Description
Keep your water clean for years.
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
MSR MiniWorks Ex Water Filter
? Share a...
5 years strong!
Carson Dunbar
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
I've been using the same MiniWorx for five years and it has taken an unbelievable beating. Dropped off a cliff taken down stream, fallen off the back of a moving car. I have really not been kind to it. BUT If you were to ask me how it's working I'd tell you as amazingly as it did the day I bought it. You might freak when you see the price of the replacement filters but so long as you clean and dry your ceramic filter after each trip its RARE that you have to replace it.
would this be good for unsafe drinking...
dyagel
Member since
would this be good for unsafe drinking water in Nigeria?
seventysut922415
Member since
The only problem is that this (and nearly all) filters are not effective against waterborne viruses, which may be of concern in untreated water in undeveloped countries. It would be a great first step, but you are probably well-advised to treat the water for viruses as well, after its been through the MiniWorks. A UV treatment or some sodium chloride drops/tablets would get you really in the clear.
pre5564514
Member since
This FILTER filters out many things including bacteria. But if you have things like virus in your water source, you would be better off buying a water PURIFIER which can be found sold alongside many FILTERS. They are somewhat more expensive but if you are in an area where the water in your environment is so contaminated; I would go for a PURIFIER instead of a mere FILTER.
pre5564514
Member since
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-backcountry.html This article will be very helpful in understanding the difference between filters and purifiers.
How do you order new ceramic filters for...
batp258856
Member since
How do you order new ceramic filters for this item? can you use the one for the other filter's?
Geoff Conner
Member since
We sell the ceramic filters, item #CAS0484.
THE Backpacking Filter
Duncan Poling
Member since
- Gender: Male
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Can't really say what hasn't already been said by other reviewers. This is a spectacular filter. Works well, all the time.
If you are hoping to filter out virons, look elsewhere (UV). Otherwise, this is what you have been searching for.
works well
Ethan
Member since
The thing is great if your pumping clean water it filters wicked fast and even if it isnt that clean it gets the job done clean the filter is easy. best feature screws on too any nalgene thread type
Debating between this and an MSR AutoFlow...
Sid Nitzerglobin
Member since
Debating between this and an MSR AutoFlow (which sounds like it's 2.2oz lighter, will be more friendly to the group, and faster but potentially less versatile and more of a pain in the ass to maintain) for an upcoming 9 day AT trip. Any other advantages/disadvantages I'm missing?
Big question I have w/ the MiniWorks is connections to my water storage. I'm planning to take a 2L Osprey HydroForm bladder and a couple of 1L Platypus soft bottles for electrolyte drink and temporary water storage and transport at camp. Does the included interface screw onto an Osprey bladder? I believe it's made by Nalgene. If not, can anyone recommend bladder tubing that will definitely fit the nipple on the clean side cap?
Phil Maher
Member since
Hi Sid,
The AutoFlow is more of a camp type of filter system than one for the trail (see some of the photos of it in use below). That's not to say that it wouldn't work (especially if you're filtering for the whole group at once as you travel), just that the MiniWorks is more suited to just getting to pumping water on the fly. The Autoflow needs to hang or be held up...dependent on gravity, not mechanics.
Either of the MSR filters use 3/8" tubing. So does the Hydroform. A couple of sets of quick connect fittings strategically placed in the
lines should give you full compatibility with any of the systems you mentioned. hope this helped.
Sid Nitzerglobin
Member since
Very helpful Phil! I'm progressively leaning towards the MiniWorks for the durability and flexibility, speed/multi-tasking be damned.
Should these 2 bits let me mount a small section of tubing w/ the male bit of the quick connect kit semi-permanently to the nipple so I can still fill stuff w/ the right threading and use the other section of the tubing w/ the female end of the quick connect for filling narrow mouth bottles/other bladders/etc?
http://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-pureflow-replacement-tube
http://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-quick-link-conversion-kit
Andrew McManama
Member since
I got the MSR replacement hose. This fits on the clean end nipple and you can use it to fill the platypus bottles. The Hydraform's cap is too big for the filter, but the hose works just fine. I have had this filter for years with no issues.
Light
DEON NORTJE
Member since
Light and compact and at 1l per minute does the job very efficiently.
For the desert
Guy Geva
Member since
Every time I'm going to the desert I take it. and every time it help me to cary less water and go longer disstance. more then one it save my life!
It can filter not onely clean water!!!
