MSR  Trail Base Gravity Water Filter System

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Incorporating 2 systems in one—a 2L gravity filter for camp, and the pocket-size TrailShot for on-the-go filtering—the MSR Trail Base Gravity filter system helps you go with the flow.

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Features

  • Components allow system to transform from a 2L gravity system into a small trail filter and back
  • Kit includes: 1 TrailShot water filter (5 oz.) for on-trail use; two 2L MSR Dromedary bags to keep your dirty and clean water separate; additional hose for gravity filtering
  • Trail filter connects into gravity system to create the complete gravity-fed filter system
  • 3-in-1 cap allows simple filling, drinking and pouring
  • Effective against bacteria (99.9999%), protozoa (99.9%) and particulate
  • Hollow fiber filter meets U.S. EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Purifiers and NSF protocol P231 testing standard

Made in USA.

View all MSR Gravity Water Filters

Technical Specs

Best Use

Backpacking

Trail Running

Mountain Biking

Filter Type

Squeeze

Gravity

Filter Medium

Hollow fiber

Removes/Destroys

Protozoa And Bacteria

Output

32 fl. oz. per 60 sec.

Housing Material

Polyurethane/silicone

BPA Free

Yes

Field Cleanable

Yes

Dimensions

12 x 5 x 2

Weight

1 lb. 0.3 oz.

Reviews
22 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

6 out of 8 (75%) reviewers recommend this product

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Average Customer Ratings

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Has that funny taste
mountain mike
6 years ago
I owned a few MSR Drom bags a few years ago, black and the drom lites... I could never get rid of that funny taste in the water. I sold them and went with Platypus bags instead... no issues. I love MSR products and the Gravity Works is awesome, never had an issue with taste in that big red bag so I purchased this Trail Base setup... and they have that funny taste! I thought MSR would have addressed this by now. I will be trying (again!) several ways to get rid of it. Last time I tried a lot of different things... baking soda, Aqua-Sol and even Vodka but nothing worked. I hope these will be better but I don't have my hopes up.
mountain mike
Co. Spgs. CO
8 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 2.0 out of 5 stars
Failed. Will Return for Exchange.
Paddle Camper
7 years ago
Worked great at home and for first couple days of trip Up North. Then the unit became much slower even with frequent attempts to clean (shake). Now the unit does not work at all (except in gravity mode) without "priming" first by putting clean water directly into the bulb. This is difficult and even impossible in some situations because clean water is not always available and you wouldn't want to put dirty water directly into the bulb because that bypasses the first filter. The unit is light-weight and seems durable. I really wish there was an option for attachable clean and dirty water bags that are larger -- 2 liters is not a lot for cooking and drinking and it can be a pain to always be fetching another bag of dirty water. I purchased the $50 10-liter MRS Dromedary bag and guess what -- it doesn't connect to this system. Not sure why MRS wouldn't design these to be compatible. MRS customer service was friendly and professional and suggested I return my unit for a new one -- cool, that's what I'm doing. But a water filter can be a critical piece of gear and my confidence in MSR is a little shaken after this.
Paddle Camper
Chicago, IL
11 people found this review helpful
mountain mike
Co. Spgs. CO
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Has that funny taste

6 years ago

I owned a few MSR Drom bags a few years ago, black and the drom lites... I could never get rid of that funny taste in the water. I sold them and went with Platypus bags instead... no issues. I love MSR products and the Gravity Works is awesome, never had an issue with taste in that big red bag so I purchased this Trail Base setup... and they have that funny taste! I thought MSR would have addressed this by now. I will be trying (again!) several ways to get rid of it. Last time I tried a lot of different things... baking soda, Aqua-Sol and even Vodka but nothing worked. I hope these will be better but I don't have my hopes up.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Paddle Camper
Chicago, IL
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

Failed. Will Return for Exchange.

7 years ago

Worked great at home and for first couple days of trip Up North. Then the unit became much slower even with frequent attempts to clean (shake). Now the unit does not work at all (except in gravity mode) without "priming" first by putting clean water directly into the bulb. This is difficult and even impossible in some situations because clean water is not always available and you wouldn't want to put dirty water directly into the bulb because that bypasses the first filter. The unit is light-weight and seems durable. I really wish there was an option for attachable clean and dirty water bags that are larger -- 2 liters is not a lot for cooking and drinking and it can be a pain to always be fetching another bag of dirty water. I purchased the $50 10-liter MRS Dromedary bag and guess what -- it doesn't connect to this system. Not sure why MRS wouldn't design these to be compatible. MRS customer service was friendly and professional and suggested I return my unit for a new one -- cool, that's what I'm doing. But a water filter can be a critical piece of gear and my confidence in MSR is a little shaken after this.

