So I’m going to be upgrading my water systems. I’ve got a Berkey for home use and an older Katadyn hiker for backpacking/BOB but it’s 10 years old at this point. So I ordered an MSR Trailshot to try for a get home filter and day hiking filter. Now I’m considering an MSR MiniWorks or a katadyn hiker pro as an upgrade. Also might try a sawyer mini as a cheap inline filter option.

What do you guys use?

I have some Katadyn filters here, Gravidyns , Combis, and Pocket models. They are for emergency usage, as I don't hike much anymore. I bought them new over time as part of my preparations.

Smart man. I was talking about this with my mother in-law and she was kinda shocked she had never thought about the fact they might need clean water if country water service would be interrupted

Sawyer mini. Not the best solution in the world, but works ok.

How cheap they are I want to pick one up to test

I keep one in my wife's car; never had to use it yet. They seem to have received pretty good reviews.

I think I paid 19-24 bucks for mine.

^^^ Sounds about right. You can normally buy them at Walmart.

That's where I got mine. AND they come in 2 flavors. The squeeze one and the "Regular" one that can be used as a gravity feed if you want, so be careful about which one you get.

It wouldn't hurt to have both kinds.

Yeah I had thought about that as well. Might look into the squeeze one when I get paid.

That's why I have multiples of each filter, in case family or neighbors needed to filter water as well.

My wife is teaching a public health class with an MD that does disaster work all over the globe- she is into those UV ones. I know zero about them myself...

They are supposed to be top notch (as long as you buy from a reputable company with a good track record) Only problem is they require batteries, which require electricity to recharge. Yes I know you can us non rechargeable batteries, but that might get real expensive.

On the other hand I have seen some that has a handle you crank to supply the power for the bulb to do it's thing. Then again, for that to work, you need real clear water to start with.

So pre-filter the water and use the Steri-pen for UV treatment. I have the crank model myself, though I have never needed to use it ....yet.

That's what I thought as well Tom. Got a source for the crank model. My battery powered bit the big one.

I think I got mine off of eBay, but I believe Emergency Essentials also sells them.

Thanks

OK, Backpack type pump water filters. What Should I get? Remember, backpack equals light weight. ALL suggestions are good for research.

I recommend a good QUALITY filter such as the Katadyn pocket or combi filter.

Found this on YouTube. I always wondered about lifestraw.

https://youtu.be/l4ido-pGUfE

And Sawyer
https://youtu.be/bxFtOoFmLio

Interesting reads.

I have had the original lifestraws for 5 or 6 years now.
I had them in my pack and gave 1 to my brother, nephew and daughters for their packs.
They worked well for me and I have no complaints
However about 4 years ago my marine buddy introduced me to the sawyer mini, I don't think that it filters any better than the lifestraws, but I do think it is a more convenient form factor

However neither model is good for use in below freezing weather so I have other methods available in the winter