Katadyn Pocket Microfilter

"I used this filter on a recent primitive camping trip. Rather than carry my water 2 miles from the Park Office, I filtered water from a small stream near my tent. The particular area from which I got my water was only about 6 inches deep and the bottom was covered in leaves. This was my first time using the filter so I was a little worried about drinking the water. However, I got all my water (and for my dog) from that little source for 4 days and had no problems. At first I added a flavor packet to all my drinking water in order to mask any ill tastes, but after about day 2 I got tired of that and drank just plain water...the water had NO taste...good, bad, or otherwise. In fact, the water I filtered was cleaner than the water I got from the Park Office water fountain!"

"Had this filter for about three years. Have used it on thru hike of Ouachita Trail and yo-yo hike on the Ozark Highlands Trail. Both hikes were one month in length.



If your gear must work, this is the filter to get. Thing weighs more than the one pound advertised but it's built like a tank. Don't think you could break it. Machined metal (milled) top and bottom, thick plastic middle, and thick walled hoses. Really well thought out.



Can get hard to pump after about 128 oz of relatively clean water and 64 oz of dirty water. This is because of the 0.2 micron ceramic depth filter. Once dirty the filter is easy to clean with included scrub pad. Usually unscrew to drain filter after use anyway, so just clean real quick.



The filter comes with 2 scrub pads, extra o-ring, lube, go/no-go filter gage, and water container attachments (never used), and a sturdy carrying case.



I have filtered more than 150 gallons of water through this thing and the filter is no ways tired. Advertisements state the filter is good for up to 13,000 gallons. Don't know about that. Guess it depends on how well you clean it. Hope it last close to the advertised usage because buying a filter for the thing is like buying a whole new filter.



Anyway, if you are like me and your gear is your legs and must work during your hikes, you can count on this filter to make it with you to the bitter end."

"Don’t mess around with cheaper filters having a reliable water filtering source is crucial. Spend the extra money and get the peace of mind of having the best most reliable filter. This thing is built like a tank and will not ever let you down. It filters great and takes out all that nasty stuff that will make you sick. The pre filter on the intake tube is nice too, keeps big particles from entering the filter. It pumps remarkably fast compared to other filters. Some other campers were using MSR filters that would yield just a few drops every stroke. This Katadyn filter really pumps it out. Filling Camel backs is easy just take off the mouthpiece on your camel back drinking tube and stick the outlet hose of the filter into it and start pumping. Filling an entire camel back really doesn’t take long at all. Cleaning it is really easy and the filter element life of this thing is incredible. The only downside I can think of is the filters weight. It is heavier than other filters but don’t pass it up because of that. It is definitely worth carrying the extra little weight. The Katadyn pocket filter is worth every penny, you’ll definitely enjoy owning one. Other campers will enjoy it too when their filters break down and they need to borrow yours. I have had to lend mine out to thirsty campers with other broken filters many times. The carrying bag that it comes with is nice and sturdy. It also comes with some cleaning pads, lubrication, and an extra o ring for the plunger. The warranty is amazing as well."

"I'm in the Army and I have used this in Iraq and Afghanistan. Works great, easy to use, easy to take care of. Only drawback is that it doesn't have a carbon filter. water is generally good but won't take out complex minerals and chemicals. you can get an in line carbon filter for about $10."

"The Katadyn filter is an excellent product, the best of it’s type in my opinion. It also not the right filter for everyone. The Pocket is signifigantly heavier and more expensive than many other water filters on the market, but the additional weight is a function of how the filter is designed itself. The Katadyn Pocket is very solidly built—only exceptional abuse will damage the thing. Also, the thick ceramic filter adds to it’s weight, and is actually the reason I chose it. Unlike many other similar filters, the Pocket does not become exceptionally nasty if it’s not dried. Also, the filter cartridge lasts for many, many times longer than any other model on the market. In all, I don’t mind the bit of extra weight when I’m backpacking in the wilderness, and I love the durability and ease of cleaning, especially when I travel in developing countries"

"If you think of yourself as an environmentalist, and you use another filter, your ought to rethink your priorities. This filter is so rugged that the filter element will outlast nearly 90 filters from any other brand, and the pump is rugged enough to outlast several 13,000 gallon ceramic elements. That's a lot of waste reduced over the useful life of this filter, and a lot of money (think THOUSANDS of dollars saved over the life of the filter). Yes, it weighs more than any other filter I know of - about half the weight of an ultralight down sleeping bag, and a little less than a foam sleeping pad. I suggest cutting your toothbrush handles and forget about the weight. It's worth it. I've owned mine for 8 years - in the eight years before I bought the Katadyn, I went through three other filters and about 6 replacement elements. After 8 years, the Katadyn looks and works like new, and the filter still has about 12,000 gallons of life left in it.



You should know that cleaning the filter in the field is simple, and restores the flow immediately to "like new." This is in contrast to most other filters that either can't be cleaned, or can't be restored to their original pumping capacity after filtering dirty water."

"I bought this filter 20 years ago and used it extensively. Due to a variety of factors, I stopped backpacking for about a decade and have resumed backpacking. Last summer pulled out the filter, cleaned it out, which is easy and it worked just like new. I understand the newer model has a clip to place the output tube in a water bottle, but I have jerry-rigged my own clip and it works great. If the filter gets dirty, it can be a little difficult to pump. However, a quick and easy cleaning of the ceramic filter remedies the problem. I love this filter and am really happy that I didn't discard it or give it away in my hiatus from backpacking."

"I've tried (and broken) numerous different water filters. I consider myself very gentle with my equipment but lately several of my new and old "plastic" filters have failed and broken after only a few uses. I won't "name names" but these were name brand filters... I finally abandoned my quest for the uber-light and got a Pocket Filter. I could not be happier with my decision. The Pocket worked great, every time. My husband and I just finished a month-long hike in the high Sierra's and never worried once about whether our water filter was going to work or not. While on the trail, we spoke with several other hikers who broke their "plastic" filters too and were resorting to purification pills as a back-up. We told them to get a Pocket. The Pocket was easy to use, easier to maintain and solid as a rock. Do not let the weight of this filter dissuade you - you will be glad to have this filter when it really counts. The only thing I wish I could change would be to have a longer output hose. A MINOR suggestion and something I can remedy myself."

"I can't speak for the current model, but I bought the original in 1982, it's been to Africa twice, UK, Russia, all over the USA & Canada and has never failed. In the last few years some of the seals have started to leak so it water squirts out the joints a bit when pumping, but seriously, it's 25 years old. Hmm, maybe time for a new one..."

"I've been using this filter for more than 2 years and almost in all of the major treks I was able to bring it with me. Most water sources in the Philippine Mountains come from streams or underwater holes and usually turbid during the summer season. The filter became a life-saver not just for me but for my entire group and even other groups that we encountered along the trail. I have a very sensitive stomach and this filter worked for me. I'm planning to replace the filter soon although expensive, it is worth it.You can read my other review here: http://smbmountaineers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=42If you read my blogs you will find out why this filter is a life-saver :)"