Gear Review: Katadyn Pocket Water Filter

We always like to research (sometimes ad nauseum) the gear we buy, so this piece of equipment was no exception. Truthfully this was the first water filter we were going to buy so we wanted to do it right - get something that would survive being dropped on a rock or trampled by a pack horse. So, we settled on the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter.

First off - weighing in at a hefty 20 ounces (presumable not built for the "go lite" crowd), height of 10" and retailing at around $200 we're not sure why it is called a "pocket" water filter. However what this filter gives up in portability, it makes up for in durability. Made of heavy duty aluminum, this was the filter we were looking for.

Our first shot at using the Katadyn was on the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario. While the scenery was perfect the water was a bit murky so we figured what better place to break it in. We pumped greenish-brown water in and got clear, clean water out. Good start but who was going to take the first swig? We flipped a coin and Sunny came out on the short end...I drank and lived to tell ("tasted" like good, clean tap water). Note to self - when pumping murky water, use the pad to clean the ceramic filter each day. Whatever makes the water green (ie. algae) also clogs to tiny little pores in the ceramic.

So, off to Peru we go..surprisingly enough (or maybe not so much) we used our water filter more in the hotel than out on the trail. We were scared off drinking straight tap water by all the health warnings against nasty things like hepatitis...with bottled water in the fridge running $7 a bottle we decided to pump our own. On the trail, we plunged our filter into the cold streams of the Andes that all appeared beautifully pristine until you realized the valley floor was COVERED in llama, shall we say, droppings. So pump we did..

Manufacturer specs say with a clean filter you can pump 1 liter per minute which we found to be fairly accurate. You can pump as furiously as you like thanks to a solid, all aluminum handle that won't snap off like "lesser" filters. The technology behind the scenes is 0.2 micron ceramic depth filter, fine enough to filter out just about anything you can throw at it (however Lepro is still questionable and is purported to be able to make it through even .1 micron). I like this quote from the manufacturer but not sure how to confirm the stated fact that the "silver impregnated ceramic element is effective against bacteria and protozoa".

We liked the lifetime guarantee and the 13,000 liter capacity on the filter; ensuring you won't be running out to buy a new cartridge after every trip. The kit comes with a carry case, sterile and non-sterile tubing and a cleaning pad for the ceramic. All in all...if you are looking for an indestructible, reliable, high capacity filter....this will do it for you.

Pros:

• Katadyne - a leading name in water filtration
• Construction / durability
• High capacity

Cons:

• Cost
• Weight (about 20 ounces)
• Murky water can easily clog the ceramic filter (typical of any ceramic filter)