Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

Filtering water used to be a thankless chore, particularly if you were pumping water for two or more hikers. This gravity fed water filter is a terrific alternative.

I love the Steripen UV water treatment system, but while preparing for a trip to Isle Royale, learned that it has not been approved for treatment of water that may be contaminated by tapeworm eggs. This contaminant is typically found in water used by wolves, including the interior lakes of Isle Royale. I thus went out to purchase a new filter element for an older pump filter, but returned home with the base camp filter, instead.

This filter is simple and more or less fool proof. Simply fill the bag with up to two and a half gallons of water, hang it from a tree, place the tube in a water bottle, and open the tap. Done.

The base camp filter never produced water at quite the rate advertised; it seemed to take about eight to ten minutes to fill a one liter Nalgene. However, since it took absolutely no pumping, I considered this irrelevant. I just lined up the bottles and filled them one after the next, while preparing food, reading, etc. From time to time, my son and I even forgot to check a bottle, until it had begun to overflow. And that's when it hit me, I wasn't thinking about filtering water. I wasn't counting strokes on a pump. I wasn't worried whether we were using too much water to cook or clean, thinking all the time that each drop taken out of a container would have to be pumped back in. Moreover, we found ourselves filtering water for other hikers who shared our campsite. (Perhaps they did so to get "free" water?)

Like all filter pumps, the element will eventually clog and the rate of flow will gradually diminish. Over the course of a nine day trip, however, I only noticed a slight reduction in output.

The cartridge supplied with the unit has a removable pre-filter that can be taken off and cleaned, which we did on a daily basis. I also experimented by using a rubber band to fasten a coffee filter over the filter element and found that to work well. Where our water source was a bit murky, I strained the water through a coffee filter as I filled the bag, although the pre-filter may have been sufficient. From our experience on our recent IR hike, and subsequent hikes, it appears the cartridge will produce about 150 to 200 gallons before the rate of flow is dramatically compromised -- assuming some care is taken to avoid filling the bag with silty water. (It is advertised to produce about 200 gallons of water.)

The bag can be hung from a tree branch, or, if none is available, can be hung from a strap wrapped around a tree trunk. (See photo.) It is constructed of a heavy water proof material, similar to a dry-bag, and fastens shut in the same manner. In our experience it proved to be durable and easy to pack, although some care must be taken not to compress the filter element inside the bag. It is slightly heavier than some of the lighter pump filters (by a few ounces, at most, and in some cases it is lighter), but its ease of use makes this worthwhile. On longer hikes, or where water quality is questionable, I would be inclined to pack an additional filter element. A pump filter can tolerate somewhat more build up, since added pressure can be applied to the pump to produce water. This system, on the other hand, relies entirely on gravity, and since the pressure through the filter cannot be adjusted, a clog cannot be overcome with elbow grease. (I found that attempting to increase throughput by compressing the bag to have little or no effect.)

All things considered, this is a great product. My only criticism is that it seems rather too costly, considering the simplicity of its design.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

I decided to buy the Base Camp Filter (BCF) for this years 7-day backpacking trip to the Beartooth wilderness area in Montana. Our group has typically had 4-6 members, but this year had eight. In the past we have used pump-type filters but it has always been one of those chores that don't add much to the enjoyment of the trip, and with eight members you need a LOT of water.

The BCF is as simple as it gets, just add water. It uses the identical filter element as the Katadyn Hiker pump filter. The bag is very sturdy and well sealed around the filter element interface. We measured its filtration rate and found it to be half of the reported 16oz per minute. Frankly, who cares! Fill, hang, and go do something enjoyable. To fill I used a separate plastic garbage bag to transfer instead of dipping it straight into the lake or stream. This was simply a preference to ensure no cross contamination. It's 6oz heavier than the Katadyn Hiker but worth it, in my opinion. I think the price is a bit much. It's more simple in construction than the Katadyn Hiker, yet more expensive.

