Description
Travel light and keep your water safe with the SweetWater Microfilter.
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
MSR SweetWater Microfilter
? Share a...
H2O filter
greg
Member since
I have the original sweet water pump. MSR didn't change a thing other than the color of some of the parts. I ordered a bottle of the MSR sweet water purifying liquid and added it to the pouch, now I feel that much more secure when I pump from different sources.
The rate of flow isn't great and you will work for your water.
Does this also remove any chemicals such...
Kevin
Member since
Does this also remove any chemicals such as fertilizer that may be in the water source?
Pat Palmer
Member since
The carbon will remove impuities like fertilizer, within reason. It will reduce impurities in relatively clean water, but nothing aside from distilling will help very polluted water.
Most filter systems like this are primarily for biologicals.
Easy to work/worked perfectly
Patricia Choquette
Member since
This filter is the easiest filter I've ever used. It's super small, light weight and worked awesome. It's super easy to clean, as well.
Excellent Product
ThankYou
Member since
I have used the Sweetwater purifier extensively while backpacking throughout Utah. It works great in the swift rivers and high alpine lakes of the Uintas and also the trickling creeks and remote waterfalls of Coyote Gulch and Dark Canyon. On average I can efficiently pump about 3 liters in 10 minutes after a fresh cleaning. You need to clean it about once every 9 liters or so. Its easy to clean, easy to store, easy to pack up, and easy to carry. Five stars and I highly recommend this thirsty backpacker's best friend!
The spec's say the filter material is...
TooMuchSAC
Member since
The spec's say the filter material is carbon. Is this like carbon, ie: activated carbon, making the water taste better? Or is it not related?
ThankYou
Member since
I don't think the carbon is related to the taste. In my experience the purified water tastes about as good as the source. For example, swift moving mountain creek water tastes amazing.
Jason Livingston
Member since
The carbon element is needed primarily for taking out bad tastes and contaminates from backcountry water. This is essentially the 'finishing touch' to allow the water to taste its best and keep it as safe as possible. Carbon is the most essential of all atoms and most elements are attracted to it. It acts as a magnet, causing these molecules to 'stick' to the granular pieces of carbon located on the inside of the filter element. Also taken our by carbon are pesticides at the molecular level. It should be noted that heavy metals cannot be taken out with carbon.
5 stars!
Tom C
Member since
7 years strong and still pumping! I think it helps to get a hose that is longer to reach the water source. Keeps you from falling in! Haha Get one.
MSR sweetwater filter
jbr3596743
Member since
Easy to use, compact, and best of all haven't gotten giardiasis!!
FAST FILTER...!!!
Willy Syndram
Member since
The sweetwater microfilter a fast, light weight filter that is great for long distance hikes. I've used one on the AT and the PCT with great results. The replacement filters are fairly common, easy to change and easy to clean. MSR has great customer service and have help me out on two occasions when I broke the handles on my filters. They replaced them no questions asked.a good water filter...
How often does the filter need replacing?
Does...
Richard Davies
Member since
How often does the filter need replacing?
Does anyone have any 'real life' experience with the filter? i.e. "I used it on approx. # trips a year and had to replace the filter after # trips/years." The manufacture estimate is helpful, but I'd also like to hear about practical experiences.
moroni
Member since
MSR claims a very subjective 750 liters. This number all depends on the quality of water being filtered. I use the resistance method. When the filter becomes noticeably harder to pump, change the filter!
Willy Syndram
Member since
hey Richard,
I agree with Jeff, water sources dictate a filters life span. Filtering water from seeps you dig will shorten it life faster than clear running water. The silt from glacial water also clogs filetrs faster.
On the Pct a filter would last me around 700 miles, but I would use a toothbrush to clean it to prolong its life.
On the AT a filter would last me a lillte more than 800 miles, but I didn't drink as much water as I did on the PCT.
These numbers only work for me, everyone's will be different...carry a spare filter with you
or have easy access to one until you are confident with it..!!
hope this helps
What is the better filter, ceramic or...
Great Scot
Member since
What is the better filter, ceramic or carbon?
Donald Schmit
Member since
Having the carbon in the system helps to remove tastes and odors from the water. That is about the item that I've ever heard that one holds over the other. Either ceramic or carbon are gonna be great systems, just if you go places where the water tastes funny you might go carbon.
moroni
Member since
Just to add to the previous review, ceramic elements are cleanable & last much longer. For this reason they are also more expensive.
I'm planning a multiday backpacking trip...
Gerald
Member since
I'm planning a multiday backpacking trip in October for Sipsy Forrest in Alabama and plan to take many more trips within the USA for years to come I'm considering this water filter as well as the MSR mini works. I recently saw both of these in person at an outdoor store. It seemed as though the Miniworks removes the most, yet it still doesn't remove viruses. Should this be of any concern for me in the USA? How can I combat viruses if so? Filter, then boil? I appreciate any input anybody has!!!
