Platypus  QuickDraw Microfilter System

I ordered the filter from REI.com and it arrived very quickly. I love this product because it has an easy test to confirm the filter hasn't been compromised. Unfortunately, the packaging was clearly used so I immediately tested the filter's safety according to Platypus' instructions. It immediately failed the basic test for determining if it's safely filtering dirty water. The product had obviously already been returned--the packaging had water damage and nothing was wrapped--and y'all chose to ship it out again without testing it. I expected better from REI.

I recently took the QuickDraw on a 3 day backpack in the Trinity Alps and it came in clutch all weekend! This thing was pretty much a constant carry while hiking, scrambling and fishing the streams and lakes. Everyone in my party was using it constantly to fill their bottles or drink from directly. The reservoir is the perfect size for packability.

Bought this product Sept 2021. I always have a spare filter on hand for when my one in use is subjected to freezing environments and needs to be trashed. Stored this filter in my heated/air-conditioned home prior to use. Finally used it March 2022 and I couldn't get water out of it. I destroyed one dirty bag squeezing it so hard. Eventually a small amount of water would come out. It took several hours to gravity filter enough water for 5 people, maybe 5 to 8 liters. The output doesn't compare at all to the printed specs or videos I have seen. This had to have been a defective filter. Lesson learned, test new gear before you need it!

One year in, the ends of the threads on the filter broke making it a hassle to attach, but it was still useable. Then while filtering the bag itself split open on the seam. I reached out to Cascade designs with my warrant claim last summer and received no response. A few months later I reached out again, and again radio silence. It's now been over six months with no response. Worst customer service I have ever experienced from an outdoor equipment brand. I can appreciate that from time to time products are going to have manufacturing defects but to completely ignore your customers when this happens is totally unacceptable. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of this brand if you care about a warranty.

The box reads, "fast flowing performance, up to 3L per minute." Under ideal conditions (brand new, tap water), I could barely squeeze 1L/minute out of my brand new filter. Yes, the filter was "wet" for an hour before testing the flow rate. This may be a defective unit but I will go back to the Sawyer Squeeze. Aside from the poor flow rate, I like the construction, rugged flip cap to protect the clean end and the ability to backwash in the field without any tools. The instructions also indicate that it can be tested in the field for integrity. If the hollow fiber filters freeze, they won't filter anymore so being able to test a filter if you accidentally expose it to freezing temps is a plus.

I love the platypus gravity works filter and even used it on solo trips so I was excited to try the new QuickDraw filter. At first I was disappointed that you could not connect the filter to the platy reservoirs but discovered that if you remove the bite valve you can connect the filter to the reservoir. Once I did that I had a mini gravity works filter. The flow rate was good and I had no issues with the filter or bag. It's my new small group water filter.

This Platypus QuickDraw filter is ingenious, utilizing minimal space, which is highly valuable for backpacking. One of the most frequently mentioned comments about this filter was handling the “clean” and “dirty” caps that come off one end of the filter and the cap from the reservoir. In my opinion, this shouldn’t be an issue as I was able to safely set the caps on a rock and it was perfectly fine. People also mentioned the flow rate out of this filter and I found it to be just fine if you squeeze a liter of tap water through the filter the day before you plan on using it to “prime” the fibers. Applying pressure and squeezing the bag also helps increase the flow rate too. This filter is also more versatile than a pump in that the stream can be directed into your hydration water reservoir, your mouth, Platypus products, and other water bottles that fit the thread of the "dirty" reservoir. I would highly recommend purchasing this water filter if you’re thinking about getting one. Especially for the price in comparison to MSR’s $90 micro water pump, I would say this is worth it. The only minor complaint I have is that the cosmetics of the “dirty” reservoir could barely last a day through the Enchantments before the vinyl design started to rub off from friction in my backpack, but it’s not an essential component of the product’s functionality so it is still a 5-star product.

First backpacking trip out with this filter. Have used different filtration systems over the past 30 years, water filtration is nothing new to me. Bought it for its light weight. Had to squeeze the dirty water container pretty hard to even get water to come through at all, slowly got a tiny bit better after several gallons of filtration. I never saw water come through my filter as fast as was seen in the video, even though the "dirty water" was pretty darn clear. In the video, note that they're running already clear water through the filter. The clean water was really clear and tasteless, however.

I purchased this in Sep 2021, and the filter was useless. I didn't actually use it for the first time until July 2022, and I could not get water to come out and the bag quickly ruptured with a small amount of pressure. I am returning the unit to REI and am considering buying another one. There are a number of similar reviews from the late 2021 time frame, which makes me think Platypus my have botched the production of some of these units during that time. Hopefully my next filter will be in line with the positive reviews...

A must have for winter. fast flow rate, extremely versatile as it can be attached directly to a water bottle and can easily be drank out of eliminating the need to squeeze all of your water. I typically just scoop some river water into my bottle then leave it attached, flow rate is good enough that drinking feels natural and easy. and in winter you can close both ends and keep it in your pocket easily to prevent freezing. the ability to integrity check is also good for peace of mind. overall I highly recommend. better than the BeFree if you ask me for its versatility and build quality.