Review: RapidPure Trail Blazer 9.0 Liter Gravity Water Purification System

Whether you're traveling the world or backpacking through the wilderness, having access to clean drinking water is a necessity.  The RapidPure Trail Blazer by Adventure Medical Kits is a 9.0 liter gravity water purification system that can quickly deliver up to 5 liters of clean drinking water per minute.  With no pumping, priming, or special maintenance required, this water purification system is a good choice for your camps water treatment system.  

The RapidPure Trail Blazer uses UltraCeram electro adsorptive technology which acts like a magnet to remove harmful viruses, bacteria, protozoa, cysts, chemicals, heavy metals (lead), micro-plastics and more.  It is also equipped with an activated carbon filter which reduces bad odors and improves taste.  This filter removes 99.9999% of viruses and bacteria, and 99.9975% of parasites, and works even after it has been frozen.  This RapidPure product has purifier protection for 125 gallons of water.  After 125 gallons, the filter will need to be replaced for virus protection but can still be used as a filter removing bacteria and parasites for up to 1000 gallons.

Weighing in at 18.5 ounces, the RapidPure Trail Blazer is quick to set up and easy to use. Prior to use, remove the protective wrapper from the filter,  insert the filter into the collection bag then fasten it with the provided wingnut.  Next, attach the collection hose and release clamp.  The filter is now ready for use.  Just fill the bag with water and let gravity do the work.

Overall, the RapidPure Trail Blazer performed well in the field providing clean, safe drinking water with little effort.  The best part was not having to pump, prime, or backflush the filter.  Although this purification system claims to filter up to 5 liters of water per minute, that flow rate only seemed obtainable if the bag was completely full of water.  If the collection water source is shallow, it might be difficult to get a sufficient amount of water to fill the bag resulting in a slower flow rate.  Not a big deal if you're not in a hurry.  The design of the release clamp on the hose could have also been better.  In the field, I was seeing water drip from the hose while the clamp was engaged.  I needed to adjust the clamp and situate the hose above the filter to reduce the drip.  An in-line on/off valve could easily fix this problem.  I would definitely recommend the Trail Blazer as the perfect backcountry water purification system for group adventures.