So here's a topic that will get someone riled up. Who makes the best gravity water filter? I currently have 2 Katadyn BeFree 3L systems. I can not say that I'm happy with their performance. The filters seem to clog way to easy and have a difficult time getting them going again.

Currently, we strain the water going into the dirty bag with a screened coffee filter and funnel. This has helped but I still have to hook up a Sawyer mini at some point it seems like. (I drilled out the filliment of the Katadyn so it flows free and put the Sawyer at the end.)

I don't want to keep having to jack around with this. What does everyone else use? Anyone use the New LifeStraw system?

I only have experience with the Platypus Gravity Filter but recommend it often. I have the 4L variety and can't remember what year I purchased (been awhile now) but still going strong. Besides replacing the filter once there have been no issues. It goes along to the BW, Isle Royale and any other hiking trips I take around the country. One of my tripping buddies brings his Platypus 4L along as well if we have larger group numbers. The only thing I try to do is leave enough water in the clean bag to adequately back flush without running the system dry.

Depends on your group size.

For 4 or less we like:
3L Cnoc (dirty) into a sawyer squeeze, with the coupler below connected to a clean bag/bottle (Evernew 2L and/or smartwater 1L).

Frankly it works so well I'd just take two of these for a larger group, though most folks will opt for a single larger-capacity system.

Weighs 7.5oz total (dry)...backflushable with the clean bag (syringe not needed), and mine can also provide a hot shower (~5 minutes).

portagerunner: "I only have experience with the Platypus Gravity Filter but recommend it often. I have the 4L variety and can't remember what year I purchased (been awhile now) but still going strong. Besides replacing the filter once there have been no issues. It goes along to the BW, Isle Royale and any other hiking trips I take around the country. One of my tripping buddies brings his Platypus 4L along as well if we have larger group numbers. The only thing I try to do is leave enough water in the clean bag to adequately back flush without running the system dry."

+1

I use the Hydroblu Versa Flow filter with 2 CNOC bags. Platypus is also a good system. Sawyer Filters are good too. The key is to backflush frequently.

I use 2 different systems depending on the type of trip. Most often, I use a HydroBlu Versa Flow filter attached to a CNOC bag for dirty water and filter into a CNOC collapsible water bottle. The screw tops of the CNOC bag and bottle fit perfectly on the filter, with no adapters needed.

I also have a 4 liter Platypus but froze/broke the filter that came with it. Instead of buying a new Platypus filter, I use my Hydroblu versa flow filter with the Platypus hoses and bags. The hoses fit on the nubs at each end of the filter.

I like both systems and have found that the Hydroblu seems to be less fussy than the original Platypus filter. The CNOC bag system is lighter weight but the Platypus is nice when you want to have a larger amount of pre filtered water on hand in camp.

sns: "Depends on your group size.


For 4 or less we like:
3L Cnoc (dirty) into a sawyer squeeze, with the coupler below connected to a clean bag/bottle (Evernew 2L and/or smartwater 1L).


Frankly it works so well I'd just take two of these for a larger group, though most folks will opt for a single larger-capacity system.


Weighs 7.5oz total (dry)...backflushable with the clean bag (syringe not needed), and mine can also provide a hot shower (~5 minutes).


"

+1

I have used MSR filters for years and have no complaints. Back flush as needed, and when I get home, I clean them as per manufacturer guidelines.

I like the Platypus 6L gravity the best.

Platypus 4L water filter system along with a 4L Platy water tank for the two of us.
Platypus 6L water filter system along with a 6L Platy water tank for the four of us.

It's just two of us, and I can't say enough good things about the Platypus 4L filter that we bought for our 2021 trip. It's seen 40 days' use in canoe country and some shorter trips locally. We always check it before a trip, backflush with each use, and clean/dry after each trip. We're still on the original filter.

TZ

boonie: "I use the Hydroblu Versa Flow filter with 2 CNOC bags. Platypus is also a good system. Sawyer Filters are good too. The key is to backflush frequently. "

We do after so at the start of every full up. No issues with the filter for four years.

We had similar problems using gravity with no back flush option.
If you are referring to the Lifestraw Mission, that is gravity too with backflush option. Not sure what that will accomplish over using a sawyer mini.
And the Mission filter replacement looks to be around 3 times the price of a sawyer mini replacement. (and larger)
Why not just start with the sawyer? Maybe tweaks to the setup other than filter would help.
The set up we use sounds like yours and has been working well for us. (Fairly certain the original idea we got from other members here.)
The addition of a camel back valve adds the ability to disconnect the line and is a definite plus. That way the filler end with bottle connections stays clean.

Generic 3L hydration bladder I found for dirty water. Key part is that it opens wide at the top similar to the CNOC bags which makes a quick dip in the lake efficient. The hose at the bottom has a plastic pinch clamp between the bag and HydroBlu VersaFlow filter. As mentioned above, the Versaflow screws directly onto a standard water bottle or CNOC bag for filling.

We carry two, where the other system is the same but uses a CNOC bag. It's a little better because the hose out of the CNOC goes directly down where the hydration bladder I use turns upward and can get kinked. But we've made it work for years and actually may reduce the sediment going into the filter.

Just pull the filter off the hose and squeeze your bottle to back flush every so often. Never have had a failure, just buy new ones every so often for safety sake.

I use filters from Sawyer and clean bladders from Mazama currently but what I really love about my setup is the WaterDrop dirty bag. I used the ziploc- and the ziploc/clip style bags for years but, for a dirty bag, the roll-top is where it's at IMO. Simple to manipulate, opens wide and if it leaks it leaks a little and not the whole damn bag in a half of a second. The bag I have is about 5 liters so it's on the larger end which I appreciate when it comes time to pull double duty serving as ballast. I noticed MSR had a roll-top dirty bag as well at Canoecopia this year.

I used Sawyer squeeze one year but it fell out of favor when one of the bags blew up in my hand. I just thought, I didn't want to take a chance on blowing out all my bags mid-trip.

Then I did Sawyer gravity. I liked it fine except a couple things. 1) the gallon bag it comes with is hard to fill because it collapses in the water. I have to use a canteen cup to scoop it in. 2) on heavy portage or day trip days, we found ourselves always running out of water and would have to wait for gravity act.

But the backflush is easy and it is convenient when in camp.

A couple years I took (2) katydn varios...i hate them. One had the hose nipple break off rendering it useless, the other just stopped working. I bought (2) in case if one broke, I had spare parts etc.. But even then, I couldn't piece the two of the together to make one functional.

I bought (2) MSR pumps and love them except for one thing...my groups crush water and it seems like we are always pumping. This year, I am taking Sawyer gravity for camp and (1) MSR pump for travel. I think that will work out fine.

mgraber: "I like the Platypus 6L gravity the best."

100% agree. We bring a one gallon OJ jug to fill the dirty bag. Works great for any size group.