How to Choose a Water Filter or Purifier
MSRÂ MiniWorks EX Water Filter
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
The compact MSR MiniWorks EX water filter with EX technology has been proven reliable by thousands and thousands of adventurers around the world.
Shop newer version- Ceramic/carbon Marathonâ„¢ EX element effectively removes bacteria and protozoa including giardia and cryptosporidia
- Also removes unpleasant tastes and odors caused by organic compounds, such as iodine, chlorine and pesticides
- Filter can be cleaned over and over for maximum field life with no tools required
- AirSpring Accumulatorâ„¢ increases filtration speed up to 1 liter per min.
- Bottom screws onto an MSR Dromedary® Bag or Nalgene® water bottle for easy operation (both sold separately)
- Easy disassembly lets you troubleshoot and maintain the MSR MiniWorks EX filter in the field
Made in USA.
Weight reported dry, without accessories.
View all MSR Pump Water Filters| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Filter Type | Pump |
| Filter Medium | Ceramic with carbon core |
| Removes/Destroys | Protozoa And Bacteria |
| Pump Force | 10.4 pounds |
| Pump Strokes per Liter | 85 |
| Output | 1 liters per minute |
| Housing Material | Polyurethane |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Field Cleanable | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.8 x 3.8 inches |
| Weight | 14.6 ounces |
Buying Advice
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Most Helpful Favorable Review
LOVE IT
Steve G B12 years ago
If I could marry this thing I would. Here is my breakdown:
PROS
1. Super lightweight. I used to have the old version which was .5 lbs heavier.
2. I've never gotten sick. I use this thing all the time and sometimes with very questionable water...I mean...nasty.
3. Super easy to maintain. Get the maintenance kit. Really this thing should come with it already but it doesn't...so buy it. Super peace of mind in the field.
4. Very nice design. This thing looks cool. Some of the other MSR models and other manufacturers products look dorky. This thing looks really cool.
5. Good bang for your pump. You don't feel like you're wasting time with each pump.
Cons
1. I can't marry it.
2. The filtering element is delicate so you have to be careful. Don't let it freeze with water in it or you'll have a broken element. If that happens on the trail...you are in trouble.
3. I always have backup purification tablets just in case.
Tips
1. Get some coffee filters and rubber bands to wrap around the hose inlet. It will pre filter the water and extend the life of your filter element. A coffee filter is way cheaper than a new element.
2. In case of really nasty, wonky water...have a bottle of water purification tablets and use them properly. Also some powdered juice mix packets to help remove the purification tablet flavor if you end up using the tablets.
3. Make sure you bring that maintenance kit AND properly maintain your filter as needed. Take care of it, it will take care of you.
4. FINALLY: These things are a value at the normal price but often they go on sale so keep that in mind when you are ready to buy.
I hope you found this helpful.
Steve G B
Hollywood, CA
111 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Very Disappointing
Ben S.14 years ago
I bought this pump for a trip into the BWCAW(Boundary Waters). I couldn't believe how frequently I had to clean it. I could only get 3 liters of water before the ceramic element needed to be scrubbed down. The first liter went really fast, the second was slower but still decent for the most part, the third liter was a struggle to get. This was consistent on all lakes. The lakes were visibly clear and I was not near any swamps.
The water that was pumped was great though. No odor or taste whatsoever. I see others have complained about the force needed to pump it but I didn't think it was bad. The maintenance is just too high to recommend this product though.
Ben S.
Minneapolis, MN
39 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Anonymous
Must have healthy water to survive
4 years ago
I'm a few months from 65 and still like to test myself. I normally hike in the Missouri Ozark area but most enjoy the Tetons. My drinking water many times comes from where most people step over looking for water. I'll get out as much larvae as possible and fill my bottles and move on. I highly recommend this product to carry in every pack.
Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Big Swede
San Diego
Just what I expected
13 years ago
Bought this pump for our Mt. Whitney trip. Chose this one because I read that the Marine Corps had chosen it for our Marines as part of their gear. We used it over 3 days up at Trail Camp and at several other spots along the Whitney Trail. Several times we had to fill four 100 oz. Camelbak reservoirs along with our 32 oz. bottles. That took a lot of pumping. I thought that the pump would be a little more efficient. The pump slowed down after about 300 ounces, so I removed the filter element, scrubbed it with the green scrubbie, and it worked as well as it had before. The water we were pumping was really clear though, so I was a little disappointed that I needed to scrub the element so soon. The pump action and the hoses all worked fine. I am not a water snob, I do most of my water drinking from the tap, but the water that we filtered tasted really good.
Yes , I recommend this product
David
Dallas, TX
My first water filter
6 years ago
This is the only filter I have ever used or purchased. It is excelent. I have used it the the Ouachita Mountains for four days. I drank at least a gallon of water a day for streams did not have any problems. The water quality was great. I did clean it twice with the included scrath pad and it went back to full water flow. It’s easy to clean and put back together. Like super simple. The handle is perfect and for the people saying it’s poor quility, you probably break lots of stuff others don’t. Go slow. It’s not meant to have a high pressure jet stream coming out. Pump water into a wide mouth bottle to fill a bladder. You could pump straight to a bladder but the bottle made things easy.
Yes , I recommend this product
mike the thru hiker
Detroit Area, MI
Good and Reliable
17 years ago
I have taken this filter on two major hikes. the first was for a round island hike of Isle Royale national park and where some of the water tended to be downright disgusting and it was proven when the fitler would have to be cleaned 2 times a day from just a buildup of what i can best describe as gunk. the other trip was this past summer when i ventured into the appalations the filter lasted me the entire 700 mile portion i hiked and was very reliable. I believe this is the best filter for geting extremely clean water when in the backcountry even if it takes a little more then a min. to pump a litter of water. Another quality product by MSR!
Yes , I recommend this product
ColoradoBus
Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Awesome little pump
8 years ago
This little pump works amazingly well. I have owned it for 5+ years now, and have never needed to replace anything on it. I do meticulously maintain it per the owner's manual after each trip, which to be honest is kind of a pain, but is well worth the effort. My pump has been used for many liters of water, and have never had any issues with it. However, it is slow, much slower compared to my buddy's Katadyn. It is slow, and kind of awkward and difficult to pump, but does an amazing job filter the water which is what's really important. Be careful cleaning it in the field. It has little o-rings and pieces, and they can get easily lost leaving the pump useless.
Yes , I recommend this product
forre qui
Brazil
Works really well
6 years ago
The filter works great. My wife and I were a little skeptics about how the filter will perform on some unclear water. In a trip to a waterfall place, we made a nice test with it and the results (side by side in pictures) are the best: clear, fresh and tasteless water. The system is bit bulkier so not for ultralight travel. But for some group ou car camping it will really shine.
Yes , I recommend this product
Pauliwog
It's because it's ceramic,,,,,,
9 years ago
This is for all of you who don't really "get" water filters. The reason this filter gets clogged and needs cleaning sooner than others is because it's CERAMIC and the porosity is much tighter than most, which means it's doing a WAY better job at filtering things out than most other filters, including those "easier" paper or fiber filters. In the long run, it will last a LOT longer also. Also, there is a lot of water sources that appear to be "clear" or clean sources that have plenty of organic debris in it which is not very obvious, and rest assured, this filter is doing a way better job of filtering it out. I use gravity feed fiber filters also, it depends on the situation. Gotta go - P
Yes , I recommend this product
AK Travelling Warrior
Paria canyon
Saved us all...
9 years ago
Did a Buckskin Gulch, into Paria Canyon and out at Lees Ferry. Me and a couple Marine buddies. First 34 miles we used on pretty clean water and springs. Mildly acted up losing vacuum. Maybe shoulda read directions and known it needed cleaning. Last 12 miles NO WATER in 100 plus weather. It sucked. Only water was the muddy liquid called a river. Man this thing took mud and made clean drinking water. Been a week and not even close to being sick at all since. Very proud of this and a must for anyone!!!
Yes , I recommend this product
Snow Monkey
Los Angeles
Old School
2 years ago
I was told when I bought this, it was old technology. Glad I ignored that opinion. My brother and I were able to collect more than our share of water from a 1.5" deep spring we were camping next to for 3 days without issue. Keep in mind, it's not like turning on the faucet, it's gonna take a little effort and time to pump the water. But have faith, you'll get it done. Bring your 32 oz Nalgene bottles. Didn't realize when I bought the pump, these bottles screw nicely into the pump for easy water collection. Note: sorry to hear in other reviews that there were mechanical issues, we didn't experience any. Worked well for us.
Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
abchak1
Boulder, CO
I like it.
13 years ago
Used this on a few trips. Haven't gotten sick even on Kauai (Hawaii) where leptospirosis is prevalent. I can't say if we just got lucky though, because I found out after the trip that we should've used iodine to be safe. I really like how this filter attaches to a Nalgene bottle so you don't need one person to pump and another to hold the bottle. I wish there was an OPTION to attach a tube to the exit of the pump though, because the only way to fill small bottles is to fill a Nalgene and then pour it into the smaller ones. I love the angled pumping mechanism. Much better than the in & out Katadyn filters many of my friends have. Cleaning it is easy enough. Takes a while to totally dry out.
Yes , I recommend this product
1 - 10 of 549 Reviews