which water filter?

In short, we're looking for a new water filter. Anyone has any recommendation please?

Long version,...
We do wild camping around a few months per year. We normally won't be out there for more than 2 weeks at a time. We do a lot of low level trips(as opposed to mountains). We tend to go to places where water is nearby. However there're times when water is limited and we have to use stagnant water or share muddy water hole with wild animals. There are 3 of us. The biggest one of us drinks a lot....

Our first filter was a small Ketadyn(earlier version of this http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-ultralight-series-products/katadyn-mini-1/) That was when there were only 2 of us and we found it was a pain to pump.

We then changed to MSR sweetwater (http://cascadedesigns.com/en/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/basecamp-water-treatment-and-hydration/sweetwater-microfilter/product). One day its body cracked and started to leak during a trip.

We then bought MSR HyperFlow microfilter (http://cascadedesigns.com/en/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/fast-and-light-water-treatment-and-hydration/hyperflow-microfilter/product) which got blocked up and needed backflush too often which wasted our valuable water and time(Later we also noticed that it also has hairline cracks on its plastic body even though we used it for less than 2 weeks). So we bought another MSR sweetwater. This one now starts to crack again at the same area. It lasted much much shorter than the first one. FYI We are always careful when transport and use the filter though.

We're now looking for a new water filter. We don't really want to get another MSR filter for its short life.

Basically we like MSR sweetwater, even though it's bulky. It's quick and easy to pump and clean(double action and lever). Can anyone recommend any other comparable filter but more durable? and we don't use those tough water bottles, we just use ordinary plastic water bottle.(the bottled water you can buy anywhere)


...that was long... thank you for your patience.

Drinksafe have some excellent filters. 

I have both the Travel Tap and the inline filter.  The inline filter is a brilliant bit of kit and I use it with a bladder during the day and also to fill bottles in the evening when wildcamping. 

I like my katadyn Vario. It's made from a better plastic than MSR filters. To prevent blocking always clean your pre filter at the end of your tube. Never leave your pre filter on the bottom of the water source but leave it floating for sure! If the puddle is to undeep scoop out the water first in a dirty water container (i like the foldable sea to summit 10L or so washing bin). In this conatiner you can float the pre-filter. Let the water rest before starting pumping so big chuncks will sink to the bottom.

Not quite sure what you mean by 'comparable' i.e design/size/weight/cost all four?

Its had what seems to have been a large price increase recently* but in terms of durability/reliability I think you'd be hard pushed to find a better filter than the Katadyn Pocket. The obvious downsides are it weighs in at a touch over 500g and its not the cheapest of filters but noting the total amount you've spent so far on filters I think its at least worth a look. Katadyn sent me a replacement sleeve direct from Switzerland (they even used paper postage stamps on the parcel!) when I damaged my original one so good customer service as well.

* some dealers who haven't raised the price on old stock might still have one at the pre-increase prices and might also give a (BMC etc type) discount.

thanks guys for the tips and suggestion.


Katadyn Vario might be the straight replacement.
Katadyn Pocket seems robust, but its extra weight,...
Going to check DrinkSafe website in a minute.