User Review: MSR SweetWater Microfilter

MSR SweetWater Microfilter
Above: The current SweetWater Microfilter, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed December 15, 2007 by martinac

Rating:
Price Paid: $45

I spent a week in Canada backpacking and canoeing in the summer and we got all of our water from the lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park so the water was quite clean to begin with. Some of the other guys I went with had the MSR Miniworks filter and they had some problems getting them to work right. I, on the other hand, had no problems (other than needing to clean it quite often as we had 4 filters and 11 guys).

The two way pump allowed me to fill bottles faster than the other pumps, and I could do more bottles between clean outs. I could usually fill 6-8 32 oz. Nalgene bottles in only a few minuets. The assembly is incredably simple and effective, I simply love it.

The over pressure release is located in an odd spot if you are right handed like me, I squirted myself a number of times (when it needed cleaning especially). The handle seems a little weak and flimsy but I have not had any problems yet. I would suggest using the included prefilter for best life time.

This is an all around good unit but don't try to feed a whole group with it like I did, it just is not made for that kind of capacity. Three or four adults is the most I would want to supply with it if I my choice. Definitely worth the money and the weight if you are a backpacker or want a nice filter for emergencies.