Katadyn

Vario Dual Technology MicroFilter

Just what I needed

This is such a great backpacking filter. Very easy to use, very convenient and I love that it fits on the standard water bottle. Clean up was a little more than I was hoping it would be especially having to run bleach through the filter, but I love how simple it is and how lightweight it is. Easy to use on the trail.

Great filter

I have had a Hiker and Guide for years and have really liked them. The Vario is nearly as compact as my Hiker and doesn't take up any more room in my pack. It's easier to use and pumps more water through it in the same amount of time than my Hiker does. Its volume per stroke is close to what my Guide will do. I really like the addition of a ceramic filter, that is easy to clean is another bonus. The charcoal filter is also a nice addition that neither my Hiker or Guide doesn't have. The Vario is now my go to filter.

I work in the backcountry all summer, and this is the filter we use on the daily. It works well almost everywhere, and is very packable. In muddy spring runoff conditions, the filter gets clogged fairly easily, but if you put the extra film in, they last a bit longer. Anyone can use it, and it is easy to replace filters. You will know when it is time to switch filters because it will get harder/slower to pump.

Great deal so getting a second as a backup

I've had my Vario for several years and it's been great. Deal too good to pass up and picking up an extra filter cartridge as well.

So easy to use!!

I have only used the Katadyn Vario a few times while hiking but am very inpressed with the filtration capbilities. I found some very shallow mucky water and decided to try the filter. It performed flawlessly, even to the point that the filtered water tasted cleaner that the bottled water my friends had with them. I am looking forward to using the Katadyn Vario on many more adventures to come. I think this will work very well for groups of 3-7 people due to the high flow rate.

Outlet nipple is easily broken

EDIT: Repalcement parts were promptly sent without a hiccup, filter works fine again. Inlet nipple is positioned close to handle, but is still very exposed. Mine broke off the first time it was in my backpacking pack - I hadn't even taken it out yet. This would be fine in a day hiking pack where there's more room and fewer hard objects, but in my backpacking pack, or strapped onto the back, it's really a pain to have to keep it in mind so you don't break it even when just setting your pack down. What is nice, is the flow rate, and there is charcoal inside the filter which is there to remove taste etc from water - great if you don't want to taste the water. I don't really mind the taste of pristine alpine water. Other than the inlet nipple breaking off the body of the filter (which I superglued back on, at least it's got a flange that yields before busting, at least the first time, since I doubt the flange will be able to separate from the body after the glue), I had one of the very thin O-rings tear when I first took it apart. It does come with extra O-rings. My filter is currently totally usable, and sitting in my day pack. I bought this to get the output rate of my Hyperflow with the ease of use of my Miniworks - without having to clean or scrub so often. I wound up just ordering a few filters for my Hyperflow, which annoys me occasionally, but has never let me down. The bottom of the filter has wide mouth Nalgene threads, and there's a plastic cap you can stick on there to fill a hose for a bladder - it seems sketchy as hell. As noted above, I never bothered to try it after it broke before we left for a trip.

fantastic pump for the size and weight, it provided clean, tasty, water for 4. on a canoe trip up north. the flow was reduced by the 6th day, but a spare filter or cleaning would easily fix this

Works perfectly

Although this water filter is a bit bulkier/heavier than other options, it performs amazingly. The ability to filter water, even from the most difficult to access spots, is unmatched. I used it recently on a backcountry elk scouting trip and due to its ease of use, my two buddies didn't even get their water filters out of their packs. I was able to to filter water for three people in the time it used to take me to filter water for my own supply. Highly recommend this water filter for the weekend hiker and the multi-day backcountry adventure seeker.

Fast flow

I recently used the Katadyn Vario in the High Sierra Mountains, and it was perfect! The double baffles maintained a constant water flow, making the filtration process smooth and efficient. I was able to filter two full-size CamelBak bladders and two water bottles within just 5 minutes. Highly recommend it for any backcountry adventure!

Worked ok

I have used this on a few trips already, the only downside is. That for some reason it lose suction and I have to take the filter apart and put back together. I followed all the instructions that camp with the filter, they could be written a little better.