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KATADYN HIKER WATER FILTER
BY TROY S. PELZEL
OR
April 21, 2015
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME: Troy S. Pelzel
EMAIL: pelzel DOT troy AT yahoo DOT com
AGE: 45
LOCATION: Bixby, Oklahoma U.S.
GENDER: m
HEIGHT: 6' 0" (1.80 m)
WEIGHT: 192 lb (87.10 kg)
I got into backpacking about seven years ago when a friend took me to the Boston Mountains, which are part of the Ozarks in Arkansas. I hike in this area around six times a year. My overnight backpacking includes river crossings, steep terrain, bouldering, bushwhacking as well as maintained and primitive trails. I usually carry my backpack with a tent, camp pad, and freeze dried meals, and I always carry a water purifier for clean water. I like to keep my hiking trips to under 25 miles (40 km) for the entire trip.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Katadyn
Year of Manufacture: 2007
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.katadyn.com">>
MSRP: US$ 74.95
Listed Weight: 11 oz (310 g)
Measured Weight: 11 oz (310 g)
Other details: Dimensions: 3x6.5x2.4 in (7.6x16.5x6.1 cm)
Capacity: 200 gal (750 l)
Output:1L/min
Technology: AntiClog Technology with 0.3 micron glassfiber Activated carbon granulate.
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The Katadyn Hiker water filter is a handheld, lightweight pump made of high-strength plastic. It has a retractable handle that swivels out of the way when storing. The 0.3 micron glassfiber filter is pleated for a larger surface area making hand pumping easier. Inside the fiberfilter is activated carbon granules which filter out contaminants such as bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, spores, and sediments. It comes with a 36 in (91 cm) intake hose that has a pre-filter, filter guard, and a float to keep the pre-filter suspended above sediment.
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It also comes with a 36 in (91cm) output hose that can be attached to water bottles with openings that are 2 in (5.08 cm) or greater in diameter using the provided adapter.
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The fiber/carbon filter easily unscrews from the housing and comes with a 0.11 oz (3 g) tube of silicone lubricant for the attached O-rings.
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It all fits nicely in a black, zippered bag that can easily clip to a backpack.
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The filter is a single action (on the down-stroke) pump. The handle swivels to the side and the pump is activated by pulling the handle up and then pushing the handle down.
It is capable of pumping up to 1qt (1L)/min.
FIELD USE
I have used the Katadyn Hiker water filter on every backpacking trip that I have been on since buying it in 2008. I typically hike in the Ozark Mountains in Northwestern Arkansas which offer some very clean springs, creeks, and rivers to draw water from. In the seven years that I've had this filter I have used it on 50+ backpacking trips totaling around 125 uses. I have filtered approximately 100 g (379 L) which is around half of the manufacturers listed capacity. My trips are typically in the fall, spring, and winter months. I have not used the pump when the temperatures were below 20 F (-7 C). I have not had any problems with the filter clogging up. The only maintenance I've done is rinsing the filter once a year in the sink and lubricating the two O-rings with the supplied silicone annually. On Thanksgiving weekend (late November) last year I backpacked 7 miles along the Buffalo National River in northwest Arkansas with 12 others. The weather was fantastic that weekend with temperatures in the daytime reaching 75 F (24 C) and 55 F (13 C) at night. I camped right on the river so I didn't have to go far for water. I used the Katadyn Hiker water filter to refill water bottles and bladders from the Buffalo river which was very clean and clear. The float on the pre-filter hose keeps the pre-filter off the bottom of the river to avoid filtering sediment. I did this twice for 13 people with no problems. It typically takes around 1 minute to filter 1 L of water so when filtering large amounts it is helpful to have someone holding bottles or bladders while the other person pumps the filter. Occasionally I have had a problem finding an easy access point for water because of the short hoses. A longer hose would solve this problem easily. All the creeks, springs, and rivers I have filtered water from has had very clean appearing water.
SUMMARY
The Katadyn Hiker water filter is definitely worth the price. The simple design with few moving parts is durable and ensures reliability. To be able to fill water bottles and bladders with fresh drinking water in just minutes is amazing. I would not think of going backpacking without this filter. When clean water is needed in a hurry for drinking, cooking, or cleaning, this filter is ready for the task.
THINGS I LIKE
* Compact and lightweight
* Dependable
* Makes water taste great
* Impresses people that are without one
* Cleans and maintains easily
THINGS I DON'T LIKE
* Short hoses makes water access difficult
* Hand-pumping can become tiresome
SIGNATURE
Troy S Pelzel
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