Water Filters

“Pur-Guide .03 micron 100gallon life 14oz

Katadyn-Mini .02 micron 2000gallons 8oz.

Katadyn-Combi .02 micron 13,000gallons 26oz

It seems to me after researching all filters that the Katadyn has the best filters, life, and prices.”

“Ya but pumping them is one big pain in the wrist. Takes forever too.”

“have him pump it, better yet have him carry some fresh yummy tapwater filtered through a brita. one sherpa could easily carry a weekends worth of brita water.”

“they ALL pump the same! 1L min

except the Katadyn mini does .5L 51sec”

“I have a katadyn pocket filter. I love it. It works great and is easy to clean in the field. The life of the filter is awesome too.”

“you dont mind the weight??”

“Not really. I don't carry alot of stuff with me so the little extra weight not to get the #&%!$s doesn't bother me.”

“I have the first need purifier which weighs about 24-26 oz and filters viruses as well.”

“i'm very happy with my msr miniworks. good enuf for the us marines is good enuf for me. the others seem a bit fragile to me, and since i'm a big clutzy dork, i figured a few more ounces for durability is worth it. filter is easy to clean in the field.”

“the FIRST NEED weighs 15 oz. but just looks funny!”

“You know, I have heard a lot about filters which just filter bacteria and then the more expensive ones which just filter viruses. Mine does not filter viruses. If I am not planning on Third World-ing or anywhere close to big city does anybody really know if the virus filter is really needed?”

“The purifiers cost a little more, may weigh a little more. Balance that against getting sicker than a dog on the trail, or afterward. I choose to go top drawer in this regard, don't want be 3 days from the trailhead puking (or the other end) my guts out.”

“Good point. Sometimes I'm too much a cheap a**. Who knows what some corporate satan may have discharged into the H2O even in the backcountry.”

“I have the Guide and love it. Yes, it weighs more than some, I like the way this equipment works. I'm not really one for the handle style, or off center pumps. The Guide is comfortable to operate. I have seen the First Need Deluxe in action and I like that one too.”

“I have one that was recalled years ago.

This filter pumps in both motions at .2 microns, at 1.5 L per min. faster than any other pump. 11oz w so maybee this could be the one. On a long day no waiting around pumping. Anyone have this filter?”

“I have the First Need, it pumps in both directions weighs 15 oz, pumps 1 L per minute no problems with it so far. Campmor had it for $83.00, found it at BackcountryStore.com for $64.00 with free shipping.”

“msr- said it's filter would go what?? 400-800 or something? mines fried out at 200.

and it was my wife using it.”

“Actually the First Need pumps 1.8 L per minute,


anyway how do you like the style (shape)? Is it comfertable to pump and easy hook up??”

“is the pump easy or hard during pumping, friction wise?”

“Prowler, your right 1.8, my bad. I don't have a problem with the style, I find it easy to pump and my wide mouth Nalgene bottles screw on. You can also get an adapter kit to accommodate different size tops.”

“The first need is a bit tougher to pump but is worth it. I have seen water filtered with pur and with a firstneed the pur water was yellowish, the firstneed water was crystal clear.”

“I've pumped water side by side with a guy using the Mini Katadyn, and my Pur Hiker filled my bottle in a third the time. Go figure.
Stats or no stats.”

“maybe he was jus a lame pumper...hmmmMmMM?”

“How fast the filter pumps isn’t to big of an issue unless I was trying to fill a 55 gallon drum and pumping a water filter is not something I would classify as tough unless the filter was clogged. The most important thing is how well does it do its job, which is taking the nasty things out of the water.”

“how do you clean the First Need?
how often?”

“You can backwash the filter canister using clean water during a trip to clean or unclog it. At home they recommend backwashing with 5 drops of bleach in 1 quart of water.”

