Water Filters

Gravity Water Filters

• Lets gravity do the work

• Requires wait time

• Platypus GravityWorks

  • Good group kit, especially for canoe or car camping

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1.5L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

• MSR AutoFlow XL Gravity Filter

  • Relatively lightweight group setup

  • 10L of capacity!

  • Does not come with clean bag

  • Setup for Nalgene bottle - great if that is what you use

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1.75L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

• Guardian Gravity Purifier

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.02 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 0.5L/minute

  • Filter media: Advanced Hollow Fiber

• Sawyer Gravity Filter

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.1 Microns Absolute

  • Filtration rate: <0.5L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

  • Note: flow is even slower through the Micro Squeeze Filter (in case you are looking to save weight)

• MSR Thru-Link Inline Water Filter

  • Filter only (bag and line not included)

  • Fantastic if you have a water reservoir

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1.5L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

Bottle Filter

• Mounts on Bottle or has built in bottle

• Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System

  • Difficult to use if running

  • Can't be used as an inline filter

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 3L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

• Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Bottle

  • Great lightweight setup

  • Short lifespan

  • Does NOT fit standard sized bottles

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.1 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 2L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

• LifeStraw Peak Squeeze

  • Similar to Sawyer but heavier and even shorter lifespan

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 3L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

• Sawyer Mini Filter

  • Doesn't perform as well as Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

    • SLOW flow

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.1 Microns

  • Filtration rate: Extremely LOW

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

• Grayl 24oz GeoPress Purifier

  • French-press-style plunger

  • Lifespan of only 65 gallons

  • Not practical for extended trips

    • only treat 24 oz at a time

  • Nontraditional

    • "The non-woven substrate for our technology has an effective pore size of about 1micron. But the technology doesn't rely on pore size (size exclusion). Instead, powerful electroadhesion holds onto pathogens - virus, bacteria and protozoa. And Activated Carbon removes chemicals and heavy metals."

    • Pore size of about 1 micron raises concerns

  • Filter Pore Size: ??? Microns

  • Filtration rate: 5L/minute press action

  • Filter media: non-woven ceramic fibers

• LifeStraw Go

  • Relatively long filter life

  • Heavy and bulky for backpacking

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: ???L/minute

  • Filter media: Activated carbon filter

Squeeze Water Filters

• Ultralight

• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

  • Favorite UL and economy option

    • "Mini” and “Micro” versions will reduce weight but have painfully slow flow rates

  • Bags are not great

    • Consider replacing with Smartwater bottle or longer-lasting Evernew or CNOC reservoir

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.1 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1.4L/minute

  • Filter media: Hollow Fiber

Pump Water Filters

• MSR Guardian Purifier System

  • Overkill

  • Expensive

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.02 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 2.5L/minute

  • Filter media: Advanced Hollow Fiber

• Katadyn Hiker Microfilter

  • Short filter life

  • Expensive replacement filter

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1L/minute

  • Filter media: Pleated Glass Fiber w/ Activated Carbon Core

• MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter

  • Ceramic!

    • Not as delicate as hollow fiber

    • Heavier

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1L/minute

  • Filter media: Ceramic

• Katadyn Pocket Water Filter

  • Expensive

  • Expedition/Guide quality

  • Ceramic!

    • Not as delicate as hollow fiber

    • Heavier

  • Filter Pore Size: 0.2 Microns

  • Filtration rate: 1L/minute

  • Filter media: Ceramic