MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

I just finished a thru-hike of the AT and the miniworks held up through the whole trip. This filter is not light but it's durable, easy to use, easy to clean and produces clean, safe water every time. I would buy it again without hesitation.

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

This is the slowest filter ever made. It claims it can do a liter a minite at 70 -80 pumps per minute. I tried to do this several times on our trip and could not even get a half liter at 70 pumps in a minute. We ran into some other groups at a campground who had the same system and they were having the same problems. The water just trickled out the bottom. The faster I pumped the more air was sucked into the chamber and that was with someone hold the end in the water. All connections were tight and hose did not seem to have a hole in it. The chamber would fill great the slower it was pumped. Luckily another person in our group had a Katadyn Hiker Pro that worked fantastic. He could fill three 2 liter camelbacks to my 750 ml bottle. Not a good product. The quality of the water we did get was fine. Will be returning it and exchanging for the Katadyn Vario.

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

Hydration is the key to a successful trip. This Filter kept 9 Scout Voyagers properly Hydrated
over 82 miles through the Boundry Waters of North
Minn. No maintenance issues here but the iron laden
waters caused us to clean the filter regularly. I appreciate the non-woven abrasive pad supplied with our pump.This is a great pump,& very dependable,w/great tasting water.

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

Not much to say about a filter so I'll hit the highlights. Two week backcountry trip where this was my sole source of water.

Pros:
Cleans in two minutes no matter how sooty (used in glacial streams and lakes), regardless of what anyone says.
Filtered water tastes so good that I almost gagged when I tasted tap water again.
Two weeks later I'm feeling fine with no ill effects so filtration is effective.
Fits onto both my nalgene bottles and msr dromedary bag.

Con:
Pump is a bit slower than other alternatives but for the bombproof, reliable and field maintainable filtration, I can't complain. You can literally take this filter into the backcountry for weeks on end and it will require nothing but occasional scrubbing with the included pad (two minutes tops).

Overall, a day hiker should look at a lighter and speedier filter but for someone who needs multiple days of reliable water filtration that is truly field maintainable, this is your filter.

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

I have used several different filters over the years and I really like this design. Since the water bottle screws right on there is no need for an outlet hose or fitting. I used the bottle as a base and I was able to use the pump almost one handed at chest level while in the sitting position, no more leaning over or having to hold the pump off the ground. No need to worry about the bottle falling over or splashing dirty water all over the bottle. The handle is easy to pump even after filling six bottles. I have used smaller and lighter models but they tend to clog quicker if the water isn't running clear. It only took about 3-4 pumps to get the unit primed. Great addition to anyones pack.

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

Used it on a 3 day backpack in the Allegehney Forest. Worked very reliably providing very clear and fresh tasting water. Shared it around the group, everyone loved it and no one got sick- a difinite plus! Sure there are smaller filters but I wouldn't trade my miniworks. Keep up the good work MSR!

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

I have had this one for two years. It works like a dream and is easy to maintain. It doesn't need frequent cleaning and maintains a high level of output after many uses. I love the fact that it has only one hose and your wide mouth Nalgene screws right on to the base of the pump.

I had just used this last week in the Adirondacks. Was going to fill up at a pond before heading up to the peak. Saw a beaver lodge and decided to look for another source just to be safe. I ran out of water on my way down the peak and was able to find a tiny little mucky stream. I threw the filter in there and pumped away. Water came out clear and tasted amazing. Glad I threw it in my bag for the day hike!

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

I used this filter to provide clean water for up to 30 people and to provide water for a medical clinic in the outbacks of Guatemala. One day I filtered over 30 gallons. As long as the ceramic element was cleaned perodically the filter pumped easy. The filter is easy to use and to teach others how to use. No one on our trip got sick. The water we filtered was obviously polluted. The filter made it taste fine. The filter comes apart easily and most of its components can be boiled. It screws directly onto a [...] bottle.

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

This purifier works so good, the water tastes better than your everyday tap water.. We take it on day trips, camping, and backpacking. It is easy to use and clean.. You will be very happy with this purifier for sure..

Comments about MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter:

I've had this filter for over 6 years, it's seen alot of use. I've had it over 40 ADK summits, and never had a problem. Its a great, small filter that beats aquamera treatment hands down based on time savings. The only problem I've ever had with this filter is not even MSR's fault. I brought it to Mexico to filter the infamous nasty tap water in my hotel, only to find the baggage handlers mistreated my luggage so bad that the filter had a hairline crack in it. This negated any filtering and I promptly got diarrhea. again, not MSR's fault...but be careful. I've even taken some nasty spills on the trail with this filter in my pack and never had an issue.