Recommend a good, light waterfilter?

[James046]

Hi all, looking for a good, light waterfilter. I like the MSR and Katadyn brands, but do not know much about them. Hence my question here. I know many of you have your own preferences, but I was wondering if you of course had any opinions on what to get, what will last, and so on. Thanks, James

[rafe]

MSR: heavy, slow, hard to pump, but field-cleanable. Katadyn Hiker Pro: lighter, easy to pump (while filter is new) but not field-cleanable. Filters clog easily.

[Chaco Taco]

Have a Katadyn Hiker and love it. Very easy to use and clean plus pretty light. Never had a problem with it.

[Mocs123]

I have a Katadyn Hiker and have been very happy with it, however MSR has a new filter comming out soon (the Hyperflow) which on paper at least, blows all other filters out of the water.

[Lyle]

Sweetwater - light, easy to pump, field cleanable

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226

I usually use AquaMira, but when I filter, this is the one I use.

[gearfreak]

Very satisfied with my Katadyn Hiker Pro. Can clog easily in silty conditions. Wrap a bandana around the intake in these cases. It's partially field servicable, requires modest force to pump and has a high output. I changed out the intake for the finer mesh model used on the MSR Sweetwater available from Cascade Designs for $10. No complaints.

[big_muddy]

If you can wait a month or so MSR has a new water filter coming out that can filter 3 L in a minute and weighs 7.7 oz. the Hyperflow . . . brand new so who knows if it will work, and if it will ever be released. MSRP $99

[rafe]

MSR consistently makes solid, reliable gear. I'll look forward to reports of this new filter.

[Bob S]

I have the Katadyn Hiker, love it.

To pre-clean water I wrap a coffee filter around the pickup if the water looks dirty or has any debris in it. It’s better to clog the coffee filter then the pre-filter on the end of the hose.

[Peaks]

If you research past posts, among long distance hikers that filter, the Katadyn Hiker is the current filter of choice because it pumps much faster than others. But, let's see what the new MSR filter does.

[Javasanctum]

If you can wait a month or so MSR has a new water filter coming out that can filter 3 L in a minute and weighs 7.7 oz. the Hyperflow . . . brand new so who knows if it will work, and if it will ever be released. MSRP $99

It's on sale now at the Bass Pro Shop near me. Check thier website maybe.

[Doughnut]

Katadin with a pre-filter.

[Nearly Normal]

Like every other pc of gear you own. If you take care of it, it will serve.
I don't normally go looking for the dirtyist mud hole to filter from. If nothing else but a mudhole is available wrap a coffee filter around the intake.
I have never had to do this on the AT or Foothills Trail.
Katadyn Hiker works well.

If I know the water sources are pretty good where I intend to hike, I just dip with a ziplock and use aqua-mira. I don't let myself run out of drinking water while I wait for it to work.

Use common sense. Don't get water from low areas with cow pastures or the road side ditch.
Most of the water you find in the mountains don't need any treatment anyway. It is better to be safe about it.

[rafe]

Most of the water you find in the mountains don't need any treatment anyway. It is better to be safe about it.

Am I the only person to experience clogging with a Katadyn filter?

I gotta tell you, it was seriously dry on the trail this summer. I didn't always get to pick and choose clear running water. Couple of times, the choices were pretty dire. And that's when the filter would clog.

Though I suppose I could have taken more trouble to pre-filter or something. I think maybe using the MSR for a number of years spoiled me that way.

[Appalachian Tater]

I replaced my Katadyn filter once on my thru-hike. The end was covered with a piece of nylon stocking held on by a rubber band and I just left in on all the time and kept the float at the very end. In hotels or hostels you can clean your pump and filter with water and bleach, which will extend the life and make sure it doesn't harbor harmful organisms. Most water filters have a limited lifespan.

[ScottP]

Your immune system

[turtle fast]

I use the First Need PURIFIER by General Ecology...it also REMOVES viruses, most filters don't do that. It works just like a Katadyn filter system, and it too can be rigged with a coffee filter prefilter on the hose end. Newer models have a prefilter built on to it. It uses replaceable cartridges.

[wrongway_08]

I have a Katadyn Hiker and have been very happy with it, however MSR has a new filter comming out soon (the Hyperflow) which on paper at least, blows all other filters out of the water.

That new filter is great, blows everything away in weight, liters per pump and size ...... only bad thing is due to the hollow core filter, it CAN NOT be froze or will break the filter and then its toast. I have not seen it yet and am hoping that it is somethig that can be pulled out and dried on the spot.

Cost is $100.00 It weighs 6 oz less then the Hiker pro.

[tlw08]

The question is not just the best waterfilter, but what your water style is - some carry only 1L of water and refill at every opportunity. Their thought process is why carry all that extra weight when you pass over all this water? The other extreme is to carry a bunch of water in a reservoir, 2-4L at a time.

Obviously the point is if you carry less water you're more susceptible to filling up at questionable sources. I tend to carry around 2-3L and use a Hiker Pro. I've never clogged one but I've seen one clogged from filtering silt.

Used intelligently the Katadyn Hiker or Hiker Pro are both excellent filters for their weight.

[the_iceman]

Sweetwater - light, easy to pump, field cleanable

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226

I usually use AquaMira, but when I filter, this is the one I use.

I used this on my thru. Replaced the pump twice (free at outfitters in the south) then switched to drops in Vermont. I think this was more reliable than most of the other pumps people used. Beware of ceramic filters a number of people had them break. When you pump 2 or 3 times a day for 165 straight days things are going to wear out. Silt in the water is like sand paper. I used a pre-filter as well.