MSR Hyperflow Microfilter Review

[Addie Bedford]

Companion forum thread to:

MSR Hyperflow Microfilter Review

[Basilbop]

The outlet of the Hyperflow will fit into the opening in a Platypus bladder, which can make filling such bladders easier. However, my experience with this filter in the Sierra is that even with clear water sources, the performance will degrade after a few days' use to the point where backflushing is ineffective and inversion of the rubber valves is all but unavoidable at pumping pressures required to filter water. Oddly, backflushing at home was more effective at restoring performance than in the field (higher water temperature?).

[Richard Schnetzer]

I recently used the MSR Hyperflow for a 5 day backpack into the Desolation Wilderness. My experience with the filter was disappointing as it performed poorly as the review states. In particular, the rate of flow, the difficulty with the pump stroke, and the back flush procedures all conspire to make this filter a poor choice at this time. I will return to the Katadyn Hiker as it pumps easier, the rate of flow is better, the the laborious back flush procedure is not an issue.

[Michael Martin]

Thanks Will and Roger. Nice article!

I'm a bit confused by the "folded tubes", though. If both ends of all the tubes are at the same end of the device, how is water run *through* the tubes? Or does the filter rely on the space *between* the tubes for filtering…and if so, why use hollow tubes?

[Basilbop]

The idea is that the walls of the tubes are the filter media–water is filtered as it passes from the outside of the tubes to the inside, where it can emerge through either open end of the tubes.

I'd imagine that the outside-in flow also provides protection against over-pressurizing the filter, since the pressure will tend to collapse the tubes and decrease the pore sizes in the walls. Conversely, the backflush procedure would expand the tubes, presumably making it easier to unplug the pores.

The use of small tubes allows for greater filter surface area in a given volume.

On paper, it's a promising technology; hopefully future iterations will fare better in the field.

[Michael Martin]

Thanks. I get it. The tubes are porous. That was the missing piece. :)

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Mike

First sentence in the Overall Rating:
'By all appearances, this is a neat little unit with a new form of filter, made of many fine micro-porous tubes.'

The technology is also used commercially in many areas.

Cheers

[Michael Martin]

Yah. I feel like slapping my head now. I misjudged the scale of the photo and thought that the tubes were less than 1 micron in diameter for some reason. That lead me to think they filtered by flow *through* the tubes. That led me to…Well, you get the idea.

Of course, the tubes just provide a large surface area through which to filter the water through the tube walls.

Nothing to see here…Move along, please. ;)

[Robert Perkins]

I purchased the MSR Hyperflow this year and was extremely happy with it… for 2 days. After that, even after back-flushing, it became useless! I saved some weight with it by not using the bottle adaptor, instead opting for a nice fit with my Platypus bladder. I will be going back to my old reliable Pur/Katadyn Hiker. WHAT A WASTE!

[Pamela Wyant]

Thanks for the thorough review. It's disappointing that the Hyperflow doesn't live up to the 'hype', at least not version 1. It's also disappointing that MSR would include an adapter that adds considerable weight to the setup.

Hopefully round 2 will produce something better.

[Aaron Granda]

Did anyone notice that this was picked for an Editor's Choice award from Backpacker magazine? Must be some advertising dollars in play.

[Roger Caffin]

> Editor's Choice award from Backpacker magazine

At the risk of barracking for the opposition … :-)
It is a very neat unit for people wanting to filter really clear water. (And the review does say this.) I suspect all MSR and BP testing was done on such water. But as you know, sometimes the water ain't quite so nice…

cheers

[Kristoffer Stromberg]

I carried the Hyperflow for the entirety of my 2008 PCT thru-hike. By cutting down the inlet hose and ditching the bag and all the other crap they send you I got the weight down to 7.1 oz. The outlet fits platy bladders fine. This is less than any other pump action filter I know of (ie. not gravity filters). One of the main reasons I go into the b/c is for the beautiful tasting water, so pumping was worth it for me…YMMV.

The filter clearly states that it will clog on very cloudy water- I would not carry a .9 oz/yd silnylon shelter into a gale and ptich it on a ridge. Lightweight gear has limitations, that's the deal.

All of the reviewers comments are true…the valves will collapse under high pressure, backflushing only moderately restores flow, prefilter flips over, filter life is substantially shorter than other filters (I used a total of three in 125 days of hiking, although after leaving one in a motel in mojave, the replacement had the defect in being unable to unscrew the pump handle described by the reviewers, and was replaced by MSR, so I was unable to backflush, so really more like 2.5).

I carried bleach in a microdropper when I didn't feel like pumping. I knew there was an abundance of clear water on the PCT- I filter almost everything (I got food poisoning while solo once and don't want to ever be weakened in the woods again). I HAVE NO INTENTION OF CARRYING THIS PUMP ON THE CDT. This pump was definitely overhyped, but every design requires many iterations of improvement. I may carry this punp again- it does weigh 30%+ less than the Katadyn or other pumps, but plan to replace the element more frequently. HYOH, YMMV.

[Tim Heckel]

I have had similar experience as Wasa with the Hyperflow. While it can stand some improvement I like the pump.

Especially when stripped of the silly Nalgene cap, and the bag, the weight is far lower than any pump I have available to me.

I don't use an outlet tube, just the tube from my Platy-adapted hydration system or a direct connect to the Platypus bottle.

And I'll repeat here what I've said before. I will protect any water filter from freezing. To the best of my knowledge this caution is not unique to this filter.

I will only carry field servicable filters after having a Katy Hiker fail, due to murkey water, on a weeklong trip with no way to fix it.

I hope MSR does improve this unit. I'll update mine.

[Roman Ryder]

I recently used mine for the first time. I was out for 3 days and filtered about a dozen liters of water. It never slowed down and I was extremely happy with it. I didn't backflush it until I got back home.

[BRIAN BOLIN]

I have to agree I really like my MSR Hyper. I have yet to have any issues with it at all. I do have to say, on the AT and around home day hikes I am fortunate enough to not have alot of debris in my water I needed to filter. But even the few time I did the prefilter worked like a charm and the backflow cleaning did great. I sticking with the MSR Hyperflow and AquaMira for backup.

[Roger Caffin]

BPL has received the following note from the manufacturer:

"We have identified a flow performance issue with some of the hollow fiber filter cartridges contained in MSR HyperFlow microfilters. The performance issue DOES NOT affect the product's ability to filter safe drinking water but can be frustrating as the flow rate of the filter may not perform to product specifications. The issue has been rectified and all filter cartridges currently in production for the MSR HyperFlow microfilter perform to flow specifications. We have worked with our retailers to replace units they have in stock that may have this issue. Any consumer that is experiencing less-than-expected flow rates on this product right out of the box or after back flushing is urged to call us at 1.800.531.9531 and we will send a valid replacement filter cartridge at no charge if it was manufactured prior to November 11, 2008. (Please have the filter element handy as we will ask for the serial number for our records and manufacture date verification.)"

MSR have promised to replace the cartridges used in the review, and we expect to provide an update on the performance of the new cartridges once we have received them and tested them.

Cheers

[Dirk Rabdau]

Hello everyone –

I was wondering if anyone has given the Hyperflow a go since the fixes to the cartridges were instituted. I would consider this product as part of a thru-hike if I had confidence in that it actually works as advertised.

Can anyone out there address the issue?

Thanks,

Dirk

[Roger Caffin]

New cartridge has arrived.
Assessment soon.

Cheers

[Dirk Rabdau]

I look forward to your review!

Regards,

Dirk

[Jason Kloeker]

Was there ever a followup with the "new improved" filter?

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