I have the PUR version of this microfilter & I've been using it since 2001. Filters water faster than any pump I've ever used with the exception of the Timberline but with better results, .3 microns compared to 1 micron for the Timberline. Glass fiber filter element, depending on use, lasts for many seasons. Durable & easy to assemble. The only downside is it's weight, 11oz dry & 14oz after use. Still a small price to pay for good, clean water in a flash.

This filter is worth every ounce, it's fast and you don't need flavoring just to get it down.

after quite a few uses i'm satisfied with this filter. It is easy to assemble, pumps water quickly, and it tastes good too! only downsides are the size and weight. It's no microfilter,but you get what you pay for. All in all a decent filter that easily gets the job done for you

What a great filter. Took it on a trip to the High Uintas with the Scouts and it was easy to use and not a huge ordeal everytime anyone needed water. All 11 of us used the one filter.-

Spent 8 nights backpacking in the Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan mountains. We were with our High Adventure troop 9650. Everyone else had the MSR Miniworks. My son & I used the Hiker, & we were always done pumping water way before any of the others. Everyone wanted to borrow our filter. This is the PUR version, but I don't think they changed anything but the name when Katadyn got it. Buy it, you won't be disappointed

The best portable water filter ever: small, quick, easy to use, easy to care for, cost effective and it works very well. What more can you ask?

We used our Katadyn Hiker Water filter for the first time on an overnighter a few weeks ago. Due to recent rains, the water was somewhat murky, and we had our doubts how the water would taste. The pump is easy to use; we had four Nalgene bottles filled in about five minutes. I took the advice of others and wrapped a coffee filter around the intake to extend the filter life. The lake water really tasted great! Almost as good as bottled water from a store. Setup/takedown was very easy. I'm not sure how anyone could confuse the inlet/outlet; they are clearly marked.

This is the first water filter I have purchased. Having reviewed several reviews just like this one, the Katadyn filter was my choice and I could not have chosen better. The simplicity of use was outstanding and the results were just as good and the price made it even better. As a beginning user, I couldn't imagine any product being better and easier to use.

The Katadyn Hiker Microfilter is a godsend in the backcountry. No more packing in water - drink ice-cold mountain water to your heart's content with this gadget. I've used this microfilter to pull water from sources ranging from crystal clear mountain streams to muddy-brown rivers and have had nothing but good results. The water coming out of the Hiker tastes better than my tap water at home, and the Nalgene/Camelbak hose adapters make pumping water a 1-man chore. The replacement filters are expensive, so I'd recommend hand-rinsing your filter in the sink after each trip.

took this to amethyst lake in the high uintas- easy to use, and to clean.

I bought this filter when it was a PUR. It has done me well in the past and i am glad to have purchased it. I never experienced any clogging and it was easy enough to field maintain. I would recommend it as it is durable and the attachment works with a variety of tops. It is a bit on the heavy side and if you are weight conscious then this is not the water treatment system for you. I would recommend aqua mira. Anything with moving parts is bound to add a little bit of risk. great value for a nice filter.

I had a hard time deciding what filter to finally buy and chose this one and I have NO regrets. It's easy to use, works great, and packs small and light. I have used it in lakes, rivers, and streams with no problems. Compared to other people's equipment that I have hiked with it seems easier and faster than many other brands out there. You won't be disappointed.

Great, very dependable filter. Sooo trouble free. Tried to convert to a MSR Hyperflow but it was a joke. I didn't realize how good the Hiker was until I tried the MSR Hyperflow. Had to go back to the Hiker. Filter element lasts a long time and requires no backflushing or cleaning. Just pump and use. Leave the heavy storage bag at home and shorten the hoses if you need to save weight. Better yet, make your friends carry it. Sturdy and well suited to shared use by multiple hikers.

Took this up into the Sawtooths and my wife could use it and not get tired of pumping. Even my 12 year old niece is a pro with this filter. Lightweight, small and simple to setup, and use.

I think if you are looking for just a microfilter thats going to protect you, but not take too much maintenance, this is the one. Really easy to use, and even easier to maintain. The only downside is that sometimes I pinch my finger under the pump. Also, the Nalgene attatchment it comes with rocks!

My son and I have used the water filter twice this summer and couldn't be happier. It is not bulky and can put out water rapidly. No more waiting around while we die of thirst. This purchase has been one of our best. Thanks

It was so good that i was never thirsty or parched the whole way. It was waterlicious.

This filter has yet to let me down. It's durable, it's easy to use, and the case it comes with is pretty handy for keeping it isolated from your other gear. Just put one end in the water and the other end in the water bottle and start pumping. I did not notice an after-taste and the Nalgene attachment comes in handy. It filters at like one liter per minute to the size of 0.3 microns and I have yet to get sick from using it. Overall, a solid buy.

