Kit thats come and gone ...

[rg598]

well clearly it doesnt start as liquid it has to be melted and put through then boiled. my point is you would have to do the same with a sawyer or other system and then the same question applies, how do you stop your bag or filter freezing. If the millbank freezes it will work next time you pour liquid into it. Your sawyer will be bolaxed

I love my sawyer, thirst aid bag etc but its not the be all and end all but i guess it has come and is largely gone. I would point out i do not own a personal milbank. Mine is the group version which holds around a gallon. It will process a lot of water very quickly

I've never filtered boiled water, but I suppose in that role it would work. Still, seems like a lot of pain for nothing. Carrying around a heavy, frozen piece of fabric just to remove a few pine needles is not going to make it a big seller.

As far as filters, of course they don't get used in freezing conditions for obvious reasons. Under such conditions, liquid water is rarely available though, so it doesn't matter much since you have to melt snow for it anyway.

 

[bilmo-p5]

Passe or not, there remains a modest but steady demand for the millbank bag, and not just in UK.

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

 

[cbr6fs]

If the millbank freezes it will work next time you pour liquid into it. Your sawyer will be bolaxed

Not a cold weather person, but the odd time i've been out camping in freezing temps i've found a couple of solutions.

1/ Use a empty bladder to blow out the majority of the water from the filter using the air in the bladder
2/ Wrap the filter in a good quality waterproof bag and stick it in the foot of your sleeping bag

I have used method #1 but i still worry that ice has damaged some of the internal filaments so mainly use method #2

When hiking i stick it in a pocket.

Generally in Northern Greece and a UK when i've camped in winter it's not difficult to find clean snow or ice, plus as i'm effectively boiling it to melt it i'm not too worried about filtering in most higher locations.
If i'm camping in the woods then i don't tend to worry about a few pine needles, just adds to the flavour

Method i tend to use is to 1/4 fill me pan up with liquid water (usually from my water bladder in my rucksack next to my back).
I'll then add snow or ice to this water and gently heat tills it's all melted, inevitably i'll keep throwing more snow in till the pans nearly full.
Once it's all melted i'll turn up the heat and boil.
If i'm really nervous of the quality of the water then i won't boil, i'll wait till it cools enough to filter through the Sawyer.

Am i right in saying you melt the ice, then stick it in the Millbank, then filter, them boil.
If so that sounds like a right nightmare, how do you prevent the millbank bag from freezing straight away at -20c?

Reality is a bitch...

Search for thermarest delamination, there are hundreds of pictures and forum threads about the subject.

By using that logic..............

Doesn't stop millions and millions of drivers/riders/passengers from using inflatable tyres on a daily basis, the convenience of using cars, trucks, buses, planes, motorbikes, pushbikes etc over weighs the risk of a puncture.

Also worth considering that as rg pointed out with decent modern inflated mats, even deflated they offer as much warmth as many CCF mats so if they de-laminate as said your still in a better state than if you used a CCF insulation wise as it'll be lighter and smaller to pack the next day (than a CCF)

 

[cbr6fs]

Passe or not, there remains a modest but steady demand for the millbank bag, and not just in UK.

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

There also seems to be a steady demand for reality TV, gossip magazines, hair extensions, fake tan and hard drugs doesn't mean it's right though

 

[Imagedude]

Also worth considering that as rg pointed out with decent modern inflated mats, even deflated they offer as much warmth as many CCF mats so if they de-laminate as said your still in a better state than if you used a CCF insulation wise PLUS it'll be lighter and smaller to pack the next day (than a CCF)

Name one; I have 5 Thermarest mats and none offer any insulation when deflated when compressed under the body of the user. Yes, when deflated but uncompressed they may have some insulation value but I seriously doubt there is an air mat on the market that has any usable insulation value in real world conditions when deflated (unless it is used as a blanket).

 

[santaman2000]

Passe or not, there remains a modest but steady demand for the millbank bag, and not just in UK.

