Aquatabs  Water Purification Tablets - Package of 30

$14.95

No matter if you're in Peruvian mountain passes or high-traffic wilderness areas closer to home, Aquatabs water purification tablets quickly and reliably purify drinking water.

Quantity

Members get an estimated 10% back on this item as a part of your annual .

Members get an estimated 10% back on this item.
To buy,  sign in as an REI Co-op Member or join now.

Features

  • EPA-approved tablets are effective against viruses, bacteria and giardia cysts, providing safe drinking water in just 30 min.
  • Each tablet treats up to 2 quarts of clean water or 0.8 quart of dirty water
  • Ideal for ultralight backcountry trips, international travel and domestic emergency use
  • Individually packaged, perfect for backing up your microfilter in an emergency
  • Note: Aquatabs are not effective against cryptosporidia
  • Package contains 30 tablets

Imported.

View all Aquatabs Chemical Water Treatments

Technical Specs

Best Use

Backpacking

Emergency Preparedness

Travel

Filter Type

Tablet

Active Ingredient(s)

Sodium Dichlorisocyanurate

Removes/Destroys

Protozoa, Bacteria And Viruses

Reviews
54 reviews with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

24 out of 28 (86%) reviewers recommend this product

Review this Product

Adding a review will require a valid email for verification

Average Customer Ratings

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
No instructions on tablet packs
Tejas
6 years ago
The taste of aquatics is superior to iodine. But this is the most frustrating backpacking product I can recall. The instructions are only on the big box that contains the packets of tablets. There is no meaningful labeling on the packets. They do not say how many L each tablet treats. Additionally, they don't state the mg of each tablet, so you can't look up the instructions online (as they sell different strength tablets).
Tejas
Houston, TX
67 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
No instructions on tablet packs
Tejas
6 years ago
The taste of aquatics is superior to iodine. But this is the most frustrating backpacking product I can recall. The instructions are only on the big box that contains the packets of tablets. There is no meaningful labeling on the packets. They do not say how many L each tablet treats. Additionally, they don't state the mg of each tablet, so you can't look up the instructions online (as they sell different strength tablets).
Tejas
Houston, TX
67 people found this review helpful
Nick Gambeli
Colorado
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

More reliable than a filter!

2 years ago

When my gravity filter failed on the trail, I ended up having to reverse engineer my system to get clean water. Since that was a PITA, I cut my trip short and drove to a small town's outdoor store where I decided I didn't want to refit with a whole new filter system. That's when I saw the Aquatabs. I finished the rest of my backpacking trip using the tabs and used them on two other trips. The only minor issue was trying to coax the tiny tabs out of their tight packaging. Aquatabs are reliable, straightforward to use, and no weight or space penalty in the pack.

Age:65–74
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Chris Daniel
Frankfort, Kentucky
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Light and Easy to Use

8 years ago

I've been chemically treating water during backpacking trips for over 40 years, in the past often with iodine. tablets. I prefer Aquatabs for two reasons: (1) The water's taste is better than that of iodine treated water; (2) The Aquatabs and their packaging together weigh almost nothing. In other words, I avoid having to carry around either a small but thick glass bottle containing iodine tablets, or containers of Aquamira drops, or a filter. One disadvantage of Aquatabs is the product's recommendation that one tiny tablet be used to purify 1 1/4 liters/quarts of water. My own water bottles, like those of most other hikers, are one liter size. So, I've used one tablet per quart. Why doesn't the manufacturer address hikers' needs better by making each tablet slightly smaller? Also, Aquatabs cost more, for the amount for water treated, than competing products. I only backpack about 21 days per year and thus find the cost of Aquatabs reasonable. People who spend much more time on the trail, such as prospective Appalachian Trail thru hikers, often use cheaper methods. Sawyer filters are popular with economy minded long distance walkers.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
del trefz
Caldwell Idaho
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

They work.

3 years ago

Relied on as my only method of water purification during a month of trekking in Nepal and had zero GI issues! Yes, the instructions can drive you crazy--if you let them. Or, you can drop a tab in a one-liter Nalgene and know that in half an hour you can drink without fear.

Age:65–74
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Tejas
Houston, TX
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

No instructions on tablet packs

6 years ago

The taste of aquatics is superior to iodine. But this is the most frustrating backpacking product I can recall. The instructions are only on the big box that contains the packets of tablets. There is no meaningful labeling on the packets. They do not say how many L each tablet treats. Additionally, they don't state the mg of each tablet, so you can't look up the instructions online (as they sell different strength tablets).

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
TimInPA
Philadelphia, PA
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Just in case or just because

3 years ago

I've been using aquatabs for many years now and recommend them over drops or other brands. There is a slight "taste", but I really don't notice it as much as others might. I take these tabs with me just in case my main filtering system fails or if there is an emergency situation. One needs to wait 30 minutes, which is prudent and I have never fallen ill after drinking water treated with this product.

Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
T Rav
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Ditch that fickle filter!

1 year ago

When my filter broke down in Southern New Mexico while hiking the CDT, aquatabs were my lifeline. I liked using them so much that I ditched the filter for the rest of the hike. Aquatabs are now the only thing I use for water purification. They’re small, lightweight, they don’t freeze at night, and they’re fast and easy to use.

Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Jimiwinks
Bend, or
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

I didn’t get explosive diarrhea

7 years ago

Would be better if they were 1L and not .75L. 12345

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Mtn hard
Seattle wa
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Could make this way easier to use

5 years ago

I wish they would have made these so you didn’t need a calculator to take these. There are no instructions on the individual package, so kind of a pain. It should be 1 tablet per 1 liter. Other wise these work

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Remo
Massachusetts
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Good product for purification

2 years ago

I've been using these small tablets to clean my water bottles and to carry back-up water purification on day hikes and backpacking trips if there is an issue with my filter. Only a little bit of chlorine taste. Only down side is that they are not effective against cryptosporidia.

Age:65–74
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Flashback Dave
Pleasant Hill, CA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

A Little Extra Water Safety

7 years ago

While hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016 I used this product, and it performed admirably. Although it is always best to filter, and boil questionable water sources. This product gave me the added safety I required at certain times. Never got sick or any water borne pathogens while using this product.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
1 - 10 of 54 Reviews

Questions & Answers

Loading Questions...