We first used this filter while hiking 5 high peaks in the Adirondack's last month. The day and a half trip required a lot of water and the filter was used hard. Surprisingly it left no taste to the water whatsoever. I was fully satisfied with the purchase and price. Much better than lugging around a bunch of water bottles.

I was looking for a light weight portable filter, the Katadyn is a great fit. So far the Hiker does a great job and is easily maintained. The pumping action is smooth and consistent. I would recommend this to fellow hikers.

I know that skimping on something as fundamental as drinking water is a bad thing, but at the same time I researched before purchasing this filter to try and get the best coverage and functionality for the least amount of money. The Katadyn Hiker struck that balance. The filter created clear tasty water out of beaver poop lake water, and the little floaty bobber allowed me to keep the intake off the bottom of the shallows. Helpful hint to those who like me didn't already know that might allow one to buy the Hiker over the Hiker pro would be to use a piece of t-shirt over the intake if the water looks really gunked up to help as a front line against the larger grit.

I have used this filter for about 1500 miles and never had a problem.

Ive always been weary of drinking water in the back country, but with this filter you are safe. I filtered out of a waterfall pool that people and dogs swam in and had no problem. The water actually tasted good. The only time I wouldn't trust this filter is if there was a dead animal in the water. Took this up on the AT in winter and the hose froze and busted. Been the only problem I have had. Called Katadyn and they sent new hoses and filter bag in a flash.

It's small, fast, light and cheap. What else can you ask for?

Highly recommended. A great value for the money. Put this on the top of your list if you're considering buying a water purifier. Easy to use and it's lightweight - a backpacker's must!

This worked great! No problems with the unit you could very quickly fill your water bottles with this unit

I've tried a few other filters, but this filter takes the cake. I don't even carry a bladder when hiking along streams and lakes, just my trusty Nalgene and my Katadyn filter. Bust it out, stick it in the water, pump for a few minutes and you've got some good, clean water. Why take on the extra weight of a bladder when it's this easy? My favorite piece of equipment!

This microfilter is the best. I never had any other microfilter other than the MSR waterworks. But it is bulky and doesn't give out enough water. I went for the Hiker among others because of its cheap price and quality (Tough outer case and it's made in Switzerland!). True to the previous reviews this little filter works great. It pumps water fast and tastes much better and fresher than my MSR. I looked at the design and also realized that you can use it as a water fountain, in case your hoses do rip or something. Just take both hoses, dip the filter in the water and start pumping! the water will come upwards like a drinking fountain. That option was not available for my MSR and I'm sure it is not available in other filters as well. Overrall it is a well thought, well made filter. Would highly recommend it. For it's price, quality, and "fountain" option it cannot be beat.

The Hiker is a superb water filter compared to others I've used in the past, typically PUR brands. I was extremely pleased with the light weight and compact design, as well as the water flow. I was able to fill a one-liter Nalgene bottle in about 35-50 seconds. A high recommend for any backpacker.

Very good product but...not very durable...they could make it sturdier...enough said

The Katadyn Hiker is definitely in top ranks when it comes to water filters. It is very lightweight and compact and extremely fast compared to other filters I have used. I definitely made the right decision in purchasing a Hiker.

Great. Simple, well-made and easy to use. Just took it on an 8-day trip in the Sierras, and it performed flawlessly.

The Katadyn Hiker is easy to use, fills up a Nalgene bottle in about a minute, and the water tastes great. No hesitation whatsoever in recommending this filter for anyone: day hikers, backpackers, etc.

This water filter was extremely easy to use and the water tasted better than bottled. "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

After reading many different sources and getting input from a few who actually own the "Hiker" I decided to jump headlong in and purchase one. I have 0 complaints as it has stood up in the short time I have owned it and delivered. I'm always pleased when a product comes along and is everything it was billed to be and more. The Hiker filters easily and the result is good clean {clear} tasting water. I highly recommend this product to anyone who is in the market or dissatisfied with what you've got. It is light weight and doesn't take up much space. So all around you just cant beat it. Comparatively even the price is right, so dive in the waters great.

Was the best money I’ve spent on camping gear so far is to use almost idiot proof and haven’t gotten sick off the water yet and the water tastes great.

The fact is that I used water from crystal clear mountain springs while hiking in Colorado Rockies. But it needs some time and skill to assemble all those hoses together. Anyway, good piece of gear.

Bought this model based on the value and solid reviews it received. Worked exactly as expected. Service from this site was excellent as well.

I bought the filter for a 20-mile long hike through Yosemite in California. It worked great. We got water from several different sources including a very small spring in a hole underneath a tree. The water was perfectly clear and it tasted better than anything you can get in a store or from a tap. Of course, the water was very clear to begin with. The filter was easy to use, lightweight and didn't take up much space.

