Water Filters, which one do you carry?

J

JohnWayne360

Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
164
Hey gents, I've carried purification tablets up to this point and I think it's time I invest in a proper filter, problem is, with so many out there I don't know which to choose.
I've basically narrowed 2 down, the MSR Miniworks EX and the Katadyn Hiker Pro.
Does anyone have any experience with these two? Is there another one I'm overlooking?

Thanks.
 
I have a MSR that I used to carry but in order to save space and weight I just carry purification tablets and coffee filters now. Never had a problem.
I can recommend the MSR it worked fine. It's about 10 years old but I think it was similar or identical to the Miniworks.
 
Just to muddy the waters ;) I would say go with the katadyn. All the katadyn units I've seen, seem to be more rugged then the MSR equivalents. I used the hiker pro for a week hike in Northern Alabama with no problems whatsoever. We had an MSR filter too, it got plugged up and quit functioning entirely. Your mileage of course may vary.
 
I also had problems with my MSRs. Started with a sweet hyperflow due to how small it was. Unfortantly, it would need frequant backflushing even when trying to pump water out of the sink at home. I would be up a creek in the field with it. Next was a miniworks. Worked great about the first 3 or so liters my first time in the field with it. Clean and got about another 3 liters, took 3 cleans just to fill my MSR 10L Dromdery (SP?) bag. I also own a MSR MIOX which is a great little purifiying unit. I take it with me to travels thru out the world for work. Never been sick using it. Only down side... batteries are hard to find overseas, The smaller the grain of salt the more you need to refill it, and it takes time to work. Another thing MSR makes is the "siltstopper" I like to use it on ceramic filters as a prefilter. Small, light weight, replaceable elements, Im a fan. Last is their bags, the dromedary or whatever they are called. This things are TOUGH. I like them more than your average platty or soft canteen. Infact I use the 6liter as a bladder in my pack but only fill it about halfway, when I make camp I fill it up and use it as a pillow if needed, which act as a cooler on hot summer nights. The things take any abuse you can really toss at them. On long outtings like the hunts I take a 10L and shower kit as well. The things are really worth the weight in gold. They also make a lighterweight one but I have not tired them.

I also own a variaty of Katyden filters. I really like them but as with everything there is downsides. The hiker pro. Great little unit, and cheap. filters cost about as much as the unit when on sale, so the only one I had to replace I just bought a entire new unit on sale just before last summer. I keep one of these in each car since they can be bought on sale for about $50 every so often, keep your eyes open for GREAT prices on these. Also own a pocket, which ironically I have never seen a pocket on a person that can fit these, but they fit most pack pockets fine. The thing is my goto if anything bad were to happen and I had to leave in a hurry, its also the one I take on longer outtings. Almost complete SS construction has it weighing in like a lead bar, but still, if its durabilty your after, this thing is great.

Last is chemical purication.. I tried out "polar pure" this last year and have been impressed, its easy to use ready when you need it, "rumored" to last for more water than I will need for it. But being chemical you need to let the treated water sit after using, the bottle is just that a GLASS bottle, wish they made a nalgeen version for the bottle, and its temp senstive because of this glass bottle. But I still own 3 since they are so cheap.

My vote for cost/ durability/ easy of use... hiker pro.

filters1.JPG
 
I basically have the Katadyn Hiker Pro, though it's really an old PUR Voyageur Purifier with the Hiker Pro filter(same thing). Been using it for 10-12 years, I guess. No complaints. Simple and easy to use, works every time, almost zero maintenance, and pumps directly into a wide mouth Nalgene. Not the fastest pump around, but I've pumped water for three for several days, and it was fine by me.
 
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
How long do you Hiker Pro users think I can get out of a single filter provided I take care of the unit and use a prefilter before pumping?
 
In years past when backpacking with friends, I brought the stove or tent and they brought the filter. Got to use a few different filters and like the Katadyn models the best. Last year someone I know picked up a Hiker Pro from the local shop (first time I'd seen it) and I rather liked it. Got to see it in action a few times and started recommending it to others. Finally got my self one a last spring and really like it. Used it to filter about 10 quarts of water up Mount Nebo last weekend and it did a great job.

IMO you can't go wrong with the Hiker Pro or other Katadyn Filters.