“And if the pump ever malfunctions the first need can still be used as a gravity filter. Or even if it doesn't malfunction. =)”

“1. filters handle bacteria and sediment (.3 microns)
2 purifiers handle viruses in addition (.1 microns)

a purifier is a bit overkill for good water sources but if ya ever get forced to pump from a nasty one you will be grateful you have it.

the first need purifier is 1.5 lbs and will remove most viruses.(??except hepititis??) The filter can be a bit awkward to use but pumps at a decent rate, hooks on to a number of different bottles/bags. I so far have filtered about 24 liters with it and havent had any problems or needed to back flush it. The filter comes with a useless gravity feed bag that it also stores in and has a pre-filter on the pickup foot which keeps the worst of the sediments out of the main filter...The unit also comes with blue dye to test it with. I cant get a good lock on ym cheap hydro bag so I remove the bite valve and pump it in that way.

first need also makes a filter but i havent tried it so i cant comment on it.”

“I've got a Safe Water Anywhere which is an inline filter with a reservoir. It's just a bacterial, but if you want virus protection, you can always just add a tab of iodine to the reservoir and let it sit. The filter will take care of the taste.

It's supposed to be used directly, that is, you fill the reservoir and drink from the hose on the other end of the filter. But the "bite valve" on the hose stinks, so I typically use it as a gravity-feed filter and drain it into a platypus hoser which is my primary hydration system. The only real drawback is that it takes some time to filter a whole reservoir, so if you need to filter while hiking, be prepared to take a good break. But sitting down and taking a break is a good thing anyway, right?

In camp, I set it up and let it filter while I'm doing something else, like setting up the tent or tarp or whatever, so I never miss the time it takes.”

“What does .2 microns get out that .3 would not??”

“something tha is .25 microns”

“posted a new thread, didnt think anyone read”

“Unca Gremlin has used the First Need since 1988. While on a hike with Artex I noticed it getting difficult to pump and since I've used the same unit since 1988, I guessed it was time to change the filter. Also, the new ones screw onto a Nalgene bottle. Anyway, on Mount Allen, it was still almost impossible to fill a bottle. I cut off the old triple pre-filter and guess what? Filtered fine. I rinsed out the pre-filter when I got back and duct taped it back on. I figure the pre-filter is pretty much the secret of my First Need's longevity. Also, I had Hepatitis A twice when I was a kid and I have a healthy fear of viruses. I want pure water for my money and energy. JMHO.”

“Katadyn Pocket, 1lb. 5oz, 13,000 filter replacement, .2 microns, its sweet!! I picked this one for the filter life, it will last a life time!!!!!”

“I have the MSR Mini - a friend has the PUR HIker.

The Pur Hiker kicks my A**. Fastest I've seen.

If I know the area and the water sources - I bring my polar pure.”

“This thread got my curiosity up enough to stop at the local Popular and check no the Pur Explorer Purifier replacement cartidges. Pur took them off the market several years ago, now these are back. Fine print on the box has another company name, can't remember it but it isn't Pur. The inside looks old, date on the instruction sheet is 1997. Anyone know what gives with Pur Explorer replacement cartridges.???”

“I believe they went out of the portable filter bussiness. I was told that Katadan bought the designs etc....?”

“Yes Jerbear, I heard the same thing, but from the looks of things, someone else bought the stock and or design and name rights. I didn't see any replacement charcoal for the stop top there. I'm going to keep looking on the web. I had no complaints about the Pur Explorer, or the First Need I bought to replace it when I couldn't get replacement filters.”

“I was Christmas shopping at Tempe REI yesterday, and there were many staff folks wandering around so I cornered one and asked what gives on PUR Explorere/Filters, etc. A lovely young woman went and got "Matt" who sounded very knowledgable on the topic.

Matt says there are no EPA approved purifiers on the market now. If its called a purifier, its on the company's own testing, not EPA. PUR submitted their Explorer (formerly called a purifier) to EPA for confirmation and probably liability limitation, but it did not pass their tests under extreme conditions.

The PUR filters for the Explorer now available are probably of the same .# micron rating as the original, but the purifier claim has been dropped. Matt claims a little of the chlorine stuff in the water will ensure no nasties survive.

Kudo's to Matt and REI for finally having a knowledgable explanation of this deal. Wonder if I missed something in BP mag or the like.”

“i got a tummy ache.......”

“What about 'First Need"??”

“According to "Matt," its a filter, although the company claims its a purifier. He said EPA has not weighed in. For what its worth . . . .”