Water filters

MAURICE

MAURICE

Joined
Jul 14, 2000
Messages
3,278
I am looking for a good backpacking water filter. I want what everyone else wants. A filter that will go 10,000 gallons before replacement, it needs to filter a liter in 4 seconds, and it needs to weigh half an ounce. ;)
Or as close to those requirements as possible. What do you recommend? I am looking to spend about 100 bucks. Less is good, too.

Thanks
Maurice
 
I can't say enough good about the Platypus. Might be to big for backpacking, but it's bulletproof IMO.
 
PUR(now Katadyn) Hiker has also worked well for me for years. About 15 of them.
I'm now loving the Sawyer Squeeze filter, though. Seemed inconvenient to use right after switching from a pump filter, but after having it out a few times it no longer made any difference to me, and it's *much* lighter.
 
Sawyer is my recent addition. Looks promising. Small footprint good filtration level and versatile. Oh and last a long long time!
 
soapboxpreacher said:
Sawyer is my recent addition. Looks promising. Small footprint good filtration level and versatile. Oh and last a long long time!
Click to expand...

I have a Katadyn pocket water filter, its build like a tank and works very well for me. In august I bought one of the sawyer squeeze filters Soapboxpreacher mentions here. Not only is it just as fast, it is perfect sized and weight for backpacking, but also filters down to 1.micron instead of the .2 in the pocket.

I like the pocket, it's like working with a piece of fine machinery, where as the sawyer is simple and plastic. When I'm car camping I still bring the pocket filter, but everything about the sawyer is superior from function, weight, size, and cost. Durability on both I can't comment on yet, I only used the sawyer on 3 hikes, but I'm confident they are both robust.
 
MSR Miniworks Ex.

I havent tried other filters, but this one has worked fine for me. It might be considered bulky, but its user-servicable and reliable.

5e903f57-a640-f325.jpg
 
Will the Sawyer fit onto Platypus bottles? I like how simple is it, but am concerned about pouch durability. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em coming guys.
 
Last edited:
No(though it may work with some older ones-I'm not clear on that). Sawyer bottles or the new ones from Evernew, which are hard to find at the moment.
Until I find a couple of Evernews, I'm using the 64oz one that came with the Sawyer, and carrying the 32oz one "just in case".
 
I have a Pur (now Katadyn) Hiker and MSR Miniworks. Both are very good filters. The hiker is a bit faster pumping.

The Sawyer Squeeze received rave reviews from Backpacker.
 
I've had a Katadyn Pocket Filter since 1996 - it's robust, heavier and expensive, but it's the standard and the filter is good for 50, 000 litres/ 13, 200 gal [given you're not filtering mud]. Easily field maintainable. There are much lighter and probably faster choices out there, but none that are more proven and reliable. The heft comes from a ceramic filter and most of the parts are milled aluminum.
 
Have used a Katadyn Hiker for several years. What I like about it: simple, user serviceable, affordable replacement filters, pretty fast filter, easy to clean, parts available.

It is a bit bulky, but I have never found it to be prohibitive.
 
The only time I have seen a problem with the Katadyn Pocket filter was when we were camping at Outpost Camp (10,400') on Whitney in mid-October. The waterfall was frozen with water running under the ice; we would fill a canvas bucket with water below the falls, and it would skin over with a thin layer of ice immediately. I had no problem pumping that water through my Hiker. My friend has a Pocket Filter, and the ball valve froze up and we couldn't get it to pump at all.

As for the Hiker review that showed a hose fitting breaking off, this is the first time I have ever heard of that happening. I used mine for a long time with no problem.

Of course, now I don't use one at all when I am in the Sierra high country. The water is fine straight from the streams and lakes.
 
I like my MSR mini-works. not the fastest, finest, or lightest, but field maintainable, user serviceable, good spare parts availability.
 
Another vote for the Katadyn Hiker Pro. Its under a pound and costs $70. I've had mine about 2 years still working without any issues.
 
lambertiana said:
The only time I have seen a problem with the Katadyn Pocket filter was when we were camping at Outpost Camp (10,400') on Whitney in mid-October. The waterfall was frozen with water running under the ice; we would fill a canvas bucket with water below the falls, and it would skin over with a thin layer of ice immediately. I had no problem pumping that water through my Hiker. My friend has a Pocket Filter, and the ball valve froze up and we couldn't get it to pump at all.
Click to expand...

Filters are generally pretty dodgy in super cold weather. The milled aluminum on the Pocket Filter, while durable and strong would thermally transfer the ambient temperature thus freezing the water running through the ball valve. Probably the one instance where plastic would be superior, but plastics aren't the best in cold weather either - strength wise. You can cup your hand around the bottom of the Katadyn Pocket Filter which I would suspect might keep it from freezing. Must have been freaking cold up there!
 
The Warrior said:
I'm getting a Sawyer as soon as I can.
Click to expand...

Me too.
I wanted the Hiker Pro. Tried both of them at a store last night, had a long talk with the manager (who I have a mutual friend with) about the pros and cons of both systems. He did tell me that Sawyer has addressed the complaints about the durability of the pouches. He also told me that if I brought it in next week or next year, he would replace it, refund my money, or exchange it for something else. I figure I cannot lose. His employees have been testing them out on the trail and they love them. If it turns out to be a dud, I will go with the Hiker Pro.

Thanks for all of the advice, everyone. I will grab one for myself when I finish all of my Christmas shopping for everyone else. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top