BWCA Best Water Filter for the B-Dub Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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bombinbrian
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02/28/2020 10:07AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I have an older Sawyer gravity feed filter and a Katadyn Hiker Pro that I use. I've had some issues with the Katadyn clogging up in the past.

I'm going to get another one to take this year, with my Sawyer and am wondering what people recommend
 
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HowardSprague
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02/28/2020 10:34AM  
Hmm. I've had the Hiker ever since Katadyn took it over from PUR - so, more than 10-15 years or so, and have never had an issue with it. Sometimes I will rubber band a coffee filter over the part that goes into the water, but I generally don't need it. I do replace the inside filter if it got heavy use on a trip or if I didn't use it for a few years.
 
02/28/2020 10:41AM  
Another Sawyer
 
02/28/2020 11:02AM  
Not going to say "best" but after using FirstNeed, MSR Minworks, Sawyer, and all worked well, went to a MSR Trail Base
Not as long filter life as Sawyer but lightweight, compact, easy cleaning , back flush able, gravity system and an on the trail direct filtering pumper. Here I am filtering on the water, one hand squeeze pump easy to work out on the lakes. As a gravity filter my first was a modified MSR Trailshot tubing and fittings dirty bag and Nalgeen bag containers with modified caps.
Since then I have bought a Trail Base and use it exclusively.

butthead
 
02/28/2020 11:36AM  
I take a BeFree with a replacement filter. Negative on these is they can get clogged with high-sediment water. I've never had that issue, but some report it.
I may also take a Sawyer mini this year, set up for gravity filtration.
 
02/28/2020 11:46AM  
Just get something that's field-maintainable - a hollow-fiber filter that's backflushable - Sawyer, Platypus, MSR, etc.. The main problem with the Katadyn was always that it wasn't field-maintainable.
I take a Sawyer Water Filter Bottle for drinking on the go and a gravity setup for camp.
 
02/28/2020 12:23PM  
I say another sawyer or build your setup using the filter you get from a squeeze.

While looking I saw that MSR now has a product they're marketing to groups - a gravity filter w/16L dirty bag. That's a lot of water!
For the Scout trip this summer I'm planning for 2 4L Platypus gravity setups per group.

IMO the "best" filter for the BWCA is the one that integrates the easiest into your tripping & gear style. After my first 2 trips using a pump filter and then getting a Platypus, I've never gone back to the pump. We fill up before hitting the water, and everybody typically has a 2-3L hydration pack that they pull from during the day + 1L nalgene of koolaid. It works for me but might not for you.
 
bri
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02/28/2020 12:34PM  
I've got a MSR Trailbase & the 10L MSR AutoFlow XL, both work great.

I tried a Katadyn Vario pump my first time out and it wasn't ideal for water with a lot of tannin, way too much cleaning and dinkin' around.
 
02/28/2020 12:42PM  
I also have a Hiker Pro. During the summer it gets pretty good use. I use coffee filters on the intake and I rinse the filter with clean water after every trip; This has extended the life of it by many years.
 
GickFirk22
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02/28/2020 02:27PM  
bombinbrian: "I have an older Sawyer gravity feed filter and a Katadyn Hiker Pro that I use. I've had some issues with the Katadyn clogging up in the past.

I'm going to get another one to take this year, with my Sawyer and am wondering what people recommend"


I have a Katadyn Hiker I'd be willing to sell you. I use a Steri Pen most of the time and just got a gravity filter. Let me know if you're interested, I can send you photos. I'm located in the twin cities and happy to meet up if you're local.
 
02/28/2020 03:24PM  
I prefer to have 2 water filters in the boundary waters. A gravity filter and a pump filter. Having just a pump is a pain in camp, but having only a gravity filter is a pain when on the water and traveling all day. I have a MSR pump and my buddy has a Platypus gravity filter.

Personally, I don't think brand names matter too much. Maintenance is the key factor. Just disinfect the filters every year with a little bleach and back flush repeatedly until the filter works properly. Back flushing in the field is important too. No need to waste energy and time trying to pump water through a plugged filter.
 
MidwestFirecraft
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02/28/2020 04:04PM  
BeFree has the highest flow rate of any filter I have had as well as the most convenient. BeFree
 
02/28/2020 04:36PM  
All I know is what worked for me. Never got sick and never clogged. After a dozen years of mostly tannin water and a few river camps (only 2-300 gallons) it still works like day one. It was on clearance in 2007 at REI for $15/ It came with a rubber cup/tube/adapter for a kitchen faucet with back-flush instructions. It has only been back-flushed at home. It has worn out a couple tree-hang bags in 12 years I ALWAYS go from shore and have a paper paint funnel /coffee filter. Not the first problem. Big Sawyer kit.
 
schweady
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02/28/2020 05:03PM  
Had a Sawyer 4L gravity system for a number of years and thought it was the cats. Recently switched to a Platypus 4L gravity system and feel that it's a vast improvement.

 
pswith5
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02/28/2020 07:06PM  
I like my sawyer. I run it out of my katadyn base camp bag. Bring a sawyer mini as back up but have never needed it.
 
