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Katadyn Hiker Filter

Hiking & Camping > Water TreatmentRated: **** by 10 reviews.

REI

The lightweight and easy to use design makes the Katadyn Hiker a great choice for all-around use.

  • Filter physically removes particles, protozoa, and bacteria down to 0.3 microns in size, including giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidium and others
  • Glass-fiber element is pleated for increased surface area to handle silt and muddy water
  • Activated-carbon core adsorbs chemicals and pesticides to improve taste of water
  • Pre-filter at hose inlet filters to 150 microns, removing larger contaminants before they reach the main filter to increase its life span
  • Quick-connect adapter sends the filtered water directly into your REI hydration pack or NalgeneĀ® reservoir (both sold separately)
  • Includes a carry sack and bottle adapter that fits most water bottles

Dimensions:6.5 x 3 x 2.4 inches
Field cleanable:No, must change cartridge
Filter medium:Pleated 0.3 micron glass fiber/carbon core
Housing material:ABS plastic
Output:1 liters per minute
Pump force:8 pounds
Pump strokes per liter:48
Removes:Protozoa and bacteria
Weight:11 ounces

View other products from Katadyn classified in Hiking & Camping > Water Treatment.

View all products from Katadyn.
View other products classified in Hiking & Camping > Water Treatment.

Sometimes, we can't be sure that the product is the same across the stores that offer its, so you may find the same product listed more then once on GearBuyer.com, we these list highly similar products below.

Katadyn Hiker MicrofilterKatadyn Hiker Microfilter$49.95 - $69.95
Katadyn Hiker Pro MicrofilterKatadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter$49.98 - $79.99
Katadyn Hiker and Hiker Pro Microfilter Replacement CartridgeKatadyn Hiker and Hiker Pro Microfilter Replacement Cartridge$34.95

Katadyn Hiker Filter Reviews Summary:

RatingNumber
of Reviews
*****5
****2
***2
**1
*0
To see how this product compares to others view Water Treatment Reviews.

Positive Reviews:

more than 12 yrs of use, no problems!

Rating:*****
I purchased my Pur Hiker back in 1997 (back before it was picked up by Katadyn), and have used it without incident hundreds of times. I mostly use it on day trips where it allows me to carry less water than I normally would. I typically carry one quart of water, and the Hiker weighs less than a second quart.

I have been very pleased with the quality of water this pump produces. I've used it from South Florida up through Virginia, and can hardly complain. I lived in S. FL most of that time, and pumped some pretty nasty swamp water through it. If once wasn't enough to get rid of the sulfur smell, a second pass usually fixed it (and in the one or two incidents that wasn't enough, a packet of kool-aid worked!). I live in North Georgia now, and the water I pump from the creeks is much better than what I get out of my tap at home.

One tip -- tried using this with the older-style platypus bags for years and found this to be very awkward. The output hose from the Hiker had to be held in alignment with the opening of the water sack. My second hand was tied upoperating the pump, meaning that I typically held the pump body between my knees or had assistance from someone else. I've found that it works very well with Nalgene bottles since the output was designed to fit the bottles perfectly. If you purchase this filter, make sure it fits whatever container you carry water in.

It can be a little difficult to clean, and I don't know how it could be done in the field. I generally wait until I get home and pump some clean water through it before removing the filter element. I've always been a little nervous that the filter could get contaminated removing it in the field since there is always a little water trapped inside. I'm rarely out more than two nights, so this really isn't an inconvenience -- better safe than sorry.

As I mentioned, I've been using mine for nearly twelve years. I recently (8/2008) purchased one of the Katadyn pumps for a friend as a gift. I was pleased to find that there were no apparent differences between the unit I was so happy with and the one I just purchased.
The Woodseys at REI on 04/06/2009

A must have for every outdoors person

Rating:*****
This is the only filtration system I have ever owned. I've had mine for about 6 years now and it is like brand new. Many of the people I hike with have had other systems and ended up replacing them with a Katadyn system. It is the only system they have used that pumps fast, doesn't give off a funky taste, and it is a great price. We have pulled muddy water out of a beaver pond and it looked as clean as tap water, and tasted even better. I love the fact that you can pump several gallons of water in a short time, especially if there are two people, one pumping and one changing out the bottles. I have even met people on the trail craving water and filled their bottles. They said they were headed to get one the as soon as they got home.