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
A Aron
Bowling Green KY
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Something wrong with filter

5 years ago

Will be calling MSR and asking for money back or a credit toward a platypus. Purchased this in 2018. Went on 2 hikes and stored the unit for long term- following the instructions using bleach. Took it out of storage and it would not filter at all. Bought a new filter thinking it may have been my mistake. On the next hike in 2019- same thing. Followed storage instructions down to the letter. Same thing happened. MSR repaired it and sent it back with a new filter. I did a trip in fall 2019 and it worked fine. Stored it again- using a Lot of bleach and making sure it was dry. Pulled it out from storage and it is doing 1L in 7 minutes. There is either a significant issue with the filter or need to update their storage instructions. I will be changing to another product that is more reliable

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
Michael K.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Perfect design for small rivers and streams!

1 year ago

Worked right out of the box and very easy to use and set up. First trip was a canoe camping trip end of summer where we have very dry conditions, and the first camp spot (ocean not lake) had a known stream but this year was very very dry. Had to hike up and luckily this new system of just placing the end of the hose into the small trickle was camp saving. I had been frustrated in the past with scoop type of filter reservoirs this summer (Jasper also had very light trickles in a lot of streams) so this design is perfect! Having the larger bag to scoop when there are larger flows of water is awesome too.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Anonymous
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

FUNNY TASTE

6 years ago

FUNNY TASTE I owned a few MSR Drom bags a few years ago, black and the drom lites... I could never get rid of that funny taste in the water. I sold them and went with Platypus bags instead... no issues. I love MSR products and the Gravity ""Autoflow"" is awesome, never had an issue with taste in that big red bag so I purchased this Trail Base setup... and, they have that funny taste! I thought MSR would have addressed this by now. I will be trying (again!) several ways to get rid of it. Last time I tried a lot of different things ... various soaps, baking soda, corn starch, baking powder, Aqua-Sol and even Vodka (because it really has no taste) but nothing worked. I hope these will be better but I don't have my hopes up.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Keith
Portland, OR
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Well designed water filtration system

4 years ago

Prior water filter died, and I bought this just prior to a backpacking trip. Worked great. I like the gravity filtration and the ability to simply take the filter element on day hikes or to simply save weight. As with most filters, I'll need to see how it operates over multiple outings. But impressive so far.

Age:65–74
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Edalg
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

Old design was better

3 years ago

I'm super bummed that they got rid of the old system that didn't include a clean bag and didn't require the Trail Shot filter. Most people have existing containers that they favor, and this package requires the purchase of unnecessary and undesirable components. It's unfortunate, because the 2L dirty bladder with its roll top design is the best in the business. I recently lost mine, and I will simply have to go with another brand as this combination doesn't work for me. Too heavy and complicated.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Jordan
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

Failed on 4th backcountry trip...

2 years ago

Fantastic product design and size out of the gate, was the envy of mates who were still using pump systems... until the seam opened (not ripped) on the dirty bag at the bottom of the bag rendering the product useless. In addition to the seam opening, the filter flow all but failed after 3 and bit trips following the recommended approach of using source water with low sediment (lots of wet feet as a result). After putting in a quality assurance claim, the response time is 12 weeks!!! Basically my only option is to purchase another water filtration system for upcoming trips as I await a response from MSR. The bags need to be of much higher quality, especially for the price paid and need a more accurate sales pitch (1500L claimed) on the amount of water that can be filtered per cartridge, its probably 20% of that max.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Bluetruck
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Bought a Trailshot intending to make a gravity system,

7 years ago

Purchased a Trailshot March of 2017. Intending to dual purpose it with a gravity setup. Added supply ""dirty"" bag, shut off, extra tube, conectors, and my Camelback or Nalgene Canteens. Used thru summer into fall both ways including a 11 day paddling trip on the Canadian border. Only problem is the pre-filter plugging with sediment in gravity mode (drew form bottom of bag via bulkhead thru fitting). It was easily cleared and back in service.

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
Richard
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Yes

6 years ago

Used the MSR on the Three Rivers camping trip in NM . The Trail base gravity system provided most of the drinking and cooking water for the entire group. The water tasted great. The hand pump fits easily in my front pocket and I can throw it to anyone that needs to fill up their water bottle while we are hiking on the trail (fast and easy). Didn't clog the entire trip! Great product

Originally posted on a Cascade Designs brand site
1 - 10 of 22 Reviews

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