This Filter Has Been A Lifesaver

I have been using this filtration system for over a year now. Although I have replaced the original filter cartridge due to the slowed flow-rate, it still technically works. Recently, I used this filter for all of my water over five weeks in Nepal. The Khumbu (Everest Region) is beautiful, but the water quality is very poor (many contaminants). I not only used it for 3-5lt a day in the mountains, but also in towns, treating the tap water (there is a low risk of viral contamination in this area). After what I had seen go into the mountain streams, I KNOW this filter saved me much suffering.

The filter cartridge has a nozzle with cap, and a cage around the micro-tube filtration system. The cap keeps contaminated water from coming in contact with the drinking/pouring end, and the cage around the filter keeps the larger debris out (which maintains a cleaner filter over time). The filter cartridge screws on to any 42mm soft-bottle. I have the original 0.6l bottle as well as a Hydrapak Seeker 2l that I use often with the filter. The original 0.6l bottle is a touch fragile and prone to pinholes. I find the Hydrapak Seeker to be more robust, if an odd size.

The soft bottles that work with the filter can make it hard to scoop up water, and I tend to look for flowing water in this case.

The claimed flow-rate is 2L/min which seems about right. A little squeeze on the bottle increases this. As the pores on the filter membrane fill with particulates, the rate slows. This is the only reason to replace the filter. Essentially, if water is coming out of it, it's safe to drink. You should also get around 1000L of filtered water from one cartridge depending on water clarity. The main reason my first cartridge slowed was because of filtering glacial and tannin rich water. Both water sources are full of particulates that blocked the filter's pores. It is easy to clean the filter by swishing it in water or shaking some water in the reservoir and them dumping it out. Either method removes external debris from the filter membrane.

The filter also works as a gravity filter with a large enough water reservoir. One nice feature of a filter like this is that it clarifies that water, which tablets won't do.

Because the filter tubes are made of ceramic, they can crack if they freeze. I always kept the filter in my sleeping bag at night to prevent this.

All-in-all, this is a brilliant, lightweight, filter that I am happy to bet my health on in the backcountry.

Experience

I have used this product as my exclusive water treatment system for the last 18 months in Canada, Alaska, Tasmania, and Nepal. It has been used over at least a dozen backpacking trips over a few-hundred kilometres in a range of environments (mostly temperate rain forest and mountainous). I have tried a handful of mechanical filters and fell in love with this system when I found it. I have friends with similar systems that haven't been as easy to use or have as high of flow-rate.

Summary

This filter has been a literal lifesaver on my adventures. Its ease of use and modular bottle system allows it to adapt to various needs. Its flow-rate is top notch.

Pros