
Please note: MSR products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.
Please Note: This product is not able to be shipped to addresses in California.
Made in USA.
Item 671111
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 52 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
After using this product, as well as the Katadyn Hiker Pro, I have to say as long as used properly these products should last a lifetime. The Katadyn broke on me once when me and my friend where midway through our trip, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was our fault. If you read the paperwork that comes with most any filter you should know (and I didn't but now I'll never forget) if you experience a lot of effort while pumping it is usually not the filter clogging up but instead it is usually a piece of dirt jammed in the housing leading to the filter. just cleaning the piece and clearing it of any debris should free it right up.
After saying that I prefer the Sweetwater over the Katadyn simply because of the pumping action. Both work great in the field and both are durable, neither leaves a bad taste and both are reasonably light and priced. All in all for what they do these pieces of equipment are invaluable in the backcountry. nothing works perfectly but for what you need and what these do, they get pretty dang close to being a perfect backcountry companion.
Always bring iodine, you never know what will happen. Also, read the instructions there is a lot of valuable info in there about maintenance in the field, including how to properly back flush the system to clear out any clogs.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
I'm new to backpacking and took my first 'real' adventure backpacking in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, Ocala National Forest in Florida (it was HOT)- and it was either hike in with three + days water or filter what we found. We found camp right near a fresh water pond/ spring. Water was low by the first night so we filtered for the rest of the night and the next day. The MSR Sweetwater worked GREAT! It pumped fast and filled our bottles in no time. My son thought it looked fun, so he took it over and had no problems with it. The water tasted great. We didn't need the sweetwater drops that came with the filter, but it was nice to know we had them if we needed them. The MSR sweetwater is easy to pack and takes up very little room. I will confess I also carried a Steripen as I was concerned and wanted it just in case for backup. I tried the Steripen too, and it worked awesome as well, but it was not necessary to carry both- the Steripen is smaller and a bit lighter, but the MSR sweetwater doesn't depend on batteries!
Pros
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Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
We used the system on a recent three day hike in the Wind Rivers but the plastic plunger separated at the base on the first day. The system is sealed so there was no way to repair it. Luckily, we had second Katadyn purifier along. If durability is important to you, avoid the MSR Sweetwater.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
I followed the directions precisely on intial cleaning and set up. took it on a camping trip, and the pressure relief valve leaked so badly, that more water came out the side and spilled than was filtered. Tried cleaning it again several times, but it still leaked badly. ended up borrowing someone else's filter, and this one is getting returned.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
Bought my filter back in 2000 under the original Sweetwater (I think Guardian) name. I have taken care of it and it has taken care of me. Did a ton of research on every filter I wasn't already very familiar with at the time and 12 years later, I still wouldn't trade mine for anything on the market. Size, weight, ease of pumping, liters per min, and overall system design. I have nothing bad to say about any of it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
Don't know what all the complaints are about. I've had this passed down to me and it still works great. Never gotten sick, isn't that the point? Don't be stupid, filter from moving water as much as possible.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
At first, I loved this pump. Compared to my buddy who has the microfilter, this thing pumped way faster and with less effort. The mechanical advantage of the lever means approx 2 pounds of force per pump vs an average of 9 or 10 for most other filters. The pumpm worked great, until I came across some less than ideal pumping conditions in Shenandoah National Park and some sections of the AT along the blue ridge. If the creek or spring isn't deep and crystal clear, the prefilter began clogging every fill. I would have to pull off the inlet hose and blow out to clean the silt out of the prefilter. To top it off, one of the internal valves stuck open leaving me to rely on my friend's pump for a recent outing.
I took it back, and am about to try out the Katadyn hiker pro. I thought I had a winner at first, but it just didn't stand up to backpacking every weekend for more than 3 months.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
I bought this water purifier to take with me to remote villages in the Alaskan Bush as part of my job as an Itinerant Therapist. The water up there is relatively unfiltered, so I used this little gem to filter the water I used for cooking, drinking, and tooth brushing... and because of that, never once got sick from ingesting contaminated water. I have had it since 2003 and have not yet had to replace the filter. The water still tastes clean and fresh with each use... and the only thing that has worn out is the little zip lock bag the contaminated hose, float, and silt filter are stored in. easy fix.
Sure, it takes a little effort to pump the water through the filter, but it's not difficult and well worth the confidence of knowing that the water is safe to drink. After each use, I detach and fold down the handle, wrap the clean water hose around the unit, place the contaminated tube, float and silt pre-filter in the separate plastic bag, and then place all the parts in it's own little carry bag. There is also an attachment that fits over the top of several different sizes of containers... I use a wide mouth sometimes, a narrow mouth other times... and it always works well.
It's a good investment for anyone that wants an unlimited supply of pure water... even when water comes out of a tap, like it did in the Bush, there's no guarantee it won't ruin your trip. So, I always travel with this system, and haven't regretted it for an instant.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
Used this yesterday on a short hike at the local state park. Dipped into a quick moving stream and it was terrible. It sprayed more water out of the bottom then the few drips of clean water coming out of the out hose. The water was clear and I was using the silt stopper attachment just in case. Took back to day to get the Katadyn Hiker Pro
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:
I have used this water filter for three years and have been very pleased with its performance. It is very easy to use, pumps quickly and the water tastes good - better than tap! I finally had to clean it after two and a half years of service and it was very easy to clean.
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