Outdoor Life conducted a large-scale review of the best water filters.

Water filters head-to-head

Those may be some of the best brands, but imo they most certainly are not "reviews of the best water filters". Still interesting.

They are also not even the best Platypus. the Platypus gravity filter is hands down the best there is out there. And comes in 3 sizes.

ockycamper: "They are also not even the best Platypus. the Platypus gravity filter is hands down the best there is out there. And comes in 3 sizes."

They were only testing lightweight filters that you would use to drink water on the go during the day. The Platypus gravity filter does not really fall in that category IMO.

Personally, for the BWCA, I found the Katadyn Be Free the most convenient because if only half full it was flexible enough to fit into a pocket on my waist pack for easy water when doing long portages. The Sawyer is too awkward and tall. I haven't tried that size of Platypus yet.

straighthairedcurly: "

ockycamper: "They are also not even the best Platypus. the Platypus gravity filter is hands down the best there is out there. And comes in 3 sizes."

They were only testing lightweight filters that you would use to drink water on the go during the day. The Platypus gravity filter does not really fall in that category IMO.


Personally, for the BWCA, I found the Katadyn Be Free the most convenient because if only half full it was flexible enough to fit into a pocket on my waist pack for easy water when doing long portages. The Sawyer is too awkward and tall. I haven't tried that size of Platypus yet."

Agree 100% I found the Katadyn Be Free .6L to be a very functional and practical on the go filter I've used. I use the 3 L for camp use

A major problem with this review, as with most reviews of outdoor equipment, is that it doesn't compare its quality over longer periods of time. Therefore low marks in such reviews are much more reliable than high marks.

For instance, from my experience with multiple Platypus QucikDraw filters, none of them keeps the promised flow rate for more than a season (even exclusively using free of sediments water); so instead of declared 20sec/liter rate one is lucky to have 4-5 times slower flow. This is a kind of information that is familiar to many of us, but absent from dozens of on-line reviews

They forgot bleach, lol

ockycamper: "They are also not even the best Platypus. the Platypus gravity filter is hands down the best there is out there. And comes in 3 sizes."

This. The only time it causes a problem is when the operator fails to do his or her part. And a backwash will usually cure that.

bumabu: "They forgot bleach, lol"

And Polar Pure!

I've never had an issue with Sawyer, katadyn, or playtpus. If properly maintained and used.....

pamonster: "

bumabu: "They forgot bleach, lol"

And Polar Pure!


I've never had an issue with Sawyer, katadyn, or playtpus. If properly maintained and used....."

I had significant problems with my Katadyn gravity filter several years ago. When I reached out to the company, their response was "the water in the BWCA is different and the filters will clog, there is nothing we can do about it". I swapped out all my Katadyn filters with Sawyer, vowing never to use them again. Not for the poor performance, but for the poor customer service.
My experience has taught me, they all clog and need backflushing (probably more than you think) and, in the case of Sawyer, you may even need to descale with vinegar.