<$100 water filter?

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
Howdy folks-

I've got a $100 gift card to Bass Pro shop. I don't fish. Didn't see anything obvious that I could gift to folks. So I'm thinking of getting a water filter. One of those random things I've never decided to pick up.

I haven't done my research and don't really feel like doing it now. :yawn: So with the requirements that it be roughly within the hundred dollar range, and be sold at Bass Pro shop online, what's the best 'bang for my buck' water filter?
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Howdy folks-

I've got a $100 gift card to Bass Pro shop. I don't fish. Didn't see anything obvious that I could gift to folks. So I'm thinking of getting a water filter. One of those random things I've never decided to pick up.

I haven't done my research and don't really feel like doing it now. :yawn: So with the requirements that it be roughly within the hundred dollar range, and be sold at Bass Pro shop online, what's the best 'bang for my buck' water filter?
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Spooky, I bought a Katadyn Hiker Pro about 3 years ago ($75-$80) & have used it countless times camping, hiking, ATVing, etc. Pretty good set-up for the money, & also bought an extra filter to keep handy. Don't think you will be disappointed.
Be safe.
 
I've been looking hard at the katadyn Vario - that and a spare filter should put you just over your gift card.
 
Barbarossa said:
MSR MiniWorks EX for around $90 can't be beat
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+1 - bombproof and field maintainable, had mine fail once, sand compromised the gaskets camping in the sand dunes, opened it up, cleaned out the sand, back in business in five minutes - so unless you do a lot of camping in sand, it's awesome and even if you do you just have to be a little more careful
 
A lot of MSR Miniworks love and I've heard good things about them. Either that or the Katadyn Hiker...I've used one in the past and that's what I'm going to get my son for his B-day...that and an upgrade sleeping bag and he'll have his own backpacking kit.

ROCK6
 
akennedy73 said:
+1 - bombproof and field maintainable, had mine fail once, sand compromised the gaskets camping in the sand dunes, opened it up, cleaned out the sand, back in business in five minutes - so unless you do a lot of camping in sand, it's awesome and even if you do you just have to be a little more careful
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+1 to this. Used it for the first time hiking the Juan de Fuca strait this summer. Very very fast flow, nice and compact, and easily cleaned in the field.
 
I always recommend the Hiker. It's the only one I know well. Been using the old PUR Voyageur(same thing, but a different cartridge) for maybe a dozen years, and now use the Hiker/Hiker Pro filter in it. I just hiked for several days with a friend who manages an outdoor store, and has state of the art everything. She uses a Hiker, too.
 
Hey Spooky this is the nice thing about the MiniWorks, you don't need to change the filter for a loooooong time. The filter is field cleanable and the gauge it comes with will tell you when it is time to get a new one. The filter is ceramic with a carbon core so if it gets plugged up you just sand a fine layer of ceramic off with the included pad. I always put a coffee filter over my pre-filter to extend the life of it. It keeps the silt in check a little. MSR now has a pre-filter kit you can add to the hose to keep the main filter like new.
 
Katadyn Hiker has the best combination of ease of use, effectiveness, size, and weight. My second choice would be the MSR Miniworks.

The Hyperflow is only a good idea if you are using it in pristine water. It requires a lot of field maintenance and backflushing.

I have had a Pur Hiker (now the Katadyn Hiker) for about 14 years, and I changed the filter about once every two years. I have stopped using filters altogether now, and drink my water straight from the streams and lakes. Sierra water is a lot safer than most people think.
 
lambertiana said:
Katadyn Hiker has the best combination of ease of use, effectiveness, size, and weight. My second choice would be the MSR Miniworks.

The Hyperflow is only a good idea if you are using it in pristine water. It requires a lot of field maintenance and backflushing.

I have had a Pur Hiker (now the Katadyn Hiker) for about 14 years, and I changed the filter about once every two years. I have stopped using filters altogether now, and drink my water straight from the streams and lakes. Sierra water is a lot safer than most people think.
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Based on responses, those look like the top two. But the MSR is sounding like it wins in 'ruggedness'. What makes it number two for you?
 
I have used both the Hiker and the Miniworks. The Hiker pumps a lot faster and with less effort. And it is lighter, which is important if you are trying to reduce your pack weight.

The Miniworks does remove smaller things better (human pathogens, like larger bacteria, although I don't think it works for viruses). But if you are using a water source that could potentially have human pathogens, you should always back up your filters with a secondary chemical treatment (bleach, chlorine dioxide, or iodine) or by simply boiling.

Both filters are very effective for things like giardia and cryptosporidium.
 
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