Well, I just bought my first water filter, the Katadyn Hiker Pro you mentioned actually. I've only used it once since I just got it, but I had no complaints. Far better than taking the time and fuel to boil water like I used to have to do. They are pretty much all the same really from what I read while looking around. I'm pretty sure you'll be safe and happy with whichever you happen to go with.

If you're going to be filtering some murkey water though, make sure you've got your maintenance stuff with you. The biggest reason I have just now suddenly got one is because I'm out of Alaska and away from the silt filled glacial and snow melt up there and I was always told filters got clogged a lot up there. Just something I thought I should mention so you don't happen to find out the hard way if you didn't know already. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />