Water filter.... need feedback!

“Anyone have a Katadyn Mini Filter. I need honest feedback.
Pros, cons, is it easy to pack, etc.?

This is what it looks like.

http://www.basegear.com/katminfil.html

Thanks in advance.”

“Too heavy. Use drops.”

“Too heavy. Filter through your underwear.”

“You don't need water---you'll get bloated. Go light or stay home.”

“Here's a link to water filter reviews in the "gear" section of this board. Perhaps it will be more helpful than the previous responses.

Reviews of the mini filter that I've seen indicate that it's pretty slow.

I've carried a Pur (now Katadyn) Hiker for years and have been very happy with it.”

“I use the tablets.. I have to wait 30 minutes to drink the water, but they are lighter and take up less space..

I also carry a bandana with me just in case...

Actually I usually just yogie treated water from Creek Dancer or whomever I am hiking with. No respectable hiker will let someone else dehydrate.. This saves me the weight of carrying water containers...

'32oz”

“Actually I usually just yogie treated water from Creek Dancer or whomever I am hiking with. No respectable hiker will let someone else dehydrate.. This saves me the weight of carrying water containers...

Huh, Jimmysan does the same thing with bourbon! lol!”

“shhhhh.. don't tell anyone, but I usually carry some Crown with me in case the yogieing isn't going very well...
It's amazing what the smell of bourbon does...

Yeah it adds a few ounces to my pack, but it takes a lot of Crown to equal teh weight of a tent, food, and 2 litres of water.. LOL

'32oz”

“Just fill up your water bottle straight from the source, add some Crown and wait a few minutes. It should be good to go.”

“i carry packets of dehydrated h2o with me...just add water”

“When I was young, I had a big can of dehydrated water, don't know what happened to it.”

“I used to treat my water. On the rare occasion that I do, I use aqua Mira”

“Every where I go in the winter has no water- so , I carry 15lbs of dirty water and a heavy filter.”

“i'm not sure if the katadyn filters are troll proof”

“just get some Valbazen and you'll be alright, no need for bulky heavy junk like a filter. :D”

“I traveled with a guy for about 6 mos through south america who used this filter. I went through several hiker cartridges and a First Need and he kept using his mini filter. The ceramic element is easy to clean and lasts a long time, basically you never have to worry about the filter clogging because you can just scrub the element. Pump time is slooow. It's pretty light tho and packs up small. It's great for when there is a lot of turbidity in the water (glacial melt which has a lot of sediment, streams with lots of tanins, etc.) because you can clean it in the field.

I ended up buying one after I got back to the states and carry it when I solo or on day hikes but prefer my Katadyn Hiker or MicroPUR tabs in the Sierra because the water quality is so damn good.
last edited: 1/08/09 8:43:32 AM”

“Treating water is overrated”

“Not to worry, folks! All you need is this:

Although they may appear to be rectal thermometers, they actually create great tasting, super-hydrating, energized water for you and your family! Stirred in your water for 20 seconds before you drink it, the Stirwand� is clinically proven to naturally, without adding anything artificial, quickly restore any clean, potable water to near perfect balance and stability.

Stirred water:
*Delivers therapeutic levels of hydration and oxygen to your cells via single water molecules
*Increases hydration immediately, 28.5% (within 30 days)
*Increases blood oxygen immediately, 10.25% (within 14 days)
*Decreases cellular toxins, 18.2% (within 90 days)

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Purple
For relaxation, meditation and the calming bath. Just drop in bath water when filling and leave in until the end of your bath. Hydrating and oxygenating. After hours.

And get this....the complete Stirwand Deluxe Set Price is ONLY $549.95!

You're probably saying to yourself right now, "Holy crap, and here I am not using my water to it's full quantum potential!


(We're trying to land this guy as our spokesman)

C'mon folks, it's made out of science! Wetter water, here I come!”

“WOW !!”

“I've always been quite happy with my MSR Miniworks.......that is when I can find it in my garage....”

“the ceramic element does clog and even though it's cleanable, it's really only KIND OF cleanable... if the water is yukky, the filter goes south in no time.”

“I have used the Pur Hiker for a long time and have been happy with it.

The best move I made was to start using coffee filters over the intake bulb. It has extended the filter life condiderably.”

“i have an old sweetwater that's similar to these...i like it ok as filters go but i'd much rather use a bandanna and aqua mirra”

“Water treatment is way overrated.
After three or four days of sudden diareahia/vomitting you get over it.”

“Sounds like we think alike, chili. Same filter, same prefilter.”

“LOL, prefilter...that sounds like an REI marketing concept...slap a "Prefilter" sticker on a box of coffee filters”

“Here's a real tip.
Don't let your wet ceramic element freeze.
The ceramic will break down and destroy the filter's usefullness.

....and a bandanna is good for wiping your butt after you use up all your TP.”

“Aqua Mira”

“straight up iodine!!! yaay, no but seriously just distill your urine”

“The advantage of the Pur Hiker is water on demand, low maintenance, and a filter rate that doesn't leave your arms feeling like you just went through a work out.

Not having floaties in my water and getting my water without waiting make the weight worth it IMHO.”