Slow, reliable, built like a tank
Banning Lyon
Member since
Ill preface this review with my cut and paste statement that I work as a backcountry backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park. Nearly all of the products I take the time to review have seen at least a half a season, if not more, of use... and Im committed to not bothering to write a review until I feel like Ive really gotten to know a product. I never thought Id bother to write reviews, but Ive recently decided that since Ive spent so much time over these last many years reading reviews, and finding a tremendous amount of value in articulate and well-informed opinions, that I wanted to give back to the community. So, with that being said, here we go...
Since we do some filtering of water in the park we split time between two filters - the MSR Miniworks (which is what I personally own) and the Katadyn Vario. Both are great filters, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Each time I wind up filtering water I find myself cursing each filter in one breath, and then praising it the next... for nearly opposing reasons.
Let me dispense with this now. MSR = built to withstand the apocalypse. All of their stuff is absolutely bombproof. I own many of their items, and all of them withstand use and abuse. The MSR Miniworks is no exception to this rule, and having clean water is not something to take lightly.
The MSR uses a ceramic filter that will last years and years if taken care of properly. There a few downsides to the filter though. Replacements are expensive, though not relatively so, since a single ceramic filter can potentially last you several years or more. Also, they are fragile. Do not go to sleep with a little water in this filter if it is going to get below freezing at night. The freezing water will swell into ice and crack the filter. Sleep with this filter if you're going to see freezing temperatures.
The filter is field maintainable/cleanable. Pull the ceramic element out, and *very lightly* brush it with a small piece of Scotch Brite, or something similar that has a bit of abrasion to it. Do not scrub the hell out of the filter. It'll reduce its life significantly, and won't get it any cleaner than a light cleaning. The goal is to remove the funk covering its porous surface, not to sandblast it.
The goal, when filtering water with the Miniworks, is to keep the intake tube off the floor of the lake or stream. Try to keep as much sediment and debris out of the intake element as possible. That stuff will clog up the ceramic filter quite quickly, necessitating another time-consuming session with the Scotch Brite. If you can keep cleanish water entering the intake tube the ceramic filter will provide several days worth of clean water without needing any cleaning.
I have seen this filter throw us some curveballs in the field... namely, I've seen the older models (these models use green plastic instead of red for the outer casing) get the small floating ball that creates a one-way valve at the top of the filter out of whack. We've had to disassemble the filter, flush it out, and boil the ceramic element, etc. Within 30 minutes its as good as new. I have yet to see one of the newer, red models have this particular issue.
The downside to the Miniworks is that its a single action pump. Its a slow filter compared to many on the market, for example the Katadyn Vario, with which I am also quite familiar. The trade off seems to be reliability and field maintenance. The Katadyn is FAST. I'm always cursing the Miniworks for being slow. Then I use the Katadyn and I'm cursing it for coming apart.
Once you're home, take the filter out and let it dry, and take the time to clean the filter body. 30 minutes of maintenance will keep this filter and element lasting a long, long time. With proper care this filter is, dollar for dollar, the most affordable and reliable filter around.
If you would rather have a slow, reliable, field-maintainable filter then the MSR Miniworks is for you.
MSR® Miniworks® EX Microfilter Overview
Sara Kay
Member since
Rugged, durable, easy-to-maintain microfilter. Great for everything from day hikes to extended trips.
Reliable
Andrew McManama
Member since
I like the ceramic filter, simple to clean and tastes good. It's a tad bulky and heavy compared to some brands and it is not the fastest draw in the west. It does seem to speed up though by the second or third bottle. I have read some horror stories about the filter breaking, but to issues here for 5 years. Even if you don't use wide mouth Nalgene bottles you can use this filter. I got an extra hose and I just attach it to the nipple on the output and fill my Platypus or my Hydraform reservoir.
All in all this is a good, long lasting water filter.
Nice, simple, works
Brandon
Member since
Exactly what I was looking for in a filter, Simple, light and works. Floater and filter are nice, it is easy to maintain, mounts on my nalgene with no problems. highly suggest
great filter
DEON NORTJE
Member since
it works and does so without too much fuss.money well spent
does this pump come with an additional...
justadoe704
Member since
does this pump come with an additional house for the output nozzle? i know some filters (katadyn vario) come with another hose to help fill up reservoirs. i usually hike with a camelbak 3 liter bladder. if it doesn't, is it a problem that can be solved by running to your local hardware store for a tube?