Justin Lichter (Trauma)
Member since
I wouldn't worry about viruses in backcountry water sources in the US. Not really a problem here. If you are going to be overseas in a 2nd or 3rd world country or a warm climate then it is more of a concern. Any other method to treat water, like a Steripen, chemicals (Aqua Mira or iodine), or boiling will get rid of viruses.
I love this filter. It pumps fast and is...
Liz T.
Member since
I love this filter. It pumps fast and is super easy to use. Recently though, water has been coming out of the top area around where the "piston" part goes into the filter chamber thinger. It's not coming out of the pressure valve--I know what that looks like. Is it possible that one of the gaskets inside is worn and should be replaced? Or do I need a new filter (I don't think the filter is done yet--it still pumps fast). Thanks!
moroni
Member since
You're exactly right. The top pump seal/gasket has been compromised however this doesn't effect the water being filtered. It's still filtering like it should. If this still makes you uneasy, talk to the store where you purchased it & they should replace the unit for you. Mine did the exact same thing & the entire unit was replaced.
i've been doing quite a bit of digging...
Sue Breech
Member since
i've been doing quite a bit of digging around for a water filter that i can depend on. I have been running into the term 'microns' quite a bit. I am doing an Isle Royale trip in a few weeks and am wondering if this filter will be okay to use by its self. On there DNR site it says a filter should filter .4microns or less for bacteria and 25 microns or less for tapeworm. Will this filter do the job?
Donald Schmit
Member since
On the MSR website it lists the filter pore size as 0.2 microns and that it is effective against bacteria and protozoa so it should definitely meet their standards and work well for the trip. Also, any of the MSR models(SweetWater, HyperFlow, and MiniWorks) would work for your trip as they all according to MSR are .2 microns in filter pore size.
moroni
Member since
You'll be fine filtering Great Lakes/Lake Superior water with this filter. It will also filter out crytosporidium which is approximately 1 micron in size & a major concern in these parts.
Sue Breech
Member since
Awesome, thanks alot!
Trusty Little Filter!
jen.minnic1962189
Member since
I had a sweetwater filter for a number of years, then lost it, and I am going to purchase another one because it has been by far, among the best filters I've experienced. I've used it with my field crew of 4-6 people back-packing and spending 3 summers in the Tetons...it got used ALOT and I NEVER had any trouble with it. It's very easy to clean in the field, and easy to maintain it. I LOVE how the pump action works water at both strokes into the containers, and I LOVE how easy it is to pump without your arm getting too tired. It's easy to tell when you need a new filter,and the filter is easy to replace. It is worth the cost.
As with ALL filters, if you are going to the silty waters of Southern Utah, I would recommend putting a coffee filter and a rubber band around the pre-filter to avoid clogging it with all that fine silt!
How often does the filter need to be...
christopher
Member since
How often does the filter need to be replaced and/or does it matter if it sits for a while after use, less than a year?
Jason Livingston
Member since
The standard answer is it should last approximately 250 gallons before the filter element needs replacing. However this is highly dependent on the quality of water filtered and how often it was cleaned. The best indicator of whether or not the element needs to be replaced is if it can filter or not. If it's really hard to filter or the pressure release valve is spurting water everywhere then you should replace it.
If the filter has sat for 6 months or more without proper maintenance, I would replace it. There isn't a concern on whether or not it will still filter the bugs out of the water (i.e. it's efficacy), but if it can still pump water. I would use that as the determining factor.
Get a SweetWater
Mike Milfer
Member since
LOVE IT! Almost as much as my Hiker Pro which weighs the same but filters a little faster. Our team had access to NEW SweetWaters all summer and 100% worked perfectly. We made sure all the plastic components were installed correctly & tested each one of them at home before we left. This is a crucial step to test critical gear before venturing out which some people forget about doing. Luckily, no one had any problems and we were dealing with disgusting water conditions. The MSR SweetWater turns pumping water into a really, almost enjoyable, chore.
Reliable
Bryan Mullaney
Member since
I have had this filter for around 5 years now, but only use it occasionally. I have scrubbed the filter a few times, but other than that I have not had any problems health or otherwise. I use this product typically in the PacNW
We all hate pumping... and this gets the job done...
Jonathan Olsen
Member since
-alittle slow
-rather light weight
-durable seals
-easy cleaning
Get a katadyn.
Evelyn
Member since
HATE IT! Our crew had access to NEW sweetwaters all summer, and 90% of them just did not work. Plastic pieces were soon replaced with little sticks, and even after carefully following directions with a new pump, it would take ten minutes to get maaaybe half a liter. At this point, you would give up and take a chance on giardia. Luckily, no one had any problems, but we weren't dealing with disgusting water conditions. Be wary buying this. It turns pumping water into a really annoying chore.
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Mike Milfer
Member since