Sent from my GT-S5830i using Tapatalk 2

To be honest, I'd never heard of them outside the UK.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Am i right in saying you melt the ice, then stick it in the Millbank, then filter, them boil.
If so that sounds like a right nightmare, how do you prevent the millbank bag from freezing straight away at -20c?

Not quite, i melt the snow, filter through the milbank and boil up for a brew. It doesnt get filtered twice.

It would be the same with a sawyer. Melt snow, filter then boil for a brew.

My milbank has a gallon capacity so it comes through rapidly due to the higher head pressure and before it can freeze

In terms of time its far quicker than my sawyer and is not subject to cold damage.

I also find if you use a bladder system sub zero the pipes freeze instantly and you are finished.

 

[bilmo-p5]

The Millbank bag is a simple, basic, lightweight, cheap, durable & effective particulate filter.

No more, no less.

Deriding it for its inability to do that which it is not intended to do is nonsense.

 

[treadlightly]

The Millbank bag is a simple, basic, lightweight, cheap, durable & effective particulate filter.

No more, no less.

Deriding it for its inability to do that which it is not intended to do is nonsense.

Ah, some sense! Such a welcome relief!

 

[bearpark]

There also seems to be a steady demand for reality TV, gossip magazines, hair extensions, fake tan and hard drugs doesn't mean it's right though

I couldn't agree with you more on the Sawyer front. There's a weird air of sacredness around some items on here and people seem to jump to defend them like angry rottweilers.

Just because something has been tried and tested for 50+ years doesn't mean that it is the absolute pinnacle of the species. Developments in technology, engineering and lower resource costs mean that improvements are being made all of the time. CCF mats are great, and dependable but I know that if I had the option I would choose a good quality self inflating mat any day of the week. I own both and both have their uses, but the CCF is definitely a backup or a supplementary item these days since I'd prefer to have a functioning spine in later life.

Classic may equal reliability but pro cyclists don't ride up mountains on gas pipe frames and most folk don't tend to kip in tipis on a daily basis. This whole thread is about moving on and, personal preference aside, kit has moved on since 1950.

 

[MikeLA]

I couldn't agree with you more on the Sawyer front. There's a weird air of sacredness around some items on here and people seem to jump to defend them like angry rottweilers.

Just because something has been tried and tested for 50+ years doesn't mean that it is the absolute pinnacle of the species. Developments in technology, engineering and lower resource costs mean that improvements are being made all of the time. CCF mats are great, and dependable but I know that if I had the option I would choose a good quality self inflating mat any day of the week. I own both and both have their uses, but the CCF is definitely a backup or a supplementary item these days since I'd prefer to have a functioning spine in later life.

Classic may equal reliability but pro cyclists don't ride up mountains on gas pipe frames and most folk don't tend to kip in tipis on a daily basis. This whole thread is about moving on and, personal preference aside, kit has moved on since 1950.

does not mean its better though and people have a right to still use what they like

 

[bearpark]

Better is relative. I'm just saying that progress is evident and people who move on tend to have a better time of it by and large.

 

[Clouston98]

does not mean its better though and people have a right to still use what they like

Exactly.

I love my Bilbank bag, it works well and functions perfectly for the job it is intended- to filter particulates. I don't care wether trolls don't like it I will continue to use it regardless. As I said earlier it is supposed to be a thread about kit that will go out of favour, not a crusade to convert people. If you don't like it use something else, I like it and will continue to use it.

If people stop making daft analogies about car tyres and what not and stop trying to discredit things for no valid reason the thread wouldn't be in such a mess.

My opinions as voiced earlier, I think everyone is entitled to use whatever they want.

 

[bearpark]

Exactly.

I love my Bilbank bag, it works well and functions perfectly for the job it is intended- to filter particulates. I don't care wether trolls don't like it I will continue to use it regardless. As I said earlier it is supposed to be a thread about kit that will go out of favour, not a crusade to convert people. If you don't like it use something else, I like it and will continue to use it.

