JJ's Field & Stream Reviews

This page captures a more comprehensive review of gear I am testing for Field & Stream Magazine. Only so much gets published, so you lose the detailed scrutiny I afford each piece of gear. Then again, maybe you don't care. :)

Gear testing and consumer review is underway. For the 2012 summer season I will be testing four backcountry water filtration systems:

*MSR HyperFlow- From Mountain Safety Research, this microfiltration system fits in a smaller lighter package that promises high speed and volume water filtration.
*Katadyn Hiker Pro- A Swiss-made lightweight pump filter used by UN and military. This ceramic filter attaches to wide mouth bottles and hydration reservoirs.
*Platypus Gravityworks- Using gravity and separated bladders, this system does the work for you as you attend to other activities at base camp.
*Sawyer Squeeze- A 3-ounce filter that has revolutionized work in third world countries by allowing you to simply attach the filter to the top of your bottle and drink; no pumping, no chemicals, no waiting.

I put these these systems to the test in the backcountry and here's what I found...

MSR Hyperflow: This is hands-down my "go to" for long day trips and weight/space conscious concerns. In the field, it assembled quick (20 seconds). I tested it in silty spring run-off and it streamed a liter in under a minute-- like a faucet. Pound it like a small bike tire pump. Its tiny and sleek. It attaches to a Nalgene bottle or wide mouth reservoir. The pre-filter, uniquely flat, can negotiate shallow streams, trickling springs or puddles. Pack it light (just over 7 ounces) and compact. Cross-contamination is easily avoided with included covers and a tag-a-long bag. Hyperflow is my top pick.

Katadyn Hiker Pro: If you have a newer Camelbak, you'll love this. You can modify the outlet hose to clip straight into your reservoir-- no transfer or cross-contamination issues whatsoever. You can also attach a bottle fitting, but must be careful to avoid tipping/spilling. A traditional pump-type filter, HikerPro is easy to clean, maintain and operate in the field. It allows comfortable one-person operation. This unit filters quickly and is easy to deploy, saving you time. Its pretty light (11 ounces), but not the lightest on the market. I found it rather bulky for space concerns. This is the most carefree, meaning easy to use and keep from cross-contamination, of the four. If kids are helping you, consider this.

Platypus Gravityworks: A cool concept, this rather effortless system is for base camping. It is not realistic to pull this out on the trail. It takes set up and time. If you have weak forearms or need a whole lotta H20, this filter is for you. Gravityworks is ideal for a large group, where a high volume of water is consumed. The supplied bags vary in size, but can supply you with a large store of water with little effort. For it to be most effective, you would use this when located near a water source since carrying the pouch would be awkward and space consuming. The dry materials roll up easy, small and weigh under 11 ounces. That is great for a base camp large volume group filter. Also consider your water sources-- you will need pools or deeper streams where you can dip in and scoop up volume-- not effective in a trickle or shallow stream.

Sawyer Squeeze: This incredibly light (3 oz) filter looks simple. It is the lightest and most compact of the 4 systems reviewed here. If you attach it straight to the mouth of a dirty bottle, you can drink right from the end of it. You better remember that the water bottle is contaminated and you better dry it off before tipping it into your mouth. If filling from a stream is your modus operandi, I recommed against this filter. The supplied bags did not fill quickly and ultimately produced only 1 liter of clean water in 6 minutes. Getting water into the bags involves getting wet. Then, handling the filter with direct attachment presents way too much likelihood for cross-contamination. This filter is best for cleaning conventional water sources (faucet, pipe, trough) in questionable locales. I also recommend scrapping the bags and fitting the filter to the mouth of disposable type bottles. Keep the clean end of the filter carefully capped to avoid contamination. If you're an ultralight fanatic and can't pass up the ounce-shaving bonanza this filter offers, I recommend you carry dirty disposable bottles and commit to exclusively drinking or dispensing from the filter. 


Kudos to all four filters for producing crystal clear fine tasting water. Unlike the gimmicky unltraviolet devices, each of these four filters will assure your drinking experience is refreshing. Ultraviolet devices merely kill bacteria and parasites, but ultimately leave you drinking the same murky water you placed into your drinking vessel, and it does nothing to change taste. But if you like drinking dead parasites, floaties, and sand-- have at it.