and ultimately decided to make its home my right hip belt pouch for easy access while on the trail.

Yes, it really is small.

Revelation: The Moment I Knew

I didn’t have to actually use the Adventurer Opti until late morning on my first day on the JMT. I started the long climb out of Yosemite Valley in the cold, pre-dawn fog, and didn’t start drinking in earnest until the sun’s first rays embraced me.

When my water-bottles were finally spent, I stopped at a rivulet that bisected the trail and pulled out my SteriPEN. The moment of truth had arrived. I dunked my bottle, filling it to the brim. Then I took the Adventurer Opti out of its case, removed the plastic cap, pushed the “On” button, and stuck it in the bottle. Per the instructions, I swirled it in a circular motion for 90 seconds (really, until the UV light turns off). Then I waited for a breathless second, and rejoiced when the indicator light flashed green – letting me know the water was safe to drink (if it flashes red you need to treat it again). Then I drank the luscious mountain water until my belly was full and my mood lifted.

It was by far the quickest, easiest water purification of my life.

Digging Deeper

While the Adventurer Opti stole my heart on this first trip, I have been continuously using it since then and have grown even fonder of it for a few reasons.

First, the CR123 batteries last forever. (Well, not forever.) I have never actually had to replace the batteries because they’ve run out of juice; I just get jumpy after multiple trips and end up replacing them to be safe. The SteriPEN website tells you to expect 50 treatments from a single set of batteries, and in my experience you’ll get at least that many. The UV lights are also supposed to be good for 8,000 liters. That, my friends, is a lot of purified water.

Second, while you do need to use the unit in a bottle of some kind (you’ll need at least a 1.75 inch opening), it isn’t an issue at all to purify water in a bottle and then pour it into a bladder or something else.

Water purifier seeking 1L water bottle. Must like long hikes through the wilderness.

Finally, since using the SteriPEN is so quick, easy, and reliable, it’s fantastic for helping people in need! I can’t count the number of times I have donned my Superman cape (where the “S” stands for SteriPEN) and helped backpackers whose filtration or purification equipment is clogged or broken; or simply people on the trail who are too thirsty to wait for their tablets or too tired to use their filters.

Ease of Use

Ridiculously easy. No more sore arms, clogged filters, or 87 different pieces to fit together. It almost seems too good to be true – but it’s not.

That’s all there is folks.

Durability

Fantastic. I’ve used the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti on over 20 trips (a couple hundred treatments). It has been dropped, jostled in my pack, and used with thirsty vigor, And it hasn’t failed me once. Not one time.

Compatibility

The Adventurer Opti is different than other filters that screw onto bottles or in-line into bladders, but it’s compatbility is actually greater. All you need is a water contained with a wide enough opening to stick the device inside, and then it’s compatible. You’ll likely have a water bottle already, so just make sure it’s wide enough to fit.

Portability

This is like asking about the “blue-ability” of the summer sky. The Adventurer Opti is so small and packable that I often carry it on training runs and just stick it in my run pack. It is way portable.

A small carrying case makes it even easier to carry around this ultra-portable purifier.

Filtration Rate

It takes roughly 90 seconds to treat one liter (32 ounces) of water, which is the typical size of a wide-mouthed Nalgene. Unlike other filters this rate doesn’t really change based on usage; it’s 90 seconds every time, or less if you have less water. Just wait for the light to go off.

Grievances

As much as I love the SteriPEN Adventurer Opti there are a few potential issues that are worth pointing out.

While the CR123 batteries last forever, they can be hard to find. SteriPEN also makes a version that comes with rechargeable CR302 batteries, but finding those is even more difficult. Not a deal breaker, but it requires some forethought.

Also, remember that the Adventurer Opti is a purifier not a filter. This means if you find yourself in an area with murky, sediment filled, scummy water you will have to figure out another way to remove the gunk before you purify. You can get creative and use a piece of clothing or a gravel system (look online for how to do this), but keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Finally, when using the Adventurer Opti in the daylight, the UV and indicator lights can be challenging to see. My suggestion is to find a shady spot that offers as much contrast as possible so you know for certain it has purified the water.

Final Word

The SteriPEN Adventurer Opti has been my right-hand purification system for years, and I’ve used it all over the world. It is exceptionally light, packable, simple, and fast-acting – and it hasn’t failed me a single time. In fact, it’s so easy and efficient that I can almost… almost, pretend that I’m drinking right from the stream the way we used to.

The SteriPEN Adventurer Opti in its natural environment.

Where to Buy SteriPEN Adventurer Opti

The SteriPEN Adventurer Opti was tested for this review. There are a few other models of the SteriPEN, each packaged for slightly different use cases. We’ve found that the Adventurer Opti is the best option for backpackers, due to its weight, simplicity, and battery life.

Compare SteriPen Adventurer Opti prices below.

Josh Mathe

Josh Mathe is passionate about squeezing every last drop from life, and helping others do the same. He is the best-selling and award-winning author of "I, Athlete" and "In the Footsteps of Greatness", as well as a speaker, fitness expert, nutritionist, ultra endurance athlete, and life adventurer. Josh is the owner of One10 Performance & Nutrition, and when not in office he spends his days in the mountains moving as fast and light as possible. Josh holds a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition, and is a certified sports nutritionist (CISSN), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), and endurance coach. He lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and three crazy animals. For more information or to contact Josh directly, please visit his website.