Katadyn Pocket Water Filter Review

We know how you laboriously go through a multitude of reviews and forum posts to zero-in on the ideal backpacking filter for your outdoor trips.

And if that’s what brings you to this page, we promise not to disappoint you.

In this Katadyn Pocket Water Filter Review, we will give you an overview of this pump-style backpacking water filter that keeps you hydrated with a refreshing supply of water while keeping the contaminants out.

So, let’s get started!

Katadyn Pocket Overview

Katadyn Pocket water filter is one of those few backpacking filters that combine sleek aesthetics with great filtration prowess.

The chic yet sturdy filter lives up to the Swiss promise of quality and durability. The Katadyn Group of Switzerland which manufactures the wilderness filter was established in 1928. The group is a market leader in personal, portable water treatment systems and products for the outdoor and marine industries.

This Pocket Water Microfilter is a pump-style filter. This hand-held pump needs to be manually operated for the filtration process to take effect. Though this will keep your hands engaged unlike in a gravity filter, nevertheless, the fast flow rate will fill bottles or, even hydration reservoirs in a relatively short period of time.

Its durability is the true value for money. It is made to last many years before it gives way to any visible wear and tear. The tough plastic casing that wraps the ceramic filter ensures that it withstands abusive use and the falls and bumps that follow a backpacker’s lifestyle.

Further, the 0.2-micron ceramic filter can warrant freshwater supply even from the most vile, nauseating sources of water. This implies that even on treks where freshwater sources are scarce, the filter will provide you with life-saving water that is free from impurities like bacteria, protozoa, and sediments.

And in lieu of this, all that the filter demands, as a maintenance effort, is an occasional scrubbing. You will know it’s time to scrub and clean the filter when you experience a drop in its filtration rate.

Key Features

Consider all the negatives that you want to, but nothing comes even close to this Swiss promise of quality and endurance in water filtration.

To know why, read the key features of this filter, and beware, you might just get carried away!

Durability

The Katadyn Pocket Filter is a winner, hands down, in durability. The makers probably had this one feature up their mind all along when they designed this camping filter.

As compared to any other hiking filter, the microfilter is sturdy, rugged, and built to last. The filter derives its long-lasting feature from its moving parts, all of which are made of metal, as opposed to plastic in its peers.

This is also one of the reasons that this Pocket Microfilter has found a place in emergency preparedness and with the military around the world.

Main Filter and Filtration Capacity

The main filter is a ceramic depth filter with a pore size of 0.2 microns. This keeps out all disease-causing agents that are much larger.

To be precise, the filter can keep out bacteria, protozoa, and some of the sediments.

In addition to this, the inlet hose has a 130-micron pre-filter which prevents entry of larger sediments.

Filter Longevity

The filter has a long life and can serve you up 50,000 liters of water before it retires and gives way to a new cartridge.

And you would know that it’s time to replace the main filter when the device that comes with the kit, fits on it perfectly. So, no guessing needed there. Just ensure that you keep the device safe till the filter reaches maturity.

Flow Rate

The filter promises a decent flow rate of 1 liter/minute. This is fairly fast and makes it ideal for small groups. Of course, it proves its worth for individuals as well and hence is a top-rated pump-style filter for the outdoors.

Overall Design

This Katadyn Filtration tool comes with an inlet hose that is thrown into the water source to draw water through the pump.

Firstly, the hose can reach remote water founts through cracks. Secondly, the little floater attached to it ensures that the hose does not sink to the bottom of a puddle from where there is a greater likelihood of silt entering the system.

Another feature worth mentioning in this Katadyn Pocket Water Filter Review is the ergonomic design of the handle. Unlike other pump-style filters, the handle of this Pocket filter is easier to hold and thrust.

Moreover, the outlet hose can be attached to different kinds of containers. This brings us to the next of its best features.

Versatility

The Katadyn Pocket Filter reaches the most remote sources if water and fills up containers without a bias.

Put simply, the outlet hose can be attached to any bottle or hydration bladder with the same ease. Look forward to the container filling within minutes. Narrow mouth, wide mouth, disposable soda bottles or, just about any size works perfectly fine with this sleek filter.

Easy Maintenance

The Pocket Microfilter is field-maintainable.

The filter kit comes with two scrubbers which can be used to scrub the contaminants off the ceramic filter. Post scrubbing, just pump a liter of water through the filter to remove any ceramic dust sitting on the filter and it is ready to use again.

Consideration Factors

But, the filter has some downsides to it. Let’s go through it.

• Bulky for a Backpack: Its biggest downside is its weight. At around 550 grams, the Katadyn Pocket Micro is anything but lightweight. It is one of the heaviest among the water filters in the market and surely not for the weight-conscious outdoor enthusiasts.

• Effort to Pump the Water: This negative is common to all pump-style backpacking water filters. The filter calls for some effortful pumping to get the water out. Now that can be a problem unless you have some Popeye arms.

Having said that, we feel that these downsides can be dealt with on group trips and treks, where the load can be shared between group members.

So, in all, the drawbacks do not completely rule out the possibility of purchasing this Pocket Microfilter.

Pros and Cons

Overall, this is a great buy for the outdoors.

And not just our review, the testimonials online also states the same. Of course, some cons are listed too. So, here’s what reviewers have to say.

Technical Specs

And now for the technical specs of this rugged, pump-style Katadyn Pocket Water Filter.

• Weight: 19.4 ounces (approx. 550 g)
• Treatment Type: Pump-Style
• Filter Material: ceramic depth filtration (0.2 microns)
• Product Dimensions: 2.56 x 5.43 x 1.50 inches
• Accessories: Prefilter, bottle adaptor, scrub pads, silicone lubricant, and carry bag
• Material: Aluminium, stainless steel, silicone, ceramic
• Guarantee: 20 years

Our Verdict: Recommended

Made to last a long time, the Katadyn Pocket Microfilter is a combination of glossy look and great performance. The finest materials that it is made of make it extremely durable and give it that shiny finish.

A great filter for individual travelers and groups, its bulky nature is its only major flaw. Despite this shortcoming, it is one of the best water filters in the market that is indispensable for backcountry enthusiasts and emergency preppers.