Thanks for visiting my site about camping water filters.  I love to backpack and go a’ wandering out in Mather Nature’s backyard.  You just can’t beat a saunter out in the woods to get away from it all!

I was recently in the market for an outdoor watering filtering unit; for a emergency backup resource and since there is water available along one of my usual treks, as a supplemental water source so I could limit the amount of water I have to ‘truck in’.

So as long as I was doing the ‘due diligence’ for worthy h2o filtering products, why not share what my research had uncovered?  It just may be helpful to you as well.

One product that really seemed to stand out was the Katadyn Vario Multi Flow Water Microfilter.   This Katadyn device uses two filtering technologies:  ceramic filters for long life and a pleated glass fiber making for simple and easy use.

The ceramic pre-water is for situations where the water is rather dirty.  You just turn the filter and the long-life ceramic filter is engaged.  For normal conditions, the pleated glass fiber filer works just fine.

This model also has a carbon core that assists in keeping a fresh taste to the water.  (And it’s replaceable).  The carbon core reduces odors, toxins, and other chemicals throughout the cartridge’s useable life.

What was interesting is the high output this unit delivers:  up to 2 quarts per minute with normal water using the pleated glass fiber (activated charcoal) filter.  The less-pristine stuff takes a wee bit longer — about a quart a minute.  The filter incorporates a dual-piston pumping technology that makes quick work of the project with little effort involved.

It only weighs 15 ounces and the cartridge capacity is rated up to 500 gallons.  (That should keep me hydrated for awhile!)

So that’s all the techie stuff about it.  But how does it work in the field?  So off researching I went and came across an in-depth report by the folks at Backpackgeartest.org who put the filter through its paces.

Testing was done at a couple of locations in Utah during day-hikes and mountain biking ventures.  Water sources included clear running stream and creek water, lake water that had green surface scum, and high mountain lake water.  (That seemed like a pretty varied testing selection!)

Results?  The reviewer from Backpackgeartest.org is quoted as saying:  “I must say this filter is the easiest to pump and the fastest I have ever used.”

The tester experimented in using the filter directly to a Nalgene bottle and didn’t even use the outlet hose.  It worked just fine.

The Vario water filter was also found to be easy to use with a Camelbak.  The bite valve and regulator was removed and no other attachments were needed to marry the Vario’s output tube with the Camelbak’s hose.  Pretty convenient way to replenish the hydration system!

The pump was found to be extremely easy to use and didn’t cause arm and shoulder fatigue.  With fast-filtering, a 32 oz bottle could be filled under 30 seconds.  Just for grins, the Vario was tested on the longer-life setting.  The same bottle took only 44 seconds to fill.

Our Backpackgeartest.org ‘guinea pig’ put the filter through its paces on some relatively dirt “icky” lake water.  Expecting to see that icky grime and film on the ceramic filter, it was surprising to discover that the filter only had a few ‘black spots’.  (The unit comes with a scrub pad for cleaning the filter.)

But what about taste?  I’m glad you asked!

Our trusty reviewer said:  “The water that I filtered using the Vario tasted pretty good.”  Admittedly, the water filtered from the lake that had the green film did taste ‘slightly nasty’, but that’s to be expected.  But this taste-test was conducted using the fast flow method.  Upon re-filtering that water again via the longer-life option, the taste had improved.

This product feedback sounded pretty good so far so I took the research over to Amazon.com to see what they had to say about the Katadyn Vario Multi Flow Water Microfilter.  Overall, users of this device are impressed!

Over 60% of the reviewers gave it 5-Stars.  Only a limited number of people take the time to provide reviews so even a small sampling is representing a much larger audience.  If folks aren’t happy with a product, they are not shy about telling their story to the universe!

One person really gave it a real-world test in the rain forest of Ecuadorian Amazon — the REAL Amazon.  Now that’s off the map venturing!

This brave soul used the Vario to provide drinking water from the streams passed along the way.  Bottom line:  “I never got sick is a testament to the effectiveness of the Vario.”  This individual used the filter to fill up a 100oz Camelbak and was impressed with the speed and ease of use compared to other water filters previously used.

But not every owner of the Vario was a happy camper.  One reviewer noted that the pumping can cause backpressure resulting in the contents spilling out when releasing this pressure.  This could contaminate a clean water source so caution is advised if you unscrew the top.  Also, cleaning the unit was a chore for some as there are several O-rings and moving parts to deal with.

Overall, I’m sold!  This water filter is manufactured by Katadyn out of Switzerland.  And they’ve been in the portable water system business since 1928 producing products for the military, health organizations and outdoor adventurers all around the globe.

So, if you’re looking for a dependable camping water filter I do believe this one will last you for years to come.  Happy trails!