Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#109667 - 01/19/09 09:44 PM Yet another filter question.
NightForce Offline
member

Registered: 01/19/09
Posts: 41
Loc: MD, USA
Okay, I've just spent an hour filtering :P through hundred of posts on what water filter to get and I'm TOTALLY confused now. I'd narrowed it down to an MSR product; either a HyperFlow or a Sweetwater. Now I've read about the First Need filters and they seem pretty nice as well.

I've never filtered pond or stream water so I really am at a loss for the best filter. Basically, growing up on a farm I'm used to some VERY good water. Chlorine or any other contaminate really stands out to me, hence my lean towards a carbon type filter. I'm planning on a trip this spring (first with the family) and would like to be able to filter/obtain good tasting clean water from whatever source is available. I'd also like to have a filter on hand if ever an emergency situation arose at home some some longevity is a slight factor. I'm definitely not a minimalist so having the absolute smallest, lightest out there is not a concern either. I'm looking for the best product I can use to throw a tube in a source and get great water in a bottle...from real world users.

Thanks everybody!

Top
#109668 - 01/19/09 09:56 PM Re: Yet another filter question. [Re: NightForce]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
I use the Hiker filter from Katadyn. For me, it has the right mix of ease of use, water flow rate, weight, cost, and quality of taste. I've also used a First Need (didn't like the way you had to hold it to pump), an old timberline (no longer in business and the filter had a tendency to fall off the hose), and a pur hiker (no longer made- the Hiker is sort of the replacement). If you have a big REI near you, you can try them out in store to see how hard they are to pump and how long you have to pump to fill you water container(s).
_________________________
If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

Top
#109670 - 01/19/09 10:17 PM Re: Yet another filter question. [Re: NightForce]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
+1 for the Hiker - I have a Hiker Pro and a gravity filter from ULA that use the Katadyn filter element. Some trips I take the pump, others I use the gravity filter. I find that the gravity filter is just cool - I filter once in the evening, and while the bladders are filling I set up my hammock, unpack the bear can to arrange dinner, set up the stove, collect fire wood, whatever needs doing. While I'm doing all that the filter provides enough water for dinner, breakfast and the next day on the trail. When I want a shower, I remove the cartridge and attach the shower nozzle, hoist the filter bag higher, and use the valve to control flow. Granted I don't hike in the desert and water sources are everywhere in the Sierra. Late in the season, when sources slow to a trickle and I'd have to bail with a teaspoon, the pump goes with me instead.

The decision for me was one of practicality and minimizing the chance of error on my part. MSR filters and Katadyn filters rate about the same in filtration capability. You have to keep both from freezing. The difference for me was the "duh" factor - I don't want to have to dismantle and scrub and reassemble an MSR on the trail. The Katadyn has a screen around the filter cartridge to keep it from gumming up prematurely. Most of my sources are clear enough that I haven't even had to clean that. The Hiker Pro is simple to use, the gravity filter is simpler, both have fewer parts than an MSR, and the filter cartridge has a carbon core. The tradeoff is replacing a 35-40 dollar filter cartridge every so often.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#109793 - 01/21/09 06:56 PM Re: Yet another filter question. [Re: lori]
NightForce Offline
member

Registered: 01/19/09
Posts: 41
Loc: MD, USA
Thanks everybody for the replies.

I've decided on a First Need XL filter/purifier.

Should I end up having some major issues and/or problems with the filter I'll submit my experiences here. Second place was the MSR Hyperflow followed by the Sweetwater. I'll reply with my thoughts/results so that future searchers may hopefully benefit from my success or failures. LOL


Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 257 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum