Recommendations Please… What’s the best gravity flow filter?

[DWR D]

Thanks Jon… interesting ideas… but while car camping weight is not a big issue, volume sure it… don’t have room for a couple of 5 gallon buckets… and 5 gal x 8lb/gal = 40 lbs… I’d never get that on top of my van… and likely end up in the hospital trying :)  … sure… don’t have to fill to the top and can have collapsible jugs… but most I’d like to hoist up there is maybe 2 gallons… In any case, I would like a backpackable set up as I’d then have the option to use it backpacking… still, an interesting idea… and I appreciate that… Thanks…

[Bob Shuff]

I just saw a Dan Becker video showing how Sawyer is donating systems with buckets in Africa.  I like this idea of a bucket for the dirty water vessel as it’s potentially multi-use for car camping.  5 gallons sounds big and heavy, but as I said earlier the more the better with a gravity system (up to a weight limit).  2-3 gallon buckets might be more convenient to stow, especially if they nest.  I would just make sure they have lids to keep water from sloshing out and also keep debris from getting in, and a good handle of sorts.  I’ll still stand by my dromedary bag suggestion as well, although heavy for backpacking it would be lighter and more packable than buckets and you could use any filter you wanted with a hydration kit cap and hose kit.  The regular bags come in 4-6-10L and the DromLite bags come in 2-4-6L.

[Jerry Adams]

I screwed the Sawyer Squeeze onto a Platypus 4 liter bag.  Put the bag on a bench.  Dangled the squeeze over the edge so it was maybe 4 inches below the bag.  Put the 1 pint bottle below under the stream of water.

That was enough drop for a low flow rate.  Which was fine because I was fiddling around with other things.  Maybe 5 minutes to fill bottle.  (Which was enough time to become distracted so I didn’t notice it overflowing : )

[DWR D]

Did I miss something here about the Sawyer being slower than the filter supplied with the GravityWorks? I don’t understand…

thanks,

[Jerry Adams]

I’m just giving possible ways to do this, not recommending

With gravity works you need two 4 liter bags, tubing, and the filter

A 4 liter bag and Squeeze weighs a few ounces less.

Squeeze is 0.1 micron pore size, gravity works is 0.2 micron, maybe the squeeze is slower and filters out smaller microorganisms.

Once I put a 4 liter platypus bag in my pack and the zipper top opened.  Fortunately this was just a test.  Maybe don’t do this.

[DWR D]

Yea… I can’t imagine ever trusting a zip lock back to be full of water in my backpack… maybe my day pack from the waterhole to camp, but not my backpack with all my gear in it…

I imagine those pore sizes have their trade offs… smaller pores smaller critters, but likely clogs quicker and flows slower… I think I would consider the .2 pore size for faster flow and less frequent clogs… and if the water is suspect for viruses, then also use the Steripen on it after filtering… just my thoughts to this point…. I know it’s a bit of heresy here on BPL… but I don’t think an ounce or two more is a deal killer if it is more convenient, faster, and less trouble…

[Terran Terran]

It’s not just weight, it’s also volume. I wouldn’t carry a 4 liter bag. It does add up.  Many consider “best practice” to be each hiker having their own gear in case of separation.

[DWR D]

TT… I’m almost always solo… and often take water containers for between 4 and 6 liters… in the desert it’s important to be able to haul water… it’s not light and it takes up volume… part of the cost of doing business… and often the filter I take is much larger than any set up we have been talking about because it is more dependable in silty water… I’ve been backpacking for over 40 years and I understand about weight and volume…. but thanks for your input and concerns…

 

[DWR D]

It sounds like most here are recommending the Platypus WaterWords and/or the Sawyer filters… no MSR gravity flow fans? Or other brands?

[Chris FormyDuval]

I Frankensteined a gravity setup with the gravity works 4L bag and the filter from a sawyer SP140 bottle.It was much cheaper at the time and the filter came with built in hose fittings. I’d prob try a regular sawyer the days to replace. Do remember that a height differential really helps performance, my hose setup is approximately 42in, that’s about as long as is practical. I usually just uncap and fill up whatever is needed. I also have bottle adapters for unattended operation with platys, very useful if nowhere to hang bag or stocking up for the day.  I rarely if ever take the 4L clean bag but it’s always an option.

[Jerry Adams]

I’ve used the 4 liter platypus for years and the zip top never opened except that one time when I put it in pack which squeezed on it.

4 liters is a good amount for 24 hours.  Except when it’s hot when 5 liters would be better.

If I want to carry a days water in my pack I use 1 liter soda bottles

[Dan]

Regarding other brands, I believe I mentioned Hydroblu Versa a couple of times. That’s what I use in my go-to solo gravity system. I have used it for several years and I’m happy with it. I’ve also used a Sawyer filter, and I’m pretty agnostic between the two of them, but I’ve found the Hydroblu to be very reliable and low maintenance. Obviously, Sawyer is a big name and you’re always going to find people mentioning it. The gravityworks filter is a bit faster in my experience, but also larger.

[DWR D]

Thanks Dan… great information and personal experience… good stuff.

One thing… I’m wondering about connection compatibility… seems like years ago brands of filters and bottles and bladders did not always connect well… or at all… so question: have connections become more compatible between brands? Does everything fit everything now? I haven’t seen any discussion of that… unless I missed it… thanks again…

 

[DWR D]

Jerry… when carrying 4 or more liters of water in my pack, I often use the Platypus 1 or 2 liter bladders… I have never had one leak… unless I didn’t screw the cap on correctly…. and then not much… I pack them in carefully on the top of the pack… or… sometimes I will use Gatorade bottles…

[Jerry Adams]

good idea.  I have a 2 liter platypus.  That seems more solid than the 4 liter with ziptop

[Alex Wallace]

Just adding my vote for the Platypus Gravity Works. I’ve used the 2 liter setup for group backpacking trips for the past 4 years and have been very happy with it. With respect to the zip top on the dirty bag, you could use a different bottle with a more secure screw top and DIY the connection to the filter when needed. The Platypus website, and many others, sell the necessary tubing and connectors.

[DWR D]

Thanks Alex… but not sure what you mean by, “…DIY the connection to the filter when needed…”

[Alex Wallace]

As in Do It Yourself aka jerry-rigged. There are screw top caps with the nipple that will couple with hydration tubing that can be spliced into the Gravity Works setup.

[DWR D]

Thanks Alex… so the connector that comes with and connects to the 2 liter dirty bag will not just screw on to a regular/non-zip lock top Platypus 2 liter bag???

[Dan]

No, as I mentioned, it’s a quick connect with automatic shutoff. No threads. But all you need to do is connect the tubing to any adapter that screws onto a different bag. Remember though, you need to be able to fill the dirty bag from a water source.

[Chris FormyDuval]

I’ve used with a  bottle adapter fitting and 1-2L platys. Just squeeze out as much air as you can, attach and let it do its thing.

[DWR D]

Ordered the 4 liter Gravity Works… did notice there is also a 6 liter version; but ordered 4 liter one… thanks for all you thoughts on this…

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