Water Filter Considerations [Archive] - WhiteBlaze

McPick

03-16-2006, 14:47

I've read many of the water filter threads in these forums. I thought I’d take one along on the AT this year, so I investigated those mentioned most frequently. For those of you who have specific experiences with these, I'd appreciate your comments... Positive and negative.

I've noted those of you who don't filter, or only use chemicals, so I'd appreciate replies from only those who have had experiences with these, or similar to these...

1. MSR Mini Works: Retail $80. Ceramic and carbon filter. Weighs 16 oz. Filters to .2 microns (.3 absolute pore size). Can be maintained in the field. Cartridge capacity is between 100 and 528 gallons (depending on which web site is viewed). Retail replacement cartridge is $38. Pump force is 10.4. Filter screws directly to Nalgene-type bottles.

2. Katadyn Hiker Pro: Retail $70. Glass fiber/carbon core filter. Weighs 11 oz. Filters to .2 or .3 microns (depending on which web site is viewed). Can be maintained in the field. Cartridge capacity is 200 gallons. Retail replacement cartridge is $35. Pump force is unknown. ("easy to pump")

3. Katadyn Pocket Filter: Retail $200 +. Silver impregnated ceramic filter. Weighs 19 oz. Filters to .2 microns. Can be maintained in the field. Cartridge capacity is 13,000 gallons. (Whoa!) Retail replacement cartridge is $140. Pump force is 16.5. Lifetime warranty.

Based on the published stats, it looks like the Pocket Filter is the best value, but the most work and higher weight. It appears that even at 500 gallons, the Mini Works filter replacement cost to match the Pocket's output is $988. At 200 gallons the Hiker Pro filter replacement costs would be $2,275 to match the Pocket. (Dang!)

Thank you for your comments regarding these filters, or about other specific filters you are familiar with.

digger51

03-16-2006, 14:58

I use a cheap prefilter on my Katadyn Hiker and can go several hundred miles between filter changes. also wrap the source intake end in a paper coffee filter and you extend the life even longer.

neo

03-16-2006, 14:59

I QUIT CARRYING ONE:cool: NEO

neo

03-16-2006, 15:00

I QUIT CARRYING ONE:cool: NEO

I use this instead:cool: neo

http://giardiaclub.com/aqua-mira.html

James Fetter

03-16-2006, 15:07

Katadyn Guide - I used it twice now for two people with no problem healthwise. I don't have the weight at my finger tips. We have a Dramary we fill when setting up each night as well as fill our Nalgene bottles. The compatability between these products is something not to be overlooked. I saw some scouts out there this past weekend using other products. I was concerned they were compromising the water inlet and outlet ports. Filter replacement was around $40 for 750 gallons I believe. Watching maps for water sources makes the trade off for the weight a no brainer. I could pump a gallon a minute easy. jnf

SGTdirtman

03-16-2006, 15:58

I use the Katadyn Hiker Pro. Ireally like it, Its pretty compact and easy to use. Its been on 4 trips with me and filled plenty of water bottles with no problems. It is easy to pump and fills a quart canteen pretty quick. No matter where I filtered water from it always tasted very clean using this filter. Its also easy to take apart and clean and pretty rugged, I dropped it a ton of times

Trooper347

03-16-2006, 16:05

I have purchased a Katadyn Mini Microfilter for use on my thru attempt. I decided on this one after going to two different outfitters to try out all the different manufacturers models that seemed to fit my needs (solo hiker, plenty of time to stop and filter water). This model seemed to offer the most water capacity I need for a thru without buying a replacement cartridge (except in total falure due to a crack etc.).

"Ceramic capacity depends on water quality. The dirtier the water the more often you will have to clean the element. This reduces the capacity of approx. 2'000 gallons (7'000 liters). If the gap of the measuring guage.....etc..." taken from the users manual. Use a bandanna or coffee filter on the intake end for a pre-filter will extend it's life. It's ease of use, user cleaning long life filter element made this my choice to carry. About 8oz with the small bag it comes with, it is one of the lighter filters available.

Hope this helps you out

https://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13878&memberId=12500226

bulldog49

03-16-2006, 16:43

I'd rate the Katadyn the best filter. Relatively economical, does not clog easily and pumps a quart in just a couple minutes. I've used this filter for quite awhile and I'm impressed by how long I can go between filter replacements.

