REI.com
  • Online: www.REI.com
  • URL for this product:
  • From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
  • Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
  • International — Call 1-253-891-2500
  • Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.
Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets
zoomZoom image

Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets

Item # 407071

$6.50

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

1.

2. Qty

3.

Product Rating
Share It
Email this to a friend Email this to a friend
Bookmark and share Bookmark and share

Potable Aqua iodine tablets are a lightweight and economical way to make water suitable for drinking.

  • Iodine tablets kill bacteria, viruses and giardia without the weight, bulk and cost of a water filter
  • Includes 50 tablets; 2 tablets treat 1 quart of water
  • Each tablet contains 20mg of tetraglycine hydroperiodide, which releases 8 ppm of titratable iodine
  • Potable Aqua tablets require that you wait at least 30 min. before drinking the treated water
  • Unopened bottles of Potable Aqua tablets should remain effective up to 4 years when maintained under controlled temperatures between 60 and 86°F
  • An opened bottle of Potable Aqua should not be kept for more than 1 year
  • Caution: Iodine tablets are not effective against Cryptosporidium

Caution: Iodine is not effective against Cryptosporidium.

Made in USA.

Item 407071

Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets Specs

Specification

Description

Weight50 tablets
MaterialIodine
Output25 quarts

Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets
 
4.0

(based on 7 reviews)

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (4)
  • Maintenance (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking (5)
    • Hiking (4)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Avid adventurer (5)

    Reviewed by 7 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-7

    Back to top

    Oct

    30

    2008

    (3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

     
    1.0

    BLECK!

    By Veloboy

    from Nashville, TN

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Low maintenance

    Cons

    • Filtered water doesn't taste good
    • Tastes TERRIBLE

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Hiking

    Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

    These tablets were the gold standard during my scouting years a decade ago, and they kept the water safe, but it makes it taste horrible. I used these tablets for years and put up with the taste (and color) of iodine because it's a lighter alternative to a pump, but now I have discovered a better product. Buy the Katadyn tabs instead, they taste waaaaay better, if you can even taste them at all. Happy trails!

    • Gift:
    • No

    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    (3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

     - You may also flag this review

    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

    Sep

    7

    2007

    (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    reliable

    By climb4life

    from san diego

    Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

    when light is key. if the flavor or color bothers you get the taste and color neutralizer.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

     - You may also flag this review

    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

    Sep

    28

    2007

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Tried and true

    By Max Power

    from Olympia, WA

    About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Failsafe
    • Good filtration
    • Low maintenance

    Cons

    • Filtered water doesn't taste good

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Hiking
    • Third world travel

    Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

    It's not fancy, but iodine tablets are tried and true.

    Yes, your water will taste a little funny. No, it won't give you cancer.

    Your water will be clean. Your pump will not break. And it will only cost you a few dollars. It's also great for large groups. Faster, in fact than sharing a pump with a dozen Boy Scouts, etc.

    It's a little bummer that your glacier fresh water tastes like chemicals, but it's much better than getting sick.

    And it's very good for those who travel in third world contries. Bring along a bottle of Iodine tabs in your pack. It takes up very little space, and will treat you well in a pinch.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

    Was this review helpful? Yes / No

     - You may also flag this review

    Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

    Sep

    4

    2009

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Light weight and fast

    By warske

    from Beaverton, OR

    About Me Casual Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Lightweight

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Hiking

      Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

      My wife and I got tired of filtering water with a slow pump while being chewed up by mosquitoes. With the Potable Aqua, we just scoop the water and run, dropping in the tablets while hiking on the trail. Very fast. We used to buy it with Neutralizer Tablets to improve the taste, but their web site FAQ says each tablet contains approximately 45 milligrams of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). So now we just crush some standard vitamin C pills and put the powder in a small baggie with a tiny scoop. This weighs less than the glass bottle of Neutralizer Tablets and works instantly instead of taking many minutes for the tablets to dissolve when the water is cold. That means you can let the iodine work longer, until you are actually ready to drink from the bottle.

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Sep

      6

      2009

       
      5.0

      Yum. Yellow water supplements.

      By yellow_yum_yum

      from europe

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Pros

      • Lightweight
      • Low maintenance

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

          ...

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Jul

          12

          2009

           
          5.0

          Have used this for years.

          By KD35

          from Seattle, WA

          About Me Avid Adventurer

          Pros

          • Cheap
          • Easy to Use
          • Lightweight

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Backpacking

            Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

            Convenient, small and lightweight, not expensive, and effective. Way, way, way easier than carrying and using a filter! The taste neutralizer tabs are a must to go with it, as far as I'm concerned. One neutralizer tab will restore a liter and a half (probably more) of treated water to glacial freshness.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            Was this review helpful? Yes / No

             - You may also flag this review

            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Apr

            26

            2009

             
            4.0

            Doesn't taste great, but works... cheap

            By ossirrus

            from IA

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Lightweight cheap easy

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Backpacking
              • Day trip
              • Hiking

              Comments about Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets:

              I've been using these tablets for over 20 years now and while they don't taste great, they're not that bad. I've gotten used to them. Even though I own a backpacking water filter, time and time again I opt to go with the tablets in order to save weight and space.

              I tried the Chlorine tablets (Katadyn) a few years ago on a backpacking trip and just about puked - iodine tastes much better to me.

              • Gift:
              • No

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              Was this review helpful? Yes / No

               - You may also flag this review

              Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

              Displaying reviews 1-7

              Back to top

              Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets Related Items

              Things that work well with this item:

              You might also like:

              Join REI and Enjoy the Benefits

              Members are eligible for an annual refund on qualifying purchases. Plus, they enjoy many more benefits. Get a lifetime membership for $20.

              Add an REI membership to my order.

              How are we doing? Give us feedback on this page.

              • Shopping Cart 
              • |
              •  
              • Buy REI Gift Cards
              • REI Gift Cards
              • Fast, easy and one size fits all.
              • Buy now!
              • Join REI today!
              • REI Membership
              • REI member benefits include an annual refund (typically 10% on eligible purchases).
              • Join REI today!
              • Sign up for REI Gearmail®
              • and get 15% off selected items!
              • Store Locator
              • Locate an REI store near you.