Edited to add: Katadyn's website says that you should be able to filter about 200 gallons of water with a Hiker Pro's filter. Spares are about $40.

Heber
 
Last edited:
I have a mini-works, never had a problem with it, water tastes really good out of it. I picked up a silt-stopper for it but haven't had a chance to use it yet. Last time I used it I probably filtered 20L without a problem, probably could have kept going. I also like that the MSR threads onto a bottle, no worry about output contamination. ymmv
 
Thanks for all the answers, I just wanted to doublecheck the durability of the filter with some hands-on users (specs on websites sometimes lie).
I think I'll get the Hiker pro then, my concerns were mainly the ruggedness of the hiker vs ease of maintenance MSR, but then again, I've researched plenty of threads where the user complain on the MSR clogging too quick.
 
Have heard that Seychelles military canteen with the filter is used by many people that are in nasty places with nasty water. Look them up.
 
I own both the MSR Miniworks EX and the Katadyn Hiker Pro. I've used the Hiker Pro for 5 week-long treks and countless weekend hikes over the past 6 years or so and I am on my second filter. The current filter is too clogged to use efficiently and needs replacing. Upon pricing a new filter element, I found a great eBay deal on a never-used Miniworks and picked it up for $5 more than a Katadyn filter! Though I have only used this filter on 3 occasions, it's fantastic. I don't mind cleaning the filter every couple of liters (I too have a 10L MSR Dromedary and love every thing about it except for filling it), and I find the time is still slightly faster than the Katadyn when filling a lot of containers. Both filters work great, the Katadyn is simpler yet both are completely field strippable and easy to work on if you have a little mechanical know-how.

If you filter clean water, the MSR will do fine, I can always fill my two Nalgenes or my Camelbak and I don't have to clean until I'm done. I wrecked my first Katadyn filter completely ($40 replacement) trying to filter out of a swamp (4" of clear water on top of a bed of muck) in a near-emergency situation after discovering an essential creek on the map was all dried up. I got about a liter when the nozzle sunk into the muck once: game over. With the MSR, I'd be able to clean the ceramic and continue. Instead we had to use pills and drink nasty water for the rest of the week.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for this info and your opinions. I almost picked up a Hiker Pro a few weeks ago but decided not to at the last minute. I'm still looking for one for emergency purposes so will likely head back to the store for it.
Right now for emergencies I keep two Aquamira straw type filters in my car EDC kit.
 
michaelmcgo said:
I wrecked my first Katadyn filter completely ($40 replacement) trying to filter out of a swamp (4" of clear water on top of a bed of muck) in a near-emergency situation after discovering an essential creek on the map was all dried up. I got about a liter when the nozzle sunk into the muck once: game over.
Click to expand...
Yours doesn't have the foam thingie so that it floats?

I always put a coffee filter over the prefilter with a rubber band for added protection, btw.
 
OwenM said:
Yours doesn't have the foam thingie so that it floats?

I always put a coffee filter over the prefilter with a rubber band for added protection, btw.
Click to expand...

Ditto on that. The coffee filter thing works great and cuts down on how much you need to scrub the ceramic.
 
I use the MSR Sweetwater and Hyperflow. When the water tastes like crap (I'm looking at you, Florida), I use the Sweetwater because the ceramic filter will take care of chemicals and remove taste. Anywhere else, I use the Hyperflow because of how small, light, and fast it is. 3L/minute and 7 oz is hard to beat.

FWIW, I have never had to clean or backflush the Hyperflow other than regular maintenance after a trip, and I have put maybe 100L through mine so far. I have had to clean the Sweetwater when filtering some especially nasty, silty water, but I was expecting that and was not using the silt stopper at the time. I always use the included prefilters on both and usually remember the silt stopper when the water is really nasty. I like the operation of both over the Hiker Pro, personally. Hopefully my Katadyn rep does not read this. :D
 
My son and I use a First Need that we picked up on sale at REI a few years ago. Works great and have never had any repair issues in the field. I trust it as a filter even though the advertised it as a purifier too. If the water is really dodgy I would chemically treat it as well.

When going solo and very light I have a steri pen that I have never gotten sick using. I carry iodine as a backup if the water is to turbid. Had do that after a few rainstorms churned up some streams in the past.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top