I recently started using Klear Water. It's basically the same as Aqua Mira but it is pre-mixed, so you don't have the 5 min wait for the two chemicals to interact. While the water does not taste as good as filtered water, it sure beats using Iodine.

Roland

03-16-2006, 20:13

McPick,

I thought your question was clear, yet only one of the seven posts above speaks directly to the models you are considering. I don't have personal experience with any of those models either, however I do have a comment about your analysis.

If it took you 5 months to walk the trail (150 days) and even if you filtered 2 gallons per day, you would still be within the capacity of the MiniWorks' original ceramic filter (300 gals). Therefore the total cost of water filtration for your thru-hike would be $80.

I'm not sure your cost comparison is significant, unless you really need 13,000 gallons of water.

Peaks

03-16-2006, 20:42

Rendezvous01

03-16-2006, 20:43

McPick--
I used the Hiker filter back in 2001. Got lazy about prefiltering and it gradually got clogged up and difficult to pump. So difficult that I actually broke it one day, about 2 1/2 months into the trip. Fortunately one of my hiking mates was leaving the Trail that afternoon for a couple days, he went to REI and got it replaced for free, no questions asked, and dropped it off to me a couple days later. Replacement continues to work fine for me, easy to pump, quick to fill, connects directly to both my Nalgene and Dromlite bag. And I'm more diligent now about prefiltering! I'd probably buy it again if I had to.

McPick

03-17-2006, 12:23

icemanat95

03-21-2006, 13:23

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the comments.

Roland, My evaluation of the cost of replacing filters, to match the Pocket output, was simply a matter of understanding the values for long-term use. (I certainly intend to hike beyond the AT!) However, I agree with your analysis, and probably won't make the more expensive initial investment for the Pocket. That said, the principal does remind me of wool shirts I've purchased over the years... The less expensive (cheaper) ones are long gone. But some of my Pendletons have lasted 20 years or more!

There is also a factor of how easy a given filter is to live with. The Katadyn Pocket Filter is a bit of a PITA. First it is quite heavy. Second, it is slow to pump, more than twice as slow as most other models. And the pump force required is significant. All of this adds up to a filter that you are not going to like using. Eventually you will begin to avoid using it, and then you'll send it home. All of a sudden it becomes a piece of very expensive, but unused gear. A lighter, easier to use filter WILL get used.

Shutterbug

03-21-2006, 16:58

Most thru-hikers that filter prefer the Katadyn Hiker. Why? Because it pumps a lot faster than others. And, with the one year guarantee on cartridges, you can exchange a plugged cartridge at any outfitter along the trail, no questions asked.

Don't get too hung up on pore size, and the rest of the hype.

I agree.

I have been using the Hiker for several years. I think I am on my third one. The estimates of gallons are only estimates. If you pump from relatively clear water, and take reasonable precautions to avoid pumping silt from the bottom of the stream, the filter will last longer than advertised.

There is no place along the AT where you will be pumping glacial run off. I used my Hiker on the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier. The glacial "milk" in the streams shortened the life of the filter considerably.

When I first started using the Hiker, I carried an extra filter in my backpack because I didn't know what would happen when the filter reached the end of its life. I have stopped carrying the spare. You have plenty of warning before a filter becomes clogged.

Only once have I had a filter completely clog before I could replace it (glacial milk). I took it out of the hiker and washed it in the running stream, then took my knife and scraped some of the crud off of the outside of the filter. I was successful in restoring it to use until I could get another filter.

Halfpint

03-21-2006, 22:30

I have been using the bottle filters and have great luck with them. Completing the trail this summer after many years of section hiking and bad nightmare of a season. Have to say that one very bad season did not turn me off in completing my dream. Just one bad season gave me the insight of knowing that solo was the best way to hike for me. One bitter season only made me a stronger hiker and more determined to complete what I set out to do. Now that I am retired I can get an early start and complete my goal. Carry what fits your style and don't worry about what others feel is best for them. Lessons well learned on the AT about life, real friendships and what is inside that some try to take away from you.

neo

03-21-2006, 23:21

I QUIT CARRYING ONE:cool: NEO

for the most part i dont carry one,but when i go to long hunter on percey priest lake i carry my h2o amigo by ula.its great gravity filter:cool: neo

http://www.ula-equipment.com/amigo.htm

a few of my pics

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=6565&c=665&userid=3462

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=6564&c=665&userid=3462

dougmeredith

03-22-2006, 12:39

Don't get too hung up on pore size, and the rest of the hype.

