Katadyn Vario Dual Technology Filter

The Vario microfilter is an amazingly compact water filter mainly used in the outdoors. It is created by Katadyn. The point of the Vario filter is to make dirty water pure enough to drink quickly so that you are not slowed down. This item is unique because it offers two different types of filters for different water conditions. There is a 'fast flow' or a 'long life' option. Also, the Vario microfilter is able to pump up to two liters per minute. The main competition for the Vario Microfilter is the MSR MiniWorks water filter. The two filters are strikingly similar.

Katadyn is water filter company that was started in Switzerland. Katadyn has been creating personalized water filters since 1928 and has now become the global number one in producing water purification systems. Katadyn has been making products for militaries, health organizations, and outdoor adventures all over the world.

I recently went on a camping trip and I used the Vario Microfilter the entire trip to supply me with water. It is small enough, about the size of a 32 ounce nalgene bottle, and light enough, just under a pound, to go everywhere I went in my backpack. It is one of the easiest filters I have ever used. With a simple twist of the top you can change it from 'fast flow' to 'long life' and back again. I enjoyed using the Vario Microfilter because it was so simple. All I had to do was screw the bottom onto my nalgene (it fits most bottles that size), stick the hose in the water I wanted to purify, and start pumping. In an incredibly short time my bottle was completely full. Also, the Vario Microfilter is not difficult to clean. It is very easy to take apart and put back together. All the supplies needed to clean the tool are included in the box.

The only thing that I did not enjoy about the Vario was the lack of information about getting started with it. After you figure out how everything works it is incredibly simple to use. However, I would suggest becoming comfortable with the water filter in your sink or bathtub before you head out in the woods and try it out there. It took me a little while to figure it out at first. It would have been handy if there was a 'how to' book included in the package. Other than that I think the tool is an amazing piece of work.

I would suggest the water filter to anyone who spends a good amount of time camping and hiking. It is rather expensive, around $80 but if used often will make up for every cent and many more. You will not have to worry about lugging water around anymore.

I purchased the Vario after retiring my 13 year old Hiker. The Vario had three features that appealed to me: the ceramic prefilter, the dual piston pump and the ability to attach directly to Nalgene bottles while pumping. We've only filtered about 10 liters of water now, but both my wife and I were very impressed with the pump and how easy it is to use.

Having read all of the comments on this site, I will always use a coffee filter over the prefilter at the end of the hose to prevent the majority of particulate from entering the main filter body. I also plan to be very fastidious about following the procedure for long-term storage of the filter.

Overall though, the filter is easy to use, easy to take apart and reassemble, and it filters water very quickly (even on the long life option).

For now I'm giving the Vario 4 stars - only because of my very limited experience with the filter; if this pump continues to be as impressive as it appears to be, I will definitely update it to a 5 star product.

This water filter was awesome for the first few trips. Pumping was easier than ever. Having a pumping action similar MSR models really eases the strain of pumping. Aside from that, I really noticed little difference from my PUR Expedition, or Katydyn Explorer. The last trip we took, we noticed a distinct taste in the water filtered from the Vario, and it was awful. After talking with some people, it would seem that the carbon can house a particular algae found in the High Uintas if it does not dry completely in between trips. I have to wonder if it is mostly my fault for not running some bleach through the filter, after the second to last trip, as I had done for all the others to kill anything left in there. The trips were so close together I did not think it would matter. With a new filter, and some extra carbon packages, we will give it another chance this upcoming season, and see if the problem is user error or an issue with the design.

This is the first water filtration system i ever bought and i am very impressed! anyone can pick this thing up and after 5-10 minutes of playing with it you can know how to take it apart, clean it, or repair and put it back together in a minute.

I put this thing through a torture test the first time i ever used it and filtered water that i wouldn't set foot in. It plugged off after about 20 liters of water but was easy to pull apart scrub and get back to work. Next time ill put a coffee filter around the suction end for dirty water. The water tasted great and no one got sick after 3 days of drinking "duck slough water".

The only time i had any leaks was when it was virtually plugged completely off it leaked around the ceramic disk, cleaning it fixed this problem for me.

Take care of you filter and it will take care of you.

We took a week at Red Castle lakes in the Uintah this summer. 12 miles in, these filters were life savers. We had 10 people on the trip and usually filled 20-30 32oz water bottles twice a day. (I'll let someone else do the math) With two filters we could knock out all the bottles in about 15 minutes. It gave us time to enjoy the trip. These are fairly large, but worth both the weight and size tradeoff. When compared with a sweetwater we had with us the Vario filled 2 nalgenes in the time it took the MSR to fill one. We ended up just putting the sweetwater away for most of the trip. Design is idiot proof, remember to occasionally release the air pressure after pumping, this will keep it from leaking like in the review below.

Groups I've been with have pumped around 100 gallons of back country water through my Vario in the last year. For clean water we've used the Faster Flow option and can pump at 3 quarts a minute-----I've actually timed pumping a quart at 17 seconds.

For dirty water we use mostly the longer life setting and pumping slows to about 2 qts a minute. I have clogged the ceramic filter within 3 quarts in very dirty irrigation ditch water in Peru-----but it cleans up quickly.

I love the Vario, but you have to read the instructions and plan on some maintainance, if you are going to pump a lot of water. I recommend it for group trips, and I still day hike with the slower, but smaller and lighter, Katadyn Hiker------now that filter is idiot-proof.

I love this filter. I have never had an issue with pumping, clogging, cleaning or anything. The dual pump mechanism is very quick and the attachment capability with hydration packs and camelback is great and makes for easy pumping. My only issue with it is its a bit bulky in the pack. Not a huge issue. Also, if using it in winter, don't leave it out because it will freeze obviously. And be sure to not try to thaw it out next to the fire because the plastic will warp. I know, stupid. Other than user error, this is a great pump and I take everywhere I camp or hike.

Using the faster flow does shave off pumping time if that's what you need. Switching between the two modes takes just a couple twists and turns. The ceramic prefilter is great for removing sediment in dirt filled water. If that gets too mucked up take off the top and give it a wipe or two and you'll be good to go again. The third stage filter is the active carbon core reducing chemicals and bad taste which is certainly a plus. It screws on to the top of nalgene wide=mouth bottles and can hook up to your Camelbak hose so you don't have to remove it from your pack. Sweet!

I bought this just to add to my collection of outdoor gadgets, and didn't get around to using it right away. I've used many others by friends, mostly the 'Katadyn Hiker' model of filters, usually on week+ camping/hiking trips. This one blows it out of the water when it comes to GPM and ease of pumping, along with the ease of connecting it to water bottles; specifically Nalgenes, and Camelbaks. The ceramic filter is great to extend the life of the glassfiber/carbon filter. I highly reccomend this filter!

When I'm out, I'm usually not in any hurry. But I will say the rate of water that goes through this thing is pretty good, even when it's not on fast flow. Very simple to use. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the shape, it's a little bulky. I've gone through approx. 23 gallons on the same filter, so I can say it definitely does it's job. If I ever get sick I may sing a different tune. For now I am satisfied with this buy.