I have, and would recommend this product to everyone I know.
Livenfree at REI on 06/20/2008

Fast and easy

Rating:*****
We used a 10-year old version of this on an 11-person, 18-day Peru trip recently that included rugged trekking, long bus trips, cheap hotels, and stays with locals. We pumped stream, spring, and tap water but, admittedly, no urine or mine runoff. This baby did the job for the whole group. It pumps very fast and easy -- less than 30 minutes to outfit everyone for the day. It's easiest with two people, one to pump and the other to work hoses and containers, but I also did it solo with just hands, knees, and feet (we had no adapter kit). We also had an MSR-style lever action filter along that was so much harder to pump that we hardly used it. The Katadyn did the whole job. My only minor complaint is the inexplicable omission of a flat base to make it easier to pump against a flat surface.
John Gunther at REI on 03/30/2008

Perfect

Rating:*****
Absolutely love this product. I've used several water filters in the past (borrowed), but I've come to a point where I needed to purchase one of my own. I was hesitant and skeptical about which one to get, because I wanted something to last. I don't mind spending the money as long as it's worth it. I talked to several guides and fellow enthusiasts, and I decided on the Katadyn Hiker. Let me tell you...the best!! I am so incredibly pleased with it. Very lightweight, easy to use, water tastes great (not that carbon taste), pumps water faster than I have with any other filter. Overall a GREAT product! Highly Recommend!
Gunner Mike at REI on 09/26/2008

Good filter for the money

Rating:****
The filter is good for the money. It is a bit awkward to pump with the pump motion and long hoses, but it's my first filter and it doesn't seem like a big deal.One warning though - be careful with where the input hose attaches to. I read in a previous review that he put the filter on a rock while pumping and sheared the connector off. After reading that, I was very careful about not touching the connector. However, during an outing it broke off just under the pressure of the input hose hanging off of it, rendering it useless (always bring backup tablets!).[...]
hikerguy2 at REI on 10/13/2008

Great Water Filter

Rating:*****
WOW. Carrying water weighs you down quick. With the katadyn its easy and clean water. It fit my Nalgene perfectly, and a few off brand water bottles. It also fit all three of me and my friends water bladders. PERFECT!
ru5ty at REI on 06/07/2008

Great tasting result!

Rating:****
Pump feel is great, providing liters upon liters of clean, great-tasting water. Assembly takes awhile, and the hoses can sometimes become a frustration, but when looking for a reliable water filter, it doesn't get much better than this
Truman at REI on 03/15/2008

Negative Reviews:

disappointing filter

Rating:**
Tested this filter out for a couple of days and found it to be hard to hold, slow to pump and fill a quart jug, if you over tighten the filter element ( a integral part)the filter will leak all over the place.
Water quality tastes average compared to the First Need XL. I have 2 MSR filters and 2 First Need filters due to extended family camping trips and for the extra few bucks I would highly recommend the First Need. I admit that the MSR is a little harder to pump but it filters water in both pump directions and if maintained will be a good performer. The First Need is great. If you carry a spare filter(First Need) you can even gravity filter water, not so with the Katadyn Hiker.
QUESTION---WHY DOES THE REPLACEMENT FILTER COME WITH A NYLON SHEATH AND A NYLON MESH NET TO HOLD IT IN PLACE AND THE ORIGINAL DOES NOT?
I would not recommend the action to clean the filter recommended by the manufacturer. They say to just shake the filter element in the water. Well if the water clogged it in the first place why would I put the filter in the raw water? Also they dont say to backwash the filter AFTER you have put it in the RAW water to clean it. It does not appeal to my sense of safety.
In closing choosing a First Need as a first choice and a MSR as a second I, in all good conscientiousness have to recommend that we all carry iodine tablets or other chemical means of filtering water. Or just remember to boil it at a rolling boil for 15 minutes.
All in all a very disappointing purchase.
lakewood at REI on 06/26/2008

Neutral Reviews:

Good, not great

Rating:***
First off, this pump was too heavy for me. Sure, if you're going out for a weekend, it's fine, but if you're concerned with weight over long-distances, and are sure that there will be plenty of high-altitude springs and/or streams, I would use Aqua-Mira drops. Those last forever, and they weigh close to nothing.

But back to the pump ...

It's bulky. The tubing on mine cracked after only a month's use, so that I wound up finding a Platypus patch to seal the leak. The zipper on my friend's satchel busted, and he couldn't undo the bag. Without water and after hiking 17 miles, he opted to cut into the pouch with his knife. I would have, too, as there was no way to unzip it.

Still, compared to the price of other pumps, this one is one of the cheapest, and the pumping speed isn't bad. I'm not the type of person who enjoys maintenance however, so this may be why Aqua Mira was preferable to me. The filtration was great; I don't recall seeing any floaties in my drink. And in those very few spots where I came to stagnant pools of water at low elevations on the AT (there are honestly very few), I wished I had a pump with me instead of drops.
Voodoo at REI on 03/06/2009

The Achilles' Heel

Rating:***
The inlet 'nib' on mine sheared right off, rendering the filter useless. Not a good thing as i was still in the backcountry. Katadyn should recess the nib even more so that it is flush with the body. As it is, the nib sticks out a few millimeters and even a tiny force will break it off...especially when temps are in the teens and plastic is extra brittle.
Spanksteh at REI on 01/21/2008