My understanding was that this is quite important. This is not a field I have studied, so most of my knowledge probably comes from manufacturers and retailers. Is this an area in which you have expertise, or have you seen reputable scientific literature that says poor size doesn't matter?

I'm not trying to challenge you on this, I am genuinely curious as I passed on the Amigo due to its pore size.

Doug

Peaks

03-22-2006, 18:04

My understanding was that this is quite important. This is not a field I have studied, so most of my knowledge probably comes from manufacturers and retailers. Is this an area in which you have expertise, or have you seen reputable scientific literature that says poor size doesn't matter?

I'm not trying to challenge you on this, I am genuinely curious as I passed on the Amigo due to its pore size.

Doug

Doug,

Good question. I'm sure that there are places where pore size is important. But, along the AT, I've never heard of any illness or problems attributed to one brand of filter just because it had a larger pore size than others. I'm sure if there was a problem with one filter because of pore size, we would have read about it here on Whiteblaze, and in ATC Journeys.

Now, if I were traveling in a third world country, I would be a lot more concerned about water treatment. Remember that there are some people out there on the AT that don't treat water at all. So, anything or any method that you use has got to offer a level of protection over nothing at all. So, in my humbe opinion, for those hiking the AT, the relevance fo pore size is all marketing hype.

orangebug

03-22-2006, 18:16

I agree. In fact, there is nothing to associate any water treatment with benefit for section or thru hikers. Water treatment is often an issue for marketers of gear makers, who can only point to studies/certifications based on treatment of standard samples in controlled laboratory conditions.

By whatever water treatment you wish, but avoid buying the hype.

Almost There

03-22-2006, 21:22

I use my kidneys to filter my water....filters are for mud and scum puddles!!!!

hobbit

03-22-2006, 22:37

i use the msr miniworks. i like it cause i haven't got sick yet my one bone to pick is that it can be slow but i've heard all filters are relatively slow

BigToe

03-23-2006, 00:49

I also use the MSR MiniWorks, although I section hike for two weeks at a time, not thru (yet I dream). Typically there's two of us sharing it. I selected it because it was field serviceable and I have found it easy to use and clean/service in the field.

Filtering / not filtering water is contested frequently here and there's lots of good info on both sides. I prefer to filter.

The other thing that's worth thinking about is that if the filter element gets stressed due to clogging or rough cleaning, it can develop fissures that allow untreated water to make its way through. Think about the type of filter media, your style of use, and where you will use it. I would recommend always using a prefilter - I use a piece of coffee filter rubber banded on the pickup.

Good luck!

Knees

03-26-2006, 21:25

I have and use a Katadyn Hiker (dunno what the pro model is other than it looks like a different colored handle). It seems to do the job just fine for AT/PCT/CDT hiking at least. Third world countries have different requirements, of course.

I carried it on the AT last year along with one set of Aqua Mira bottles as backup. I used three filter cartridges along the way. I believe that right now the Hiker is ~$60 and carts are ~$30, so this is $120 in filter costs and $10 worth of Aqua Mira. I don't know anything about a one year guarantee on filter carts, I simply bought one in Waynesboro and one in VT somewhere.

I had life left in my third cartridge, but I tossed it out and bought a new one for my hike this year. I hadn't cleaned out the old one/boiled it before storing, and it's just not worth worrying about.

My advice. Buy a Katadyn Hiker filter, buy one set of Aqua Mira, and try both on trail for a month. You may find you prefer Aqua Mira for everything, or you may prefer to filter. I taste the chemicals when I use Aqua Mira, so I prefer to filter and use the chemicals as a backup, or when I'm in a hurry. I also prefer not to use chemicals for a long distance multiple month hike. If I'm going out day hiking or just out for a week or two, I'll save on weight and bring aqua mira and maybe some tablets as backup (in case of spills/punctures/etc to the AM bottles).