If people stop making daft analogies about car tyres and what not and stop trying to discredit things for no valid reason the thread wouldn't be in such a mess.

My opinions as voiced earlier, I think everyone is entitled to use whatever they want.

Fair points, but why do certain items come and go? Simply fashion?

 

[sunndog]

The Millbank bag is a simple, basic, lightweight, cheap, durable & effective particulate filter.

No more, no less.

Deriding it for its inability to do that which it is not intended to do is nonsense.

spot on, i can't remember any pro milbank bag posters claiming it was better than all other filters either. its just an item of kit that does the job it was designed to do

this was a great thread but it is starting to degenerate a bit now. the original question asked was about fashion......fashion has never been a basis for finding the best performing option has it

 

[Clouston98]

Fair points, but why do certain items come and go? Simply fashion?

Because people decide to try new things and use them, it has a lot to do with trends- look at Woodlore knife trend, or the crusader cook set - both very good and valid bits of kit for use- just because it isn't used as much doesn't mean it's wrong and people use what works for them, filters like sawyer aren't for me so I don't use them, Bilbank is for me so I use it. Simple really.

 

[Shewie]

It seems most comments have a counter argument in this thread, somebody has moved onto something else whilst others still favour the older stuff.

I think the thread needs a new title, "What kit don't you use anymore?" should do it, at least then it's personal and we don't all have to agree.

 

[jacko1066]

Not a cold weather person, but the odd time i've been out camping in freezing temps i've found a couple of solutions.

1/ Use a empty bladder to blow out the majority of the water from the filter using the air in the bladder
2/ Wrap the filter in a good quality waterproof bag and stick it in the foot of your sleeping bag

I have used method #1 but i still worry that ice has damaged some of the internal filaments so mainly use method #2

When hiking i stick it in a pocket.

Generally in Northern Greece and a UK when i've camped in winter it's not difficult to find clean snow or ice, plus as i'm effectively boiling it to melt it i'm not too worried about filtering in most higher locations.
If i'm camping in the woods then i don't tend to worry about a few pine needles, just adds to the flavour

Method i tend to use is to 1/4 fill me pan up with liquid water (usually from my water bladder in my rucksack next to my back).
I'll then add snow or ice to this water and gently heat tills it's all melted, inevitably i'll keep throwing more snow in till the pans nearly full.
Once it's all melted i'll turn up the heat and boil.
If i'm really nervous of the quality of the water then i won't boil, i'll wait till it cools enough to filter through the Sawyer.

Am i right in saying you melt the ice, then stick it in the Millbank, then filter, them boil.
If so that sounds like a right nightmare, how do you prevent the millbank bag from freezing straight away at -20c?



By using that logic..............

Doesn't stop millions and millions of drivers/riders/passengers from using inflatable tyres on a daily basis, the convenience of using cars, trucks, buses, planes, motorbikes, pushbikes etc over weighs the risk of a puncture.

Also worth considering that as rg pointed out with decent modern inflated mats, even deflated they offer as much warmth as many CCF mats so if they de-laminate as said your still in a better state than if you used a CCF insulation wise as it'll be lighter and smaller to pack the next day (than a CCF)

The way we used the milbank bag with snow in Estonia was to fill the bag up with snow, hang near the fire so it melts and filters at the same time, we then boiled the water.
It worked a treat, but very time consuming!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bearpark]

It seems most comments have a counter argument in this thread, somebody has moved onto something else whilst others still favour the older stuff.

I think the thread needs a new title, "What kit don't you use anymore?" should do it, at least then it's personal and we don't all have to agree.

You're probably right Shewie. A thread listing old stuff doesn't sound all that interesting to me, where a discussion does. Perhaps its just me though.

 

[Shewie]

You're probably right Shewie. A thread listing old stuff doesn't sound all that interesting to me, where a discussion does. Perhaps its just me though.

We've discussed far worse on here before