Hard to say, I know the Sawyer stuff get's used a lot in Africa. That being said, my Katadyn has worked fine for me. One thing to consider is reading up on how to work the filters and the actual instructions. Too often people are quick to ditch the paper and assume because it has a handle all you do is pump. The problem is there can be issues if the pump hasn't been primed, or an air-lock issue has occurred, or you apply too much pressure and force a break/leak. I would recommend a quick search on the pump that you own and go over the troubleshooting as well as forum feedback. I have found great solutions to problems I may encounter because I like to read reviews. I especially scour through the Amazon reviews. As for which last longer, I think in this case one can say that you get what you pay for. The Katadyn Pocket filter is expensive but most agree that it is one of the toughest and longest lasting. I haven't gone through 1 million gallons with my Sawyer, so I'll let you know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Also, check out MSR's website for water filtration and purification:
http://cascadedesigns.com/MSR/FAQ/Water-Treatment-and-Hydration