Oh, buy some hand sanitizer and use it after going to the bathroom and before eating. Plus, don't share your GORP/eat someone elses GORP.

nchiker467

09-28-2006, 18:30

hmm ... i cant decide between the msr mini works or the pro hiker -.-

mweinstone

09-28-2006, 20:46

there are some things no one knows. msr is sweatwater.http://www.msrcorp.com/filters/sweet_system.asp this is the fastest easyest best lightest most you needy most you go get nowy, most shut up and get thisy. msr sweetwater. duh!live it, love it, learn it.

mweinstone

09-28-2006, 20:48

just the pump, not the bottle of crap,... just the pump. stay calm.

otterman

09-29-2006, 08:55

Peaks

09-29-2006, 10:22

hmm ... i cant decide between the msr mini works or the pro hiker -.-

Simple: The Katadyn pumps much faster than others. That's why it's the preferred filter among thru-hikers that filter.

virtualfrog

09-29-2006, 11:24

I have both the Miniworks and the old Pur Hiker filter. The new Katadyn filters fit my Hiker. I have become very frustrated with the Miniworks. The Hiker will fill a Nalgene with about 50 pumps or so. I stopped counting with the Miniworks at somewhere around 125 pumps and the bottle still wasn't full. I have scrubbed the filter on the Miniworks and I've done all recommended maintenance. It is sooooo slooooow!

Hmm...I've had a sweetwater for over 6 years now (still on original cartridge), and unless it's all silted up, it's about 80 strokes/quart, very consistently. I've never used nalgenes, so I'm not sure how much larger than 1 qt/ltr they are, but that sounds pretty far off. The only thing I can think of is if the pickup isn't entirely in the water, or the little pickup doodad is clogged up.

Hiker's at 50? Wow...that sounds nice. I might have to look at that one....

bigcranky

09-29-2006, 12:58

I have both the Miniworks and the Pur Hiker. The Miniworks is, on paper, a much better filter -- it can be cleaned and serviced in the field, the ceramic cartridge will last much longer, and it has a slightly smaller pore size. The filter only has one hose -- the output end fits on a Nalgene bottle or Cantene, or an MSR water bag.

However, when actually filtering water, the Pur Hiker wins, hands down. It is *significantly* faster at filtering, in my experience, and it doesn't clog. The MSR can be cleaned when it starts to clog -- but I have found that I need to clean it every day or two, which is a PITA. The Hiker cartridge lasts me over a year at a time of family section hikes.

So, when I go solo, I carry Aqua Mira. When I go with the family, I carry the Pur Hiker.

Hope this helps.

Big Daddy D

09-29-2006, 14:26

On my AT thru hike, I used the Aqua Mira chemical, drank right out of spring water, carried but never used a filter bottle, and bought a filter screen on trail to remove small floating crud or sand.

When I hike the PCT, I will carry the filter bottle and Aqua Mira, since I really believe the SoCal portion will have more livestock, hence I will require better protection.

Lots of folks do carry water filters whenever they hike, but personal hygiene and less "hands in" sharing will go a long ways.

Enjoy your trek-great hiking,
Big daddy D

The Band-aid Kid

10-31-2006, 23:25

I have used an older pur guide for the past 6 years and have had very good luck, never gotten sick and only had to replace the cartridge once. I always pre-filter with a piece of bandana and am careful not to take water from silty spots. I carry aqua mira as a backup but have not used it because I don't like the taste it leaves behind.

The guide is pretty fast and easy to pump, and produces a liter of water in pretty short order. I usually hike with a buddy and it does great for the 2 of us. We prefer to filter all of our water and the guide has been a very dependable and reliable filter.

I wanted to reduce weight a bit though, so this spring bought a sweetwater and we used it for a 2-week fishing trip. It seemed equally easy to use and just as fast as the guide producing a liter of water. The pore size is a bit smaller than the guide, which may or may not really make any real difference. I liked the ability to clean it if needed, and it did need to be cleaned during our trip. So, it seemed like it needs a bit more attention than my old guide.

