MSR MiniWorks Ex Ceramic Water Filter

If you need a filter that's going to last you for years and you're going to be in conditions where there's a lot of dirty water, I recommend this water filter. I've used the Katadyn Guide, which works great if you have clean water sources, but you're up a creek if it gets clogged. I like the way the Miniworks is field maintainable and that you can clean it when the pumping slows. This is a sturdy, reliable, and easy-to-use filter that will last you years.

I was using my fairly new pump in Algonquin Park this past summer. I noticed it was developing a lot of pressure, to the extent that water was shooting out of the relief hole near the threads. I continued pumping and boom, the pump head blew up!. It cracked and literally exploded under the pressure. The pump was assembled correctly and the filter was super clean, so I'm not sure if I was pumping too fast or what. The instruction say to pump 70 - 80 strokes per minute, which I find it hard to believe anyone could pump that quickly without it exploding under the pressure. I contacted MSR, and the rep told me it could only be from a dirty filter or clogged umbrella valve. Neither was the case so I am baffled. I sent the pump head back and MSR sent me a new one out within two weeks, so kudos to MSR on that front. I will be using the filter again extensively soon, so I hope I don't encounter tha same problem. I have read so many reviews that state this thing is nearly bombproof, that it makes me wonder if something was wrong with mine from the factory. Nonetheless, it is a great filter, just be careful not to create too much pressure while pumping.

I take groups of 9 canoeing in the BWCAW in northern MN each summer. I bought this filter as an addition to the Sweetwater filters I've used in the past. The ability to attach directly to a Nalgene is very useful when filling water bottles while in a canoe or wading into a lake. The filter rate is good for about 2 liters of water however even with clean water from mid-lake, it requires cleaning every 2-3 liters. A pre-filter such as the Sweetwater Silt Stopper may help this significantly. Overall, a great filter. Easy to use and clean. For groups though, be sure and take a couple along as filtering for 9 can take a lot of effort especially on a hot day.

Well, you know it's nice to have that grizzly adams/yule gibbons-I don't need no stinkin water filter to live in the woods-mentality about you...but also a little dangerous. In Sierras ran into guy that had to be heli-vaced out and spent 3 weeks in hospital. "I didn't know the cows could go that high" was his vacant response...NOW YOU KNOW. Don't leave home without it.

The "Ex" model really is an improvement over the original. As promised, you get more water with less effort. The build quality is unchanged. The field maintainability is slightly improved - there is one less gasket to worry about.

I have used this water filter on numerous occasions in many environments. I have used it in the glacial rivers of AK, which have a lot of very fine sediment. I have also used it in many mountain lakes and slow to fast moving rivers. It needs to be cleaned more frequently when used in silty rivers, but does a great job. When used in lakes or clear streams it needs very little field maintenance. this filter is lightweight and very easy to use it is threaded to screw directly onto a Nalgene water bottle size thread. The only draw back is the 1 ounce per pump fill rate, but who is in that big of a hurry when you are remote enough to need a filtration system. This little filter has made it possible for me to get to some very remote places without having the extra weight of water to worry about. I would recommend this for any one, over pills or UV devices. Bottom line easy to use, easy to clean, small, and I've never in three years of use gotten sick because of contaminated water.