Katadyn Hiker Water Filter worked fine. A little awkward pulling hoses to put in separate bag. So far I'm not sick and there was a large flock of sheep (500) in the wilderness area. Ugh.

A friend had one which I used along with my MSR Waterworks filter. The Katadyn was much easier to use than the ceramic and pumped 3-4 times the water in the same period. I pumped about 20 gallons through it with no noticeable decrease in flow- only time will tell. I like it very much!

The hiker filter is the best in the market today. I’ve owned MSR and Sweetwater filters and they don’t even get close to the quality of this one.

I've used a few other products--I think this is a good one. It pumps water quickly. I guess the only downside to this pump is that it isn't "field servicable" which means you can't really clean it on the trail. But I'd rather have a quicker filter and just be careful where I pump water.
I just bought this for the second time--first one got stolen.

After it's first use, this filter shined. Easy to use and compact design was great to pack in for a weekend, or even a dayhike, and most importantly, my water was clean, tasting great and I managed without getting sick. The carry-case is convenient for trips to the watersource pack free, and even has some extra room for some collapsible water bottles. Great value, this will stay in my pack for some time.

Bought this filter for a Tuscarora Trail leg from Hawk Camp WV to Gore, VA. Beginning of Summer, needed lot's o' H20. Worked great. Packs small.

We do a lot of desert canyon hikes and have found this filter to work great in the sandy water. Light wieght and easy to use. We usually wrap a coffee filter around the intake to keep the fine grit out of the filter. We lost one so we ordered a new one this year.

I had to get my own Katadyn Hiker after I used one of my fellow backpackers during a weekend trip. Super simple to set up and use, easy to clean up as well. Water has tasted great and never been an issue. My only beef with this product is the multiple objects you have to keep track of during your pumping. I lost one of the rubber nipples that covers the intake valve on the filter in the creek. Silly error on my part but still upsetting losing part of a brand new filter on the first trip. My only advice to future buyers, set up your filter away from any running water so you dont lose any part of it. Happy hiking!

First use on the Missouri River and by the fourth bottle filled the filter was clogged, though no fault of the device. Ignorance will clog this filter. Either wrap intake in a coffee filter for sediment heavy water, or have a reserve container to let water stand in and sediment settle. I was very surprised when I was able to clean the filter under a tap and restore it to great use contrary to what I was told was possible. Before I tried cleaning it I bought a replacement filter, and it seems that Katadyn has addressed the clogging issue by adding an extra sediment screen around the filter. This filter pumps water very fast. If you're going to need to pump large amounts of water or pump frequently, this is a great filter.

I'm used the filter on a five day hike along the GA part of the Appalachian Trail and it completely met my needs. I t was light wieght and easy to use.

Small, light weight, easy to use. Decent price. I was very happy!

Super fast (definitely 1 liter/minute). Lightweight and compact. Cuts down on the amount of water we needed to carry because we can stop at any stream along the way. Hoses don't slip out of your containter when you fill. The best part? The nasty brown water we just got out of the stream and filtered- tastes incredible! Like bottled water! Buy this. Use it everywhere.

I've taken this filter on almost all my backpacking trips. It is easy to use, foolproof, and gives you clean water instantly after a few pumps. It cleans well and isn't all that heavy to carry. An overall great product - I have yet to be disappointed.

I've been using this filter for the past two years and it's easy to use, not too heavy and cleans up the muckiest water. It pumps a liter in less than a minute and as long as you keep the filters and hoses clean, your water is very high quality. I always worry that I'll be in the middle of nowhere with a broken water filter, but this one gives me confidence.

One half of your job as a outdoor product manufacturer is to make quality equipment that performs in the wild. The other half is to serve your customers after the purchase and stand behind the product. This unit broke after only 5 gallons of use. We were 3 days into a 120 mile backpack trip on the southern half of the John Muir Trail in the Sierras, and the hose connector for untreated water flowing into the unit broke off. Luckily fellow hikers let us borrow thiers and a ranger gave us chlorine tables for the last 7 days. Upon returning home, we contacted the very reputable outdoor store where it was purchased and they referred us to the manufacturer. Their response was to only replace the plastic housing over the ceramic filter- which was the original problem, because this is where the break occoured. However, the actual ceramic filter needed replaced because all kinds of crap was sucked into the unit when the connector broke. This is the expensive, must-function part of a microfilter, and if not functioning, renders the unit worthless. The company refused to replace the ceramic filter and we were forced to buy a whole new filter. The MSR Hyperflow is what you want.

I have been using mine for a while in the Uintas and the Rockies that have some fairly muddy water and I have never had a problem with getting sick or bad tasting water. I am still on my first filter also which is good. I really like this simple easy to use filter.

This filters ease of use and flow rate is great. I went on a group backpacking trip last summer. We had three filters from three different manufacturers. The favorite among all in the group including the owners of the other filters was the hiker.