Katadyn Hiker Evaluate | CleverHiker

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Though pump filters have gotten much less standard lately, we nonetheless think about the Katadyn Hiker a superb choice for many who desire pumping over squeezing. One among our gear testers selected the Hiker as their fundamental filtering technique on the AT due to its sturdiness, effectiveness, and ease of use.

Identical to the remainder of the filters on the record of our favourites, the Hiker is enough in eradicating just about all dangerous micro organism and protozoa from backcountry ingesting water. Moreover, the pre-filter removes massive particulates earlier than reaching the filter, and the activated-carbon core eliminates poisonous chemical substances and pesticides to additional improve water high quality.

The filter is easy to function because of its ergonomic design and even simpler to wash. The detachable filter cartridge makes thorough discipline upkeep easy and may be totally changed when it reaches the top of its lifespan.

Though it’s a bit dearer than different choices and its filter doesn’t final the longest, the Hiker is completely suited to teams and anybody who prefers a pump setup.

How We Examined

We’ve relied on this filter for 1000’s of miles, together with a thru-hike of the Appalachian Path. From clear river water to silty sources and even our do-it-yourself concoction of mud and sand, we examined this filter within the hardest situations conceivable.

Water High quality

The Katadyn Hiker produces clear, fresh-tasting water by way of a three-step course of. The pre-filter captures particles bigger than 150 microns earlier than it reaches the tiny 0.2-micron pores. These pores bodily take away practically all remaining particles, protozoa, and micro organism, together with Giardia, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, and extra. Lastly, the filter’s activated carbon core absorbs chemical substances and pesticides to reinforce the water’s style.

Most filters are sufficient to take away dangerous micro organism, however the carbon core enhances water high quality much more. We discover a slight enchancment within the water’s style, and it affords further peace of thoughts when tenting in areas with previous mining exercise or energetic agriculture, the place chemical substances might need leached into water sources.

Ease of Use

This pump filter requires a bit extra setup than a squeeze filter or purification tablets, nevertheless it finally gives better versatility. The pump generates sufficient suction to attract water from even the shallowest sources the place scooping is tough or unattainable. We have been in a position to pump water from sources as shallow as ⅛ inch. Because of this, the Hiker may very well be a good selection in case you count on to come across determined water sources in your journey. 

One downside is the a number of items and meeting wanted for every filter session. It’s not as fast as attaching a squeeze filter to the top of a water bottle, nevertheless it solely takes a few minute to unpack, assemble, and begin pumping.

The hoses included with the filter are versatile and lengthy sufficient for many conditions, however we discovered the enter facet tends to leak and pop off occasionally. 

The filter works greatest with a wide-mouth plastic bottle, like a Nalgene, as a consequence of its completely becoming attachment. Nonetheless, the output hose can simply be inserted into virtually any water container and is suitable with most backpack hydration bladders.

Therapy Time

The circulation charge of the Katadyn Hiker varies relying on how rapidly you pump it, however we discovered it usually produces a liter in a few minute or much less. In sensible phrases, roughly 46 pumps can clear water from a comparatively clear supply. 

One liter per minute makes the Hiker filter one of many quickest on our record, considerably sooner than chemical remedies that take 20 minutes or extra. The primary benefit is that after the filter is ready up at a water supply, you’ll be able to pump for a whole group with no need to refill any soiled containers. 

Whereas the pre-filter is enough to catch massive particulates, the principle filter can nonetheless clog with silt, considerably lowering the circulation charge.

Weight

It’s powerful to compete with trendy ultralight squeeze filters that weigh just some ounces, however for an ergonomic, easy-to-use pump filter, the Hiker is comparatively light-weight.

Weighing about 13 ounces, the Hiker Filter is far lighter than the 1.5-pound MSR Guardian however nonetheless over 5 occasions as heavy as the favored Sawyer Squeeze. Its compatibility with a Nalgene bottle additionally promotes utilizing heavier ingesting vessels.

The advantages of the additional weight are the Hiker’s sturdiness, ease of use, easy discipline upkeep, and replaceable filter cartridges or activated-carbon core. The Hiker can also be uniquely suited to function the one filter for a whole group.

The Hiker neatly packs away in its included carrying case and even has a devoted bag for the output hose to maintain it free from contaminants.

Upkeep & Longevity

The Katadyn Hiker Filter includes a easy design that’s simple to wash and preserve. The outer housing unscrews to disclose the filter inside, which may be changed in seconds.

The filters have an estimated lifespan of about 1000 liters, after which a brand new cartridge may be inserted to fully renew the machine. An preliminary funding within the Hiker Filter gives you with a filtering machine that can final primarily so long as filter replacements can be found. 

The filter can be cleaned within the discipline. After clogging the filter till its circulation charge was lowered to a trickle, we have been in a position to take away the filter, completely rinse it, and restore it to about 90% of its authentic circulation charge.

Like different hole fiber filters, freezing temperatures can injury the filter. Fortuitously, solely the replaceable half is affected, not the whole system unit.

Ought to You Purchase the Katadyn Hiker?

The Katadyn Hiker Filter is ideal for teams or anybody on the lookout for a pump filter that can final a lifetime with replaceable filter cartridges. Its filtering capabilities are greater than sufficient for many backcountry water sources, and the activated-carbon core provides an additional degree of purity.

The Hiker is easy to make use of with fast meeting and an ergonomic pumping course of, particularly when used with a Nalgene bottle. Though the filter cartridges have a comparatively quick lifespan, it’s simple to completely clear the filter within the discipline to increase its life till you’ll be able to exchange the cartridge.

The Katadyn is a comparatively vital funding in comparison with different ultralight choices, however with correct care, its fundamental physique ought to final virtually a lifetime. For teams or anybody backpacking in areas the place dependable water sources are restricted, the Hiker stays a robust choice.

What Different Water Filters Ought to You Take into account?

Take a look at our full information to backpacking water filters for filters which can be just like the Katadyn Hiker.

MSR Guardian Evaluate: The Guardian is a pump filter just like the Hiker. Nonetheless, the Guardian affords a really quick circulation charge of roughly 2.5 liters per minute and may filter out viruses.

MSR Trailshot: The Trailshot combines the flexibility of a pump filter and a straw filter. It has a mouthpiece to filter water immediately into your mouth and a hand pump for drawing water from even the shallowest sources. 

Platypus GravityWorks Evaluate: For those who’re on the lookout for a group-friendly choice however need to keep away from taking over the accountability of pumping for everybody, think about the Platypus GravityWorks. It options a big bladder and an environment friendly gravity system for hands-free, high-capacity filtration.