Everyone in the group agreed that it was the #2 best improvement to the trip, #1 was the Elk and Beans dinner :-)

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

I've had the Katadyn Base Camp for two seasons and this is the best switch out of equipment I have made. I've been hiking for years with friends and I would always volunteer to PUMP water for everyone if they would cook the first night and collect the firewood. In fact most friends would leave their pumps home knowing that I would pump for them. I actually enjoyed getting the water with my pump, it gave me time to scope out the scenery as I mindlessly pumped liter after liter. With the Base Camp you can scoop up a bag full of water in three seconds, hang it in the tree and your done before the firewood gets collected. The water flows slowly out of the hose if you don't get the air bubbles out of the hose. It also works faster if you have the end of the hose as low as possible compared to the level in the bag. Compared to pumping it is just about the same. It weighs less than my pump (which I have sold) and takes up less room in my pack. Only one negative, it would be easier to hang if the buckle was offset to one side. I have over come this by using a second buckled strap that goes over a limb and then hanging this on that strap. Still this is a solid 5 star that lets me mindlessly watch the fish raise as I tie on that first fly.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

After a week in Quetico, it's clear this is the best addition to the pack since the single burner camp stove. The creation of two gallons of purified water while you're doing other things -- with no uncomfortable pumping -- makes setting up camp & mealtime a different experience. Plan on about 25-30 minutes to purify two gallons (a little longer than materials suggest)--a time difference you won't notice. A 2 gal collapsible water bucket makes refills easier.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

i use this product to filter water ffor the group of people I hike/camp with. With this thing you just fill it from the lake or stream, hang it and in a little more than 30 minutes you have 2 gallons of filtered water. The pros of this filter outweigh the Cons if you are a group of people or one person staying a while in the woods. You just fill and hang instead of pumping untill you are arm is tired to fill your little bottle, this thing gives you 2 gallons in half an hour. I love this filter as I always hike with at least 2 others and its easy to care for too.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

Picture a group of 6 avid paddlers in the wilderness…. They find a perfect campsite, all tents get setup, firewood gathered, clotheslines hung, bear bag branch scouted, latrine located, dinner plans hatched – nobody acknowledges that 5 gallons of clean water are needed….. If this sounds familiar, try this filter. One guy wades knee deep into a lake, scoops a bag of water, hooks it on a tree branch and by the time you get your whisperlite heated up, you have water to drink, boil, etc….

I generally pack pretty light, didn’t notice a bit of difference in adding this to may pack. This was the best new innovation of the ’07 trip!

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

I have used this filter a minimum of 10 times on extended trips before writing this review. It is relatively light for the massive utility it brings. After a hard day, I simply scoop up more than a gallon of water, hang it for a tree and watch as it quickly fills my bottle and my buddies' bottles with NO WORK. Gravity does it all. The bag is very tough, I have never gotten sick. It has never clogged on me. It just runs and runs. All of my friends have now purchased one. We love this. It is the best water filter out there in my opinion.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

I would not use any other type of filtration. This filter is great! I use it every time we go on our weekend backpacking trips. Just fill then hang and you have the best filtered water this side of the Mississippi and probably the other side as well. Large capacity let’s us fill up the hydration two people need for the next the day’s hike along with water needed for dinner and breakfast. It flows darn fast to. So don’t go wonder off too far while filling your bottles. I also was able to rig it to fill our camelbaks. (see below) Only a small con… It’s a bit awkward to pack, but weighs next to nothing.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

You can't beat this filter. Fill it and forget it! I went on my first non-solo trip and was giving water to everyone in the group. The water tastes great and I've never had any issues with it. I read one review where the guy says he couldn't get the thing to filter fast enough. I can't imagine what the problem could have been other than a defective filter. One thing that I have learned is that hanging the bag high so the hose is as straight as possible increases the rate of flow, but that goes without saying. I'll never own, or consider another type of filter, because this one gives me more, great tasting water than I know what to do with.

Comments about Katadyn Base Camp Filter:

This bag works great throw away your pumps!!!! This kept three of hydrated perfectly for 5 days. If all we had was the pump I imagine we would not have stayed as well hydrated due to laziness, but with the base camp we were perfect!