Expensive replacement cartridges ($49.99!?!?!). With a fresh cartridge it's easy and fast to pump water. It packs well, and it's nice and light. I've also used an MSR miniworks EX and I can say that, in my experience, filtering water with the katadyn is faster as well as easier. The MSR filter has been much more durable for me (I've had a number of pump handles snap off the kayadyn filters). The cartridges on the MSR, as well as the pump itself are also field-serviceable, which is a huge plus. If you need a filter for occasional use I'd say the hiker pro will work great, but if the filter is going to see heavy, repeated use, go with the MSR.
"Ideal for backpacking and all around use"
04/06/13
I have used this Hiker filter since it was made by PUR on many backpacking trips. I only recently purchased the Katadyn version after years of satisfaction. Having this filter saves weight on hauling up water. It is hassle free and easy to use. This is a durable product. The water filtered is clean and great tasting. I mostly use it to filter water for drinking from streams. The output rate, packability, reliability, light weight, easy operation, easy maintenance and consistency are all there. At a 300 gallon capacity you could use one filter for all your drinking water for almost a year.
"Best water filter for the money, period!!"
01/22/13
I've used most other filters out there, MI, MSR etc. The Pro Hiker versus its closest competitor MSR is more reliable, uses from what I can tell, less moving parts and overall design is more user friendly. I have both the Pro Hiker and the MSR Sweetwater and have compared them side by side, and the Katadyn won hands down. The Hiker is easier to hold while pumping and the attachments make it more adaptable to field conditions. Both produce good tasting water and I never got sick while using either one on a one month hike on the AT. The Hiker works just as well as the Pro at a cheaper price.
"Very good filter. Easy to setup and use."
12/27/12
This thing is great. I love the quick disconnects. Easy to use,easy to clean, and very easy to maintain. I can fill my 3L bladder in around 2-3 minutes. ( without taking it out of my pack). The filter for it can be picked up all over the place. That is a big deal to me that a lot of people don't think about. Most local sports stores carry the replacement filters so if I need one fast it's no big deal. All in all 10/10
First off, I've never gotten sick after drinking water filtered with this filter, so it works! As far as features go, the filter itself has a much better flow rate than most other filters I've used, so it fills up bottles more quickly, and the nozzle to fill up a bladder without getting it out of the pack is fantastic! Great product!
I've had the Miniworks since 2004, Hiker since 2006. (As far as I've been able to tell, no real difference between Hiker and Hiker Pro.) I prefer the Hiker. Basically the same product, but the Hiker just packs up nicer.Also, I don't know if it's available for the Miniworks, but the Hiker comes with an attachment for hydration bladder hoses. It's always such a pain to dig my bladder out of my pack to refill it. With the Hiker, I can plug the Clean output hose directly to my drink tube. Pump and fill my bladder while it's still in my pack.Both the Miniworks and Hiker allow you to fill a bottle, but the option to fill a bladder is OUTSTANDING.
2,495 Points
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