So, to me, these 2 filters seemed pretty similar in pumping action and water production. The guide has been very dependable and needs no attention, just grab it and go and it works all the time. The sweetwater is a few ounces lighter but seems to need a bit more regular attention. To me, they seem like pretty comparable units.

BTW - Knees makes a great point that shouldn't be underestimated; washing your hands and/or using hand sanitizer (i.e. personal hand hygiene) may do as much to protect your digestive system as your filter does!

bigmontana

11-01-2006, 12:04

I use the Sweetwater as well (no chemicals) and like it. The filter does clog every few days if you're not using a secondary pre-filter (coffee filter around intake filter), but it's extremely fast. I like the mechanical pumping style of the Sweetwater compared to other systems.

I also agree that personal hygiene is just as important as water filtration when it comes to getting the trots, etc. on the trail. I've seen a lot of people simply ignore this issue when they are on the trail.

Boat Drinks

11-05-2006, 21:44

If an element last for 125 gallons, how many times can one expect to replace that on a 5.5 month Thru-hike?

Peaks

11-06-2006, 09:51

If an element last for 125 gallons, how many times can one expect to replace that on a 5.5 month Thru-hike?

I'm not sure which model filter you are referring to, but the element in the Katadyn Hiker generally lasts about 2 months with steady use, as on a thru-hike. After that, the funk inside builds up and pumping gets hard. Katadyn has a 1 year guarantee on their elements. So, just stop at an outfitter along the trail and they will swap out the element for free.

Thor

11-08-2006, 10:15

I carried the mini-works with me, myself, and had no problems with it. It does clog a lot faster than the others, but also cleans a lot easier. I thought it was worth it for the 'screw on' feature that meant I didn't have to worry about two hoses and being careful not to let them touch, etc.

That being said, eventually (after a month or two) I just stopped using it entirely unless the source was obviously questionable; such as still water, discolored water, larger streams, etc. Never had any problems. Someone above mentioned that sanitizing your hands regularly will be as helpful as filtering water, but I'd go so far as to say that regular sanitization will be MORE helpful in the long run.

Just don't drink the cow water.

McPick

11-17-2006, 21:56

Hi everybody. I'm sure surprised to see this thread still being replied to.

I purchased the MSR Mini Works for my AT hike. It worked just fine. It's a breeze to clean and packed nicely. I'd buy it again. I took one Nalgine bottle and one Gator Aid bottle.

I have no idea how many gallons of water I filtered. But I must say that I saw every kind of filter and purifier chemicals on the trail this year. As always, it just boils down to what you are comfortable with and trust.

And thank goodness for the Trail Angels who left GALLONS of water at trail heads during the hottest part of the summer, when the water sources were unreliable (dry).

See ya!

generoll

11-17-2006, 23:46

the biggest advantage to filters that i see is the ease with which you can collect water from fairly shallow sources. it's not uncommon to find a water source that may be nothing more then a shallow trickle with a small scooped out area where water collects. dropping a filter siphon in there is easier and results in a cleaner output then trying to dip the water with a cup and pour it into a nalgene or whatever you use. i have the 'hiker' which i've had since before it was katadyn. i can't remember now what it was before, but i replaced the cartridge the first of this year for the first time. most of my hikes are weekend affairs and i'm sure that my filter got loaded up as much from mildew as from 'crud'. one of the advantages to pumps is that you can find adapters to match whatever type of water bottle you are using so you can pump directly into your bladder or bottle or whatever.

i've always carried the 'polar pur' as a back up, but after reading the info on the aqua mira it may be time for a change. it's also getting harder to get the iodine crystals since apparently they are an ingredient in the production of crystal meth. go figure.

kgilby

11-19-2006, 11:26

I saw this link in another forum the other day. It compares filters and purifiers and how well they treat/prevent various gunk.
http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil/WPD/CompareDevices.aspx
I have a Katadyn Hiker Pro that has worked fine and left water with no tastes. It seems it filters to .3 microns, not enough for viruses, reportedly. I just bought an MSR MIOX on Ebay for about 1/2 the usual retail and will bring it along to use in addition to the Hiker Pro, as the MIOX does kill viruses. Even though viruses are rarely found in the US, it is an easy/light enough way for me to insure safe water.