Katadyn

Hiker Pro Transparent Water Microfilter

Works

Works as advertised but there are easier options out there now.

This worked great, I took it on Windriver backing trip with a group of 15. By the end It was one of the only filters that wasn't plugged and still pumping water. I prefer the BeFree for solo trips but this worked great when filling several bottles of water.

Quick and reliable little pump! I like how easy it is to clean too. Personally, I trust this pump more than the gravity filters my friends were using that seemed to always be on the cusp of getting clogged. I used this all summer on some long trips, and never experienced any water related stress because of it.

Beat filter system I’ve ever used!

I spent a lot of time in the backcountry of Alaska. I have always used water tablets, but on a recent trip, my buddy was using one of these. It was so simple and kept all the other debris out of the water. I bought one and use it for a weeklong hunt in Northern Alaska. Paired with a Nalgene bottle, we were able to easily and quickly have safe water to drink. As I type this, I’m leaving for another goat hunt tomorrow and it is a must have in my pack.

Good pump

This packs very well, especially into a day pack. I carried this on a traverse and the weight was hardly noticeable. The pump it self is very easy to use and connects to a number of different water bottles or bladders. Whether it’s your first time or 100th time this pump works great. Can also work just fine as a backup if a primary filter source breaks.

Efficient, easy to use, but bulky and heavy

I've used this filter on a few backpacking and mountaineering trips, and have really liked it so far. It's easy to set up, easy to use, and filters water quickly. It also works well in running or still water. However, it's pretty bulky, heavy, and takes a minute to set up. If you aren't looking for the smallest ultralight option, this is perfect for most people.

Great product so far, curious on longevity

Love the filter, it was very easy to set up and use. I used mine for a 3 day backpacking trip as the designated filter guy for me and one of my buddies. We used it quite a bit and it works well, but I am interested to see how long it will hold up, as one of my other buddies also has the same filter (and had recommended it to me), and his filter was noticeably harder to pump. He had used his for 2 other trips prior, and cleaned it as described in the manual after each trip, so I’m nervous mine will do the same fairly quickly. However, I have not personally had any issues so far, and the highlight for me is definitely the bladder quick connect so that I can fill my bladder without undoing the top while on the trail!

Great Filter

This was a no brainer for the price. It does take about five minutes to pump a liter because of how slow you have to pump to get the best result. I like that it filters everything out and leaves a clean taste. A pen won't clear particulates and same with the drops so this seems to be the most all encompassing filter. Glad I bought this over the pen style. It is also really small and light weight where as the bag type takes up a lot of room. I am sure a small bag gravity filter would have also worked well for backpacking.

Filter immediately broke

Filter body immediately cracked while filtering from a clean water source. After contacting Katadyn they refused to warranty their product.

Overly complicated, questionable quality?

I used an original Pur (pre-Katadyn) Hiker for more than 25 years. I upgraded to a Hiker Pro, and it broke after about 2 1/2 years of relatively light use. The adhesive holding the intake valve in place feel apart. It took me 45 minutes in the field (and very short on water!) to figure out how to put it back together and hold it in place to get a trickle of water through it. While the quick connect seems a good idea, it's one more piece to fail. Stick with the original Hiker - it's a simpler and more reliable design.