Dwayne Vincent
Member since
No it does not come with one, input hose and the standard wide mouth nalgene size output
Andrew McManama
Member since
The MSR replacement hose will work fine. I use it to fill up other bottles besides a Nalgene.
does this pump come with an additional...
justadoe704
Member since
does this pump come with an additional house for the output nozzle? i know some filters (katadyn vario) come with another hose to help fill up reservoirs. i usually hike with a camelbak 3 liter bladder. if it doesn't, is it a problem that can be solved by running to your local hardware store for a tube?
Dean Whitehead
Member since
Hey there, this filter doesn't come with an extra hose, I am not sure if a water bladder hose will fit to the nipple/output on the bottom or not... MSR says this on how to filter water:
Place a clean container under the filter OR attach an MSR® Dromedary Bag onto the bottom of the filter...
So basically a water bottle or MSR's specific water bladders...
I personally use the Katadyn Vario for all general needs and just pull the bite piece from my water bladder, insert this into the bottom of the Vario and then fill the bladder while its still in my pack...
I use the Katadyn pocket for the nastiest water and then a Steripen when I know the water is clear...
MiniWorks vs Steri-Pen
Herb Score
Member since
I recently bought the MiniWorks but wonder if I should have purchased the SteriPen - seems to do the same job but easier (no pumping etc.)), smaller and lighter. Appreciate any comments. Richard
Jason Lucero
Member since
I've considered carrying a SteriPen many times and I know of backpackers who use them, including one Yosemite Backountry ranger, but I always return to my pump filter, the Katadyn Hiker. Primarily because I go through a lot of water and the Hiker weighs 11 oz. (or 9 oz. with a little mod.) and we frequently do not come across creeks for hours at a time on our trips.
joa4887890
Member since
Herb:
My husband has a Steri Pen he used on several very intense ultra-light backpack trips. He was able to make it work, and the size and weight were great, but what he found was that it is very finicky. During the process of sterilizing, it will often shut down for various reasons, such as the water being very cold. This means starting over many times to complete the job. Warming it under your armpit can help with the cold water problem, but all in all, he is disappointed with it and doesn't have the patience to deal with its idiosyncracies after a hard day on the trail. He now prefers to use our old Katadyn backpacking filter which is more work, but entirely consistent. He sometimes brings the Steri Pen just for a backup to the filter.
spungebob
Member since
I use both a Steripen and the filter. In the spirit of full disclosure, I think the company's that sell the filtered systems should make sure people know there systems do not kill viruses. The Steripen will kill viruses, bacteria and protozea, while the filters will only kill bacteria and protozea. So the Steripen kills more "bad stuff" (the Ultraviolet light destroyes 99.99& of protozoa - including giardia and cryptosporidia, bacteria and even viruses). Although some filters (capable of .018 micro fioltration) can remove viruses and only a filter with activated charcoal can imrpove the taste of the water.
If you only own one filter, own THIS one.
Randy T.
Member since
I have been doing backcountry excursions for over twenty years. I have always strove for light weight and bombproof gear. After a week of dehydration because my friends PUR died from silt on the second day of a canyon trip, I bought the MiniWorks. It is a bit heavier, but the weight:safety ratio is a no brainer. I cleaned this thing so much that it is ready for a new filter (8 years!). I now use an MSR Hyperflow for weekend trips for the weight. However, when I head to Alaska, Canada, and backcountry trips longer than two days, I take my faithful MiniWorks.
Missing Part
dur3993139
Member since
This seems like a good filter, but the second trip I took it on, the pin holding the handle to the pump body fell out and was lost. Looking at the owner's manual, it looks like this pin is supposed to have a second half to prevent it from falling out, but mine apparently was not assembled correctly, as it didn't have this part from when I bought it. Hopefully I'll have a replacement part quickly, and the pump will actually be fully ready to go.
Clean but very slow.
Chris Reid
Member since
Clean but very slow.
Never let me down.
david day
Member since
If you're looking for a pump style filter, this is the industry standard. Easy to clean, simple to tear down, and the only piece you have to worry about is the ceramic element (do not drop naked element). I use it when I am someplace with real silty water (I work around the Mt. Saint Helens blast zone) and I often have to clean it after 2-3 liters, but it just keeps on rocking. If you are in a long term camp trip in a place with fairly non-silty water I would purchase the MSR Autoflow as it requires no pumping and is a workhorse.
Buy this for dependability.
View all contributions... Be patient, it might take a while.

bunp401324
Member since