Katadyn Hiker Pro Hand Pump Water Filter for Backpacking, Camping, Emergency Survival

For my personal use, I use a Sawyer Squeeze filter due to its low cost, but I purchase and use these Katadyn pumps for my scout troop. There are a couple reasons for that. The first is the filter is removable which is important as the scouts aren't always the most conscientious when it comes to drying things after a trip. Taking the filter out and drying it is easy with these. There is no guess work about when it is dry. It is also eliminates the need for backwashing to clean out the filter the way the Sawyer squeeze does.The filter is quick and easy to use. It only takes a couple minutes to fill a Nalgene bottle with it. Aside from the price, the only real negative is it can be hard to use by yourself. An empty Nalgene with the filler cap on it doesn't like to stand up unless you happen to have perfectly flat ground around, which I never seem to do. Pumping the filter requires both hands so you generally don't have a hand free to hold up the bottle. With the scout buddy system, this isn't a problem for us, but if you are looking for a personal water filter, something like the Sawyer squeeze might be a little easier to use.

If you camp or hunt in the mountains, this is worth the investment! Purify a good amount of water in short order and not wear yourself out before you start your day. Bought for elk hunting in the mountains of Montana. Works like a charm and would buy again!

I wanted a light-weight, transportable filter system for multi-day/night hiking and also as a backup, should power-outage stop household supply for long periods. I consider both purposes as serious issues, so I did considerable research and comparisons. For design, function, size, weight & perceived materials, I decided on the Katadyn Hiker Pro and very happy I did.It's very straight-forward to assemble without tools and usage is obvious. (I did read the instructions provided and suggest any buyer do likewise.) I took it and two clear-glass containers to a local river, which I don't swim in due the amount of green algae. I scooped one container with river water. The discoloration and expected contamination was obvious. Then drawing from the same location, the Katadyn Hiker Pro delivered totally clear, clean (according to the specifications) water. Returning home with the filtered water, visually, it appeared as clear as the tap water, but, to me, tasted better. (I don't know if it removes fluoride.) It's packed in my "go bag" ready for deployment.The construction and materials appear durable, so, with appropriate care, this unit should last a lifetime of hiking. Then, should you wear-it-out, that's money very-well-spend, and like me, you'd be delighted to buy replacement parts or a new complete unit.The filter is easily cleanable (without tools) and rated for 300 gallons before replacement. (Naturally, this may change, depending on the degradation of water drawn.) Should I draw 300 gallons, I'd be more than delighted to buy a new filter - offered as a spare/replacement part.Note: the first-time use amounted in white, cloudy water. I assume this has something to do with the filter material coating. This was concerning, but every use after the initial glass (test) container has been excellent.

Bought for a 3 day raft trip. My buddies abandoned their devices in favor of my Hiker Pro because it was quick and easy and the water tasted great. Wish it was floatable, as we dumped our raft and it sank. We found it, but for three 100 degree days I watched it like it were my wallet. Find a 32oz water bottle with a perfectly compatible opening. Wish the intake tube was another foot longer so I could cast it away from the mud I kick up. But these druthers are minor. This is a great device!

My second Hiker Pro - the last one lasted about 100 trail days of pumping for two people, so about 300-400 gallons. Then the valve that actually lifts water into the filter somehow decided there was too much weight on it (hose was hanging into a creek below a log at full hose extension). The fact that this happened without any prior indication of pending failure is the only reason I am dropping a star from the review. I had just replaced the filter element (for 75 % of the cost of the whole filter) so I figured I'll get another one, given I had enough filter to go another 100+ days.Weight is acceptable. Pre filtering appears to keep most of the crud out of the mountain water I usually filter, so these things last a long time for me. Packs well, drains before packing with a few strokes. Can get to water in hard to reach places, and it's quite fast. Just a few minutes for two 1 liter bottles and a gallon water canteen for camp. I move too fast to want to rely on any gravity system and in the end these things are just a matter of hair. If you pack them, use them, or they are just dead weight. This one is easy, and combined with bottles that don't tip over makes a great filter system for me. That's what matters. I don't count ounces on things that are essential for daily trail living. ItThe pump shaft and filter are pretty easy to service - I keep it lubed and the pump will go smoothly. none of that was related to my last unit's failure. I assume it was just a flapper valve that let go, something you cannot service deep inside the plumbing between pump and filter housing.This unit shows the filter through clear plastic - not sure what that adds over the last model, but it can't hurt to see what goes on around the filter (e.g. water still in it). To get a 5 star review, the ridiculous filter cartridge price needs to come down, though. There's some pleated fiber material between two plastic ends - how can that be so expensive to make compared to the rest of the filter? The pricing of these filters in general is far too high for what they are. Clearly aimed at the recreation market. I'd like to one day find a filter that works like this unit but doesn't come with the recreational equipment markup.

I use it on pack trips all the time and it works great. Get another filter it's clogs quickly