If it's to be a Katadyn, I'll recommend a Hiker over the Vario. Same cartridge technology, less weight. [Amending this to note the Hiker does not have the ceramic filter stage, just a pleated cartridge with carbon inside.)

Confess I've been won over to gravity filtration (having used pretty much everything out there at one time or another). I love the freedom of walking away and doing something useful or fun while the water filters itself.

Cheers,