02/28/2020 07:34PM  
MidwestFirecraft: "BeFree has the highest flow rate of any filter I have had as well as the most convenient. BeFree "
Another vote for the Befree. I use the .6L on the water and 3L at camp
 
02/29/2020 07:45AM  
I've been quite happy with my Platypus 4L for the past few years. Once in a while it gets an air bubble and is a little fussy to get started, but with a little backflush and it always gets going and flows great. I keep my dirty bag in my under canoe seat bag and typically fill it just before landing at a campsite. Once I land, I set up the filter system first then set up my tarp. By the time the tarp is done, I have 4 liters of water ready.
 
singlebladecanoe
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02/29/2020 08:45AM  
I grew up using iodine tablets and a hand pump filter. Recent years on my backpacking trips I've been using the BeeFree. I've always carried an extra cartridge for the BeeFree just in case. There was a youtube video that someone tested the BeeFree vs the Sawyer Squeeze. The BeeFree had a faster flow rate than the Sawyer but the flow rate slowed down with use more with the BeeFree. Just picked up a Platypus 4L gravity system to try.
 
scotttimm
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02/29/2020 10:20AM  
pswith5: "I like my sawyer. I run it out of my katadyn base camp bag. Bring a sawyer mini as back up but have never needed it."


I do the same thing. Cut the filter out of my old Katadyn to make the flow faster, have a sawyer downline about 4 feet, works awesome. Sawyer mini as backup. Cheap.
 
02/29/2020 01:40PM  
MSR gravity system.
 
02/29/2020 04:38PM  
I’ve had several different gravity systems. After I tore the clean bag on my Sawyer, I decided to make one with a 6l SealLine bag and a sawyer mini filter. It works awesome and way more compact than the other systems I’ve had.
 
Grandma L
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03/01/2020 04:18PM  
Sawyer, First Need or Platypus
 
mgraber
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03/01/2020 04:40PM  
I've tried or been around most of the newer systems, and for me, it is Platypus all the way.
 
ZaraSp00k
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03/02/2020 08:03AM  
given the Covid-19 virus, I'd say if you are in the market for a water filter, get something that filters virus, not that you need worry about it in B/Q but as long as you are getting one, get one you can use at home if it gets to that

BTW, I see that my water filter that is good for virus (or so they claim, First Need) costs almost twice as much on Campmor as what I paid, be aware you could see water filter prices spike, so if you are going to buy one, get it while you can at a normal price, not an inflated one or before they are sold out

this weekend store shelves were stripped of face masks, hand sanitizer, and bottled water

BTW, most stores have dropped the First Need filter, BH's claim to the contrary
 
03/02/2020 06:38PM  
I made a hybrid with a sawyer canister with a gutted out katadyn pro. Works great, I do about 5 trips a year and I just flush out when I get home after each trip. I also have a small plunger than can backflush in an emergency on a trip. Thge reason I ended up gutting the katadyn was that it kept plugging up and the filters are very costly.
 
martian
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03/02/2020 07:41PM  
ZaraSp00k: "given the Covid-19 virus, I'd say if you are in the market for a water filter, get something that filters virus, not that you need worry about it in B/Q but as long as you are getting one, get one you can use at home if it gets to that


BTW, I see that my water filter that is good for virus (or so they claim, First Need) costs almost twice as much on Campmor as what I paid, be aware you could see water filter prices spike, so if you are going to buy one, get it while you can at a normal price, not an inflated one or before they are sold out


this weekend store shelves were stripped of face masks, hand sanitizer, and bottled water


BTW, most stores have dropped the First Need filter, BH's claim to the contrary"

Ouch! You're right, that Campmor price is high. General Ecology isn't selling it for that on their own site. A higher than we price we paid for sure. It's still a very dependable choice regardless.
Happy Shopping
 
sylvesterii
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03/03/2020 04:50PM  
The combination of a CNOC Water Filter Bag and a Sawyer Squeeze works as a great gravity filter system that packs down really small.

The bag is MUCH easier to fill than the Sawyer liter bags or even the gallon bags.
 
Z4K
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03/05/2020 02:50PM  
I love my gravity system from Platypus. The dirty bag is just so easy to fill and the pinch valve is so convenient. I also love how small Sawyer's filters are and how durable MSR's Dromedary bags are. Most of the time I carry a combination of the three brands, but the Platypus dirty bag and hose always gets the nod.

That being said, after sylvestrii's post, I see myself purchasing a different, smaller dirty bag like the CNOC for my solo kit.


 
Garny
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03/06/2020 09:51AM  
I love gravity filters for the BWCA. I have the Platypus 4L. I upgraded the dirty bag to a CNOC. The standard bag worked fine and never had an issue, but the CNOC is easier to fill.
 
Tomcat
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03/06/2020 04:36PM  
 
jewp
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03/06/2020 04:45PM  
I have the Platypus 4L, I've been very happy with it. Get some extra cheap water bags, any kind. Refil the dirty bag from the spare bags, we always have water ready.
 
luft
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03/09/2020 01:27AM  
boonie: "Just get something that's field-maintainable - a hollow-fiber filter that's backflushable - Sawyer, Platypus, MSR, etc.. The main problem with the Katadyn was always that it wasn't field-maintainable.
I take a Sawyer Water Filter Bottle for drinking on the go and a gravity setup for camp. "


That is what I recommend as well.

I always take a Sawyer Mini Squeeze and sometimes a larger Sawyer Gravity system for in camp.

 
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