What water filter?

[Doublelunger]

MSR hyper flow is what I have for a pump, its fast and easy. I've been using the katadyn base camp (10 L) gravity bag a lot this summer. The first 10-20 fills it was awesome then it really started to slow down, its the newer version too.  Now i make sure to fill it with the cleanest water possible and rinse the filter regularly. it still does good but not like when it was brand new.

[yakimanoob]

outdoorgearlab.com

search water filters or whatever you need.

all testing is done for you

I've got an MSR Hyperflow as well as a Sawyer.  9 times out of ten, the Sawyer gets left at home.  For me, the convenience of not having to fill the sawyer bags and squeeze them out (especially when it's cold and water levels are low), and the speed of the MSR pump more than make up for the marginal extra weight. 

That said, if you're going for a hyperlight style, it's hard to beat the Sawyer minis. 

[Elkcollector82]

I have a msr. But I also run a sawyer squeeze filter spliced into my bladder. In case pump fails. I can still fill my bladder and drink filtered water. Just a couple zip ties to secure the bladder hose to the sawyer. Yea your filtering filtered water. But it's not if, It's when your pump fails. You are covered. 

[Duckslayer89]

I have a platypus gravity works and will NEVER go back to a pump. Used the mini works forever and would dread pumping forever. The gravity filter is way faster and easier. My brother has the katagyn base camp it's bad ass as well!

[jager]

I've used the mini works series for years with a Nalgene bottle. Love it.
Used it for 1 or two people, generally used as a personal filter

I recently bought a Platypus gravity works filter for a trip to Alaska.
It's a good system and filtered water for three of us during a 12 day hunt. Used nearly every day of day hunt.
Had a 4 liter bag and an additional 2 liter bag.
Trying for ultralight because of the weight restrictions. Overall I'd say it worked well, There were more than a couple of times that we were drinking silt heavy lake water stirred by high winds, and one puddle that was less then stellar.
Not great for the filter I'm sure, as one would generally filter water from "clean" or moving water. Had to back flush a few times but worked well.

I also purchased the sawyer squeeze the same time as the Platypus. I did not test the Sawyer during that trip.

What I like about the Sawyer and the platypus is that you can attach common grocery store water bottles. (lightweight)
I bought two smart water bottles and used with the Platy.

I plan on using the Sawyer this fall while hunting. I have high hopes for this one.
this will be a personal filter for the most part.

[WI to WA]

I use the Sawyer these days.  I once swore by MSR Sweetwater until they all (three to be exact) broke on me in the backcountry on various trips and I had to switch to my emergency tablets.  The Sawyer hasn’t let me down yet.  I use a Platy bag and my two Smartwater bottles and I’m set; just don't forget the plunger.  Sometimes at camp I will use an MSR Tablet for camp water.  Since it needs to sit for hours, I will fill up in the morning, pop in the tablet & shake, and let it sit for good water when I’m back, tired, lazy, and ready for sleep.

[Letmwork]

Sawyer for me, like stated before I like it because it will work on common bottles.

[bracer40]

I've been happy with the Platypus gravity for the past several months. I did tuck the filter into my bag a few nights to prevent freezing.  The instructions state that freezing could damage the filter.

[yakimanoob]

I did tuck the filter into my bag a few nights to prevent freezing.  The instructions state that freezing could damage the filter.

Great tip, and very important to remember.  A quick frost should be no big deal, but if it freezes solid, it's dead weight and money wasted. 

[Bushcraft]

I have the Katadyn Hiker Pro and Gravity Camp 6L, the large and mini Sawyers, and a Steripen Adventurer.  I suppose you could throw in the PUR tablets too, but they are my emergency backup along with boiling.

The Hiker Pro does a great job of filtering and the long input tube can be helpful in situations where getting down to water  can be tricky (think boulder field or steep stream/lake banks).  But, when the filter clogs...it's done.  You've got to replace it.  They are fine for car camping but I don't particularly care for the bulk and the weight when backpacking (especially after it's been wetted from use) and the general overall babysitting required to keep it functioning well.  Also, I was always leery of it not working during freezing conditions.

The Sawyers work reasonably well right up until they need to be back-flushed, which seems to be all too often during an extended trip where water may have a fair amount of glacier particulate and necessitates carrying around more crap that takes up pack volume.  I've taken to using a small in-line fuel filter to prescreen the fine particulates and that helps considerably but it still requires an undue amount of babysitting in order to keep it fully operational.  And, they're slow in comparison to other filters. You've got to keep it in a Ziploc bag in your sleeping bag at night or run the risk of freezing temps ruining its efficacy.  The bags they sell are absolute garbage.  Do not depend on them or waste your money on them.  Use a Platypus bladder or "Smart" water bottle instead. 

I recently began using a Steripen Adventurer and prefer it for most mountain hunts where water sources are already "crystal clear" for a lot of reasons. Lightweight and compact. It takes up hardly an pack volume. Very fast and convenient to use. Very long battery life.  There is ZERO babysitting involved.  Did I already mention that it's fast?  I zap a Nalgene bottle twice. If once should be good enough, zapping it again is cheap insurance.